River Raisin Event Held in Bad Weather-- Part 2

This year, the musket demonstrations were visible from the front porch of the visitor center, where most took advantage of watching it.  The River Raisin could be seen in the background.

The ceremony took place shortly afterward in the front yard and featured a series of flag postings and wreaths, accompanied by salutes.  Representatives of the Essex and Kent Regiment of Canada, the Wyandot of Anderdon (Indians), local military veterans, park  volunteers and Cub Scout Pack  547 of Monroe were among the participants.

During one flag ceremony, a War of 1812-era US. flag  was used.  It had fifteen stars and 15 stripes.

Like in 813, this commemoration took place in winter conditions.  Ralph Naveaux of Monroe, whose years of volunteering at the battlefield go back to when it was a Monroe County park, said the conditions on January 18, 1813,  included 18-inches of snow on the ground, topped by a thin layer of ice.

Six inches of snow fell on the Monroe area Friday night into Saturday, followed by sleet and rain.

The battlefield park center at 1403 E. Elm Avenue is a long-time home for  historical and educational programs.  A long-range plan for development on both sides of the river has been dubbed the River Raisin Heritage Corridor plan.

--Brock-Perry