CINCINNATI PATRIOT Newsletter of the Cincinnati Chapter of the Ohio Society, Sons of the American Revolution

Transcription

1 CINCINNATI PATRIOT Newsletter of the Cincinnati Chapter of the Ohio Society, Sons of the American Revolution Volume Number 20 Issue Number 2 May 2006 President: Donald C. McGraw Editor: Charles G. Edwards 9840 Montgomery Rd., Apt Fourson Dr. Cincinnati, OH Cincinnati, OH Telephone: (513) Telephone: (513) >IMPORTANT< PLEASE TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK OF THE "CINCINNATI PATRIOT NEWSLETTER" 1. Do you read it? 2. What do you like most? 3. Should it be published 4 times a year (before each luncheon/dinner event) or less? 4. Any suggestions? Thank You. Charles Edwards, Editor Charles@current.net 1

2 COMPATRIOTS: The PRESIDENTS' DAY LUNCHEON was attended by 47 Compatriots and their guests. Dr. Charles F. Bragg from Indianapolis, who has served as Registrar General NSSAR, and is presently on several National Committees, was our speaker. In an excellent informative talk, he presented an analysis of George Washington. Overall, this was a good start for The Compatriots serving our Youth Committee have had several special meetings to evaluate our Youth Program. This project is continuing to determine whether or not there are any other ways to enhance our Youth Program On March 4 th, the Chapter members conducted the SAR Funeral Ritual for our departed Compatriot Irwin William Fahr. We regret his passing. This SAR Ritual service is available at the request of the family of a deceased Compatriot. The Ohio Society is in the process of publishing a 2006 OHSSAR Membership Register for this year. This Register will include the name, telephone number, street address and address of every Compatriot in each Chapter. Walter Golladay, Cincinnati Chapter, has volunteered to organize and coordinate this project. The present plan is to mail each Ohio Compatriot a copy of this register in June On April 19, 2006, at the Peace Bell Square in Newport, Kentucky, we held another highly successful celebration of "The Shot Heard 'Round The World." The essence of this program was the ringing of the peace bell. Posting of the Colors, a musket salute, display of our Captain Miller Flag Collection, and speakers from the City of Newport, the DAR and the SAR. A special "Thank You" to Harry and Thomas Geimeier for arranging this event. The next Luncheon will be on Saturday, June 17, This will be a combined meeting with the Cincinnati Chapter DAR in celebration of FLAG DAY and ARMED FORCES DAY. A joint meeting is significant in that our Chapters have many programs in common. However, the most significant thing we have in common is that Daughters and Compatriots all have ancestors who fought or were involved in our War for Independence. Some of us probably have common ancestors! Our speaker, Colonel Donald C. McGraw, Jr., US Army, having recently returned from serving as Chief of Military Operations for the Combined Forces Command in Afghanistan, will discuss his extensive personal experience with the War on Terrorism in Afghanistan and in the Middle East. With reference to this next Luncheon, please review the enclosed bulletin. If you have any questions about the program or the speaker, please call Tom Geimeier, our Program Chairman ( ), or me ( ). Much effort has gone into the development and arrangements for this joint meeting. We hope to have a large number of Compatriots in attendance. Finally, remember the need for everyone to participate - BE INVOLVED - on a committee, attend a luncheon, attend a Board of Management Meeting, and help to recruit new members. If you meet someone who may be interested in becoming a member, contact any one of our SAR Chapter Officers. We need to increase our membership. Yours in Patriotic Service, Donald C. McGraw, President Cincinnati Chapter OHSSAR 2

3 THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Our nation reveres the flag, not out of a sense of unquestioning worship but out of a deep sense of our national heritage. Strengthened by our noble deeds, splendid accomplishments, and untold sacrifices, the flag reflects America's pledge to uphold Freedom and work for peace throughout the world. It is America's strength in honor, as dignified in the stars and stripes of the flag, which helps to establish the moral character of our national foundation. The flag endearingly referred to as "Old Glory," represents all people of America. We, the people, are America. It is little wonder that the people of America are moved when saluting the flag as it passes by, reminding us that we are a part of this great land. We are "one nation under God." Its unfurled banner, which symbolizes the love and pride that we have as a nation, is a poignant reminder of America's greatness and our fortune to live in a country which values freedom above all else. It signifies the commitment made by our fallen comrades who battled bravely to defend the honor of this sacred emblem - our American unity, our power, and our purpose as a nation and it exemplifies the devotion of our leaders who continue to uphold its promise of liberty, justice and freedom for all. Nothing evokes such strong emotion as seeing the flag, either a ceremony honoring a great event or draped over the coffin of a military veteran as a sign of mourning for a hero and a loved one. Pledge to the Flag "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the "REPUBLIC" for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." After first appearing in a copy of the Youth's Companion in 1892, as a celebration of the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America, the pledge to the flag received the official recognition of Congress on June 22, The phrase, "under God," was added to the pledge by Congress on June 14, 1954, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who said that "in this way we are reaffirming the transcendence of religious faith in America's heritage and future; in this way we shall constantly strengthen those spiritual weapons which forever will be our country's most powerful resource in peace and war." 3

