Fallen Patriot Honored by Grave Marking Ceremony

By John A. Baum

On Sunday afternoon, on the 10^th of September, 2006, the little, colonial grave yard North of Somerset, Ohio began to fill up with armed soldiers, militiamen, and ladies and children, all in period attire. Dignitaries, ranging from Mrs. Ohio America through Officers of the SAR were in abundance. There were flags, (lots of flags) a Revolutionary War cannon, and even a complete sound system plugged into the neighboring resident’s home. And there were many modern day descendants and onlookers with chairs, cameras, umbrellas, water bottles…….

The event was the Patriot Grave Marking Ceremony dedicated to John Peter Obermeier, a soldier of the American Revolutionary War. (John Peter passed away on Sept 8^th and was laid to rest on Sept 10, 1843. It was one hundred sixty-three years later…to the day…that the Grave Marking Ceremony, for our Revolutionary War Patriot, was conducted.). This was a formal setting for a very formal and elaborate affair. Mr. Keith Kaufman, of the Rufus Putnam OSSAR, organized the whole of the program and served as the events Master of Ceremonies. The event was initiated by John A. Baum, a 7^th generation descendant of John Peter Obermeier.

The Ceremony was opened at 1:00 PM, when Mr. Kaufman, of the Rufus Putnam chapter of the Ohio Sons of the American Revolution welcomed the guests and dignitaries.

Rev. Patrick N. Kelly, Chaplain of the Ohio Society of the SAR , then offered the Invocation.

Mrs. Rhonda Shappert ~ Mrs. Ohio America, 2005/06, lead all who were in attendance with a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem. This was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance performed by “The Signing Patriots” of the New Lexington, Ohio, Middle School. The “Patriots” signed the words of the Pledge of Allegiance, in time to the Lee Greenwood CD. (It should be noted that the ‘Signing Patriots” are children who have hearing handicaps.) Their performance was heart rendering to say the least.

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Compatriot Keith Kaufman then lead the attending membership in their Pledge to the SAR:

“We descendants of the heroes of the American Revolution who, by their sacrifices, established the United States of America, reaffirm our faith in the principles of liberty and our Constitutional Republic, and solemnly pledge ourselves to defend them against every foe.”

At this point, a respectable list of dignitaries offered their comments and remarks. Included were: Compatriot Paul M. Wilke ~ President, Ohio Society, Sons of the American Revolution. Mrs. Marcia Merchant Seifert ~ State Regent, Ohio Society, Daughters of the American Revolution.  Ruth Ann Carpenter Siegler ~ "Senior State President" of the Ohio Society Children of the American Revolution. Mr. Alan Marion ~ Ohio Society, CAR. Richard Steele ~ Former Great Lakes District: Vice President General ~ National Society, SAR. and Gerald Burkland ~ President: Michigan Society, SAR.

Brian Baum then offered his Tribute to John Peter Obermeier. Brian is an 8^th generation descendant of John Peter Obermeier, this events honored Patriot.

“John Peter Obermeier was born February 5, 1761 in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, the son of Capt. John George Overmeyer and Anna Barbara Vogt. He was the eldest son of Capt. Overmeyer’s second marriage.

During the Revolution, John Peter served under his father in the 6th Company, 4th Battalion, of Northumberland County Militia in Pennsylvania. His mother performed public service during the Revolution by preparing American soldiers bodies for burial.

John Peter married Mary Eva /Henning/ on September 24^th 1783. The family moved to Ohio in about 1801 migrating to the newly opened Northwest Territory. Upon reaching Wheeling Virginia, the family suffered great hardship when most of their worldly goods, their money and some of the livestock were lost in an accident while rafting across the flood raged Ohio River. Fortunately, no human life was lost.

Eventually completing their journey to the frontier of Ohio, John Peter secured and cleared lands in Fairfield county in 1803 and settled in Reading Township. He and his brother-in-law, Peter Witmer, provided public lands and buildings for the, then forming, community of Overmeyersettle, later to become New Reading, Ohio. He participated in the setting of the lines-of-demarcation for the new Perry County, of Ohio which was formed from Fairfield County in 1818.

