The December 2, 2011, Naples Chapter of the

Transcription

1 THE NAPLES SINCE 1975 NAPLES CHAPTER N.S.S.A.R. NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2012 Dear Compatriots: The December 2, 2011, Naples Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution Luncheon had four points of focus. First, we honored George Washington for his leadership on Christmas Day 235 years ago, which marked a decisive turning point in the American Revolution. Next, we recognized the World War II service of Dr. Phil Ballou with a NSSAR Certificate of Patriotism, a FLS- My Beloved Country 1 President Charles T. Sweeney s Message SAR Certificate of Congratulations, and the awarding by the Naples Chapter of the War Service and Meritorious Service Medals. Third, we acknowledged Past President Roy Richardson and Dr. Ed Ferguson for their continued leadership and support provided to our chapter. And finally, we conducted a Joseph S. Rumbaugh Oration Contest. After the posting of the colors, Past President Roy Richardson gave a moving invocation. Eloquently and most reverently, he thanked the Almighty God for our many THE NAPLES CRIER - PAGE 1 - JANUARY 2012 blessings, for the gracious care and keeping He has given to all of those that have gone before us, and for the torch of liberty which has been lit in this beautiful land of ours. The full text of Past President Richardson s invocation is on page 8. Following this, the 34 SAR, DAR and guests were reminded of the significance of Christmas. For Christians it commemorates the birth of the Christ Child; for children it generates excitement and the anticipation of opening presents; and for current-day patriots it s the day that George Washington crossed the Delaware in To commemorate this event, the SAR/DAR Players put on a skit, which told the story. See page 6. In the skit, it s noted that George Washington and his army crossed the Delaware three times. At select points in SAR/DAR Players story, Compatriot Jim McGarity and Rumbaugh Oration Contestants Hannah Stimson and Lisa DeWitte flashed the picture of General George Washington high into the air and led those present with the chat: Row, row, row, your boat. Go, George! In the last two sentences of the skit, it was stated: George Washington s crossing of the Delaware on Christmas 1776 and the victories that followed were more than tactics and generalship. In the words of our ancestors, it was Sweeney (Continued on page 2) 1 " My Beloved Country!" is a New Portrait of George Washington by Igor V. Babailov. It s in the Collection of the George Washington s Mount Vernon Estate & Museum, Mount Vernon, Virginia. The portrait is based precisely on that sculptured likeness of George Washington done by the world-famous sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon ( ). The statue is in Richmond, Virginia and according to historians it captures the most accurate likeness ever created of the First American President.

