Sons of the American
Revolution
April 2010
Compatriot,
The next
meeting of the Tampa Chapter will be held this Saturday, April 17th in the private meeting room of the Piccadilly Cafeteria, located at
This month we will be joined by JROTC cadets who have been awarded the SAR JROTC medal. Make plans to join us April 17th and meet these outstanding individuals. As is our custom we've prepared a program that will be of interest to both the youth and adults in attendance. Our secretary will speak on “Thinking Big Thoughts –How Enduring Concepts Can Provide Direction in Changing Times”.
We hope you’ll join us. Guests are most welcome.
Regards,
Kevin Yarnell
Secretary,
Chapter Receives Gift
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Our thanks go out to John Skillman (right) who donated a revolutionary flag set to the chapter for use
at our meetings. The set includes the Betsy Ross Flag, Don't Tread on Me,
Pine Tree Flag, Flag of the Philadelphia Light horse Troop, Culpeper ( John is returning to his |
ROTC Awards
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Shown
here, President Lloyd presents our ROTC award to a cadet at We’re grateful to our members who each year attend the local unit ceremonies and represent our chapter. If you are interested in helping out this year we have several schools that are not yet covered. Please contact the secretary at kayarnell@hotmail.com. |
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A Little Publicity Never Hurt
We want to acknowledge the efforts of DeVaux McLean who is sending out press releases regarding our meetings to area news outlets. This is a new venture for the chapter and hope DeVaux’s efforts might increase the public’s awareness of our organization.
State Society Meeting
The
Florida Society will hold its next meeting May 7 & 8th in
Minutes of the March
20, 2010 meeting of the Tampa Chapter SAR
President Lloyd called the meeting to order at 12:07. Jack Bolen offered
the invocation. The president led the pledge to the flag and the pledge to the
SAR.
Members present: Jack Bolen, Cy Gamber Marty
Miller, Allen,
Welcome guests:
Wives: June Bolen, Judy Copeland
Other guests: Charles Klug,
a prospective member; Captain Tracy MacDonald, his wife Jennifer and daughter
Vickie.
The President introduced the guests.
The minutes of the February meeting were approved.
The secretary took a moment to review next month’s JROTC luncheon
including the seating arrangements and paying for the cadets lunches.
Chuck Copeland, our treasurer, reported net income for the month of
$154.33 and a balance of $2,975.89.
Registrar Alan Bell reported, as Color Guard Commander, the group’s
participation in the 29th Annual Massing of the Colors, on Sunday,
March 7th. President Lloyd complimented the group on their
participation and encouraged more of these activities.
President Lloyd returned to the issue of awards for members and asked
for a volunteer to do the necessary research.
A member suggested to Luke that we might purchase additional flags from
other eras in our history. In the discussion that followed a member observed
that smaller flags that could be displayed on the head table might be easier
from a logistical standpoint. John Skillman will visit Heads Flag and see what
is available.
Jack Bolen shared a bit of his background and personal story as part of
an effort each meeting to get to better know our fellow members. Other members
willing to share at future meetings are asked to speak to the President.
The President reported that neither of the schools we had contacted decided
to participate in the Elementary School Poster contest. We’ll need to consider
expanding our reach to other schools next year.
Vice President Yarnell gave a brief report on a state law currently
under consideration in the legislature. The bill would require a civics course
in the middle school curriculum and students would be required to pass the
course in order to matriculate into high school. The House has past the measure
and will be taken up by the Senate in the coming weeks.
The meeting recessed for lunch.
Luke introduced the Vice President who introduced our speaker and
honoree, Tracy MacDonald. Captain MacDonald is a 23 year veteran of the
Hillsborough County Fire Department. He was educated locally having graduated
from Hillsborough Community College Fire School. The Captain has spent 15 years
on the search and rescue team special operations and took part in the aftermath
of both Charlie and Katrina. He is stationed off
Captain MacDonald took the floor and related the story of a rescue he
performed regarding an elderly lady who drove her car into a pond. The captain
observed that this was a case of being in the right place at the right time.
After returning from a call Captain MacDonald went to retrieve an item from his
car and from that vantage point observed a car drive into the pond. After
alerting his team he ran to the car and found a woman who seemed physically
alright but was clearly panicked. He was unable to open the door at first but
was able to break the glass after receiving a tool from his team that had
reached the scene. As the water continued to rise the Captain, still unable to
open the door, opted to try to pull the woman through the window. Just as he
was about to try this, the door opened and he was able to remove the woman just
minutes before the car submerged.
As it turned out the woman was the mother in law of one of the firemen
working at the Falkenburg station. The Captain found
out later that she had a great fear of water which explained her hysteria. He
also pointed out how many things worked out to allow for the successful rescue.
First the course taken by the car from the road to the pond was impeded by
several trees, a fire hydrant and light poles. The chances of the car not
hitting one of these obstacles was small. Second, the significant amount of
training by the crew played a key role. While not specifically trained in water
rescue, the crew was able to respond with the correct assistance in a timely
manner.
Questions followed by the membership allowing the Captain to explain
some of the current issues and procedures in effect in
President Lloyd presented the Captain with the SAR Heroism award.
Bob won the 50/50. The treasury was enriched by $7.00.
The President led the recessional, Jack Bolen gave the benediction, and
the meeting adjourned at
Respectfully submitted,
Kevin Yarnell
Chapter Secretary