Independence Day celebrated in Jamesport

The Greater Jamesport Civic Association marked Independence Day yesterday with ceremonies on the lawn at the George Young Community Center.

The event, chaired by civic association Vice President John Newman, featured a color guard from the VFW Van Rensselaer Skidmore Post 2476 in Riverhead, musical selections by the Jamesport Meeting House Choir and remarks by Assembly Member Jodi Giglio, Riverhead Town Board members Denise Merrifield, Joann Waski and Bob Kern, Riverhead Town Historian Georgette Case and Chief Master Sergeant Edward Rittberg, command chief of the New York Air National Guard 106th Rescue Wing.

Giglio urged residents to remember the true meaning of the holiday, to be celebrated “as a united community bound by our enduring love for this great country.”

“The 1,320 words of the Declaration of Independence remain the foundation for the freedoms we enjoy today and every day, etched in America’s glorious beginning and a guide for 248 years,” Giglio said. 

“The vision of the 56 signers of this document included certain unalienable rights that included life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This was more than a dream, more than an idea, it was an unwavering commitment to enshrine fundamental rights and opportunities for every American,” she said.

“The American Dream provides hope that our country is a place where differences, cultures and backgrounds do not limit the opportunities for a better life. It is buoyed by the determination, innovation and inspiration of our hard working citizens,” Giglio said. She urged everyone to honor veterans and members of the military who have “defended our way of life throughout the course of history” and whose brave service has made possible the freedoms we all enjoy, she said. 

Her thoughts were echoed in brief remarks by the three town council members.

Town Historian Georgette Case recounted the midnight ride of Sybil Ludington, the 16-year-old daughter of farmer and militia commander Henry Ludington in Kent, New York. Sybil rode almost 40 miles through the night on April 26, 1777 to summon militiamen from their beds to take up arms to defend their territory against an attack by British troops.

“Sybil knew every road and path in the Putnam County area,” Case said. “She convinced her father that she would make the ride despite the dark night and pouring rain. Sybil knew the farmers, so they would believe her call to arms and not hesitate to make their way to the Ludington’s home,” Case said. “The army of ragtag farmers, unfortunately, was unable to head off the British troops in Danbury [Connecticut] but were successful in forcing them from Ridgefield, Connecticut, to the Long Island Sound. 

“And so, a 16 year old girl named Sybil rode twice as far as Paul Revere, who was in his 40s,” Case said.

“Here in the town of Southold — yes, the Town of Southold, for during the American Revolutionary War, Riverhead was part of the Town of Southold — those folks in the surrounding villages of Riverhead had little to  celebrate that first July 4. The British occupied Long Island. Finally, in 1783, the British had left the island and those who took refuge in Connecticut came home to Jamesport, Aquebogue, Northville, Roanoke,  Riverhead and other Riverhead locations,” Case said.

One hundred years later, Riverhead was the scene of a huge celebration for the American centennial, with a big parade and ceremonies, Case said. The whole town was involved.

Case said she is looking forward to the 250th celebration of American independence on July 4, 2026.

“I have a list of 30 ideas for America 250,” Case said. “Let us honor this one-of-a-kind document with our own celebration in 2026.”

Chief Master Sergeant Edward Rittberg, who has had a 30-year military career and currently serves as command chief of the New York Air National Guard 106th Rescue Wing based in Westhampton, said his job is to ensure the welfare of all enlisted men and women on the base.

“It’s truly rewarding that I’m able to make an impact in someone’s life every day I go to work,” Rittberg said. “Not a lot of people could say that.”

“But as we reflect on this day of great significance, you must remember it’s not about the barbecues we’re going to enjoy later on today. But it’s about the birth of our nation’s freedom. A great day, to celebrate the bravery, sacrifice, determination of our men and women that fought for our independence,” Rittberg said. 

“We must remember that our freedom is not a gift, but our responsibility that must be protected and preserved for the future generations to come,” he said. 

He urged everyone to remember “we must still fight for justice, equality, and the rights of all our people.” 

“Let us also remember, Independence Day is about celebrating the past, but also about building a brighter future for our next generation. We must continue the work that we have accomplished and build upon it,” Rittberg said. 

Also during yesterday’s ceremonies, Greater Jamesport Civic Association President Laura Jens-Smith presented Newman with a proclamation from the civic, acknowledging his commitment to the community and to the civic organization— and in particular his work organizing the Independence Day event each year since its inception. 

Newman demurred, crediting longtime civic member and officer Cathy Welsh as “the executive producer of this event.”

“She is the energy behind this event,” Newman said. “She sends out the invitations, types the program, prints it up. She’s here to set up and she’ll be the last person to leave,” he said. “If anyone deserves recognition for a job well done in support of the civic and the work that we do it would be Cathy Welsh.”

The Rev. George Dupree of Living Water Church in Aquebogue gave the invocation and closing prayer. Dupree asked for God’s blessings for “our community… those who serve in our government, our police, our fire departments, our emergency services, our schools, our businesses, our commerce, our families, and our churches.”

He concluded: “May the Lord bless and keep America. May the Lord make his face to shine upon us and be gracious toward us. May the Lord look upon us with favor and a smile, that the Lord may give us unity and peace.”

Reporting by Emil Breitenbach Jr.