2 (Continued from page 1) Sweeney Providence. Providence enabled the transition from the use of British Flags in North America to the flying of Old Glory all across the United States. Whereupon Compatriot Jack Dennis used these words as segue, to tell the story about the flags of our country and to guide those at their tables to plant into its base ten flags. These flags were defined by the bounds which spanned from the St. George Cross to the Stars and Stripes. One interesting story that Jack Dennis told us illuminated the fact that if General George Washington s army carried a flag when they crossed the Delaware in 1776 to attack the Hessian-held town of Trenton, more than likely it wasn t the Betsy Ross Flag as depicted in Emanuel Leutze s famous 1851 painting. The Betsy Ross Flag was not officially adopted by an Act of Congress until June 14, More than likely the flag that George Washington s Army carried was the Gadsden. It is an historical American Flag with a yellow field depicting a rattlesnake coiled and ready to strike. Positioned below, the snake has the legend DONT TREAD ON ME. Next Meeting: Luncheon, Thursday, January 5, 2012 THE NAPLES CRIER - PAGE 2 - JANUARY 2012 The flag was designed by and is named after American general and statesman Christopher Gadsden. It was also used by the Continental Marines as an early motto flag. It was the first flag ever carried into battle by the United States Marine Corps, during the American Revolution. After luncheon was served, Dr. Phil Ballou received a NSSAR Certificate of Patriotism signed by President General Larry Magerkurth, a Florida Society Certificate of Congratulations signed by State President David Ramseur, and the War Service and Meritorious Service Medals from the Naples Chapter. Before Dr. Ballou received the Dr. Philip E. Ballou Certificate of Patriotism and the Florida Society Certificate, Compatriots Jim McGarity, Larry Fehrenbaker, Ben Martin and Jim Applegate participated in the reading of select words found in Tom Brokaw s book, The Greatest Generation. Every generation has its share of men who fully live the art of manliness. But there may never have been a generation when the ratio of honorable men to slackers was higher than the one born between 1914 and These were the men that grew up during the Great Depression. They are the men who went off to fight in the Big One. And they are the men who came home from that war and built the nations of the Western world into economic powerhouses. They knew the meaning of sacrifice, both in terms of material possessions and of real blood, sweat and tears. They were humble men who never bragged about what they had done or been through. They were loyal, patriotic, and level-headed. Compatriot Phil Ballou is part of our Greatest Generation. Dr. Phil Ballou s Florida Society Certificate and Meritorious Service Medal Citation are shown on pages 3 and 4. Pictured on page 5 is Roy Richardson receiving a Meritorious Service Medal (MSM). The Citation in support of his medal read in part, Roy Richardson has been an SAR member for 19 years, during which he held progressive positions of responsibility not Sweeney (Continued on page 5)

3 Florida Society, World War II Veterans Let it be known that the Florida Society, Sons of the American Revolution, is proud to announce that Compatriot Philip E. Ballou received the Certificate of Patriotism today from The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution for meritorious service during World War II. He is authorized to purchase and wear the War Service Medal with a World War II Bar in grateful recognition for service in the armed forces during an armed conflict. David Ramseur David Ramseur, President FLSSAR Date 2 December 2011 Charles T. Sweeney Charles T. Sweeney, Adjutant FLSSAR WWII Veterans Company THE NAPLES CRIER - PAGE 3 - JANUARY 2012

4 MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL The Meritorious Service Medal is the highest award that can be bestowed upon a SAR member at the Chapter level. It s awarded to a compatriot who rendered long, faithful and meritorious service to the Sons of the American Revolution. Dr. Phil Ballou has been a member of our society for 17 years. He has held a variety of leadership positions within the Naples Chapter. And he has served as our 22 nd Chapter President. As long as we have known him, Dr. Ballou has inspired the community-at-large with a more profound reverence for the principles and objectives of our society, which are declared to be patriotic, historical, and educational. Chief in this regards is the Book Award Trust Fund, which he and his wife, Mim, established. The purpose of the fund is to purchase and present by the Naples Chapter in an award ceremony books to select high school students, which foster a greater understanding of what our forefathers did in support of the cause of freedom during the War of Independence from Great Britain. Today, Dr. Ballou has been honored with the Certificate of Patriotism given by the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. He is now an official member of the World War II Veterans Corps for his patriotic and meritorious service to our country. He is the sixty-eighth Florida Society member to be so honored, and the third person in the Naples Chapter. It is with great pleasure that we present Dr. Philip Ballou the MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL. Charles T. Sweeney December 2, 2011 President THE NAPLES CRIER - PAGE 4 - JANUARY 2012

