Dutch Reformed Church

Rutgers & Main streets

Belleville NJ

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(BELLEVILLE, N.J. -- July 4, 2004) -- Thirteen shots rang across the sunny Sunday morning as the replica Revolutionary War cannon shouted out a 13-gun salute in honor of Belleville's history in the War of Independence which began with the Declaration of Independence 228 years ago

The names of 66 Revolutionary War veterans buried here were read by historian Clark Schor. Their sacrifice to win independence for these thirteen upstart colonies recalled, as guest speaker Anthony Buccino suggested that "were it not for their bravery we might be speaking with an English accent to this day."

The Dutch Reformed, in what is now Belleville, New Jersey, was established in 1697. The private cemetery on the west side of the building has in it buried these Revolutionary War veterans.

On a clear summer morning, the bells in the old church rang in remembrance.

Members of the Belleville High School Marching Band played the "Star-Spangled Banner," "America The Beautiful" and other patriotic tunes as the mayor and members of the council honored this sacred site.

A wreath was placed at the stone marking the grave of Captain Josiah Hornblower, a member of the Continental Congress.

Joe Fornarotto of the Nutley-Belleville Disabled Veterans Post 22, and Dominick Jeanette, Chairman of the Belleville Veterans Council placed a wreath next to stone listing the American Revolution veterans buried here.

Girl Scouts from Belleville Troops 340 and 362 came forward to repeat their pledge.

Muskets were placed at graves of the veterans.

The sacrifice of the veterans standing in the audience, and of the families of the many young Belleville Sons who did not return - particularly the 117 Belleville boys lost in World War II - were recalled as Buccino again referred to "those veterans and disabled veterans standing here today, without their bravery and sacrifice, and the sacrifices of their families, we would be speaking with a German accent."

Boy Scouts from Belleville Troop 350 and Nutley Troop 142 stood honor guard militia, and broke off a detachment to fire the salute.

Organizer Michael Perrone said the newly built replica cannon was set to fire a 13-gun salute as the church's bells tolled, at this, the third annual commemoration.

"Three years ago, we held the ceremony on the front lawn of the church because the cemetery had just become too overgrown" for a gathering as with today's nearly 100 townsfolk in attendance.

The cannon, which Perrone had a large part in assembling, is seven feet long, four feet high and four feet wide. It fires 10-gauge blanks which can be heard about two miles away.

Perrone told The Belleville Times that the cannon is the same type used by football teams and at festivals.

He said they put the cannon inside a full size barrel and on a full size carriage to recreate the look and feel of a real Revolutionary War artillery piece.

Perrone explained the significance of the cannon: Belleville has a lot of cannon history. The cannon will be set up and fired in front of the hilltop grave of Capt. Henry Benson. Benson was an artillery captain during the Civil War and was killed during the battle of Malvern Hill, Va., in an artillery duel with forces commanded by Robert E. Lee.

Benson's funeral in 1862 was Belleville's first military funeral, Perrone said.

Capt. Anthony Rutgers (yes, related to the university of the same name) was also an artillery captain, although it was during the revolution.

Buccino said that the men on the plaque behind him "risked everything to provide freedom for those of us who stand here today. The men, these veterans in our midst risked everything, for our freedom to stand here today. Look around you, we are still paying every day for freedom all around the world. I thank you, veterans."