Tampa Chapter

Sons of the American Revolution

May 2014

 

Contents

          Meeting announcement

          Revolution History note

ROTC Report

          Announcements from the President

          Flag Day Event

          President’s report of BOM

          Misc. reminders and information

 

The May meeting of the Tampa Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution will be on Saturday, May 17 at the Piccadilly Cafeteria, located at 11810 Dale Mabry Highway North, Tampa, Florida (813-963-1660).  The meeting starts at noon but many members arrive early for a time of conversation and fellowship.  Bill Kuzmick will make a presentation on the American Victory Mariners Memorial and Museum Ship. The museum memorializes Merchant Mariners and others who lost their lives sailing Victory and other types of merchant ships during WWII and the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. 

(ed. Note—In the 1990’s, as part of a volunteer project at Berkeley Preparatory School, I took 20 students several times to the American Victory ship to help clean up the ship.  I found it interesting as did the students.)

 

American Revolution Notes

 

May 20, 1778—The Battle of Barren Hill.   While not a well known battle, had it resulted in a British Victory it might have had serious ramifications for the Continental Army. 

 

Washington’s army was just a few weeks away from leaving their winter quarters at Valley Forge.  In order to better ascertain what the British in Philadelphia were doing, Washington dispatched a force of 2200 men, under the command of the Marquis de Lafayette, to reconnoiter and keep an eye on the British.  The British found out about this and decided to send out a much larger force to either destroy or capture the American force and…get “the boy”*.

 

Upon learning of British advance Lafayette began sending his men via a somewhat hidden road to a ford the British did not know about.  Meanwhile, Lafayette with 500 men and 50 Oneida warriors went forward to confront the British to provide cover for the retreating troops. Through deft maneuvering and superb handling of his men, Lafayette pulled it off.  His entire command, with exception of a very few casualties, escaped the British trap.

 

Had the British been able to cut off the American force and capture Lafayette, both the loss of manpower and the psychological loss of Lafayette would have been felt keenly by Washington.  And, instead of the British shortly after leaving Philadelphia for New York, they might have been emboldened enough to strike Washington at Valley Forge as he was breaking winter quarters.

 

*  If you have seen the Lafayette chapter of the History Channel series Washington’s Generals, you will remember they make a big deal about this engagement and of the British fixation with capturing Lafayette.

 

ROTC Report – from Jack Bolen

Our 14th annual JROTC luncheon was well attended.  Cadets were from eleven high schools and Instructors represented six schools. Our special guest was Jan Wheeler, Military Property Specialist, from the Hillsborough County School District office. Lt Col Donald Gunn, also joined us. Don is the JROTC instructor at Simmons Career Center in Plant City. He is a member of the new South Shore Chapter and is their ROTC Chairman. Don is making presentations at 11 schools this year and he and I are doing Brandon jointly this year.

Cadets recited the JROTC Army Creed to open the program. Next, President Young spoke about the SAR’s ROTC program. He was followed by Lt Col Guy Walsh from Brandon High School who told stories relating how much the medals mean to the Cadets who receive them. We then called all the Cadets forward to be recognized as this year’s recipients.

The Chapter then presented Lt Col Walsh with a Certificate of Appreciation. Guy has been a lot of help to me since I took over the ROTC program three years ago. He will retire at the end of this school year and will be sorely missed.

I want to thank all of our members who have help make this year’s program a success.

 

 

Announcements from the President

National Society Annual Congress (Greenville, SC)    July 18-24;                www.sar.org

Remember, we need a new secretary.  Former secretary Kevin Yarnell has offered to provide some training while in town for a week or two during late May.

Remember, we will not be meeting in June, July or August.  Our next meeting is September 20th. 

Now that we have met Moe Morley and know more about the TIA USO, I will remind you that they can use books, CDs, DVDs, recent magazines and such to entertain our traveling military men and women and their families.  We will continue to collect whatever you can bring in at the April and May meetings. 

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Compatriots,

Here is an event in which we can all participate on Flag Day.   Dan Hooper   RVP West Central

Raise it up! Anthem for America

The National Museum of American History is pleased to welcome The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution as a National Audience Partner with the Smithsonian Institution ("SI") for the Raise It Up! Anthem for America event to be held on Flag Day, June 14, 2014. Anthem for America will be a live world-wide celebration when millions of Americans come together to commemorate the 200th birthday of the Star-Spangled Banner. A celebrity artist will lead Americans in a world-wide singing of the Star-Spangled Banner on the National Mall, steps from the original flag that flew over Fort McHenry in 1814.

On Flag Day—Saturday, June 14, 2014—Americans will “Raise it up!’ and come together to turn the national anthem into “the song that was heard around the world.”

The History
Two hundred years ago, Francis Scott Key, inspired by the sight of the flag’s “broad stripes and bright stars,” penned the lyrics that would become the national anthem. His words gave new significance to a national symbol and started a tradition through which generations of Americans have invested the flag with their own ideals and memories. Today, the Star-Spangled Banner is one of our nation’s most treasured artifacts, cared for and displayed at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

The Vision
During this once-in-a-lifetime event to commemorate the Star-Spangled Banner’s bicentennial, Americans around the U. S. will join in the singing of our national anthem with celebrated musical voices. Across the country on June 14th, Americans will host singing parties to celebrate the anniversary and sing the anthem together. The Smithsonian will host Washington, D.C.’s premier singing party live on the National Mall, which will be shared across the nation and around the world via a 90-minute webcast from 2:30 to 4:00 PM EDT.