5 (Continued from page 2) Sweeney only in the Florida Society but also in the Delaware Society. During , Roy Richardson served as our Chapter President. Since his presidency he has remained a valued member of our Chapter. He currently serves as our Immediate Past President and continues to use his leadership skill in providing sage advice and counsel on matters of importance to the Naples Chapter. Dr. Edward T. Ferguson received a Certificate of Appreciation for continued support of all educational, historic and patriotic Naples Chapter SAR Programs. During today s meeting, Dr. Ferguson served as Dr. Edward T. Ferguson receives Certificate of Appreciation the Lead Judge of the Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest. Rumbaugh Chairman John McCullough and Naples Chapter President Chuck Sweeney present Mrs. Laura Stimson with Certificate of Commendation, for her continued support of the Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest within the home-school community. Two contestants participated in the Naples Chapter Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest, which is a National Society Sons of the American Revolution initiative, with preliminary contests held at Roy Richardson Receiving a MSM THE NAPLES CRIER - PAGE 5 - JANUARY 2012 the chapter and state levels. These two contestants were Lisa DeWitte (left) and Hannah Stimson (right). Hannah Stimson was judged the first place winner. She will represent the Naples Chapter in the State Competition, which will be held in Kissimmee, Florida, during January A photo collage of the contestants and their families appears on NaplesSAR.org. Compatriots Jim McGarity, Larry Fehrenbaker, Ben Martin and Jim Applegate honored Dr. Phil Ballou for his patriotic service during World War II. They participated in the reading of select words Lawrence Fehrenbaker found in Tom Brokaw s book, James Applegate The Greatest Generation. This is your Naples Chapter S.A.R. Be Involved James McGarity James McGarity Benjamin Martin American Revolution Questions (For answers, see page 10) 1. Which battle occurred on August 16, 1780? 2. Who was the British military leader in the battle of Camden? 3. Who won the battle of Camden? 4. Who was the American military leader in the battle of Camden? 5. Which battle occurred on August 6, 1777? 6. Who was the American military leader for the battle of Oriskany? 7. Who were the British military leaders for the battle of Oriskany? 8. Which battle occurred on June 28, 1778?

6 The Naples SAR Chapter and the DAR Big Cypress Chapter Players present the Skit: Washington Crosses the Delaware on Christmas 1776 [Louise Hunter] December 1776 was a desperate time for George Washington and the American Revolution. The ragtag Continental Army was encamped along the Pennsylvania shore of the Delaware River. The Continental Army was exhausted, demoralized and uncertain of its future. [Roy Richardson] The troubles had begun the previous August when British and Hessian troops invaded Long Island routing the colonial forces, forcing a desperate escape to the island of Manhattan. The British followed up their victory with an attack on Manhattan that compelled the Americans to again retreat, this time across the Hudson River to New Jersey. [Ginny Bailey] The British followed in hot pursuit, chasing the Americans THE NAPLES CRIER - PAGE 6 - JANUARY 2012 through New Jersey and by December had forced the Continental Army to abandon the state and cross the Delaware into Pennsylvania. With New Jersey in their firm control and Rhode Island successfully occupied, the British were confident that the Revolution had been crushed. The Continental Army appeared to be merely an annoyance soon to be swatted into oblivion like a bothersome bee at a picnic. [Hil Bailey] To compound Washington's problems, the enlistments of the majority of the militias under his command were due to expire at the end of the month and the troops return to their homes. Washington had to do something and quickly. His decision was to attack the British. The target was the Hessian-held town of Trenton just across the Delaware River. Skit (Continued on page 7)

7 (Continued from page 6) Skit [Sharon Sweeney] During the night of December 25, Washington led his troops across the iceswollen Delaware about 9 miles north of Trenton. The weather was horrendous and the river treacherous. Raging winds combined with snow, sleet and rain to produce almost impossible conditions. To add to the difficulties, a significant number of Washington's force marched through the snow without shoes. [Don Cahill] The next morning they attacked to the south, taking the Hessian garrison by surprise and over-running the town. After fierce fighting, and the loss of their commander, the Hessians surrendered. [Louise Hunter] Washington's victory was complete but his situation precarious. The violent weather continued - making a strike towards Princeton problematic. Washington and his commanding officers decided to retrace their steps across the Delaware taking their Hessian prisoners with them. [Roy Richardson] The news of the American victory spread rapidly through the colonies reinvigorating the failing spirit of the Revolution. The battle's outcome also gave Washington and his officers the confidence to mount another campaign. On December 30 they again crossed the Delaware, attacked and won another victory at Trenton on January 2, and then pushed on to Princeton defeating the British there on January 3. [Ginny Bailey] Although not apparent at the time, these battles were a decisive turning point in the Revolution. The victories pulled the languishing Revolution out of the depths of despair, galvanized colonial support, shocked the British THE NAPLES CRIER - PAGE 7 - JANUARY 2012 and convinced potential allies such as France, Holland and Spain, that the Continental Army was a force to be reckoned with. [Chuck Sweeney] George Washington s Crossing of the Delaware on Christmas 1776 and the victories that followed were more than tactics and generalship. In the words of our ancestors, it was Providence. Providence enabled the transition from the use of British Flags in North America to the flying of Old Glory all across the United States.