4 Red Skelton, during the presentation of his CBS television show on the night of January 14, 1969, read his version of the "Pledge of Allegiance" to the flag. He immediately received 200,000 requests for it, he recorded it and the record was widely played throughout the country. Skelton had learned his adaptation of the pledge as a schoolboy in Vincennes, Indiana. The teacher felt his pupils were bored reciting the pledge every morning (times haven't changed much), so he decided to explain to his students what the lines they were mumbling meant. "I" me, an individual, a committee of one. "Pledge" dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self-pity. "Allegiance" my love and devotion. "To the Flag" our standard, Old Glory, a symbol of freedom. Wherever she waves, there is respect because your loyalty has given her dignity that shouts freedom is everybody's job. "Of the united" that means that we have all come together "States" individual communities that have united into 50 great states. Fifty communities with pride and dignity and purpose, all divided by imaginary boundaries, yet common purpose and that s love for country. "Of America" Home of the Brave and Land of the Free. "And to the Republic" a state in which limited Sovereign Power is granted to representatives chosen by the people who govern. And government is the people and its representatives chosen by the people who govern. And government is the people and it's from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people. "For which it stands" flying proudly, never touching the ground or displayed below other flags. "One nation under GOD" meaning so blessed by GOD. "Indivisible" incapable of being divided. "With Liberty" which is freedom and the RIGHTS or power to live one's own life without threats or fear of some sort of retaliation. "And justice" the principle or quality of dealing fairly with others. "For all" which means it's as much your country as it is mine. When rendering the pledge of allegiance, persons should stand at attention, face the flag, and, if in uniform, salute, or otherwise place the RIGHT hand over the heart. Persons wearing the caps of veterans' service organizations, such as the Disabled American Veterans, are expected to salute. Others, such as Boy or Girl Scouts in uniform, should render respect to the flag in accordance with the traditions of the organization whose uniform they are wearing. (Source: barefoot'sworld.net) 4

5 MRS. OHIO AMERICA SPEAKS AT EDWIN H. GREENE SCHOOL On Friday, March 3rd, fifth and sixth grade students at Edwin H. Greene School in Blue Ash became active and enthusiastic as Mrs. Ohio America, Rhonda Shappert, began her program The National Anthem Project. The project is the campaign to get America singing The Star Spangled Banner, while spotlighting the important role music education plays in giving Americans our patriotic voice. Mrs. Ohio America held two assemblies at E, H. Greene School Friday morning for 800 students (400 from each class). Her opening was a question on how students had gotten to school, with the answers being by bus or walking. She asked if anyone had ridden a horse to school and so began her history lesson of 200 years ago. Keith Kaufman of New Lexington, gave a short rendition of Patrick Henry s A Farewell To Arms dressed in period attire and described the different parts of clothing worn at the time. Kaufman is President and Event Coordinator for the Rufus Putnam Chapter, Ohio Society, Sons of the American Revolution. Paul Wilke, Immediate Past President of the Cincinnati Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution, followed with a talk about his ancestor who served in the Revolutionary War. Rhonda Shappert returned to the stage and asked if any of the students spoke another language and then introduced herself once again, only this time in Japanese. This paved the way for her illustration of the National Anthem and how as young people, the words to the song are confusing or not understood. She went on to talk about the United States flag, a symbol of our country as she went through the words of the Star Spangled Banner and described its meaning, in detail, stressing that songs were written in poetry to create pictures in our minds. Shappert played a game with the students patterned after the TV show Who Wants to be a Millionaire. Her game was Who Wants to be a Patriot. Students were asked eight questions from Shappert s presentation. The winner received a cap. Shappert was crowned Mrs. Ohio America in October 2005 and has traveled all over the state, making more than 30 National Anthem Presentations across the state to thousands of people. 5

