Wayne Snodgrass. President s Letter. Forth Quarter 2014 Volume 7 Issue 4. Dear COSSAR Compatriots:

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1 Forth Quarter 2014 Volume 7 Issue 4 Colorado Society of the Sons of the American Revolution Society Officers for Wayne Snodgrass President Dick Marsh Vice President Matthew von Hobe Rec. Sec/Hist. Tom Brown Mem. Sec/Registrar Tom Wellborn Treasurer Gene Cheney Chancellor Dick Marsh Chaplain Tom Brown National Trustee Grand Mesa Chapter (GM) Chess Neff President grandmesawest.html Longs Peak Chapter (LP) Dennis Hopper President longspeaknorth.html Mount Evans Chapter (ME) Steve DeBoer (Pro-tem) President mtevanscentral.html Pikes Peak Chapter (PP) Gene Cheney President pikespeaksouth.html Editorial Staff Wayne Snodgrass.Editor Wally Weart...Publisher The Colorado Patriot is the Journal of the Colorado Society of the Sons of the American Revolution and is published quarterly. For article submission or to be added to the mailing list, please the Editor at wsinmd@comcast.net President s Letter Dear COSSAR Compatriots: This has truly been a great year for COSSAR. We were fortunate to have excellent leadership teams in each Chapter and excellent chairmen of the Chapters and COSSAR committees. Thank you for serving our Society. I also offer a sincere Thank You to the dedicated COSSAR officers who gave so much of their time and talents. And I offer very special thanks to all COSSAR members who supported the wide variety of programs and activities. All of you made 2014 successful and helped in achieving our goals of improving Involvement and Communication. As this is my last President s Letter, I leave suggesting and hoping that everyone will consider participating in two major activities: 1. The COSSAR Annual Meeting & GW Luncheon and 2. The Goals of our NSSAR President General Lindsey Brock. COSSAR Annual Meeting and George Washington Luncheon February 14, 2015 A. 10:00 am COSSAR Annual Meeting, members and PG Lindsey Brock. B. 10:00am Ladies discussion by Jewel Wellborn re. Revolution ary Patriot. C. 12:00 noon George Washington Luncheon with key note speech by the President General. President General Lindsey Brock s Goals for Call for Speech Materials from NSSAR members 2. Patriot Biographies submitted by NSSAR members Please read the current issue of the SAR Magazine pages for examples of of these goals. Thanks to all for the wonderful experience to serve as President of COSSAR. My best wishes for all members and for the future of COSSAR. Wayne Snodgrass COMPATRIOTS Please consider serving as an officer in COSSAR: Recording Secretary or Chaplain

2 Grand Mesa Chapter By Ed Foster November 8 th, We marched with the DAR in the Veterans Day Parade. Two members were in period attire. November 11 th, We had a table at the Veterans Day Ceremony s the Vietnam War Memorial in Fruita. Pictures sent. November 13 th, We had 5 members present wreaths for USAF and SAR. GM Chapter sponsored two wreaths and 4 more wreaths by members. On Oct 8, 2014 Compatriots Mike Schmeeckle and Jan Housley made a school presentation at the Prairie School in New Raymer, Weld County. Approximately 100 students were in attendance from K-12 grade. Longs Peak Chapter Member Highlights Compatriot Bob Cassiday is the current VP of the chapter and is the 2015 nominee for President. Compatriot Mike Schmeeckle is the 2015 nominee for VP/SEC of the chapter. Compatriot George Smith is past president and current secretary of the chapter. Compatriot Jan Housley is the current historian of the chapter. Grand Mesa Chapter participates in the Veterans Day Ceremony Left to right: Ed Foster, Garry Brewer, Norm Kronvall, Tom Hoffman, and President Chess Neff. Longs Peak Chapter By Dennis Hopper, President FY 2014, eight new members were added to the LP Chapter Rolls. One of the eight was an interstate transfer from Missouri. Five supplemental applications were approved. Currently, the Chapter membership stands at 35 regular members and 5 junior member Compatriot George Smith, Compatriot Jan Housley and Compatriot Mike Schmeeckle at the annual Longmont Genealogical Society where we post the colors. The November LP Chapter guest speaker was Sergeant John Jack Thurman USMC, Ret. Jack is an Iwo Jima Survivor and Author. Chapter President Denny Hopper presents Jack with an SAR Certificate of Appreciation. Jack will also be the guest speaker at the BOM meeting hosted by LP s on Dec 6, 2014 in Loveland, Colorado Denny Hopper and VP Bob Cassiday hold new banner for Longs Peak Chapter. Forth Quarter 2014 Page 2

