The Lake-Sumter Gazette

Transcription

1 The Lake-Sumter Gazette Editor: Robert L. Beightol February 2018 SPECIAL NOTICE On January 31, 2018, the wife of Chapter member, Compatriot Ted Stratton passed away. Following is the obituary for Mrs. Stratton obtained from the Tribute Page dedicated to her on the web site of the Steverson, Hamlin and Hilbush Funeral Home, Tavares, FL. Compatriot Stratton please accept the condolences of the Chapter for your loss. Barbara Lois Stratton (Nov 5, 1924 Dec 28, 2017) Barbara Lois Stratton, age 76, of Leesburg passed away on Wednesday, January 31, She was born August 30, 1941 in Staten Island, NY and moved to Lake County in 2004 from Ft. Lauderdale, FL. She was a Registered Nurse, a massage therapist, and a reflexologist. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Theodore Stratton of Leesburg, FL; sons, Alan Stratton of Jacksonville, FL, Steven Stratton of Woodstock, GA; sisters, Nancy Loddigs of Long Island, NY, Marilyn Salvesen of Staten Island, NY; grandchildren, Connor, Logan, and Morgan.

2 Lake-Sumter Gazette Chapter Officers Committee Chairs President: Gerald C Hardwich 1 st VP: Allan Lane 2 nd VP: George W Chaffee Secretary: Edward J Riley Treasurer: Ronald L Grove Historian: Richard K Offutt Registrar: John H Moore Sergeant at Arms: Basil Linville, Jr Member at Large: Robert L Beightol Member at Large: Basil Linville Genealogist: Tom Wilcox Public Service: Flag: Good citizen: Veteran Recognition: SAR Service: SAR Tenure: Audit: Awards: Color Guard: Americanism Poster: DAR Liaison: Education: Eagle Scouts: JROTC: Oration: Meeting Donations: Membership: Editor: Nominating: Program: Publicity: Quartermaster: Veteran s Programs: Website Manager: Allan Lane Glen Langston Ralph Nelson Jim Carl Ralph Nelson Ed Riley Allan Lane Allan Lane Glenn Langston Ron Grove Robert Moody Ron Grove Bill Hayes Bill Hayes Ron Grove B.J. Linville John Moore Bob Beightol Ralph Nelson Allan Lane Bob Beightol Basil Linville, Jr George Chaffee Scott Bushnell Table of Contents Obit Barbara Lois 1 Presentation 16 Stratton Officer, Committee 2 Awards 17 Chairs President s Msg 3-5 Chapter Activities 17 Calendar of Events 5-6 Next Meeting 18 WWII Glenn 6-10 This and That Bowron Attendance Roster 11 Gazette Info 20 Color Guard 12 Box-Tops for Education 21 Officer/ Committee Reports Liberty Tree Invitation 21 2 P age

3 Lake-Sumter Gazette President s Message This month, let us remember our patriot ancestors. Winter has by now unleashed its fury on them, especially in colonial New England. Our patriot ancestors, having suffered a series of defeats, were also now regrouping after some dramatic victories. The dismal times of frigid cold and snow had set in and they were anticipating the coming of Spring and beginning the planting of the fields. The continual dual concepts of protest and conflict competed with their time at home as the development of the theory of our foundation of independence was taking place. A number of events took place during this time frame, including: January 21, 1738, Colonel Ethan Allen is born. Allen became a land owner in the late 1760s in the area known as the New Hampshire Grants, the area of present day Vermont. Before the American Revolution, both Connecticut and New York claimed ownership of the land and granted land rights in the area causing frequent disputes between settlers with competing land claims. On January 24, 1776, Colonel Henry Knox reached the headquarters of the Continental Army in Cambridge. The young Boston bookseller had pulled off a daring plan. He had led a small group of men on a 300-mile journey from Boston to Fort Ticonderoga in New York State. Once there, the party disassembled cannon taken when the British surrendered the fort and retreated to Canada in May In less than two months time, Knox and his men moved 60 tons of artillery across lakes and rivers, through ice and snow to Boston. On March 7th, 2,000 Continental soldiers maneuvered the guns to a hill overlooking the city. The British had no choice but to evacuate Boston. Georgia patriots make a stand at Burke County Jail on January 26, In December of 1778, the British began their new Southern strategy with the attack and capture of Savannah, Georgia. The British were forced to reassess their strategy when France entered the war because the theater of war suddenly stretched around the world. Troops had to be taken from America and sent to other regions, such as the Mediterranean and the West Indies, to defend British interests there. On this day in history, January 14, 1784, the Treaty of Paris brings the American Revolution to a formal close. After the surrender of Lord Cornwallis' army at Yorktown, Virginia in October 1781, the British Parliament began to lose its will to fight the war. In April of 1782, the House of Commons decided to bring the war to and end and peace negotiations began in Paris. 3 P age

