At Lake George Battlefield Park, a solemn ceremony Friday honored 44 soldiers who died in 1776—men whose names may be lost to history, but whose sacrifice is now permanently recognized.
“It was the duty 250 years ago to take up arms for the birth of this great nation,†said New York Army National Guard Chaplain Major Robert Volk. “And it is our duty today to bear witness to lay these American heroes to rest.â€
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The remains, discovered on Courtland Street, are believed to belong to soldiers who died at a Continental Army smallpox hospital during the Revolutionary War. While their identities remain unknown, Lake George Mayor Ray Perry said clues uncovered at the site help tell part of their story.
“Although the identities of those uncovered at Courtland Street are unknown, several uniform buttons were found,†Perry said. “Indicative of Pennsylvania Regiment petticoat buttons.â€
The reinterment marks the culmination of the “Repose of the Fallen†project, a process that took more than seven years to complete. New York State Deputy Secretary of State Kisha Santiago emphasized the broader significance of the effort, noting that preserving history offers future generations a deeper understanding of the nation's beginnings.
“To be in a location like this and recognize how large the world is, how big the sacrifices have been made well before us, to get us to live in the beautiful country that we do, is just an incredibly meaningful and important part,†Santiago said.
Lake George played a pivotal role in the fight for independence, and officials say the work is far from over. Many more soldiers are believed to be buried in the area, still undiscovered. For Chaplain Volk, the reinterment is not just a conclusion—it's a commitment.
“So we recognize that, as we found these 44, there are still many who have not been found,†Volk said. “So we never give up the search for them. We never give up the duty that we have to honor them and their memory.â€
Officials say the remains of at least 1,000 soldiers are still believed to be buried in and around Lake George. When they are found, there is now a dedicated place for them to be laid to rest alongside their fellow soldiers—ensuring their service and sacrifice are never forgotten.
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