3 My thanks to all of these compatriots for the contributions they made to the chapter this past year. We lost two Compatriots this year. LP Chapter Member Dale Utley passed away on June 12, 2014 and Chapter Member Ralph Loberg passed away on November 15, Pike Peak Chapter Report By Gene Cheney, President PPCSAR The Pikes Peak Chapter has had two meetings since the 4 Oct COSSAR BOM. At the 18 Oct meeting a Memorial Membership Certificate was presented to the family of Compatriot William F. Hecker III, Major U.S. Army by Chapter President Cheney and members of the Pikes Peak Color Guard. New member Compatriot James Williams was inducted into the chapter and presented with the Society s Rosette. Compatriot Warren Pearce was presented with the Lamp Lighter Medal and Certificate given by the National Society for his contributions to the SAR Foundation.Two Certificates of Appreciation, received from COSSAR President Wayne Snodgrass, were presented to the chapter. At the 15 Nov meeting input for the 2015 Budget was taken and planning for the 13 December Bill of Rights Luncheon done. The Luncheon will be 11:00am 2:00pm 13 December 2014 at the Elegante Hotel. Wounded Warrior and Public service awards will be presented. Nominations were taken for the 2015 officer positions. 8 Nov the Pikes Peak Color Guard marched in the Colorado Springs Veterans Day Parade. 11 Nov Compatriot Marsh, in uniform, performed the unveiling of the George Washington Portrait at Martinez Elementary School, Colorado Springs. 11 Nov the Pikes Peak Color Guard participated in the 200 th Anniversary Celebration of the Star Spangled Banner at Centennial High School, Pueblo. The Pikes Peak Chapter Bill of Rights Luncheon By Gene Cheney The Pikes Peak Chapter SAR held their annual Bill of Rights Luncheon 13 December 2014 at the Hotel Elegante. Vice President Gary Manning spoke on the history of the creation of the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights Luncheon is the function at which the Pikes Peak Chapter presents its Community Service awards. Awards were presented by Awards Chairman Compatriot John Luedecke. A Certificate of Appreciation to Nancy Montville for her management of the Wounded Warrior Project at Ft. Carson. A Certificate of Appreciation to Compatriot Dr. Matthew Bowdish and His wife Kara Bowdish For their generous support of the Wounded Warrior Project. Fourth Quarter 2014 Page 3

4 The Pikes Peak Chapter was honored to present Wounded Warrior Medals and Certificates to Captain Baker and SSG Hasson of the U. S. Army. The Fire Safety Award was presented to National Forest Service Fireman Eric Zanotto for his exemplary service during the Waldo Canyon Fire. The EMS Award was presented to national Forest Service EMT Drew Maxwell for his actions as first responder to an accident, performing lifesaving techniques and securing Air Evacuation.. A Certificate of Appreciation was presented to Diana Allen for her assistance in finding the NFS recipients. Mount Eva ns Chapter Report By Steve DeBoer $100. Additional motion was made to provide CAR with a $100 donation for the State President s Fisher House project. Motion will be made on 12/10 to donate $100 to the Mountain Phoenix Charter School toward their Patriot trip to Boston in the spring. The Flag award was presented to the Colorado Patriot Guard Riders on October 11. The Good Citizen Award was presented to Mr. Jim Herstein on October 11, for his efforts as a Director of the Denver Honor Flight. Education Committee Report By Dick P. Marsh The Education Committee s role is to promote two forms of education. One form is to better inform our members of the History of our Organization, educate our members of the internal processes and procedures of the National Society, VP Dick Marsh addresses the Martinez elementary school while presenting the George Washington portrait. State Society and their local chapters, and to enlighten our membership about the events and occurrences of the Revolutionary War period. The second form of education is to the general public and more especially our nation s youth.. The Mount Evans Chapter will hold its final meeting of the year, (completing all quarterly meetings on schedule) at Hanson s Grill on Pearl Street in Denver. In a change of format, the final meeting will myself and Wayne Snodgrass serving on In the NSSAR Education Committee has take place on a weekday evening to determine effect the Committee. At the Fall Leadership on attendance. Conference the following were discussed. The Chapter numbers 121 individuals now and continues to grow with applications in process. Volunteers have stepped forward to fill all offi- Free Curriculum. This curriculum has Values through History Why America is cer positions with exception of Secretary, including been endorsed by the California and Florida Societies. Robert Stevens- President, Bob Easterly- VP, Alex Turner- Treasurer, Robert Gordon- Chaplain, Roger Evans- Historian. The one page Education Outreach programs Treasurer s report indicated October 1 balances of submitted by Colorado and 5 other $4668 in the Checking Account and $ in the states. The six states have had their One Savings Account. The only changes are additions to Page Education Outreach posted on the the Checking Account of 2015 Dues receipts. National Website. (CO, AZ, CA, GA, Motions were made and approved to provide the TX, and WA) Northern Colorado Honor Flight with a donation of The need for each state to develop State and Local contacts. Fourth Quarter 2014 Page 4

