The church bells tolled at high noon for six minutes in Fort Jennings on Monday to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the beginning of the War of 1812. Bell ringing ceremonies such as this were performed in many parts of Ohio. A 15 star, 15 stripe flag was raised at the monument on State Route 189, which marks the location where it is believed the actual fort stood.
The ceremonies included a reading of President Madison’s Declaration of War and a moment of silence to honor the 12 soldiers buried at Ft. Jennings during the War of 1812. It was also to remember all those who are serving or have served our country. The 12 soldiers buried at Fort Jennings were not killed in battle but died of swamp fever. Members of the Fort Jennings High School Band played the “Star Spangled Banner” after a reading was given on the history of our National Anthem by the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and the American Legion.