WYOMING — The community gathered at the Wyoming Memorial on Friday to mark the 247th anniversary of the Battle and Massacre of Wyoming. Reenactors, veterans groups and patriotic organizations, spent their Fourth of July morning commemorating the sacrifice of those who died in the battle at a commemorative ceremony.
“The Battle of Wyoming came to signify the resiliency of the American people early on,” said Hayley Haldeman, the chair of the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, who delivered the ceremony’s keynote address.
The event was attended by scores of residents and historical organizations looking to honor the sacrifices of the battle.
Gene Kearney, a Scranton resident, was in attendance as a reenactor with the 24th Connecticut Militia regiment, which punctuated the event with a gun volley tribute. Kearney said he has worked with the regiment for 27 years.
“It’s a wonderful little slice of Americana,” Kearney said. “To me it’s part of honoring the people involved, who we reenact.”
Betty Jones, of Swoyersville, was at the event with her 11-year-old granddaughter, Addison Jones, a rising sixth grader at Good Shepherd Academy and an avowed fan of “Hamilton” and history.
“It’s a tough world and events like this help bring us closer and help with community spirit.” Betty Jones said.
“I consider it my mission to continue our heritage and tell the story,” said Sherry Emershaw, another reenactor of the 24th Connecticut. “So many people don’t realize an actual Revolutionary War battle was here in Wyoming Valley.”
The Battle of Wyoming occurred on July 3, 1778. Over 300 American militiamen, many of whom were untrained farmers, were defeated and killed by 600 British, loyalists, and Iroquois troops. Some Americans were executed after they surrendered.
The Wyoming Commemorative Association hosted the annual commemoration service. It was the 147th annual commemoration of the battle and massacre, with the first ceremony occurring on the battle and massacre’s centennial.
Marcella Starr, president of the Wyoming Monument Association, speaks at the 147th annual Commemorative Service of the Battle and Massacre of Wyoming at the Wyoming Monument on Friday, July 4, 2025. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Tom Kovalcin of Larksville salutes during the National Anthem at the 147th annual Commemorative Service of the Battle and Massacre of Wyoming at the Wyoming Monument on Friday, July 4, 2025. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
The 24th Connecticut Militia marches in the 147th annual Commemorative Service of the Battle and Massacre of Wyoming at the Wyoming Monument on Friday, July 4, 2025. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
The Wyoming Valley Band performs at the 147th annual Commemorative Service of the Battle and Massacre of Wyoming at the Wyoming Monument on Friday, July 4, 2025. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Marcella Starr, president of the Wyoming Monument Association, speaks at the 147th annual Commemorative Service of the Battle and Massacre of Wyoming at the Wyoming Monument on Friday, July 4, 2025. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Frank Conyngham, president of the Wyoming Commemorative Association speaks at the 147th annual Commemorative Service of the Battle and Massacre of Wyoming at the Wyoming Monument on Friday, July 4, 2025. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Michael Edwards presents the U.S. flag at the 147th annual Commemorative Service of the Battle and Massacre of Wyoming at the Wyoming Monument on Friday, July 4, 2025. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Members of the U.S. Army stand to be recognized at the 147th annual Commemorative Service of the Battle and Massacre of Wyoming at the Wyoming Monument on Friday, July 4, 2025. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Lindsay Griffin-Boylan delivers the welcome address at the 147th annual Commemorative Service of the Battle and Massacre of Wyoming at the Wyoming Monument on Friday, July 4, 2025. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Hundreds of people attend the 147th annual Commemorative Service of the Battle and Massacre of Wyoming at the Wyoming Monument on Friday, July 4, 2025. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Attendees gather around the floral tributes at the 147th annual Commemorative Service of the Battle and Massacre of Wyoming at the Wyoming Monument on Friday, July 4, 2025. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Members of American Legion District 12 present floral tributes at the 147th annual Commemorative Service of the Battle and Massacre of Wyoming at the Wyoming Monument on Friday, July 4, 2025. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
The ceremony began with an introductory speech from Lindsay Griffin-Boylan, the president and CEO of the Greater Wyoming Area Chamber of Commerce. It then proceeded to a presentation of standards from the 28th Division Artillery and an invocation from the Rev. William Lewis, a retired lieutenant and Army chaplain who also delivered an ending benediction.
Wyoming Monument Association President Marcella Starr delivered a presentation on the battle’s history, in which she excoriated “Queen Esther” a figure said to be an Iroquois leader who saw to the executions of surrendered Patriot militiamen.
The event included a floral tribute at the memorial staged by a litany of groups, including various American Legion posts, local branches of the Daughters of the American Revolution, historical societies dedicated to the descendants of Revolutionary War veterans in the Wyoming Valley, and other community organizations.
Louis Sewell, a 73-year-old Hanover Twp. resident who served as a sergeant E-5 in the Army from 1973-89, was there leading the American Legion District 12 of Pennsylvania. He said it was important for the community to memorialize the battle and remember their history.
“This is where our freedom started,” Sewell said.
“It’s a memorial, it’s remembering where we came from and how we got to where we are today,” Master Sgt. Michael Edwards of the 109th Field Artillery out of Kingston added. “It’s celebrating the past so we don’t make the mistakes of the future.”
Gay Stahley, the regent of the D.A.R. Fort McClure chapter, said she believed it was important to attend the event to honor those who have sacrificed for their country. She said she had ancestors who fought at the Battle of Wyoming and her father served in World War II, during which he survived after being shot down.
“It’s important to not forget the steps that we’ve taken to get to where we are in our country today,” Stahley said.
The keynote address from Haldeman connected the spirit of the Battle of Wyoming and the Fourth of July to the Pennsylvania Line Mutiny of 1781, in which U.S. Army soldiers peacefully rose up against their superiors to demand better pay.
The mutinous soldiers later received entreaties from the British to outright betray the Patriot cause and fight against America. They defiantly rejected the British call and held loyal to the country.
“These were not traitors, they never intended to abandon the Revolution. They just wanted it to live up to their ideals.” Haldeman said. “This is what it means to be loyal to a cause and this is what it means to have a fair and just republic.”