5 Color Guard Report By Steve DeBoer Color Guard Commander and Committee Chairman The COSSAR Color Guard continued to be active in the fourth Quarter of A full list of appearances, including our latest dates, follows: Oct 4: Ft. Lupton Colonial Days, Attendance 500, (Wellborn) Nov 8: Veterans Day Parade, Colorado Springs, Attendance 20,000, (DeBoer, Mann, Reipe, Luedecke, Jenkins, Easterly, Weart, Rodgers) Nov 8: Veterans Day Parade, Grand Junction, Attendance 5,000, (Brewer, Foster) Nov 8: Colors Presentation, Veterans Day Memorial Ceremonies, Fruita, (Brewer, Foster) Nov 11: Centennial High School Veterans Day Ceremonies, Attendance 600, Pueblo, (Mann, Riepe, Luedecke, DeBoer, Marsh) Dec 13: Wreaths Across America, Arvada, Attendance 500, (DeBoer, Weart, Stevens, Rodgers) Color Guard in the Colorado Springs Veterans Day Parade Of the $ budgeted for the Color Guard in 2014, less than $500 was spent, including completion of the Color Guard Drum by Steve DeBoer. We have two Color Guard members capable of playing the drum. The Minuteman list of potential participants remains at 18., Refurbished Drum for COS- SAR similar to the Williamsburg fife and drum corps COSSAR Color Guard members Wally Weart, Bob Easterly and Steve DeBoer, along with Levi attend Wreaths across America ceremonies in Arvada. COSSAR Color Guard prepares for the Colorado Springs Veterans Day Parade Fourth Quarter 2014 Page 5