8 Invocation and Prayer Given December 2, 2011 at Chapter Luncheon Meeting By Past President Roy G. Richardson Almighty God, who has given us this good land for our heritage: we pray that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of your favor and glad to do your will. Bless our land, and defend our liberties. O God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them daily with your heavenly grace. We especially remember on this 70 th anniversary of Pearl Harbor all those who lost their lives defending our nation. We thank you God for the men and women who have made this country strong, especially our patriot ancestors who are models for us, though we often fall short of them. We thank you for the torch of liberty which has been lit in this land. We remember our Compatriot brother Thomas Patrick McDonagh, Jr., who passed away on November 24, May he rest in peace. I ask you for a moment of silence for those who have passed away while going in Harms Way and in remembrance of Compatriot McDonagh. Bless the food that has been prepared for us, and make us mindful of the needs of others. These things we ask in your most holy name. Amen Naples Chapter Meetings Thursday, January 5, 2012: Chapter Meeting, 11:30 Fellowship, noon Luncheon, Country Club of Naples. Program: Girl Scouts of the USA celebrating its 100 year anniversary. Committee Chairman Don B. Cahill will serve as Master of Ceremonies. All compatriots and their guests are welcomed to attend this luncheon event. See page 11. Special feature: Patriot Ancestor in the Spotlight. Thursday, February 2, 2012: Chapter Meeting, 11:30 Fellowship, noon Luncheon, Country Club of Naples. Program: JROTC Recognition with Past President James McGarity, Chairman and Master of Ceremonies Friday, March 9, 2012: Chapter DINNER Meeting, Country Club of Naples. 5:30 PM Open Bar; 6 PM Call to order and Posting of the Colors; 6:30 PM Dinner will be served. Master of Ceremonies Chapter President Colonel Charles T. Sweeney, USMC (ret.) Program: Naples Chapter - Charter Day celebrating 39 years. Special guest speaker Dr. Patrick Bottiger, Associate Professor FGCU. Topic: American Indian Wars. Thursday, April 5, 2012: Chapter Meeting, 11:30 Fellowship, noon Luncheon, Country Club of Naples. Nomination Committee Chairman Immediate Past President Roy Richardson presents the slate of officers. Program: Elementary School American Revolution Poster Contest, 2012 theme - The Battle at Guilford Courthouse, North Carolina. Past President John McCullough, Chairman and Master of Ceremonies. Thursday, May 3, 2012: Chapter Meeting, 11:30 Fellowship, noon Luncheon, Country Club of Naples. Election and Installation of officers. Immediate Past President Roy Richardson Chairman and Master of Ceremonies. Installation officer: FLSSAR Regional VP Victor McMurry. THE NAPLES CRIER - PAGE 8 - JANUARY 2012

