Ross County DAR present America 250! award
CHILLICOTHE―The Nathaniel Massie Chapter of the DAR had the honor of presenting awards to two members of the Joseph Ogle’s Company, Ohio County Militia Revolutionary War Reenactors. Kregg Uhrig, of Chillicothe and Joe Forte, a Circleville resident, received the America 250! DAR award. This award is given to non-DAR members who demonstrate extraordinary efforts to not only honor the men and women who achieved American Independence but also educate others about their service and sacrifice.
Uhrig and Forte have spent many hours volunteering at Liberty Camp, school assemblies, and other DAR educational functions teaching children American History. They have demonstrated firearms and hand weapons, created displays and taught sessions about soldiers' lifestyles, how to hand-make cartridges for muskets, The Bill of Rights, The Declaration of Independence and every aspect of the Revolutionary War. Most recently the two men built replicas of the Dartmouth, the ship involved in the Boston Tea Party, and a Revolutionary War cannon.
Additionally, Forte was presented the DAR Community Service Award. In order to earn this award approval must be given by the Ohio Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, with only two awarded annually per chapter. Forte’s contribution to his community reaches beyond his volunteerism for DAR. He has been a Sunday School teacher of children and adults at Community United Methodist Church for many years. During his two sons growing up years, he was a Boy Scout leader, and now is the leader of a Young Life Group for his grandsons. Forte has served on the board of his church for many years, overseeing improvements and often performing the work.
Reenactment commitments take Forte and his wife of 49 years, Sheryl, on trips throughout Ohio and the country. All reenactment is volunteered for festivals, historical reenactments, State and National Parks. For several years, Forte was a volunteer docent at Valley Forge National Historical Park. He has appeared in many of the movies shown at National Parks that are focused on the American Revolution. He is passing on his love of history and reenacting to his son and his grandsons. The Nathaniel Massie Chapter is pleased to be able to present these awards to deserving members of the community.
This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Ross County DAR present America 250! award
