Washington Memorial Chapel French Alliance Commemoration
When:
Sunday, May 05, 2019 2:00p -
4:00p
Sunday, May 05, 2019 2:00p -
4:00p
Where:
Washington Memorial Chapel
2000 Valley Forge Park Rd
King of Prussia, PA 19406
Admission:
FREE
Categories:
Social Good
Event website:
http://wmchapel.org/heritage
The Washington Memorial Chapel at Valley Forge has stood as a memorial and tribute to the revolutionary spirit, self-sacrifice and dedication of General George Washington and the soldiers who served under his command during the winter encampment at Valley Forge. On Sunday, May 5, 2019 it will serve as a beacon of freedom as it marks the celebration at the Valley Forge encampment on May 6, 1778 of the Treaty of Alliance between the United States and France during the American Revolution.
As the single most important diplomatic success of the Colonists during the War of Independence, the French Alliance will be commemorated during a special religious service that begins at 2 PM.
Honored guests and participants during the ceremony include: Colonel Pierre ProdʹHomme, representing the Embassy of France; Michael Scullin, the Honorary Consul of France in Philadelphia and William Troppman, Valley Forge National Historical Park Ranger. Representatives of other patriotic organizations and members of the French community in the Philadelphia area will also be in attendance. The public is invited, though space is limited.
Following the service, Colonel Pierre ProdʹHomme, escorted by the Color Guard of the Philadelphia Continental Chapter Sons of the American Revolution, with the aid of the representatives of the Pennsylvania State Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Patriotic Order of Sons of America, who will lay two wreaths at the Waterman Monument; one in memory of the French and American soldiers and sailors who gave their lives during the American Revolution, the other in tribute to Ltc. Arnaud Beltrame of the French National Gendarmerie who was killed in a terrorist attack in France on March 24, 2018. Following the ceremony, Doug Gefvert, Washington Memorial Chapel’s Carillonneur, will perform French music of the 18th century.
