It was an emotional day for a Bridgeport man whose ancestor fought in the Revolutionary War but never had a headstone - until Friday.

Frank Reese, 62, says he's always been proud of his great, great, great, great grandfather Jesse Sip Cables, who was born in Middletown in 1743 and fought against the British for American Independence.

State and local leaders were on hand for a ceremony dedicating the headstone at Washington Street Cemetery.

Reese said he worked with the Fox-Becker Granite Company in Middletown to help make the tribute happen.

"I felt like I had to do something, knowing that this man served the country and was not recognized with a headstone, so I contacted the Veterans Administration, and they were able to get a headstone," said Reese.

Reese says his ancestor was a P.O.W. for four months during the Revolutionary War and deserved to have his grave marked with a headstone.