4 Freedom was being aggressively pursued, and the winds of change were underway. We continue to make strides and move the chapter forward. We as a chapter, and as individuals, keep active in a number of important activities: The February meeting attendance was 23, including 16 members and 7 guests. Attendance suffered due to moving the meeting date to February 10 to accommodate the FLSSAR BOM meeting on February 3. Ron Grove is leading the Americanism Award effort. Thanks to all on the Executive Committee for updating the list of activities. All our members that have participated in referring friends and family need to be congratulated. Keep sending John Moore the names of any additional family, friends, and acquaintances that may qualify for membership. Special thanks need to go to John Moore for his perseverance in getting new members on board. Bill Hayes has been working with both JROTC and Boy Scouts. - The Lake-Sumter SAR chapter presents awards to individuals in six JROTC units in Lake and Sumter Counties and one Sea Cadet unit in Lake County. - The Mount Dora High School AF JROTC has designated CDT Daniel Gantz as the Cadet this year, it should also be noted that he is a recent Eagle Scout and has been selected as having the Outstanding Eagle Project for Lake District, Central Florida Council Boy Scouts of America. - There have been 5 Boy Scouts who have risen to the rank of Eagle Scout so far this year. All of them will be presented with SAR Certificates. Five Lake- Sumter SAR chapter members have volunteered to make the award presentations in April and May. We have completed the Rumbaugh Oration contest with nine individuals from Montverde Academy participating initially. From this number, three were selected by their coach to present to our chapter s judges. - Our winner moved on to the FLSSAR state competition at the February FLSSAR Board of Management meeting and came in second. Congratulations to her for her hard work, her mentor, and to Ron Grove and Ron Toops for their tremendous efforts. - Several chapter members volunteered to work on this project including Ralph Nelson, Scott Bushnell, Bob Beightol, and George Chaffee. Compatriot Grove has developed a new Poster Contest. The committee has been working to secure participation of several local schools. At this time, we have two schools that have agreed to participate. With several chapters participating in the FLSSAR Florida Newsletter competition, the Lake-Sumter chapter came in third, then went onto the NSSAR competition and came in first in the nation. Congratulations to Bob Beightol for all his efforts. 4 P age

5 For February, our chapter will be participating in the GeorgeFest parade on Saturday, February 24 in Eustis, FL. In closing, please give thought to what our Patriot ancestors were challenged with, protesting the implementation of taxes without any representation from the colonies. God bless our patriot relatives for what they did to persevere and save our country. All the best to each and every member. Good health, prosperity, and happiness to you and your family. Jerry Hardwich President Lake-Sumter Chapter Sons of the American Revolution Calendar of Events February th - GeorgeFest Parade, February 24, Eustis, FL. March rd - Executive Committee Meeting, 10:00 a.m., American Legion, Post 219, Fruitland Park, FL. 3 rd - Member Meeting, 11:00 a.m., American Lgn, Post 219, Fruitland Park, FL. 10 th - Liberty Tree Dedication, March 10 th, The Villages Chapter. 10 th - Last Naval Battle of Revolutionary War, Merritt Island, FL April th - Executive Committee Meeting, 10:00 a.m., American Legion Post 219, Fruitland Park, FL. 7 th - Member Meeting, 11:00 a.m., American Legion, Post 219, Fruitland Park, FL. 7 th - Election of Chapter Officers. 7 th Anniversary, Battle of Thomas Creek, Jacksonville, FL May th - Executive Committee Meeting, 10:00 a.m., American Legion Post 219, Fruitland Park, FL. 5 th - Member Meeting, 11:00 a.m., American Legion Post 219, Fruitland Park, FL. 5th - Induction of Chapter Officer s. FLSSAR Spring Board of Management (BOM), Embassy Suites, Lake Buena Vista South. Details TBA. June nd - Executive Committee Meeting, 10:00 a.m., American Legion Post 219, Fruitland Park, FL. 2 nd - Member Meeting, 11:00 a.m., American Legion Post 219, Fruitland Park, FL. 2 nd - Chapter President announces Appointed Officers and Committee Chairmen. July 2018 Summer Hiatus No Meetings 4 th - 4 th of July Parade Tavares, FL (Position and Gathering Point to be announced). August 2018 Summer Hiatus No Meetings September P age

