By The Watertown Post – Memorial Day Edition
On this Memorial Day, as we bow our heads to remember the fallen, we in Watertown, New York, have a uniquely deep well of memory to draw from—because in this region, military service isn’t just history, it’s heritage. From the thunder of cannon fire in Sackett’s Harbor during the War of 1812 to the modern-day hum of helicopters above Fort Drum, Northern New York has stood watch over the Republic for more than two centuries.
Many families in Watertown and the North Country don’t need to look far to find a connection to military service. Whether it’s a grandfather who fought in Korea, a sibling stationed at Fort Drum, or ancestors who bled at Sackett’s Harbor fighting British redcoats—or even, in some cases, as British redcoats—this land has known both sides of the sword. That’s part of the story too: our heritage is a tapestry woven from American patriots, Loyalist holdouts, French fur trappers turned militia, and Mohawk warriors turned scouts.
Sackett’s Harbor, just down the road from Watertown, wasn’t just a footnote in American history—it was one of the most strategically vital locations during the War of 1812. The U.S. Navy built a fleet there to dominate Lake Ontario, and in 1813 it became the site of a critical battle that held the line against a British assault. The man who led that successful defense, General Jacob Brown, would go on to become Commanding General of the entire U.S. Army. He hailed from nearby Brownville—and yes, the town bears his name in honor.
And resting just yards from that historic battlefield is another towering figure of American military history: Brigadier General Zebulon Pike. Though Pike was born in New Jersey and became famous for his western expeditions—lending his name to the legendary Pike’s Peak in Colorado—his final resting place is Sackett’s Harbor. In April 1813, Pike was leading American forces in an assault on York (now Toronto) when a British ammunition magazine exploded. Mortally wounded by flying debris, he died a hero’s death. His body was returned across Lake Ontario to Sackett’s Harbor, the heart of U.S. operations on the lake, and was buried with full military honors. Today, his grave stands as a solemn reminder of sacrifice and valor on the edge of the very lake he once sailed in service of his country.
Other local military notables include:
Roswell P. Flower, a Watertown native and former New York governor who championed veteran causes and national defense.
General Henry Halleck, born in Westernville, NY (within the greater North Country), who served as General-in-Chief of the Union Armies during the Civil War and had family roots in the region.
Francis B. Spinola, though born downstate, helped recruit troops across upstate New York, including Jefferson County, becoming the first Italian-American general in the U.S. Army.
Today, Fort Drum stands as the living continuation of that legacy. Home of the 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum has made Watertown a military town in the fullest sense. Many locals serve, have served, or are the children and grandchildren of those who wore the uniform. The bond between community and country here is not just symbolic—it’s lived every day.
But Memorial Day is not about uniforms. It’s about those who no longer wear them. It’s about the empty chair at the barbecue, the name etched into a cold stone in Glenwood Cemetery, the folded flag on the mantle.
So today, as the wind moves through the Black River Valley and flags ripple above Public Square, remember: Northern New York has always answered the call. From the forests of 1812 to the mountains of Afghanistan, we’ve sent our sons and daughters—and too often, we’ve welcomed them home in silence and sorrow.
Let this Memorial Day be more than a day off. Let it be a day to say: Thank you, we remember, and we will never forget.
—The Watertown Post
