Tampa Chapter

Sons of the American Revolution

Meeting Notice and News, December 2011

 

Contents

          Meeting notice

          Meeting agenda items

          Misc. notes from chapter officers

          Revolution History note

          November Minutes

          Program Schedule

          Misc. reminders and information

 

Compatriots,

          Our next meeting will be held on December 17th in the private meeting room of the Piccadilly Cafeteria, located at 11810 Dale Mabry Highway North, Tampa, Florida (813-963-1660). Meetings begin at noon but members arrive as early as 11:30 for a time of camaraderie.

          We will continue our annual December tradition of having the Fort Brooke Chapter of the CAR join us.  We will have a puzzle/game as well and perhaps (time depending) a brief talk on Col. Barre—MP and supporter of the American colonists during the Stamp Act Crisis.

 

December meeting agenda items

The newsletter editor does not know of any impending important new business.  Obviously, any member may bring up any matters, both old and new, that they believe need to claim the attention of the members at the appropriate place during the meeting.

 

Brief note/request—please sign the sign in sheet that will be circulated at the beginning of the meeting so the secretary can have an accurate attendance record.

 

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. I have been remiss in these areas and am asking your help. I need your input.

Jack C. Bolen            

Chaplain

 

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ROTC Reminder

I am very pleased with the response to the request for ROTC presenters. We are down to 7 schools. All of these are in the eastern and southern part of the county. If anyone could help, it would be appreciated.                                                                                                                                                                                      Jack C. Bolen                                                                                                                                                                     

ROTC Awards Coordinator

Call me at 813-685-4026 to sign up.       

 

 

American Revolution Note

There are two events of significance that occurred during the month of December.

On the evening of December 30th, 1775, a force under the command of Benedict Arnold launched an assault on the fortress of Quebec. The assault was unsuccessful.  Gen. Montgomery was killed, Daniel Morgan was captured, and Arnold was wounded. Arnold did lead a retreat to Ft. Ticonderoga and fought a successful rear guard action that prevented a British force from reaching the Hudson River the following spring.

 

The more famous event, of course, is Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River with his army and their successful surprise attack on the Hessians at Trenton on the morning of 26th.    

 

Tampa Chapter, Sons of American Revolution

Minutes of the November 19, 2011 meeting

 

The meeting convened at 12:00 noon.  Vice President Robert Yarnell chaired the meeting in the absence of President Luke Lloyd.

Jack Bolen gave the invocation.   Cy Gamber led the Pledge of Allegiance and the SAR Pledge.

MEMBERS PRESENT:    Milt Alexander, Charles Bearsse, Alan Bell, Jack Bolen, Douglas Brown, Charles Klug, Chuck Copeland,  Robbins H. Denham, Gilbert Doan, Paul Farley, Cy Gamber, Chuck Hawley, Leo Kelly, Marty Miller, Ed Neugaard, Roger Quackenbush, Gray Reese, John Sessums, Terrell Sessums, John Skillman, John Spangler, Dick Young, Robert Yarnell

 

GUESTS ATTENDING:   David Boyette, Glenn Clepper, Judy Copeland, Mike Frayn,  Neva Sessums, Ellie Skillman, Lillian Spangler, Greg Tisdale (SAR inactive), David Whipkey, Kay Whipkey, Lisette Young

 

The minutes were approved as printed in the newsletter.

 

Treasurer, Chuck Copeland, gave a financial report of which cited a balance of funds available in the amount of $1,670.33

 

COMMTTEE REPORTS:

          REGISTRAR:  Alan Bell reported status of applications:  At National level there is one approved but not yet received and there are three being processed.  At State level there is one and another to be sent forward in the next week.  There are several interested men preparing applications for submission to the chapter.

          ROTC RECOGNITION:  Jack Bolen reported that we now have 25 high schools in our area with ROTC units which we wish to honor.  We need a few more members to volunteer to be point(s) of contact with some schools.  A sign-up sheet was circulated.  We will recognize cadets at each school in May and host the cadets, military instructors and guests of cadets at our April meeting.