6 Summer Hiatus No Meetings. 23 rd - DAR Bell Ringing, Constitution Week, 4:00 p.m. September 18, Eustis Historical Society, Eustis, FL. October th - Executive Committee Meeting, 10:00 a.m., American Legion Post 219, Fruitland Park, FL. 6 th - Member Meeting, 11:00 a.m., American Legion Post 219, Fruitland Park, FL. 3 rd - Executive Committee Meeting, 10:00 a.m., American Legion Post 219, Fruitland Park, FL. 3 rd - Member Meeting, 11:00 a.m., American Legion Post 219, Fruitland Park, FL. December rd - Executive Committee Meeting, 10:00 a.m., American Legion Post 219, Fruitland Park, FL. 3 rd - Member Meeting, 11:00 a.m., Fruitland Park, FL. November 2018 World War II Experiences of Walter Glenn Bowron By H. Allan Lane Author s Note: In December 2017, I had the privilege of interviewing Compatriot Glenn Bowron, age 93, who served our country during WWII from 1943 to 1945 as a commissioned officer in the United States Coast Guard. Glenn was assigned to the US Merchant Marine as an engineering officer. He participated in many crossings of the Atlantic ferrying vital cargo and troops to England, the Mediterranean and Murmansk, Russia. His ships were attacked by German bombers and shore-based artillery. The threat of torpedo attack by German submarines was ever present. US Coast Guard s men, Naval personnel and Merchant Marine sailors who crewed the thousands of US merchant ships throughout the war suffered casualty rates higher than that of any branch of service in the war. Glenn was a college student one day, and a few months later was dodging German bombers in the Mediterranean on board a Liberty ship. This is Glenn s story of service to his country: Compatriot Walter Glenn Bowron Commissioned Officer and World War II Veteran. I was born in 1924 in Birmingham, Alabama. After graduating from high school, with my ambition to become an engineer I enrolled in the Alabama Polytechnic Institute (later becoming Auburn University), as a mechanical engineering student. I had completed four years of ROTC in High School and enrolled in ROTC, which had become mandatory. In 1943, in my second year of course work, I and all other engineering students, received a call to report to a building on campus. We were not told in advance the purpose of the meeting; however, upon arrival, learned that the military was present recruiting engineering students for active duty. Each service was represented in a line of tables, the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Army Air Force with the last 6 P age