9 Heraldry: The SAR Badge 1 Part III: French Aid Influential In the December Crier, Part II of the story behind the SAR Badge addressed the similarities between our cross and the cross of the Order of St. Louis. Several reasons made the St. Louis cross an appropriate pattern for the SAR badge. The Grand Master of the Order of St. Louis, Louis XVI, lent the American rebels material and diplomatic aid which was indispensable for the defeat of the British. Moreover, a great many of the French officers, who fought for the Patriot cause were chevaliers of the Order. Beyond the order of St. Louis, the French had had a significant presence in North America. During the French Colonial period something like 300 chevaliers of St. Louis saw service in North America. Hence, it was in recognition of the decisive aid of France and the significant presence of the Order in North America that the SAR chose the St. Louis cross as a pattern of its own. But the adoption of the cross of St. Louis was appropriate for other reasons, too. The Order of St. Louis was the first order of military merit. Earlier orders, like the Order of St. John of Jerusalem and the Order of the Garter were crusading or chivalric orders. They were open to members of the nobility ready to undertake deeds of religion or chivalry. But those deeds were international in scope; all Christendom was to be the beneficiary of the knight s good deeds. By contrast, the Order of St. Louis was established to reward military service to one s own country and it was the first to do so. Since THE NAPLES CRIER - PAGE 9 - JANUARY 2012 the SAR has as its purpose to remember and recognize the military service of their Revolutionary War ancestors to their country, the adoption of the St. Louis cross seemed most apropos. Two other crosses of similar design and purpose are the United States Legion of Merit and the French Legion of Honour. The major distinction between these two crosses and the SAR Badge cross and the Order of St. Louis cross is that the former has five points and the latter has four points. The Legion of Merit was authorized in 1942 by the U.S. Congress. It is a military decoration of the United States Armed Forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. Unlike the cross of St. Louis, which is restricted to one s own country, the Legion of Merit is issued both to United States military personnel and to military and political figures of foreign US Legion governments. of Merit The Legion of Merit is one of only two United States military decorations that can be issued as a neck order (the other being the Medal of Honor) It s the only United States decoration which may be issued in award degrees, much like an order of chivalry or certain Orders of Merit. The Legion of Merit is sixth in the order of precedence of U.S. military decorations, and is worn after the Defense Superior Service Medal and before the Distinguished Flying Cross. French Legion of Honour The Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, on 19 May The Order is the highest decoration in France and is divided into various degrees. To be continued: With Part IV discussing the Legion of Honour Influence on the creation of the SAR Badge 1 This is Part III of the rewrite by Chuck Sweeney of the scholarly account of the SAR Badge done by Compatriot Duane L. C. M. Galles, some 20 years ago. The story of the SAR Badge is being told in five parts. Part I and II can be viewed at under November and December 2011 Crier. Photo by Chuck Sweeney, Naples Chapter SAR President.

10 1. Camden 2 Charles Cornwallis 3. British 4. Horatio Gates 5. Oriskany 6. Nicholas Herkimer 7. Chief Joseph Brant and Sir John Johnson 8. Monmouth Courthouse Next Meeting: Luncheon, Thursday, January 5, 2012 The Naples Crier established 1975 Newsletter for members of the Naples Chapter, Florida Society, Sons of the American Revolution I. Harris Tucker, Editor NaplesSAR@gmail.com Answers To American Revolution Questions Located on page 5 Naples Chapter of the FLSSAR Officers ( ) President: Colonel Charles T. Sweeney USMC (ret.)* chuck_sweeney@msn.com Immediate Past President: Roy G. Richardson* royndory@aol.com 1st Vice President: John N. Dennis* EMSD26@yahoo.com 2nd Vice President: I. Harris Tucker* NaplesSAR@gmail.com Secretary: Chase J. Brooke* suebcb@embarqmail.com Treasurer: W. Richard Hazen* wrhazen@comcast.net Assistant Treasurer: Lawrence G. Fehrenbaker lgfehrenbaker@comcast.net Chancellor: James M. McGarity, Esq.* Chaplain: Charles E. Cortright Registrar: Chase J. Brooke Historian: Donald B. Cahill 1 Sergeant-at-Arms: John L. McCullough 1 * Board of Directors for ( ) 1 At-Large Member Board of Directors for ( ) A REMINDER! The next luncheon meeting will be on Thursday, January 5, The location remains The Country Club of Naples, 185 Burning Tree Drive, Naples, FL. THE NAPLES CRIER - PAGE 10 - JANUARY 2012 Wisdom of the Founding Fathers This is the most magnificent movement of all! There is a dignity, a majesty, a sublimity, in his last effort of the patriots that I greatly admire. The people should never rise without doing something to be remembered something notable and striking. This destruction of the tea is so bold, so daring, so firm, intrepid and inflexible, and it must have so important consequences, and so lasting; that I can t but consider it as an epocha in history! - John Adams, his diary entry on the Boston Tea Party, December 17,1773 A Settled plan to deprive the people of all the benefits, blessings, and ends of the contract, to subvert the fundamentals of the constitution, to deprive them of all share in making and executing laws, will justify a revolution. - John Adams, Novanglus Papers, 1774 There is no retreat but in submission and slavery. Our chains are forged. Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston. The war is inevitable. And let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come! It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, peace, peace but there is no peace. The war is actually begun. The next gale that surveys from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms. Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand idle here? Is life so dark or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death! - Patrick Henry, speaking to the Virginia legislature, March 23, 1775

