Twenty-fourteen, what a truly memorable year it was! Reflecting on our accomplishments, one can only be encouraged by the tireless and persistent efforts of our small group of patriots as they fought to preserve the Fishkill Supply Depot. In a demonstration of local leadership, FOFSD partnered with the town government and sponsored the Greater Fishkill Preservation and Conservation Roundtable, a two-part event where over 20 groups brainstormed how to collaborate and preserve historical landmarks and conserve open space. In July, the National Park Service's American Battlefield Protection Program awarded our group a $24,600 preservation grant to prepare maps, presentation booklets and a technical report on the Fishkill Supply Depot. Our Circle of Patriots program and Memorial Day and Thankful appeals demonstrated the public's wide support and financial commitment to historic preservation. [Thank you.] September's 5th Annual Revolutionary War Weekend drew 1,050 visitors to the site, including U.S. Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY).

     Then, night fell on our progress: Word came that our organization was no longer welcome on the soldiers' cemetery property. The land owner's sudden change in posture left us with no place to hold our annual Wreaths Across America (WAA) event and facing the prospect of a renewed commercial development effort at the site.

     Fortunately, we were able to hold WAA at the historic Van Wyck Homestead but venues for some future events are uncertain. This slideshow is our plea to reconsider and to bestow honor to the soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend our great nation. The 10.4 acre parcel slated for development (referred to as: Crossroads) is the last remaining vestige of the historic Fishkill Supply Depot. Home to the American Revolution's single largest soldiers' cemetery, it also contains 18th Century ruins, archaeological features, and period artifacts holding clues to the Continental Army's supply & logistics operations and that exist nowhere else. Who knows what other secrets lie beneath this sacred ground.