The Wolverine Minute Man Newsletter of the Michigan Society Sons of the American Revolution December 2017 President s Message Greetings and best wishes for the holiday season, may your Christmas be filled with laughter and good times with family and the New Year bring you joy and health. It has been a great year for the Michigan Society SAR. As of this writing, we have brought in 127 members and still have about 20 applications at National awaiting approval. We have also seen an increase by 36 of approved supplemental applications for our members. We have done well in working with the C.A.R. and have even seen an increase in the number of submissions in our contests through working with the local C.A.R. chapters. Several chapters have strengthened their ties to the local DAR. We have given over many awards to deserving cadets in both the Junior and Senior ROTC programs and also recognized Eagle Scouts and Sea Cadets throughout the state. This included us having a candidate compete at National in the Rumbaugh Orations contest for the first time in years. All of this in addition to trying to continue to build our chapters through membership and getting the word out in our communities about our work in the public service and veterans arena. For those who do not know we raised over $2900 for Wreaths Across America this year. I suspect that we gave more, but that is what we know. We participated in Memorial Day ceremonies, Flag Day ceremonies, Veterans Day ceremonies and most recently the Wreaths Across America laying of wreaths throughout the state. President s Message continued on page 10 Save the Date! MISSAR Board of Managers Meeting Hillsdale College February 3, 2018 See missar.org for details 1
MISSAR Officers 2017 2018 Paul Callanan James Petres Kenneth Goodson Jr Dennis VanWormer Michael Huey David VanHoof Charles Stevers Gregory Winters Gerald Wall John Crissman Rodney Wilson President 1rst Vice President 2 nd Vice President Secretary/Treasurer Registrar/Genealogist Chancellor Director of Training Director of Communications Chaplain Historian Immediate Past President National Officer Warren Alter Secretary General, NSSAR National Trustees Joseph Conger National Trustee James Petres Alt. National Trustee 2
MISSAR Chapter Trustees 2017-2018 Robert Eager Robert May David Anderson Bernard Grosskopf Stuart Shuster Eugene Tomlinson John Critchett Michael Pohlman John Matthews Bernie Wagers II Charles Barr II Allison Bryant Robert Huber James Walker Gerald Burkland John Daly III Jerry Reed Sr Jack Haines Tommy Young Craig Rich Nathan Triplett Blue Water Blue Water Central Michigan Central Michigan Detroit Metro Detroit Metro Huron Valley Huron Valley Kensington Valley Kensington Valley Northern Michigan Northern Michigan Oaks Oaks Paul Emery Paul Emery River Raisin Sauk Trail Sauk Trail West Michigan West Michigan 3
Century Club 2017 Name Chapter Fund Warren Alter Northern Michigan CAR, Youth, MISSAR General, Local Chapter, Se Charles Barr II Northern Michigan Local Chapter Paul Callanan Northern Michigan ROTC/JROTC, Service to Veterans Thomas Catallo Northern Michigan Eagle Scout, Patriot Grave Marking, Service to Veterans MISSAR General, Local Chapter John Crissman Oaks Local Chapter John Daly III Paul Emery Service to Veterans, MISSAR General, Local Chapter Wayne Denniston Paul Emery MISSAR General Robert Eager Blue Water Local Chapter Thomas Fountain Huron Valley All programs, MISSAR General, Local Chapter Jason Gideon West Michigan Local Chapter Kenneth Goodson Jr West Michigan Local Chapter, MISSAR General, Color Guard Glenn Gouldey Oaks American History Teacher, Patriot Grave Marking, MISSAR General, Local Chapter, Youth Michael Huey Central Michigan MISSAR General Jeffrey Karns Northern Michigan Local Chapter David Knowles Sr Northern Michigan ROTC/JROTC Gordon MacNeil Detroit Metropolitan MISSAR General, Local Chapter John Matthews Kensington Valley Local Chapter Robert May Blue Water Local Chapter Gary Nelund West Michigan Local Chapter, Service to veterans James Petres Huron Valley CAR, Eagle Scout, Local Chapter Douglas Rasmussen West Michigan Local Chapter John Raya Oaks Local Chapter Thomas Reardon Jr Detroit Metropolitan Local Chapter Richard Santer Central Michigan MISSAR General Robert Sprague Paul Emery Local Chapter Charles Stevers West Michigan CAR, Eagle Scout James Strain Northern Michigan Local Chapter Dennis VanWormer Kensington Valley Local Chapter William Vette River Raisin MISSAR General Gerald Wall Northern Michigan Color Guard Rodney Wilson Oaks New Chapter Gregory Winters Detroit Metro Color Guard 4
