Armed Forces Day will be celebrated in the town of Harmony on Saturday, May 17, starting at 10:30 a.m. with the dedication of a new veterans memorial and and two roadside historical markers in the Blockville Union Burying Ground, 1746 Blockville-Watts Flats Road, Ashville.

The cemetery board has worked to create a memorial honoring all branches of the military. Regina Weatherbee, cemetery board trustee, will be the speaker.

Pam Brown, Harmony historian, will be unveiling a historic roadside marker provided by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation in honor and recognition of Israel Carpenter, early pioneer and founder of Blockville. Brown notes that Carpenter (1785-1871) came to Harmony in 1811 and purchased land in what is now the Blockville area. He settled on this land, laying out his land in lots and streets for a village. In 1828 he deeded a tract of land to the Burying Ground Society. He also deeded land for the first school in 1830. It was located where the intersection of Route 474, Blockville-Watts Flats Road to the south and Open Meadows Road to the north is now. It is said to have been built of wood blocks and legend is it the origin of the name for this area. In 1850 he deeded land for a church, the site of the former Methodist church in Blockville. He also deeded a parcel of land for a second school on the north side of Goose Creek and on the west side of the north-south road. This is the site of the one room schoolhouse on the campus of Harmony Historical Society. He was said to be a public-spirited man.

The Sons of the American Revolution will be unveiling a Patriot Burial marker, also provided by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, to recognize and honor Revolutionary War soldiers buried in the cemetery.

The Revolutionary War veterans buried in the cemetery include Josiah Carpenter, Simon Loomis, John Pember and Jonas Randall. Another soldier not buried in the cemetery, Nathaniel Lewis, but a Blockville resident, will also be recognized. He was said to have been buried on a nearby farm.

Immediately following the ceremony, a reception will be held at the Harmony Historical Society in the Harmony-North Harmony Research Center. Light refreshments will be served. A presentation about Staff Sgt. John Henry Mann of Stow, the first known Chautauqua County casualty of Pearl Harbor, will be given by Janet Walberg, Fenton Historical Society vice president.

The event is open to the public and all are welcome to attend.