HARTFORD, Conn. –
HARTFORD, Conn. – The First Company Governor’s Foot Guard is preparing to commemorate Rochambeau Day in downtown Hartford on Saturday, September 24, 2022.
The parade and ceremonies honor the meeting of General George Washington and French General Rochambeau on September 20, 1780, in front of the Old State House. The First Company Governor’s Foot Guard, established in 1771 and based in Hartford, provided a 13-gun salute as the French disembarked at the ferry landing on the Connecticut River. After meeting at the State House, the Generals walked to the home of Jeremiah Wadsworth (where the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum now stands) for a reception and discussions.
The First Company will form up at the Memorial Arch on Trinity Ave. before stepping off at 11:30 a.m. towards Asylum St. enroute to the Old State House at 800 Main St. They are expected to arrive at the Old State House around 12 p.m. and will then play the National Anthems of France and the United States, lay wreathes, and perform a rifle salute.
Following the Old State House, the procession will march to the Ancient Burial Grounds at intersection of Gold St. and Main St. and will read names of the dead, lay a wreath, perform a rifle volley and Taps. At the conclusion of events at the Ancient Burial Grounds, the unit will step off for Bushnell Park where they will perform a “pass in review” formal march.
The First Company Governor's Foot Guard, commanded by Major David T. Dwelley, provides ceremonial escort to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and other Elected Officials of the state as well as providing The Adjutant General a supplemental force for supporting the National Guard. The unit is stationed at the Governor William A. O’Neill Armory, 360 Broad Street, Hartford, Connecticut 06105. Find out more about the unit at their website at
https://portal.ct.gov/MIL/Organization/Governors-Guards/1GFG/1GFG-Home-Page
What: Marching military unit and military ceremonies to honor Generals Washington and Rochambeau’s meeting in Hartford in 1780
Who: First Company Governor’s Foot Guard, Maj. Gen. Francis J. Evon, adjutant general of the Connecticut Military Department
Where: Memorial Arch to Old State House to Ancient Burial Grounds to Bushnell Park to State Armory
When: 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 24
For more information, contact Sergeant Brittany Franco at (203) 980-3050 or
brittanynfranco@gmail.com.