          STATE BOM LIASON:  John Skillman attended the Fall meeting of the State Board of Managers in Kissimee and reported on the content of their meeting.  He encouraged our members who wish to understand how the State organization works, to attend the next meeting , January 13-14, 2012 at the Ramada Inn, Kissimmee.  Reservation information is available from Compatriot Skillman.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

          A Civil War Roundtable is being established in Tampa.  Jack Bolen is spearheading this effort.  The Tampa Bay History Center is assisting by allowing use of its meeting rooms and parking area for participants.  Civil War Roundtables are part of a national movement; however, each roundtable is independent and not a part of a national organization.   The first meeting will be held at the Tampa Bay History Center, 801 Old Water Street (East side of the St. Pete Times Forum) at 7:00 PM, Wednesday, January 25, 2012.

          Cy Gamber reported on his family genealogy project, turning his many and varied papers into a well organized booklet. He credited the help he got by taking a course at USF on “WORD 2007-2010” software.   This course is part of USF’s Lifetime Learning Program.  It is reasonably priced, short in duration and the quality of instruction is excellent.

 

There was no Old Business to be addressed.

 

NEW BUSINESS:   The election of Officers for 2012 was held.  There were no nominations from the floor.  Leo Kelly moved that the slate for 2012 officers proposed at the last meeting be approved.  John Sessums seconded the motion.  The slate was unanimously approved, to wit:

President:  John E. Skillman / Vice President: Robert Yarnell / Secretary:  Jack Spangler/ Treasurer:  Chuck Copeland / Registrar: Alan Bell / Chaplain: Jack Bolen/  Newsletter Editor: Robert Yarnell

At Large Members of Board of Governors:  Terry Doan and Dick Young

 

Jack Bolen assumed chairmanship of the meeting, relieving Robert Yarnell due to an urgent family requirement.  

The meeting recessed at 12:35PM for members and guests to dine. 

The meeting reconvened about 1:05 PM.

 

Jack Bolen introduced the Guest Speaker, Mr. David Boyett, who spoke on “Understanding your DNA - - Genealogy and DNA”.    He also addressed how various population groups migrated and what some of the historical influences had been in such migration.   Following the excellent informational and interesting talk, John Skillman presented Mr. Boyette a certificate of appreciation from our chapter.

Following the Benediction and Recessional, the meeting adjourned about 1:40 PM.

 

 

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

Below is the tentative program schedule for the 2011-2012 year.  As always send along any suggestions for speakers.

 

Dec.   CAR

Jan.   Nelson Weeks Jantzen, Fl. State West Central Regional VP

Feb.   Mr. Bob O’Donnell, adjunct prof. of History at St. Petersburg College: Blacks in the Revolution

March  Fire/EMT award

April  ROTC—speaker TBA

May   Tentative—Speaker from Armed Forces Museum in Largo

 

 

Misc. Reminders and notes

 

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

 

VETERANS’ LEGACY ARCHIVES

The Veterans’ Legacy Archives is a local organization founded by (ret.) Congressman Bilirakis.  The Archives are housed at the library on the Tarpon Springs Campus of St. Petersburg College.  The goal of the archives is to preserve the stories and experiences of veterans of America’s wars.  The specific goal at the moment is to concentrate on WWII and Korean War veterans.  The archives consist of video taped interviews and presentations, documents provided by veterans and fact sheets about veterans.  If any one in the chapter knows of a WWII or Korean War veteran who might be interested in sharing his story, please contact Bob Yarnell.  It can be as simple as filling out a fact sheet or, if the veteran is willing, being interviewed and that interview turned into a narrative by a trained person.  Or even making a 30 min presentation to one of the college’s history classes and responding to students questions and allowing that presentation to be videotaped for future students and interested persons to view.  Again, more details available from Bob Yarnell

 

OPERATION HELPING HAND

Operation Helping Hand, a visitation program at the V A hospital.  Operation Helping Hand (OHH) is a local program begun in 2004 to help the wounded and their families who are at James A. Haley VA Hospital in Tampa.  The third Thursday evening of each month at 6 p.m., the OHH Committee has a catered supper for these folks in the dining room area of the Spinal Care Clinic.  Anyone can attend and interact with these families.  SAR members are encouraged to attend