6 PATRIOTS' DAY 2006 April 19, 1775 to April 19, 2006 The 231st Anniversary of.... "The Shot Heard 'Round the World" On a nice sunny day of April 19 in Newport, KY the World Peace Bell rang at 11:55 a.m. signaling the beginning of the Revolutionary War. This was followed by the Posting of the Colors by the Nolan Carson Memorial Color Guard and the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silent prayer. A Musket Salute was then given by Compatriots of the Sons of the American Revolution and "My Country Tis of Thee" was sung by all. Master of Ceremonies Compatriot Harry D. Geimeier welcomed the good turnout, then introduced Newport Commissioner Mr. Jan Knepshield who gave a short talk on the sacrifices we must endure in order to have a peaceful society. Mrs. Ruth Korzenborn from the Rebecca Bryant Boone Chapter, Kenton County, Daughters of the American Revolution then spoke. The Concord Hymn Poem was read by Compatriot Thomas E. Geimeier followed by Patrick Henry's "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" by Compatriot Harry A. Sjolin. Anecdotes from the American Revolution were given by Compatriot Paul M. Wilke and Compatriot James E. Hough gave Comments on George Washington. Cincinnati Chapter SAR President Donald C. McGraw spoke on the Results of the "Shot Heard 'Round the World". ********************************************************************************************** EAGLE SCOUT SCHOLARSHIP CONTEST The information for Eagle Scouts for the 2006 Scholarship Contest was published in the Dan Beard Council March/April Newsletter which goes to all Scoutmasters in the nine County Southwestern Ohio-Northern Kentucky area. To print the application the scout needs to go to the S. A. R. website: click Education/Youth and click Eagle Scout. Jacob Stegman, a sophomore at Finneytown High School and a member of Troop 857 sponsored by Northminster Presbyterian Church, won the Chapter's 2005 contest and received a certificate, patch and a check for $100. Paul Wilke, OHSSAR President, advised that Rodger Moore, OHSSAR Eagle Scout Chairman for the past several years, had resigned and asked me if I wanted the position. I enthusiastically said "yes" and look forward to soliciting the other Ohio chapters to get more involved in this program. Harry Sjolin, Committee Chairman 6

7 ROTC/JROTC RECOGNITION Framed Certificates and Silver Medals have been presented to cadets at the Xavier University and University of Cincinnati Army Recognition Ceremonies. Navy and Air Force certificates were presented at the awards ceremony at Miami University on April 1st. We had one remaining Cadet at the University of Cincinnati Air Force who will receive our S. A. R. award on May 25th. We presented bronze medals and certificates to JROTC cadets from Diamond Oaks, Scarlet Oaks, Live Oaks and Lebanon, Colerain, Holmes, Princeton, and Northwest High Schools in late April. Harry Sjolin ROTC/JROTC Committee Chairman *********************************************************************************************** VETERANS COMMITTEE I visited the Veterans Hospital on March 15th volunteering for the Hoxworth Blood Drive. I also passed out magazines and talked to a few veterans. Harry Sjolin Veterans Committee Chairman *********************************************************************************************** THE NATIONAL SOCIETY SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION IS INVITED TO CLEVELAND IN 2010 Congress Location: Tower City District The tower City District is home to Public Square, the city's center, featuring four public quadrants. The district's focal point is Tower City Center, a beautifully renovated train terminal that now includes The Avenue, an upscale, indoor shopping mall with more than 100 retail shops and nine full service restaurants, including two distinguished hotels, the Ritz-Carlton Cleveland and the Cleveland Renaissance Hotel. The lower level of the Terminal Tower houses the Regional Transit Authority's (RTA's) light rail system hub. 7

8 Hotel: Renaissance Cleveland Hotel Tower Rooms: $ S (491 guest rooms and suites) Dinner plated meals average $25.00 Luncheons range from $12.50-$15.50 Multiple break out rooms of various sizes and 3 ballrooms Transportation Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (Cleveland Hopkins to Tower City District via RTA is $1.50) Interstate 71,77,76,80 &90 Amtrak Memorial Service Old Stone Church is the oldest building on Public Square located on the North West Quadrant. Built in 1834, the church features stained glass Tiffany windows. Renaissance Tower City Center Old Stone Church Hospital/Health Care Cleveland Clinic/Lutheran Hospital/University Hospitals of Cleveland Tour & Activities University Circle: The nation's largest concentration of cultural institutions within one square mile Renowned Cleveland Museum of Art/The Cleveland Orchestra/Cleveland Museum of Natural History/The Cleveland Play House/Cleveland Institute of Art/Cleveland Botanical Garden/Cleveland Cultural Gardens/Wade Oval in Wade Park Genealogy Research-Western Reserve Historical Society/Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum Majestic & Nautica Queen dinner Cruise ship on Lake Erie Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad through Cuyahoga Valley National Park Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Major League Baseball at Jacobs Field ("The Jake") with the Cleveland Indians Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation located in the Cleveland Metroparks *********************************************************** We can make $5.00 go a Iong way!! Help Us further the goals of the S.A.R Join the Ladies' Auxiliary 'The. SAR Ladies Auxiliary can make your $5.00 annual dues go a long way to help further the objectives of the SAR. We help support one of the SAR youth competitions the <Douglass G.High Oration Contest by providing extra money for the contestant -who will represent Ohio at the 2006 National Congress in Dallas. We are also helping with the purchase of chairs for the new library which will be part of the SAR Center for the advancement of American Heritage in Louisville, Kentucky. 8

