The Wolverine Minute Man The Wolverine Minute Man The Wolverine Newsletter of the Michigan Minute Society Man Man Newsletter of the Michigan Society Sons of the American Revolution Newsletter of the Michigan Society Sons of the American Revolution Sons of The Wolverine Minute Message from the President June, 2018 Save the Date! Compatriots: First, I want to thank the membership for honoring me with the opportunity to be your State Society President. I am following in the footsteps of many fine gentlemen who have served the Society. Many have helped me over the past few years during my tenure in the vice president positions and have offered their continued support. I truly appreciate the help and advice. I also want to acknowledge the presence of Past Presidents General Joe Dooley and Mike Tomme and Secretary General Warren Alter at our Friday Night Gala and Annual Meeting. It was an honor for the Society to have them in attendance and to induct the new officers. The Gala was a wonderful addition to the Annual Meeting. Thanks to Past President Callanan for bringing this formal event back after many years and thanks to Vice President Goodson for the work to make it a success. Plans are already in place for next year. Mark April 5 th on your calendar and join us for an evening of fellowship and recognition of members of the Society. Continued on page 2 September 22, 2018 MISSAR BOM Meeting Kalamazoo, MI See MISSAR.org For details 1
Message from the President Continued It s been a busy two months since taking office. I ve visited three Chapters for the induction of new officers. Each visit was an enjoyable experience. I ve attended several grave dedication events as part of our Color Guard. I attended the funeral of Past President Bob Sprague along with members of the Color Guard who participated in the service. Bob recruited me to be the Awards and Medals Chairman while he was President. With his help and mentoring I became active on the State level. He will be missed. We just held the June Board of Managers meeting, which was well attended. I ve noticed that since I first began attending the Board meetings as a Chapter Trustee several years ago, the attendance at the Board meetings has increased. I ll be attending Congress in Houston in July. Over the past few years, we have experienced significant growth in the Society. Retention of some of the new members has been a challenge. Let s continue to bring in new members but work to keep these new members. Find members to act as mentors. Get them involved in activities. As you may be aware, this past year we had little participation in the youth contests. The Eagle Scout and Knight Essay, which are two programs that we traditionally have an award recipient each year, and the Rumbaugh Oration contest had no winner this year. The good news is that we did have Americanism Elementary School Poster and Sgt. Moses Adams Middle School Brochure contest entries and awards were given. This next year, let s make the youth awards programs a priority. There was considerable discussion of the youth programs at the June Board meeting. We need to have Chapters involved in these programs. We have a new Director of Youth Programs who was given direction to develop a plan to promote the programs and to have contest entries processed through the chapters. It s not too early to begin work on these contests for next year. In addition to the youth award contests, don t forget the other youth recognitions. Presenting a medal at a ROTC, JROTC or Sea Cadet ceremony or a Certificate to an Eagle Scout only takes a few hours. It s a wonderful opportunity to interact with some wonderful young adults and to promote SAR. Finally, remember our veterans. Participate in events to recognize veterans in you community. If you have a VA hospital or other veterans facility, visit and volunteer. Attend the Independence Day activities in your community. I am looking forward to this year. With the help of the membership, I am confident that this year will be successful. Enjoy your summer. Respectfully, James Petres President, Michigan SAR 2
