The Daniel Boone Monument site near Marthasville is normally considered a quiet spot, with visitors stopping by without being noticed. On Saturday, July 25, visitors flocked to the Bryan Cemetery where Boone and his wife Rebecca were buried. "This is a huge deal today," said Maria Mennillo, a representative of the Valley of the Meramec Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Trappers of the Starved Rock, dressed in Revolutionary-era regalia, opened the ceremony, serving as color guard honoring Boone, a Revolutionary War patriot. Accompanying their arrival with the haunting tunes of a bagpipe, was young piper, Maggie Davis. The ceremony, sponsored by the Missouri State Society DAR, was held to rededicate Daniel Boone's gravesite marker. The original bronze plaque was stolen from the monument in June 2008. Attending the ceremony were local DAR chapter members, Daniel Boone descendants and local history enthusiasts. Mennillo was pleased with the huge turnout. She said the event represents the mission of the DAR - promoting patriotism and education, and preserving American history. The Valley of the Meramec Chapter helped gather information for the state-sponsored project to replace the plaque, headed up by state Regent Lemira Parks. Even before the plaque was stolen, Parks had taken on Daniel Boone as her term project. Also included on her list was marking Daniel Boone Trailheads. The theft of the plaque changed much of her focus to replacing it as quickly as possible. "I'm thrilled with the appearance of the new plaque," said Parks. "The picture of Daniel was provided by a Boone descendent, Margy Miles." One thing missing is the coonskin hat placed on Daniel Boone in the first design. "They finally got that thing off him," said local historian Ralph Gregory. Historians made sure the mistake wasn't repeated on the new plaque. They often quote Boone's son, Nathan, as saying his father never wore such a hat. When designing the new plaque, Parks said they chose to use something other than bronze, not wanting to tempt scrap metal thieves for a second time. Black granite was chosen instead. Parks said she contacted Glen Whitener of McHaney Monument Company in Blytheville, Ark., to create the plaque. "He is known for his work on the memorial to author Alex Haley," she said. "He did a beautiful job on the Boone plaque." Local officials also were on hand. Arden Engelage, Warren County presiding commissioner, and Dale Verges, Marthasville mayor, welcomed the visitors to southern Warren County's historic monument. The new owner of the Boone Monument Farm, Bernardo Brunetti, provided parking for the large crowd Saturday. Brunetti is in the process of restoring the home and grounds of the historic farm surrounding the Bryan Cemetery. Members of the Friends of Daniel Boone's Burial Place in Missouri, whose mission is to help restore and preserve the cemetery, were in attendance. The group will continue to help educate Missourians about Boone and his years spent in Missouri. A tour of local historic spots is planned during Marthasville's Fall Festival Sept. 12-13. "The ceremony was very fitting and appropriate," said Marc Houseman, the organization's president. "I am pleasantly surprised by the turnout." The Trappers of Starved Rock concluded the ceremony by firing a volley toward the Missouri River bottoms - the same view that prompted Boone to select the hillside for his final resting place.