DAR Chapter Sisters Mark Grave of Ancestor

José Maria Amador Chapter members, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Regent Diane Groome and Registrar Carole Vercellino recently traveled to Rehrersburg, Pennsylvania to attend a grave marking ceremony. The sisters honored their patriot ancestor Philip Klein, at 11 a.m. Thurs., June 21, at Altalaha Lutheran Church by dedicating a grave marker that will permanently reside on Klein’s tombstone in the church’s cemetery where Klein is buried.

The ceremony was hosted by the Berks County Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.  An honor guard from the Gov. Joseph Heister Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution, posted the colors, and Tim Ghebeles of Lebanon, Pa., a participant in Bugles Across America, played taps.  About 40 people in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance and sang "America."  A memorial wreath was placed at the burial site.

"He (Klein) was a patriot of the American Revolution who helped establish our freedom," said Berks County Chapter Regent Elizabeth Dechant of Wyomissing, Pa. "He deserves to be recognized."

Dr. Robert M. Kline of Newmanstown, a descendant of Philip Klein, gave a biographical account of the patriot's life:  

Private Philip Klein was born Dec. 9, 1773, and served in the American Revolution.  Around 1780, as the battle for America's independence raged, the Berks County Militiaman Private Philip Klein shuttled vital provisions to Gen. George Washington's encampment in Baltimore.  Klein was 17 years old when he served in the American Revolution under the command of Capt. John Reege’s Company Militia from 1780 to 1781.  Philip Klein returned from the Revolutionary War and married Elisabeth Adams in 1785. They had eight children.  He died July 22, 1834 at age 71.

This was the first time that Groome and Vercellino had marked one of their ancestor’s grave sites.  They began planning the dedication years ago. 

“It’s a process,” said Vercellino. 

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution bylaws state that markers and dedications for Revolutionary War Soldiers, Patriots, Wives, Daughters and Real Daughters (a DAR member who was a daughter of a Revolutionary Soldier or Patriot) can be placed only after given permission from the Office of the Historian General in Washington, DC.

“I had approval back in 1998 but never followed through since I thought the markers and plaques were over $400.00, plus the expense of traveling to Pennsylvania.”  Vercellino eventually found out that there is a list of NSDAR-approved bronzing firms which reproduce markers with the Society's insignia, so the cost was more reasonable.  The cast bronze plaque states that José Maria Amador Chapter placed the Marker.

The next problem was how and where to adhere the marker.  

“The old headstone was too fragile to embellish it with the heavy bronze DAR Marker and Plaque,” said Vercellino.  “So, they were attached to the headstone placed by the US Veterans Affairs, which sits in front of the old headstone.” 

“Believe me, they are heavy,” said Vercellino, who planned to take them as carry-on luggage.  “We couldn’t have a grave marking without the markers!” 

Once the sisters decided they would go to the Rehrersburg cemetery where their ancestor is buried, they contacted the local Pennsylvania DAR chapter in the area to arrange for the ceremony.  They planned the dedication with Dechant.  

"In remembering the past, we honor the men and women who gave their lives for the preservation of our freedoms and our future," Dechant said in a graveside declaration, recognizing Klein's unselfish service to his country 178 years after his death.

Groome, as José Maria Amador Chapter Regent, spoke at the ceremony and the sisters placed a wreath at the site.

Groome and Vercellino were able to coordinate the grave marking ceremony so that it fell during the time they would be on the east coast for the Daughters of the American Revolution 121^st Continental Congress, June 27-July 1, 2012, held at the DAR National headquarters in Washington, D.C.