HANNIBAL — The Nathaniel Massie Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution of Chillicothe, Ohio, led by Chapter Regent Terressa Reep, will hold a special Patriot Grave Marking Ceremony for patriot John Mozena at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Due to forecasted inclement weather, however, the ceremony honoring Revolutionary War veteran John Mozena has been moved indoors. The event will now take place at the River High School cafetorium, located at 52560 River High School Road in Hannibal.

This event is part of the nation’s ongoing America 250 celebrations, which begin this year and into 2026 marking the bicentennial of the United States’ founding.

The ceremony will feature color guards from area Sons of the American Revolution chapters, as well as the laying of wreaths by DAR/SAR chapter officers from Wheeling and Marietta.

John Mozena was born Jean Mouginet on July 4, 1755, in Mont le Vignoble, France.

He served in the Regiment De Saintonge under Gen. Adam Philippe Custine, with the overall commander Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, Comte de Rochambeau. Jean originally joined the French army in 1773, and in 1780, he was called to embark from Brest, France, to fight in the United States.

After the decisive Battle of Yorktown, he remained in the U.S. rather than returning to France after the war’s conclusion, choosing not to return to his homeland. He married Hannah Foote in 1784 and settled near Sardis in Monroe County sometime after 1800. He lived there with his family until his death in February 1830. Mozena is now buried in Ollom Cemetery, located south of Clarington, 1 mile from Ohio 7 along County Road 26, aka Beautiful Ridge.

Reep said this ceremony is especially meaningful to her and her family as she discovered that her son-in-law is a direct descendant of Mozena.

Following the ceremony, a reception will be held at the home of Taylor Abbott, located at 306

Ferry St., Clarington. Abbott is a member of the Fort Henry Chapter SAR and Monroe County treasurer.

The ceremony is open to the public, and descendants of Mozena are especially encouraged to attend.

For additional information or to RSVP, contact Reep at reepterressa@yahoo.com.