Tampa Chapter
Sons of the American Revolution
December 2020
Contents
Meeting
Announcements
Dues are Due
Revolution
History note
Program Schedule
Color Guard Activity
Wreaths Across America
SAR and
events update
Misc.
reminders and information
Meeting Announcements
December
It is hoped that everyone is
healthy, safe, and coping with the current situation as best as they can. While the hotel is available, due to concerns
of many members, we will have a virtual meeting on Saturday, Dec 19 at noon our
usual day and time. President Dave
Bryant will send out a zoom link to everyone prior to the 19th t
so you can log on and participate.
November
Our November meeting featured a
live virtual presentation by Susan Gillette Meer, Commander-in-Chief of the Society
of Descendants of Washington’s Army at Valley Forge. Susan told us about the Society, the events
at Valley Forge, debunked a few myths and told us how to search the VF Muster
Roll. She also gave us some hints on how
to check to see if our Patriot Ancestors served at Valley Forge but are not
listed on the current Muster Roll. We
also elected our officers for the 2021 calendar year. See the November newsletter for the slate of
officers.
Dues are Due
Dues for 2021 are due. Deadline is December 31. Dues are $80 as they have been for the past
few years. Of that $35 goes to National,
$20 to Florida SAR and $25 stays in Tampa.
Send your
check or money order to Paul Ergler, Treasurer
503 Surrey Lane
Lutz, FL 33549
Paul says he can take
PayPal, too, but you will need to contact him for that one at paulergler@hotmail.com.
American
Revolution Notes
This is a revised/updated version of a column
from 2016 about Christmas
in the colonies that may be apropos this year.
Over
the years several members have wondered why I have rarely addressed Christmas
in colonial America. The simple answer
is that most of the trappings we associate with the celebration of Christmas
today---trees, ornaments, cards, gifts, the focus on children—all come to us
from the mid to late 1800’s. Having said
that, this month’s column will look at how the holidays were celebrated in
colonial America.
They
observed Advent but, except for going to church, there was no “build up” to
December 25th. Once December
25th rolled around, they did begin the observance of the 12 days of
Christmas—Dec.25 to Jan. 6.
December
25th would have meant going to church, maybe hanging some greens
around the windows, and maybe having a slightly bigger main meal. Jan. 1, New Year’s Day, was the day gifts
were given. Some cash, little books and
some sweets were given in small portions by masters or parents to
dependents—whether slaves, servants, apprentices, or children. There was no
reciprocal gift giving. It was not
expected that those receiving these small tokens would give back likewise. Gift giving on New Year’s Day was very much
from the top down. Also, on Jan. 1
people visited friends and neighbors and wished them a happy new year—that part
has not changed.
The
main event of the holiday observances occurred on the twelfth night—the night
of Jan. 6. On Jan. 6 there would have
been large feasts, dances, balls, and parties to celebrate the end of the
holidays.
Due to the influence of Prince Albert of England,
Charles Dickens, Clement Moore and the Dutch and German immigrants to the U.S.,
our celebration or observance of Christmas changed during the 1800’s. But it is perhaps refreshing to remember a
time when the focus of December 25 was church, gift giving was top down and low
key, and parties were mostly reserved for the end of the season.
Program schedule
Since we are unsure when we will
actually have our next in person meeting, hopefully in January, there are no
program particulars other than at one of our in-person meetings, for your
planning purposes, the dates for the next few months are below.
January 16 Officer Installation
February 20
March 20
April 17
May 15
Color Guard Activity
Currently, there are plans to
hold the Commemorations of the Last Naval Battle on Merritt Island on March 6
(maybe 13), the Battle of Thomas Creek in Jacksonville on March 27 and the
Battle of Pensacola on May 8. More
information will be provided as we get closer to those events.
Some Chapters and State Societies
are performing their local commemorations and memorials virtually so members
unable to attend in person can still participate. Those details will be passed on to the
Chapter Color Guard as they are made available.
Your Color Guard Commander, with
members of the Fort Brooke Society of C.A.R., participated virtually in the
Commemoration of the Battle of Great Bridge (Virginia) on December 5.
Wreaths Across America
We had originally planned to hold
our December meeting in conjunction with the Wreaths Across America Ceremony at
the American Legion Post #5 Veterans Cemetery.
The American Legion is having its Ceremony and wreath laying, but not
with the public attending the Ceremony and participating in wreath laying at
the same time. There will be a Ceremony,
with a presentation of the National Colors, a 21-gun salute and taps, but in a
much more controlled environment. Our
Color Guard has been asked to present the Colors. A few of us will miss the
Chapter Meeting to represent the Tampa Chapter at this event. Individuals will be permitted to come to the
Cemetery from 11:00 – 1:00 to lay a wreath.
Perhaps some of you can drop by early, place a wreath, Honor and Remember
a veteran and be back home in time for the Zoom meeting.
Many thanks to all of you who
donated wreaths this year. This year’s
participation was one of the best ever for the Tampa Chapter.
Other important dates
December 14 Death of George Washington
January 11 Alexander
Hamilton’s Birthday
February 22
George Washington’s Birthday
March 5 Boston Massacre
March 20 Last Naval
Battle Commemoration
March 27 Battle of
Thomas Creek Commemoration
April 13 Thomas Jefferson’s
Birthday
April 19 Battles of Lexington &
Concord
May 8 Battle
of Pensacola Commemoration
SAR Events
Various National SAR meetings continue
to be held virtually. At the virtual
Fall Meeting of the Trustees, they emphasized the need for all members
participating in any SAR related youth activities to complete Youth Protection
Training. This has been emphasized for a
few years; however, it is reported that the Trustees are working on a
transition policy after which it will be a requirement for individual
members. The SAR has developed its own
program which is to be posted on the National website. More to come.
The 2021 Congress is scheduled to
be held in-person in Renton, Washington (Seattle) on July 8 – 14. Information is available on the SAR
website. The 2022 Congress will in
Savanah, Georgia. The 2023 Congress will
be held in Orlando. Plans are being made
and volunteers will be needed.
Miscellaneous Reminders
The new face book page for the Tampa Sons of the American Revolution is
Tampa Sar. The password to add anything is American1776. Please feel free to upload pictures or comments. Invite all your friends to take a look.
Chapter Website—remember
you can find information about the chapter and programs on the chapter
website. http://www.tampasar.org/
One of the duties of the
Chapter Chaplain is to send cards to our members that are sick. Another is to
send a sympathy card to the family of a member who has passed away. If you know
of anyone that should be the recipient of these cards please mention it to
Chaplain Sessums or one of the other officers.
Chapter officers and
committee chairman are encouraged to send any pertinent information they wish
included in the newsletter to the editor.