Tampa Chapter

Sons of the American Revolution

May 2013

 

Contents

          Meeting announcement

          Revolution History note

          Program Schedule

          Misc. reminders and information

 

The May meeting of the Tampa Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution, will held on Saturday, May 18th at the Piccadilly Cafeteria, located at 11810 Dale Mabry Highway North, Tampa, Florida (813-963-1660).  An agenda for the meeting will be provided and the membership will be given updates from officers and the various committees. Four new members will be inducted. David Braun, a representative from the Veterans Memorial Park and Museum, will tell us about the museum and programs.

 

 

Jack Bolen sends along his thanks to all who helped make the annual ROTC luncheon a success and especially to those who picked up lunch tabs. Jack reports there were 9 cadets and 8 instructors and, including families, a total of 31 guests.  Due to the generosity of the membership in picking up the lunch tabs, the cost to chapter was $40 compared to $200 last year.  Additional thanks to those who are attending the school awards ceremonies.  A question was asked about whether it might be possible to move the ROTC luncheon to May.  Bob and Kevin Yarnell have provided input regarding what they know about the original reason why April was chosen---concern about our attendance in May and concern by the commanders of it interfering with end of year school activities..  If anyone has any suggestions or feedback on this suggestion, please pass it along to Jack or any member of the Board.

 

 

 

American Revolution Notes:

 

Patrick Henry’s “if this be treason” speech.

 

In the spring of 1765, the recently enacted Stamp Act was the main topic of political conversation in the American colonies.  In Virginia, by late May the session of the colonial legislature (the House of Burgesses) was drawing to a close and many members had already headed home.  Newly elected delegate Patrick Henry celebrated his 29th birthday on May 29 by offering a series of resolutions related to the Stamp Act.  Much of what he proposed was familiar to his colleagues:

 

          Americans had brought their British rights with them to North America when they immigrated

          Those rights had twice been confirmed in Virginia’s royal charters

          The right to be taxed by representatives of one’s own choosing was one of the most fundamental British liberties

 

Henry also, however, included an additional idea that raised many eyebrows and provided a direct challenge to Parliament’s authority:

          Only colonial assemblies had the right to impose taxes on their constituents and that right could not be assigned to any other body.

 

On May 30, Henry gave his maiden speech in the House and defended his resolutions.  He expanded the scope of his criticism to include the King, as well as Parliament.  Speaking of George III he stated that “Caesar had his Brutus, Charles the First his Cromwell and George the Third---“At that point he was interrupted by cries of “treason!” from delegates who easily recognized the references.  Henry paused briefly, and then calmly finished his sentence”---may profit by their example.  If this be treason, make the most of it.”

 

Henry later apologized to the assembly and expressed his loyalty to the King.  Nevertheless, the Resolves were adopted by a badly split House of burgesses and over the next few weeks were circulated through the colonies by means of newspapers.

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PROGRAM SCHEDULE

Below is the tentative program schedule for the 2013 calendar year.  As always send along any suggestions for speakers.

 

May             Speaker from Veterans Memorial Park and Museum

Sept.           Speaker from Honor Flight of West Central Florida - Election of Nominating Committee.

Oct.             Law Enforcement; EMT; Fire Fighter Medal - Report of Nominating Committee.

Nov.             Joint meeting with C.A.R. - Election of Officers for 2014.
Dec.             Installation of Officers

 

 

Miscellaneous Notes and Reminders:

 

Chapter Website—always remember that 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.

 

Chapter officers and committee chairman are encouraged to send any pertinent information they wish included in the newsletter to the editor, Bob Yarnell, at rsyarn@aol.com.

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