Meeting Notice and News, February 2012

Contents
          Meeting notice
          Meeting agenda items
          Misc. notes from chapter officers
          Revolution History note
          January minutes
          Program Schedule
          Misc. reminders and information

Compatriots,
          Our next meeting will be held on February 18^th 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.

Our speaker for the February meeting is Mr. Bob O’Donnell, adjunct prof. of History at St. Petersburg College. His topic will be Blacks in the Revolution.

February meeting agenda items.

An agenda will be provided for members at the beginning of the meeting.

Brief note/request—please initial 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
If you have not already done so, please be sure to contact the ROTC commander of the school you signed up for to make sure they know about the April meeting and to find out when the yare having their spring awards ceremony.
Jack C. Bolen
ROTC Awards Coordinator
Call me at 813-685-4026 to sign up.

American Revolution Notes.
Easily one of the top 5 moments of the American War for Independence occurred on February 6, 1778.

On that date American and French representatives signed two treaties in Paris: a Treaty of Amity and Commerce and a Treaty of Alliance. France officially recognized the United States and would soon become the major supplier of military supplies to Washington's army. Both countries pledged to fight until American independence was won, with neither country concluding any truce with Britain without the other's consent, and guaranteed each other's possessions in America against all other powers. This turned the American struggle for independence into a world war. Spain entered the war in 1779 as an ally of France. The following year, Britain declared war on the Dutch who had been engaging in profitable trade with the French and Americans. In addition to the war in America, the British would now have to fight in the Mediterranean, Africa, India, the West Indies, and on the high seas. All of this was made possible by the patient diplomacy of Benjamin Franklin in Paris and the victory of the American Northern Army at Saratoga in October of 1777.

Min 2012.01.21
Tampa Chapter, Sons of American Revolution
Minutes of the January 21, 2012 meeting
The meeting convened at 12:00 noon. President Luke Lloyd chaired the meeting.
Jack Bolen gave the invocation. Chuck Copeland led the Pledge of Allegiance. President Lloyd led the SAR Pledge.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Charles Bearss, Alan Bell, Jack Bolen, Larry Coats, Chuck Copeland, Gilbert Doan, Paul Ergler, Paul Farley, Bill Floyd, Cy Gamber, Chuck Hawley, Leo Kelly, Charles Klug, Luke Lloyd, Martin Miller, Gray Reese, John Sessums, Terrell Sessums, John Skillman, Jack Spangler, Dwight Tetrick, Bob Yarnell and Dick Young
GUESTS ATTENDING:   June Bolen, Dave Brown, Edna Broyles, Judy Copeland , Bailey Fleming, Casey Fleming, Lee Fleming, Mike Frayn, Irene Jantzen, Nelson Jantzen, Lin Coats, Glenn Clepper, Jeanne Lloyd, Margie Reese, Ellie Skillman, Ken Skillman, Kumi Skillman, Natalie Skillman, Olivia Skillman, Deena Valdez, Linette Young, and one other whose name is illegible.
Minutes of the December 17, 2011 meeting were adopted.
President Lloyd introduced FLSSAR Regional Vice President Nelson Jantzen who then installed the Tampa Chapter officers for 2012; to wit,
        President:         John E. Skillman
        Vice President: Robert Yarnell
        Secretary:        John F. Spangler
        Treasurer:        Charles Copeland
        Registrar          Alan Bell
        Chaplain            Jack Bolen
        Our new President, Compatriot John E. Skillman, accepted the gavel and congratulation; then, assumed the chair for the meeting and announced a break for lunch.
Following lunch, Regional Vice President Jantzen then led the Chapter and guests in singing “God Bless America” followed by remarks on building camaraderie, and the Society.
SECRETARY: No report.
TREASURER: Chuck Copeland reported a balance of funds available in the amount of $2,451.86. Compatriot Jack Bolen, reported that his recent audit found that the accounting and procedures for same are all in order. He further commented on the thoroughness Compatriot Copeland applied to revising and improving procedures over the past two years.
REGISTRAR: Compatriot Alan Bell reported that there are two certificates on hand awaiting a meeting at which they can be presented to the successful applicants; to wit, Ryan Shelton and Ed Clark. Further, Mike Frayn was approved on January 17, 2012; but, certificate has not yet been received.   J. Wilkes and J Mancini applications are being reviewed at national level. There are several more applicants preparing paperwork and/ or at state level review
ROTC RECOGNITION: Compatriot Jack Bolen reminded members that he still needs a few more members to volunteer to be point(s) of contact with some high schools. Please call Jack at (813) 685-4026 or email him at jbolen@tampabay.rr.com.   There have been 2 more high schools added to the ROTC program this year. So, there is an even greater need for volunteers to “adopt” a school ROTC Unit to present recognition to the cadets. PLEASE CONTACT COMPATRIOT JACK – It’s a pleasant and worthwhile task.
BRIEF COMMENTS: President Skillman indicated an interest in having our chapter participate in Constitution Day (September 17^th) activities which are generally coordinated by Daughters of the American Revolution in our area
SUN CITY CENTER: Compatriot Luke Lloyd advised of his interest in establishing a new chapter in Sun City Center in South East Hillsborough County.   He has determined there are some men who may wish to join our society but find the distance a bit too far from Sarmana or Tampa chapters. He further encouraged all to read American’s Creed and emphasized the nature of our governmental design of a “democracy within a Republic”.

President Skillman thanked the members for their confidence in him and his election to the Presidency.   He followed by citing the great work done by Past President Luke Lloyd over the past two years.    He also thanked Dwight Tetrick for the example he set as President of the Chapter when John joined in 2004.   President Skillman awarded Compatriot Luke with a “Past President’s Pin” and again thanked him for the fine example he provided to all our members.
        President Skillman noted that he will have a committee address a review and revision to our chapter constitution and bylaws which have not been so addressed since 1996 and are clearly out of date. The proposed revision will be posted on the chapter website before the February meeting and will be voted on at the March meeting.
        President Skillman requested that all members consider serving on at least one committee; They are: Medals & Awards, ROTC Recognition, Membership, Fundraising, Publicity, Eagle Scout Competition, Programs & Special Events, and Genealogy.
Regional Vice President Jantzen also offered observations on a myriad of activities other chapters are involved in which we might consider
        The Board of Governors will meet Saturday February 4, 2012 from 9:30 AM to about Noon at the Piccadilly Cafeteria for an organizational meeting.   All officers, and certain other designated members, are to attend. All members are welcome to attend.
The meeting adjourned about 1:45 PM

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

Feb.             Mr. Bob O’Donnell, adjunct prof. of History at St. Petersburg College: Blacks in the Revolution
March          Fla. In the Revolution: How do we know what we know? The story if a lost found and then lost diary.
April           ROTC—speaker TBA
May              Tentative—Speaker from Armed Forces Museum in Largo (tentative)
Sept.           Constitution Day speaker (TBA)
October      EMT/Fire Medal and Law Enforcement Medal
November    TBA
December    TBA

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.