11 Next Meeting: Luncheon, Thursday, January 5, 2012 Thursday, January 5, 2012: Chapter Meeting, 11:30 Fellowship, noon Meeting and Luncheon, Country Club of Naples, 185 Burning Tree Drive, Naples, FL. Program: Girl Scouts of the USA celebrating its 100 year anniversary. Committee Chairman Don B. Cahill will serve as Master of Ceremonies. All compatriots and their guests are welcomed to attend this luncheon event. Juliette Gordon Low born in Savannah, Georgia, lived in Britain and the US and met Sir Robert Baden-Powell in Powell founded Boy Scouts and Girl Guides in Britain. Juliette "Daisy" as she was known by her family and friends was very interested in the idea of this youth movement. On March 12, 1912, gathered 18 Savannah girls including her niece to register the first troop of American Girl Guides. The name was changed the next year to Girl Scouts and has encouraged girls to develop self-reliance, resourcefulness as well as preparing girls for traditional homemaking roles, as professional women and active citizens. Now Girl Scouts is the largest educational organization in the world with 3.7 million members and over 50 million alumni. On January 5, 2012 Barbara Van Essen of the Girl Scouts of the Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. will be our guest speaker. She will talk about GSUSA locally here in Collier County where we have 107 Girl Scout troops for over 1,500 girls. Come help us celebrate one hundred years of Girl Scouting here in America. -Past Chapter President Don Cahill, Committee Chairman LUNCHEON MEETING RESERVATIONS FOR THURSDAY January 5, 2012 The Country Club of Naples is very accommodating and will provide special diet meals, if advised a week in advance. To enable the Country Club of Naples to better accommodate us for both room size and meal quantities, we are asked to provide them with the number of reservations a few days before each meeting. Accordingly, compatriots and others planning to attend the luncheons are asked to let us know by telephone, or by completing the reservation form below and mailing it with a check payable to Naples Chapter S.A.R. to: Lawrence G. Fehrenbaker, Assistant Treasurer Goldcrest Drive, Bonita Springs, FL lgfehrenbaker@comcast.net Please remit the form below with your check to be received by Thursday, December 29, Please send your January 5, 2011 Luncheon reservation request and payment payable to Naples Chapter S.A.R. c/o Lawrence G. Fehrenbaker, Assistant Treasurer, Goldcrest Drive, Bonita Springs, FL Tel: (239) lgfehrenbaker@comcast.net $20. = Your name (Print) Guest names (Print) Additional names may be printed on reverse side. Please send your reservation and payment to be received by Thursday, December 29, THE NAPLES CRIER - PAGE 11 - JANUARY 2012

12 January 2012 Juliette Gordon Low (center) founder of Girl Scouts