The Rededication of the Memorial Marker at Historic Fort Jonston
The Rededication of the Memorial
Marker at Historic Fort Johnston located at 203 E Bay Street, Southport, North
Carolina was held Tuesday, June 7th, 2022, at 3:30 p.m. A reception followed inside
the Garrison House at Fort Johnston.
The Memorial Marker was first placed in 1938 by the National
Society US Daughters of 1812 at Fort Johnston as a
Memorial to North Carolina Militia stationed at Deepwater Point. Over
the years wind and weather eroded the inscription on the memorial’s white
marble tablet. The marble marker was replaced with granite by the Commissioner
Charles Gause Chapter in March 2020. The seven-year-long project was initiated
by Former President Betsy Hamer and her Vice-President Diane Price and the
Marker was affectionately called, “Betsy’s Rock.” Three presidents Linda
Rivenbark, Kathy Miller, and Pat Gooding continued raising funds for the
granite replacement tablet. It was originally
scheduled for April 13, 2020 but canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
President Carol Jutte of General Gause Chapter of 1812 welcomed
everyone to the Rededication of the Memorial Marker. American Legion Post 543 Color Guard Presented
the Colors, Diane Price gave the Invocation, Dale Spencer led the Pledge of
Allegiance, Cindy Sellers read the American’s Creed and Phyllis Wilson led the
Salute to the Flag of 1812. Laura
Edwards, NC USD1812 State President and Mayor of Southport, Joseph P. Hatem
gave Greetings. Chairman of the Rededication program Kathy Miller Introduced
Guest Speaker, Randy Jones, City of Southport Director of Community Relations.
President Carol Jutte introduced Jim McKee, Site Manager of Brunswick Town Fort
Anderson as the Keynote Speaker. Martha Blacher and Susan DeGroote unveiled the
monument. The Reading of the Monument Text was given by Vice President Pat
Tucker. Honorary Vice President National Gwen Causey and former Chapter
President Betsy Hamer placed a remembrance wreath. Following the Playing of
Taps the Benediction was given by Diane Price.
Visit the WECT website
https://www.wect.com/video/2022/06/08/rededication-ceremonies-held-two-southport-monuments/to view the video of the Rededication of the
Memorial Marker with Jim McKee, the site Manager of Brunswick Town Fort
Anderson the Keynote Speaker. Also visit
our 1812 General Gause blog https://no433chapterofusdaughtersof1812.blogspot.com/ for many more photos of the event. Contact
President Carol Jutte ctidewater@hotmail.com.
