Tampa Chapter
Sons of the American Revolution
Meeting Notice and Newsletter, March 2012
 
Contents
          Meeting notice
          Meeting agenda items
          Misc. notes from chapter officers
          Revolution History note
Pictures from the Feb. meeting
          February minutes
          Program Schedule
          Misc. reminders and information
 
Compatriots,
          Our next meeting will be held on March 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.

          Our speaker for the February meeting is Compatriot Bob Yarnell.  His topic will be “How do we know what we know—the story of a lost, found and then lost again diary and Florida in the revolution”
 

 
March meeting agenda items.
An agenda will be provided for members at the beginning of the meeting. One note, we will be voting on the revised Constitution and by-laws.  Please read them on the chapter website and be ready to vote on the 17th.  Chapter Website:  http://www.patriot-web.com/

 
 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.


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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.        

 

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American Revolution Notes.
 
Several note worthy events associated with the American War for independence occurred in March.  On March 22nd 1765, the Stamp Act was adopted.  What at the time seemed an innocuous revenue raising act by the British Parliament gave rise to the American colonist resentment at not being represented in Parliament.  Things escalated March 5, 1770, when a mob in Boston protesting the Townsend Duties provoked British troops into firing on them.  An incident made famous by Paul revere in his engraving of the “Boston Massacre”.  The Act that became the proverbial straw that broke the camels back was issued on March 31st 1774.  The Boston Port Bill was the British reaction to the Tea Party of the previous December.  Meanwhile, a year later, several hundred miles to the south, on March 23, 1775, Patrick Henry ended a speech critical of the British colonial policy with the statement, “I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death.” With the war coming to its conclusion in 1781, Congress adopted the 1st constitution of the fledgling United States, the Articles of Confederation, on March 2, 1781’

 

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Tampa Chapter, Sons of American Revolution
Minutes of the February 18, 2012 meeting
 
The meeting convened at 12:02 PM.  President John E. Skillman chaired the meeting.
Luke Lloyd  gave the invocation.  Leo Kelly led the Pledge of Allegiance.  President  Skillman led the SAR Pledge.
MEMBERS PRESENT:  Charles Bearss, Alan Bell, Edward Clark, Chuck Copeland, Terry Doan, Paul Ergler,  Bill Floyd, Mike Frayn, Cy Gamber, Chuck Hawley, Leo Kelly, Charles Klug,  Robert Koehler, Luke Lloyd,  David McCallister, Martin Miller, Ed Neugaard,  Roger Quackenbush, Gray Reese, John Sessums, Terrell Sessums, Ryan Shelton, John Skillman,  Jack Spangler, Davis Whipkey,  Bob Yarnell and Dick Young
GUESTS ATTENDING:    Judy Copeland, Glenn Clepper,  Jeanne Lloyd, William Ludlum, Barbara Ludlum, Bob O’Donnell, Margie Reese, Beth Shelton, Ellie Skillman, Lillian Spangler, Kay Whipkey and  Lisette Young
At the direction of President  John E. Skillman, members and guests introduced themselves.    Then President Skillman recognized all Past Presidents in attendance and thanked them for their service.
SECRETARY:  It was moved, and seconded that the minutes of the January 21, 2012 meeting be approved.  No discussion. Unanimously approved.    A brief description of the Eagle Scout Competition program was given and interested members were asked to raise their hand.  Subsequently, a number of members signed up indication interest in serving on a Boy Scout Committee.
TREASURER: Chuck Copeland reported a balance of funds available in the amount of $2,093.62.  A copy of the Financial Reports dated 02/08/12 are attached to, and made a part of, these minutes.
REGISTRAR:  Compatriot Alan Bell reported that several new members will receive their certificates at this meeting.  Additionally, there are 3 or 4 supplemental applications pending and 8 to 10 prospective members at various stages of research and application preparation.
COLOR GUARD:  The color guard will participate at the Saramana Chapter’s Wounded Warrior luncheon on Saturday February25,2012.   The dinner will host 35 service veterans who have been wounded in action and are recipients of the Purple Heart.  It is expected about 200 people will attend and each of the wounded soldiers will receive a Sons of the American Revolution medal.
President Skillman:
a.    Reminded members that the proposed, revised Constitution and Bylaws are posted on the Chapter website.  The proposal will be voted upon at the March 2012 general membership meeting .
b.    Mentioned February is the month for recognizing  Presidents , particularly by DAR and SAR, and encouraged the reading of a recently published book, Washington A Life, by Ron Chernow
c.    .Offered challenge coins to members who bring in the first 10 new member during his Presidency
d.    Mentioned the celebration of “The Last Naval Battle” of the revolution that took place off Cape Canaveral.  The celebration will be held March 2 and 3, 2012.  Members are encouraged to participate.
e.    Explained “Mail Chimp” software that allows him to see if you’ve read the email he sent you.
f.    Delivered a letter from the SAR Foundation to the Secretary for retention.  The letter is recognition of our chapter having donated to the Foundation.
g.    Made the following awards:  

John Yates Sessums received a bronze Color Guard Medal and  Certificate for his more than 3 years dedicated service in the guard

Luke Lloyd received the Meritorious Service Medal and Certificate for his exemplary service as President for the past 2 years and his service as Registrar for 4 years.

 
President Skillman requested that all members consider serving on at least one committee; such as: Medals & Awards, ROTC Recognition, Membership & Recruiting, Fundraising, Publicity, Eagle Scout, competition, etc.   A sign-up sheet was circulated which was retained by President Skillman. 
The meeting recessed for members and guests to dine.   The meeting reconvened about 1:10 PM.
President Skillman recognized, awarded certificates to and welcomed four new members:   Edward W. Clark, III, Michael T. Frayn, Ryan R. Shelton, and David E. Whipkey.

Vice President Bob Yarnell introduced our guest Speaker, Professor Robert O’Donnell who gave an interesting and informative address on “African Americans in the Revolution”.   Professor O’Donnell was presented with a certificate of appreciation by Vice President Bob Yarnell.

 

Vice President Bob Yarnell mentioned he would schedule a program on Florida in the Revolution at the March 17, 2012 meeting.   
The meeting adjourned about 1:50 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.
 
March           Fla. In the Revolution:  How do we know what we know? The story of a lost found and then lost diary.
April            ROTC—Coimpatriot Jack Bolen: "The SAR then and now."  &
 LTC. Guy Walsh, USA (Ret), Senior Army Instructor, Brandon High School: Brief history of the JROTC
May              Tentative—Speaker from Armed Forces Museum in Largo
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