The live event will include musical performances from America’s top artists and the singing of American patriotic songs by national music groups. This will all lead to the culminating “moment of national unity” at 4:00 PM EDT when America will stop to sing their Anthem live across the country and around the globe. This will be a uniting moment for Americans across the country and around the world.

We encourage Americans to create their own singing parties in their communities and sing along from military bases, National Parks and Monuments, street corners, various public locations (restaurants, pubs, etc.), schools, public parks, youth organizations, and gatherings with family and friends. The Smithsonian is partnering with numerous national organizations to build awareness and participation for the event. We are seeking strategic National Audience Partners to join us to make history on June 14 and throughout this Star-Spangled Summer.

For more information contact Camy Clough at cloughc@si.edu, and please visit http://anthemforamerica.si.edu for additional updates.

President’s BOM report

Florida Society SAR Board of Management

May 2-3   Orlando

 

Your President attended this meeting and wishes more of our members, especially our officers, could have joined him.

Debbie Duay presented another training session on genealogy research.  I did not attend, but I understand it was well presented and well received.  This was the third in a series of presentations by Deb. 

At the Friday evening banquet, there were a number of awards presented, far too many to mention.

 

At the Officer Installation Banquet on Saturday evening, the following FLSSAR Compatriots received the Patriot Medal, the highest award that may be presented at the State Level within SAR: Charles Day (Withlacoochee), Danny Hooper (Clearwater) and Scott Bushnell (Lake-Sumter).

  

Following is a (very) brief summary of some of the reports that may be of interest.

  • It was reported by the NSSAR Registrar General that FLSSAR is now the second largest State Society with 1,909 members, passing Virginia.
  • The FLSSAR Registrar included in his report some of the more common errors in preparing SAR Applications and provided an extensive list of tips in Application.  That list will be copied and provided to the Chapter Registrar and anyone else who may be interested.
  • The Historian reported that he will be working on an update to the history of FLSSAR last updated in 1996.  He will be contacting Chapter Historians.
  • The Webmaster reported that improvements to the FLSSAR website are under construction.
  • The Seaton Creek Historic Preserve, site of the Battle of Thomas Creek on May 17, 1777, was dedicated on March 3.  Donations are being solicited to fund a sign at the site.
  • On March 8 the Brevard Chapter hosted the 8th annual recognition of the Last Naval Battle of the Revolutionary war.  The Color Guards from seven different FLSSAR chapters were present as well as representation from NSSAR.
  • There was a detailed and very professional Audit Committee report presented
  • At the Youth Luncheon on Saturday, the following winners were recognized

                    Americanism Elementary School Poster Contest

                    Eagle Scout Scholarship

                    Knight Essay Contest

                    Rumbaugh Oration Contest

                    JROTC Enhanced Award

                    American History Teacher of the Year

  • In January, the BOM voted to combine the Veterans Affairs and Veterans Recognition Committees.  In May the BOM voted to separate these two committees, again.

Annual Meeting

After the BOM was concluded the Annual Meeting was held.

There is a proposed NSSAR By-Law change that was approved at the National Congress last summer, but must be ratified by 75% of the individual societies within NSSAR.  Prior to this meeting, the necessary 75% had been obtained; however, Florida still needed to register its vote. The proposed (approved) By-Law change deals with the handling of the various restricted investment funds with NSSAR, in part to conform to new Federal and State regulations and in part to change the way certain investment decisions are made.  The FLSSAR Chancellor and those of the Executive Committee who read the proposal believe it is poorly written, does not accomplish its intent and takes investment authority away from the elected Trustees of the various funds.  After much discussion, FLSSAR voted to not approve the proposed By-Law change.

There was a serious and spirited challenge from the floor with a second nominee for FLSSAR President.  Compatriot Charles Sweeny (Saramana), at his request, was nominated from the floor to oppose the Nominating Committee's nominee, Steve Williams (Brevard).  Steve Williams won the election.  The final tally was not announced. All other nominees were accepted by acclamation.  The primary FLSSAR officers for the next year, commencing immediately are:

 

    President                        Steve Williams (Brevard)

    Senior Vice President    Lawrence Fehrenbaker (Naples)

    Secretary                        Hall Riediger (Port St. Lucie)

    Treasurer                        Dick Young (Tampa)

    Exec-Comm At-Large     Vic McMurry (Saramana)

 

Most of the other officers continue to serve in the same capacity as they did last year, including Ray Lantz as Registrar and Danny Hooper as our Regional Vice President

President Steve Williams is looking for Committee Chairman and Committee members.  If interested, contact Steve direct at swilliams16@cfl.rr.com or tell me and I will relay the message to Steve.

The membership then elected a Nominating Committee for next year.  I did not catch all of those names; however, I will provide them as soon as they are published.  If interested in a FLSSAR officer position, feel free contact any of them. 

 A complete record of the Proceedings will be available on the FLSSAR website www.flssar.org

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 Misc. Reminders and notes

 

Chapter Website—Remember you can find information about the chapter and programs on the chapter website.  http://www.patriot-web.com/

 

One of the duties of the Chapter Chaplain is to send cards to our members that are sick. If you know of anyone that I need to send a card to, please mention it at our next meeting. Another duty is to send a sympathy card to the family of a member who has passed away.

Jack C. Bolen           

Chaplain

 

Chapter officers and committee chairman are encouraged to send to the editor any pertinent information they wish included in the newsletter.