Perpetual Life Members Larry Blackett (West Michigan Chapter) Bradley Boring (Detroit Metropolitan Chapter) John Fuller (Detroit Metropolitan Chapter) Robert Heydon (Sauk Trail Chapter) John Kennedy (Detroit Metropolitan Chapter) Earl Modert (Sauk Trail Chapter) James Monroe (Northern Michigan Chapter) Thomas Monroe (Sauk Trail Chapter) George Pennell II (Detroit Metropolitan Chapter) Kenneth Reeves (Blue Water Chapter) James Richards (West Michigan Chapter) Edward Stokel (Northern Michigan Chapter) William Stokel (Detroit Metropolitan Chapter) John Tuohy (Detroit Metropolitan Chapter) Stephen Tuohy (Detroit Metropolitan Chapter) Michigan Life Service Members Richard Bailey (Paul Emery Chapter) Charles Barr II (Northern Michigan Chapter) Frederick Boersma (Detroit Metropolitan Chapter) Henry Davis Jr (West Michigan Chapter) Albert Dilley (West Michigan Chapter) Gordon MacNeil (Detroit Metropolitan Chapter) John Wells (West Michigan Chapter) 5
Welcome New Michigan Society Compatriots 09/22/17 Root, David Leigh Northern Michigan 09/22/17 Abbott, Carson David Central Michigan 09/29/17 Wiles, Aaron Jeffrey Paul Emery 09/29/17 Mills, James Douglas Northern Michigan 10/06/17 Vinande, Marvin Peter Detroit Metropolitan 10/06/17 Vinande, David Ara Detroit Metropolitan 10/06/17 Vinande, Isaac Peter Detroit Metropolitan 10/20/17 Allen, John Wendell Sauk Trail 10/20/17 Byerly III, Andrew Robertson Kensington Valley 10/20/17 Zeffiro, Aldo Mark Detroit Metropolitan 10/20/17 Zeffiro, Trevor Alexander Detroit Metropolitan 10/20/17 Zeffiro, Connor Parker Detroit Metropolitan 10/20/17 Campbell, Theodore Lee Huron Valley 10/27/17 Moore, Timothy Allen Sauk Trail 10/27/17 Moore, Dylan Christopher Sauk Trail 10/27/17 Moore, Allan James Sauk Trail 10/27/17 Jaeger, Martin James Huron Valley 11/10/17 Merchant, Virgil Marion West Michigan 11/10/17 Mitchell, Michael George Detroit Metropolitan 11/17/17 Curtis, David Leslie Detroit Metropolitan 11/17/17 Schinzing, Donald Frank Detroit Metropolitan 11/17/17 Cory, Timothy Robert Huron Valley 12/01/17 Hewitt, Robert Scott Oaks 12/01/17 Ickes, Carl David West Michigan 12/01/17 Rogers, Alexander James Kensington Valley 12/01/17 Thurber, John Levington Kensington Valley 12/01/17 Lindsay, Andrew John Kensington Valley 12/08/17 Frisby, Charles Central Michigan We Remember Departed Compatriots Olson, Ellis Norman Trevarrow Jr., Laurence Edgar Grout, Gary Roland Northern Michigan Chapter Oaks Chapter Oaks Chapter December 4, 2017 December 8, 2017 December 11, 2017 6
Huron Valley Chapter Inducts New Members A t their meeting held on November 18, 2017, The Huron Valley Chapter inducted five new Compatriots into the MIS- SAR. Pictured above L to R are Jason Latzman, Ted Campbell, Mino Trucks (standing in for his Father Lee Trucks who could not be present), Jan Tripp, Marty Jaeger, and Huron Valley President John Critchett. Huron Valley Chapter Honors Eagle Scouts First Vice President MISSAR James Petras recently attended an Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Troop 903 in Northville, Michigan and awarded SAR Eagle Scout certificates to Scouts (l to R) : Kevin Williams, John Xuereb, and Ryan McNamara. 7
Blue Water Chapter Receives Award (left) On November 14, 2017, the Blue Water Chapter received the Partners in Patriotism Award from MISSAR President Paul Callanan. Accepting the award on behalf of the chapter was Gary Pastiva. News from the Central Michigan Chapter The Central Michigan Chapter held a membership meeting on November 11, 2017. At the meeting Randy Walther and Steven Poole were sworn in as new Compatriots. The meeting also featured guest speaker Mark Wilson who discussed Private Joseph Guyton, who was the first U.S, soldier to be killed on German soil in World War I. Above photo l to R: Mike Huey, Randy Walther, Steven Poole, David Anderson Below Photo: The Central Michigan Chapter had a great crowd to listen to their featured guest speaker Mark Wilson 8