MISSAR Officers 2018 2019 James Petres Kenneth Goodson, Jr. David Van Hoof Dennis VanWormer James Richards Jack Haines Genealogist Nathan Triplett Charles Stevers Gregory Winters Mickey McGuire Gerald Wall John Critchett Paul Callanan President 1 st Vice President 2 nd Vice President Treasurer Secretary Registrar Joseph Williams Chancellor Director of Training Director of Communications Director of Youth Programs Chaplain Historian Immediate Past President National Trustees James Petres Kenneth Goodson, Jr. National Trustee Alt. National Trustee 3
MISSAR Chapter Trustees 2018-2019 Robert Eager Gary Pastiva David Anderson Bernard Grosskopf Christopher White Andrew Noland Elijah Shalis Kenneth Loudy Donald Reifert Allison Bryant Joseph Conger Robert Huber James Walker Gerald Burkland Vacant Duane Peachey Tommy Young Craig Rich Blue Water Blue Water Central Michigan Central Michigan Detroit Metro Huron Valley Huron Valley Kensington Valley Kensington Valley Northern Michigan Northern Michigan Oaks Oaks Paul Emery River Raisin Sauk Trail Sauk Trail West Michigan 4
Chapter Presidents 2018-2019 Gary Pastiva David Anderson Joseph Williams James Petres Dennis VanWormer Allison Bryant James Walker Norman Palmer David Van Hoof Tommy Young Craig Avery Blue Water Central Michigan Detroit Metro Huron Valley Kensington Valley Northern Michigan Oaks Paul Emery River Raisin Sauk Trail West Michigan 5
Flag Display Dates JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH New Year s Day (Jan. 1) Martin Luther King Day Inauguration Day Lincoln s Birthday (Feb. 12) Washington s Birthday (Feb. 22) President s Day Boy Scout Day (Feb. 8) JULY AUGUST SEPTEMEBER Independence Day (July 4) Air Force Day (August 1) Coast Guard Day (August 4) Labor Day Patriot Day (Sept. 11) V-J Day (Sept. 2, 1945) Constitution Day (Sept. 17)* Easter Sunday (Variable) Girl Scout Day (March 12) OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER Columbus Day APRIL MAY JUNE Army Day (April 6 each year) Revolutionary War began (April 19, 1775) NSSAR organized (Apr. 30, 1889) V-E Day (May 8, 1945) Mother s Day Armed Forces Day (May 20) Memorial Day (or weekend) Flag Day (June 14)* Father s Day NSDAR organized (Oct 11,1890)* Revolutionary War ended (October 19, 1781) Navy Day (October 27) Election Day (Nov. 7) Marine Corps Day (Nov. 10) Presidential Election Day Veteran s Day (Nov. 11) Thanksgiving Day Pearl Harbor Day (Dec. 7, 1941) Bill of Rights Day (Dec. 15)* Christmas Day (Dec. 25) *Originated through the efforts of the NSSAR. 6
Upcoming Color Guard Events A PATRIOTIC SERVICE FOR ALL MILITARY HISTORY/VETERANS. JUNE 24 th HOST COMPATRIOT DUANE PEACHEY IS ASKING FOR MEMBERS OF THE GUARD TO MUSTER AT 8:15 AM AT THE IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH 9650 CHURCH STREET BRIDGMAN, MI. 49106 (BERRIEN COUNTY) -COMMANDER KEN GOODSON -JAMES PERKINS COHOCTAH TOWNSHIP 4 TH OF JULY PARADE, MUSTER 10:00 AM AT THE STAGING AREA MACHINE SHOP ON OAK GROVE RD, SOUTH OF COHOCTAH RD. TAKE 1-96 TO THE HOWELL EXIT 137, STRAIGHT NORTH THROUGH HOWELL AND UP OAK GROVE RD FOR ABOUT 12 MILES. -KEN GOODSON COMMANDER -DENNIS VANWORMER GRAVE DEDICATION FOR THE VANWORMER FAMILY-A TRIBUTE TO COMPATRIOT PARENTS JULY 21 ST SATURDAY HOSTED BY DENNIS VANWORMER AT THE Great Lakes NATIONAL CEMETERY IN HOLLY MI. -KEN GOODSON -AARON WILES -DENNIS VANWORMER -DAVID MOORE -GERALD BURKLAND COMMANDER -DON REIFERT CASS RIVER ENCAMPMENT 18 TH CENTURY REENACTORS REPRESENTING BRITISH, FRENCH AND AMERICANS JULY 21 ST AND 22 ND FRANKENMUTH MICHIGAN 9 AM-6 PM -GERALD BURKLAND COMMANDER -JOE CONGER -AARON WILES JULY 22 7
Upcoming Color Guard Events Continued THE STATE BOM MEETING HOSTED BY MEMBERS OF THE FORMING COLONEL WESTNEDGE KALAMAZOO CHAPTER SEPTEMBER 22 ND, SATURDAY AT THE RADISSON HOTEL IN KALAMAZOO MICHIGAN. -PAUL CALLANAN -KEN GOODSON -DENNIS VANWORMER -GERALD BURKLAND COMMANDER -STEVE WILLIAMS -JOE CONGER -DON REIFERT -RON BARNARD VETERANS DAY CELEBRATION NOVEMBER 11 TH, SUNDAY AT THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF ST. PAUL 4800 WOODWARD AVE. DETROIT MICHIGAN 4 PM -GERALD BURKLAND COMMANDER -RON BARNARD WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA DECEMBER 15 TH, HOLLY CEMETERY, GRAND RAPIDS VETS CEMETERY -KEN GOODSON -DENNIS VANWORMER 8