John Peter died on Sept. 8, 1843, the father of 12 children”.

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Wreaths were then presented at the grave site to the tune of “Amazing Grace” performed by the members of the Camp Chase Fife & Drum Corps who strive to “Remember all those who have fallen for our Country, from the Revolutionary War to present day conflicts“.

Patrick Henry’s “Call to Arms” was then presented by SAR Compatriot ~ Mr. Keith Kaufman. (A very personal comment by this writer… “It was as if Patrick Henry, himself, had come back from his resting place to honor us at this exceptional event.”)

The high point of the day were the salutes. First came a three rifle salute by living Descendents of John Peter Obermeier…Brian Baum, son of John Baum, along with brother Ron Baum, all fired to the command of re-enactor & friend, “Rusty Nitsch” and to a “Drum Roll” by Mr. Tom Romine. All were dressed in correct period attire.

For the first (known) time in many, many years, a Spirit of ‘76 Musket Salute was performed using Flintlock muskets and rifles. A total of eight members of the Color Guard’s Rev War soldiers, along with Ohio Frontiersmen and the one uniformed Civil War Soldier were lined up. On command (By SAR Compatriot, John Simmons.) One member of the squad stepped forward and fired his salute. He then went to “Present Arms”. Then, on command, 7 members of the line stepped forward and fired. They then stepped back, reloaded and stepped forwarded, again on command, to fire a second time. At this point the soldier on the far end of the line went to “Present Arms”. The remaining 6 men stepped back, reloaded and, on command stepped forward and fired the 4^th and last volley. The result was that 1 gun fired, then 7 guns fired, then 7 more guns fired, and finely 6 guns fired. That would be 1 + 7 + 7 + 6 = a 21 gun salute, or, the year, “1776” being spelled out by the men firing the salute. (Hence…The “Spirit of ‘76” Musket Salute)

Then came the Cannon Volleys by the 1st Mad River Light Artillery. The cannon, a Revolutionary War replica owned by the Clark County Park Service of Springfield, Ohio,  fired its’ first round. Following the 1^st Firing SAR Compatriot Keith Kaufman, presented “Americas Message” by Raymond Pitcarn.

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The cannon fired a second round, which was followed with “God Bless America”, sung and lead by Rhonda Shappert, Mrs. Ohio America.

All attendees were encouraged to sing along.

Then came the final Cannon Firing, which was followed by a “Tribute to America” and Taps played by Mrs. Ohio America on her trumpet, with the echo being presented by her husband.

Concluding remarks were offered by the Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Keith Kaufman, and a short comment then followed by John A. Baum ~ descendant of today’s honored Patriot.

“Since the Revolutionary War, the Overmeyer family has produced Patriots who served in literally every armed conflict that this great nation has been involved in. The name Overmeyer is also included, on another whole new level of Patriot. The Overmyer’s have produced at least one NASA Astronaut: Robert F. Overmeyer.….Robert was a direct descendant of Captain John George Overmeyer.….John Peter Obermeier’s father.

The legacy of this family is one born of blood. To take from George Orwell…."We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready to visit violence on those who would do us harm." In many cases, those “Rough men” have been “Overmeyers“…..or the sons of Overmeyers…..or the grandsons of Overmeyers.

When the cannon fired it’s volleys, the first round was in salute of John Peter Obermeier, today’s Patriot Ancestor. The second round was in salute of John Peter’s father, Captain John George Overmeyer, and the third round fired was to salute John Peter’s son-in-law, David Deal.

David Deal is one of our branch of the family tree…the Fremont Branch. All were Patriots true. Eventually written into Army Regulations, the firing of a cannon at an occasion such as today’s is to honor ALL MEN AND WOMEN who have served their county in time of need………..Today, our nation is at war……Today, there is need.”

John’s comment was followed by the SAR Recessional ~ All Attendees were asked to Please Recite:

“Until we meet again, let us remember our obligations to our forefathers, who gave us our Constitution, the Bill of Rights, an independent Supreme Court and a Nation of Free Men.”

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The colors were then Retired, and the Rev. Patrick N. Kelly, Chaplain of the Ohio Society SAR, offered his Benediction, closing the formalities.