Michigan Color Guard Participates in Historical Marking of Northville Cemetery O n October 8, 2017, The Michigan Society, SAR, Color Guard participated in the unveiling of an historical marker at the Oakwood Cemetery in Northville. This is the oldest cemetery in Northville and the event was organized and conducted by the Detroit Chapter of the National Daugh- Photo Left: pictured left to right, MIS- SAR Secretary/Treasurer Dennis Van- Wormer, MISSAR Color Guard Commander Gerald Burkland, MISSAR 1rst Vice President James Petres, MISSAR 2 nd Vice President Kenneth Goodson, MISSAR Color Guard Drummer David Moore Great Lakes District Meeting O n October 27, and 28, 2017 the Great Lakes District, SAR, which comprises the State Societies of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois, held their annual meeting In Madison Wisconsin. The Michigan Society was well represented at the meeting as evidenced by the following photographs. Combined Color Guard of the Great Lakes District Great Lakes Vice President General Roger Boeker presents MISSAR 2 nd Vice President Kenneth Goodson with the Silver Roger Sherman Award. Pictured in center is MISSAR President Paul Callanan 9
Color Guard Observes Veteran s Day Representatives of the MISSAR Color Guard recently participated in Veteran s Day Observances at The Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Detroit on November 12, 2017. Pictured left to right is Gerald Burkland, Paul Callanan, and Jason Gideon. Message from President continued from page one Our members recognized our public servants in our communities by presenting Heroism Awards and awards for Fire and Safety and Law Enforcement to these very deserving individuals. Lastly, but not least we also saw a large number of Flag Certificates being presented by the chapters. This is what we do and have done and I congratulate all of you on a job well done over the past year. Now we must finish the year strongly by pushing ahead with our retention of members. As of this writing we have only 61% who have sent in their dues and we need to get over 85% to have a successful year. Without the dues that people pay, we cannot continue to support the programs that you in the chapter and we at state want to grow and expand. So, if you know of someone who has not paid their dues, please help us to get them to consider remaining a member and helping us to continue all the hard work you do. I want to wish all of you a great holiday season. May your family and you receive many blessings during this time of giving. For those who will be traveling I wish you safety and good weather. I look forward to the New Year and for it to be another great year for each of you, each chapter and the MISSAR. The coming year will hopefully see us add another chapter to the state and hopefully another 100 plus new members. Thank you for all you do for the SAR and our great Nation. God Bless you, your family, the SAR and the United States of America. Paul Callanan, President, Michigan Society, Sons of the American Revolution 10
Central Michigan Chapter Swears in New Compatriots On October 14, 217, the Central Michigan Chapter inducted three new Compatriots into the MISSAR. New Compatriots are Scott Pier, Carson Abbott, and Jimmy Lang. Compatriot Jimmy Lang s Patriot ancestor was one of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence. Pictured l to r: Michael Huey, Scott Pier, guest Eric Abbott, Carson Abbot, Jimmy Lang, guest Carman Lang, Dave Anderson Below: Continuing long Oaks tradition of honoring our veterans on holidays, the Friends of the Oaks produced and delivered 100 greeting cards to our veterans at the John Dingell Hospital. Thanks to Susan Wilson and her team of helpers for never forgetting our veterans.. News from the Oaks Chapter Below: At their October 12, 2017, Chapter meeting, Oaks President James Walker swears in new Compatriot Bill Maywood Above: At the Oaks Chapter November 9, 2017 meeting, guest speaker David Carpenter gave an informative and interesting talk on the real story of Paul Revere and his famous ride. 11