2018 National Congress The 128th Annual Congress of the NSSAR will be held in Houston, Texas between July 14th and 19th, 2018. See the SAR.org website for more details. 9
Fourth of July Quiz Do you know the answers to these questions? Answers will be provided in the next issue of the WMM. 1. In what year were fireworks first used to celebrate the Fourth of July? 2. Which president was born on the Fourth of July? 3. Which three presidents died on the Fourth of July? 4. In what year did the Fourth of July first become a federal legal holiday? 5. What country gained independence from the U.S. on the Fourth of July? Source: ibtimes.com 10
We Remember Departed Compatriots Dr. Robert Sprague May 2nd, 2018 Past MISSAR President Past Paul Emery Chapter President Member of the MISSAR Color Guard 11
Michigan Society Meeting On Saturday, June 2nd, 2018, the Michigan Society held a meeting at the Holiday Inn in Flint. Society business was conducted, including the approval of bylaw changes for the Kensington Valley Chapter. The next MISSAR meeting will be on Saturday, September 18th, 2018 at a location to be determined. Top: group photo. Bottom: Color guard. 12
2018 National Genealogical Society Family History Conference The 2018 National Genealogical Society Family History Conference was held in Grand Rapids from May 2nd to 5th, 2018. The MISSAR had a table next to the DAR, and several MIS- SAR members spoke to prospective members. There were 33 Michigan men who expressed an interest in joining SAR and 20 others from across the country. 1st Vice President Ken Goodson greets visitors to the SAR table. DAR table greets visitors. 13
John Mudge Grave Rededication May 12th, 2018 On Saturday, May 12th, 2018, the Kensington Valley Chapter hosted a grave rededication for the Rev. John Mudge at the West Highland Cemetery in Highland Township, in Oakland County. Above left: Color guard. Above right: Dennis VanWormer with Linda Dagenhardt, descendant of Rev. Mudge. Above left: Gerald Burkland and Rod Wilson salute. Above right: Dennis Van- Wormer and Rod Wilson. 14
NSDAR Grave Rededications May 20th, 2018 On Sunday, May 20th, 2018, the Grand River Trail and Stoney Creek chapters of the DAR hosted grave rededications for Privates Ambrose Orvis and James Wilsey at the New Hudson Cemetery in Oakland County. Top left: Gerald Burkland, Dennis VanWormer and David Moore. Top right: Dennis VanWormer with DAR regents Nancy Kramarczyk and Barbara Greene. Bottom left: Gerald Burkland and Dennis Van- Wormer. Bottom right: Color guard. 15
Holland Memorial Day Parade May 28th, 2018 The Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton Chapter of the DAR joined the MISSAR in the Holland Memorial Day Parade. Top left: Ken Goodson, James Perkins, and Jason Gideon with Royetta Doe, Sarah Beyer, and Claudia Green. Top right: Jason Gideon, Ken Goodson, and James Perkins. 16
Northern Michigan Chapter News Gerald Wall presented an SAR Flag Certificate to the Houghton Lake Area Historical Society, along with a U.S. flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol, and a Michigan flag that flew over the state Capitol in Lansing. Gerald Wall with Society president Dennis Dusseau and Manager Deborah Gouin. At an April meeting in Traverse City, three members of the Northern Michigan Chapter were awarded SAR Military Service Medals: Gerald Wall of Roscommon, Charles Barr II of Interlochen, and Howard Bridges of Traverse City. 17
Message from the Editor I would like to thank John Crissman for his many years of service as the editor of the Wolverine Minute Man. He has produced a very lively, informative newsletter that has been of great benefit to our members. Moving forward, please continue to support the Minute Man by sending your news and photos to me at jcritchett@madonna.edu. Thank you again for your support. I wish you all a healthy and relaxing summer. Sincerely, John Critchett 18