Military History Repeats Itself

The children hurried back to their parents as the British soldiers along with the militia, brandished their arms and the Indians gave out their war cries. Militia and pioneer men and women in authentic clothing walked the streets of this small upstate New York village called Cherry Valley. It had been 225 years since the Cherry Valley Massacre in November 1778, and a commemoration was in process. The Burning Valley Militia Association (BVMA) had come to reenact the events from the time period of the Revolutionary War. Visitors to Cherry Valley could see what camp life was like, learn how rifle and muskets were used, and experience the reenactment of that fateful day in 1778. This is what living history is all about.

Many such associations promote living history as the BVMA, who organize to provide historic recreations of events in American history. As part of their missions, these groups attempt to stage their reenactments as close to the days of the year and sites as possible. In addition they assiduously research the original event to recreate it as accurately as possible. The goals are to commemorate these events in honor of those who originally served, to promote pride in the heritage of the region, to increase public awareness of local history, and to promote tourism for the area.

The Cherry Valley Museum has an important role in retaining the history of this area in upstate New York. Some of the items in the museum belonged to an early pioneer in the 1700s by the name of Robert Flint. The Cherry Valley Museum invited David Burton Flint, a ninth-generation relative of Robert, to participate in the commemorative events held this September. David Burton Flint is the author of The Life and Times of Robert Flint the Pioneer. It is the story of the heroic mans life. David Burton Flint reveals Roberts rise from meager, immigrant beginnings to a pioneer and hero on the wild and warring early American frontier. This account of Roberts legendary existence is a saga of the human experience and the fire of patriotism. It is the story of an American Everyman who made history. It is published through American Book Publishing, Salt Lake City, Utah http://www.american-book.com and available at the Publisher Direct Discount Bookstore at http://www. pdbookstore.com.

David Burton Flint was born in Starkville, New York, and grew up in the Mohawk Valley, where the French and Indian War, along with the American Revolution, were fought. He learned from a very early age of all the rich history that surrounded him. He has walked upon the battlefields and into the great forts of New York and stood upon the land where his ancestor, Robert Flint and his Five Fighting Flints," all lived and died. He has restored and reclaimed the original Flint burial spot. He states, These brave men and women lived, fought, and died for our freedom. Time must never erase these strong, proud, hardworking settlers. This is why I write about these great colonists. It is my passion, my duty to write of their simple, hard lives. Many were never famous or heroes in the history books. But to me, each and every character I write about is a hero in my eyes." David Burton Flint is proud to be living history at its finest.