The Article below was authored by Gary Pastiva of the Blue Water Chapter, along with his son Jack and was submitted to the Voice News, which is a local Port Huron newspaper. By Gary and Jack Pastiva Blue Water Chapter Sons of the American Revolution Can anyone be a Leader? y son and I recently read an article titled Leaders is a Choice by Mark Mullaly PhD and project management consultant. I asked Jack (My son and high school student at Anchor Bay High School) who do you see as the leaders in your M life? That s easy he replied. My parents, teachers and school officials are just a few of the people and leaders that I see every day. In Marks article he mentions that leadership is a choice. What does this mean? I know in class a teacher will put us into groups and ask for one person to lead the group in an assignment. At this time everyone looks around the room until some decides to be in charge of the assignment. I have found that the many of my outgoing friends are the people that seem to want to be the group leader. Most of us quieter kids go along with what they say and help as much as we can. At the end assignment we all hope we did it right. This makes me think that being outgoing means you are a leader and maybe we are born this ability. Mark points out in his article leadership is more about working at developing leadership skills and making an effort to learn new skills. This does not happen overnight, it take the time to develop these new skills. As a fan of American history I thought back as to when our country was forming in 1700s. We all know that George Washington led his troops into battle and we also know that Washington did not have all the answers as to what to do in leading his troops. From the research we have done on George Washington it seems he was a confident person and was an intelligent man. He also knew many of his friends were better educated and had a slightly different background than he did. To help with this problem Washington often wrote letters to many of his friends for advice and guidance. If it stands to reason the Washington put some hard work and an effort to come up with the right plans to lead his army. Without his efforts and efforts of a lot of people at the time that came together to form his army our nation will be much different today. I can only imagine to think a lot of people at the time decided it was time to stand up and say this is important; we should follow General Washington into battle. We are not an expert on George Washington but we can see how he was in a precarious position in leading his army. I m sure he knew he needed his army as much as his army needed him. It would appear the Washington put some effort to keep a steady and fair balance with his men. In a letter we found seems to reflex this belief written to Col. William Woodford on November 10, 1775. "Require nothing unreasonable of your officers and men, but see that whatever is required be punctually complied with. Reward and punish every man according to his merit, without partiality or prejudice; hear his complaints; if well founded, redress them; if otherwise, discourage them, in order to prevent frivolous ones. Discourage vice in every shape, and impress upon the mind of every man, from the first to the lowest, the importance of the cause, and what it is they are contending for." Mark mentions in his article: Leadership takes work; it s not going to go away and that s what makes leadership a choice. It s not that leaders are born, or that they are made. It s that they choose to step up and make a difference, and that they persist in the actions and behaviors that result in that difference being possible. That means continuing to care, continuing to make the effort and continuing to provide the guidance, each day, each hour and each moment. It s not easy, but achieving the desired results makes it all worthwhile It almost seems that Mark Mullaly and George Washington sat down together and had a conversation before Mark wrote his article. If you re interested in early American Revolutionary history and have interest in preserving our past please contact the Children of the American Revolution (CAR for children), Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR for women) and the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR for men). If you have a relative that has served in the Revolutionary War and would like to help preserve our historical past please contact CAR at www.michigancar.org, DAR at www.michdar.com or SAR at www.missar.org for a chapter that is near you. 12
Wreaths Across America December 16, 2017 Left Gerald Burkland Jr. and Gerald Burkland Sr Members of the MISSAR Color Guard Accompaniment with band 13 MISSAR First VP James Petres Honors Our Fallen Veterans