6 Patriot Chest Report Steve DeBoer, Patriot Chest Committee Chairman The Patriot Chest program remained active throughout the final quarter of In addition to the 19 presentations in 2014, an additional 8 presentations took place in the final months of the year. The following Patriot Chest presentations have been made this fall: 9/26- Visionheirs reenactment, Morrison, Colorado. (DeBoer in uniform, Wellborn) 10/2- Red Rocks Community College, 40 students, Lakewood, (DeBoer) 10/8- Coal Creek Elementary, Wheat Ridge, 70 students, (DeBoer, ) 10/14- In conjunction with YOU CAN LIVE HISTORY NOW reenactment, 100 participants, Lakewood, (DeBoer) 11/1- Overland Trail DAR Chapter, Fort Collins, 60 attending, (DeBoer) 11/10- Bear Creek Community Church, 100 students, (DeBoer,), Lakewood 11/19- Mountain Phoenix Charter School, 80 students, (DeBoer) 11/21- Arvada K-8 School, 76 students, (DeBoer,) 11/24- Susan Duncan YMCA vacation camp, 83 students, Arvada, (DeBoer) (Brewer, Buvinger) Total presentations for 2014 stand at 28, with LP, PP and GM Chapters yet to report All Compatriots noted were in uniform We continue to make contact with Teachers, Administrators and Parents through our general community appearances and expect word of mouth to present many additional Patriot Chest opportunities in the coming months. Replacement item costs for the ME Chapter Chest should be less than $200 in the coming year. Three addition members have volunteered to assist as they are able. COSSAR Historical Records Online By Edmund Karr and David Mann The Colorado Society was admitted into NSSAR July 1, 1896, so 1996 was our 100 th anniversary. Col Victor C. Wegenhoft, as COSSAR Registrar- Historian, marked the event by publishing an 18- page documentary plus 3 appendices entitled The First Century: A History. The text is segmented by decade noting the most historically significant events that could be determined from his considerable research of available documentation. Regrettably, Colonel Wegenhoft passed away on 8 Mar COSSAR will be eternally grateful for his dedicated work to document our history. David L. Van Wormer, Membership Secretary/ Registrar in 2002, extended that work and entitled his annual updates as The First Hundred Years And Beyond. Through 2006 he provided annual updates to the three appendices of COL Wegenhoft: COSSAR State Presidents COSSAR National Officers Awards and Medals Compatriot Van Wormer also made four additional listings which he kept current through 2006: NSSAR Awards and Other Recognition for COS- SAR COSSAR State Officers from 1985 Chapter Officers From 1985 COSSAR Master Register of Members In 2013 Edmund P. Karr converted the 18-page text of The First Century: A History to a PDF file. He also converted the first six of the above seven lists to MS Word files and extended the data through The COSSAR Master Register of Members has been an Excel file and kept current by the COS- SAR Registrar for the past several years. All of these can now be viewed as PDF files on the COS- SAR website. David Mann made major changes to the COSSAR website to have a place to link to and display these COSSAR Historical Records. He also developed procedures for the COSSAR Recording Secretary, Registrar and Awards Chairman to annually maintain the files and notify the Webmaster when Appendix PDF updates to the website are ready to be implemented. Fourth Quarter 2014 Page 6

7 To view this work, select the new COSSAR Historical Records link on our website and view The First Century: A History or any of the six Appendices A-F as above. Appendix G the COSSAR Master Register of Members is password protected under the new Internal Administration link. Registrar s Ramblings Current COSSAR Membership is 330 members reconciled to the National database. Based upon current information, projected membership before drops at December 31, 2014 will be 341. Total queries responded to for the period ended November 19th is 143. New members since last news letter: Trenton A. Wojciechowski, Jr. Joseph G. Wolciechowski, Jr. Brian C. Ebert Mark A. Crowley Transfers/reinstatements in: William C. Linn II Jason C. Hatch Deaths Ralph C. Lobert Other status Eight New Member Applications at Na tional Eight Supplemental Applications at Na tional 21 new prospects in process Chaplain.....Vacant/ National Trustee...Wayne Snodgrass Alternate National Trustee. Tom Wellborn Vice President General - Rocky Mountain District (New Mexico) Board of Managers Meeting Report The COSSAR BOM met in Loveland on 6 December with the Longs Peak Chapter as the host. It was a very good business meeting with fifteen members and three guests attending. An outstanding program was arranged by LP Chapter with Sgt. Jack Thurman, USMC Ret. explaining the details of the first landing on Iwo Jima. It was a very engaging briefing and descriptions and maps of all aspects of the major WW II Battle. This was especially impressive as we remembered December 7 th COSSAR President Wayne Snodgrass and Past President Tom Wellborn recognize guest speaker Jack Thurman, USMC Ret, after the Jack's great program presentation about Iwo Jima Nominating Committee Report By Tom Wellborn, Nominating Committee Chair The following compatriots have accepted COS- SAR Officer nominations for the 2015 Annual COSSAR Conference: President Dick P Marsh Vice President... Steve DeBoer Recording Secretary.....Vacant/Available Membership Secretary...Tom Brown Treasurer... Tom Wellborn Chancellor.... Gene Cheney LP President Dennis Hopper, LP VP Bob Cassiday and COSSAR President Wayne Snodgrass kick off the BOM meeting in Loveland. Fourth Quarter 2014 Page 7

8 COSSAR Secretary Matt von Hobe 1031 Harrison Ave. Canon City, CO The Colorado Patriot Colorado Society SAR Please send newsletter articles to the Editor: Wayne Snodgrass You received this B&W version as we have an invalid or missing address for you. To receive a color copy of the quarterly newsletter in your or to make address, phone and updates, please contact the COSSAR Secretary: Matthew von Hobe mvonhobe@yahoo.com