9 Send your check to: (Betty Franklin, Treasurer OHSSAR Ladies'Aaxiliary 338 Simon Road Hudson, Ohio Thank you for your consideration, Diane Parvin, President. 'We appreciate your dues. No one will contact you. Because we are so widespread in the state, there are no organizational meetings or projects requiring your time. (If you don't know the SAR Membership No., we can fill that in).the Ladies' Auxiliary of the Ohio Society of the Sons of the American Revolution Membership Application Name Address Telephone No. Name of SAR Member Relationship SAR Chapter SAR Membership No. Date Paid Amount Paid $5.00 Make checks payable to Ladies' Auxiliary, OHSSAR 9

10 2006 Chapter Officers Donald C. McGraw, President Thomas E. Geimeier, 1st Vice President John E. Simmons, 2nd Vice President John O. Langlitz, Secretary Harry D. Geimeier, Treasurer Thomas E. Geimeier, Registrar Randall J. Krueger, Historian Randall J. Krueger, Chaplain Chapter Committees and Chairman Archives Randall J. Krueger Awards Robert F. French Calling Committee Randall J. Krueger Color Guard John E. Simmons D. G. High Oration James E. Hough Eagle Scouts Harry A. Sjolin Ertel Fund Jesse W. Andrews Flags John E. Simmons Good Citizenship George H. Vincent G.S. Knight Essay Thomas E. Geimeier Membership Martin L. Greene Naturalization Albert E. Good Programs & Speakers Thomas E. Geimeier Publicity Charles G. Edwards Rev. War Graves Charles G. Edwards ROTC Harry A. Sjolin Veterans Harry A. Sjolin Webmaster Martin L. Greene Open for future use Open for future use 10

11 May 19-21, 2006 May 2006 June 7, 2006 June 17, 2006 July and August July 4, 2006 July 8-12, 2006 July 2006 September 6, 2006 September 2006 September 2006 October 4, 2006 October 2006 October 2006 October 2006 November 1, 2006 November 2006 December 6, 2006 Waldschmidt House "Birth of Our Nation to End of Civil War" 10:00am Memorial Day Parade Blue Ash Cincinnati Chapter SAR Meeting 5:30pm - Manor House SAR Flag Day Luncheon & Flag Retirement There will be no Cincinnati Chapter meetings. Anderson Township 4th of July Parade 116th National Congress Dallas, Texas Fort Laurens Memorial Observance - Bolivar, Ohio Cincinnati Chapter SAR Meeting 5:30pm - Manor House Constitution Day Dinner National Trustee's Meeting Louisville, Kentucky Cincinnati Chapter SAR Meeting 5:30pm - Manor House OHSSAR Executive Meeting Battle Days, Point Pleasant, WV Central District Annual Meeting Cincinnati Chapter SAR Meeting 5:30pm - Manor House 11 Thanksgiving Day Luncheon Cincinnati Chapter & Annual Meeting

12 5:30pm - Manor House. Committee Chairmen Annual Reports. The Manor House, at Maple Knoll Village. 600 Maple Trace Drive in Springdale, Ohio Telephone Manor House Map Manor House Link 12

13 SAR and DAR FLAG DAY CELEBRATION The basic tenets of the DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION and the SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION are to perpetuate the people and events of the American Revolution, to maintain the institutions of American Freedom and to promote fellowship among the descendants of the Revolutionary War Patriots. The objectives of both organizations are to promote patriotism, history and education. Many of our programs are similar, such as presenting Good Citizenship awards to middle school students, recognizing excellence in Scouting, presenting certificates to outstanding high school and college students in ROTC programs, having Essay and Oration contests and offering various scholarships. While there is no competition between the DAR and the SAR, it is always beneficial to have cooperation, coordination and exchange of ideas with each other. The speaker will be Colonel Donald C. McGraw, Jr., United States Army, (USMA Class of 1979, with 27 years of Active Military Service), who spent the year 2005 in Afghanistan as the Manager of all Military Operations of the Combined Forces Command which included all US Military Operations, Coalition Forces and NATO. He will discuss global terrorism and overall operations including the Afghanistan National Elections and will answer questions. Cincinnati Woman's Club DRESS CODE: Coat and tie for men, dresses preferred for women, but slacks permitted if worn as a suit.. MENU: Hot Chicken Salad Patriotic Dessert Green Beans Almondine Pastries Strawberry/Raspberry Jello Mold Beverages SAR and DAR FLAG DAY CELEBRATION Cincinnati Woman's Club 330 Lafayette, Cincinnati, OH Saturday, June 17, 2006 at 12 noon $20 per person Reservations must be received by June 10 th. Please make check payable to Cincinnati Chapter, SAR, and mail to Harry D. Geimeier, 454 General Drive, Fort Wright, KY NAME...GUEST. Remember our motto: VOLUNTEER AND BE INVOLVED