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Chester County Press

Washington Memorial Chapel In Valley Forge To Commemorate The 240th Anniversary Of The French Alliance In The Revolutionary War With Special Service & VIP Reception

Annual Service At The Historic Chapel Is The Only Regular Commemoration Of The Landmark Treaty That Secured America’s Independence

The Washington Memorial Chapel in Valley Forge has come to stand for many things since its founding in 1903. But on Sunday, May 6 it will serve as the beacon of freedom as it marks the 240th anniversary, to the day, of the celebration at the Valley Forge encampment on 6 May 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 for Independence, the French Alliance will be recognized by the Chapel during a special religious service that begins at 2 PM. V.I.P. participants honored during the ceremony will include: Colonel Stanislas de Magnienville, representing the Embassy of France; Michael Scullin, the Honorary Consul of France in Philadelphia and Steven Sims, Superintendant of the Valley Forge National Historical Park. 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, Col. de Magnienville, escorted by a Color Guard of the First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry (First City Troop) and 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, 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 23. Additionally, the Washington Memorial National Carillon will play French music of the 18th century following the ceremony.


To date, the celebration at the Chapel continues to be one of the only ones in the country that recognizes its significance.  For more information about The Washington Memorial Chapel, visit http://wmchapel.org/heritage/.

Date & Time

May 6, 2018

2:00PM

Location

Washington Memorial Chapel - RR 23, Valley Forge, PA, 01917 RR 23 Valley Forge 01917 PA US

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Free

Community & Neighborhood