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DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. -- The annual Road to Freedom Walk in Dobbs Ferry highlights one of the most important events in the history of the United States, but some locals are more directly connected to this history than others.
Larry Blizard, a member on the Board of Trustees for the Dobbs Ferry Historical Society, has more than just an interest in the area's history as his ancestors were actually a part of it. His ancestor, Nathan Goodale, fought in the Revolutionary War and was captured in New York in 1778 and held as a prisoner of war.
"He was wounded and taken prisoner and he survived," Blizard said. "He was an officer and according to the British code officers were treated with much more kindness than enlisted men. He survived, which is why I'm here now."
Aside from his family history, Blizard believes the walk celebrates a crucial moment in the history of the area.
"In terms of history, it puts Dobbs Ferry on the map," he said.
The Dobbs Ferry Road to Freedom Walk will take place on Aug. 7 starting at 1 p.m. The event is in its sixth year, beginning in 2006, and has been described by village historian Richard Borkow as a great family event.
Departing from Gould Park, the annual walk will celebrate one of the most famous moments in Dobbs Ferry history.
"The [Road to Freedom] Walk commemorates the departure of the Continental army, on Aug. 19, 1781, from its encampment sites in Dobbs Ferry and Ardsley, for Virginia to confront Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown," Borkow said
The event is free and the public is encouraged to come. Refreshments will be served at the Mead House after the march starting at 2 p.m. The Mead House will also host a Revolutionary War commemoration with live reenactments. For more information on the annual walk, click here.
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