7 table being manned by the US Coast Guard. The tables all had long lines except for the Coast Guard table, which had no line. The Coast Guard representative looked right at me and waved me down. I thought it best to save time and avoid the wait, so down to the Coast Guard I went. The Coast Guardsman told me the Coast Guard could do everything the Navy could do and I signed the papers on the spot to begin the enlistment process for the Coast Guard as an engineering officer. Thus, my choice of services was determined by the shortest line. There was a delay of 30 days in reporting for training. I went home and was not sure how my parents would react to my volunteering for active duty at the early stages of what looked to be a very long war. My father; however, said he understood and assumed it would not be long before I had to go into the service. Both my parents were understanding and supportive. I was ordered to report to the Greyhound bus station in Birmingham and was sworn in to active duty. I completed Officer Candidate School (OCS) in St. Petersburg, FL where I had relatives. My training included serving on a three-masted schooner called the Joseph Conrad. It was a rather famous ship since it had been used in the making of the movie Mutiny on the Bounty. A Liberty ship similar to the SS John Sergeant, which was launched in After completing OCS, I was commissioned an Ensign and assigned to the John Sargent which was based at Norfolk, VA. The John Sargent was a Liberty Ship which was part of the US Merchant Marine. The US fleet of merchant vessels, collectively known as the Merchant Marine, was vastly expanded from 1941 onward. Many US Coast Guard and US Navy officers and men were assigned to Merchant Marine vessels to make up the shortfall in qualified crews. I was assigned as an engineering officer to oversee the operation of the ships engines. The SS John Sergeant and many other Liberty ships were armed to protect against enemy air attack and submarines. Naval guns and machine guns were crewed by US Naval personnel who were referred to as the armed-guard. My first run out of Norfolk on the John Sergeant was to Casablanca in French Morocco. We transported troops and materiel in support of US forces fighting the Germans in North Africa. We went in a convoy of 40 or 50 ships. As we neared Casablanca, I was called in to see the Captain. He informed me that I was to be in class A blue uniform at 0800 the following morning. I was not told the reason. I soon learned that I would go ashore and participate in ceremonial duties at what became known as the Casablanca Conference. I believe I was picked for this duty because I was the only ship s officer who had a clean, new uniform to wear. The conference at Casablanca was a face to face meeting in January 1943 between President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill to discuss the allied strategy in the war. Charles De Gaulle was also present representing the Free French. The Soviet Union sent a representative since the Soviets were our allies at the time. On my second day in Casablanca, I was told that I would participate in a review of troops by dignitaries. I was positioned in a large formation of sailors and soldiers from the armed forces of allied various countries. I saw a jeep come by and stop. In the back of the jeep, were Prime Minister Churchill and British Admiral Andrew B. Cunningham. Admiral Cunningham was the commander of all British naval forces in the Mediterranean and North Africa and later was to become First Sea Lord, or commander of the British Navy. I saw Admiral Cunningham get out of the jeep and make his way in my direction. He approached me and asked if I was Ensign Bowron. I saluted and said I was. Admiral Cunningham returned the salute and asked how 7

8 my Grandmother Ada was doing. The admiral went on to explain that my grandmother, who had emigrated to the US from Great Britain as a child, was his cousin. She had returned to England on occasion for family visits and they had kept in touch. I had no idea that Admiral Cunningham and I were related and was somewhat in awe of what was occurring. Admiral Cunningham and I talked for about five minutes. He said he was glad we had the opportunity to meet. Admiral Cunningham then left and got back in the jeep with Churchill. returned fire, but one bomb landed just off our bow and damaged the hull of the ship. Our Captain was concerned the ship was going to sink and ran the ship aground at the port of Bizerte, Tunisia. Bizerte was in allied hands, and I soon found myself ashore as the senior (and only) American officer present. I was given responsibility for identifying and organizing the I was stunned even more when I realized the British Prime Minister had been left waiting in the back of a jeep while the Admiral and I had a personal conversation! I was never able to tell Grandmother Ada about my meeting with Admiral Cunningham since she passed away on my first voyage. I was able to relate the story later to one of her sons. After the conference, the John Sergeant returned to Norfolk where we loaded cargo for another trip to the Mediterranean. We passed through Roosevelt, Churchill and staff officers at Casablanca, January Gibraltar without incident. Our destination was Tunis. We had to pass by Algiers which was still in German hands. German aircraft and submarines were very active during this time. Off the coast of Tunisia, we came under attack from German bombers. Our armed guard No battlefront in the entire war was perhaps more dangerous than WWII's arctic convoys including the, infamous Murmansk Run. many American seaman who were ashore at Bizerte, because of their ships having been lost to German attacks. My job was to re-assign them as quickly as possible to other ships who were in need of crew. The Coast Guard informed me I was in the temporary grade of Commodore while carrying out this assignment as senior US military officer at Bizerte. I had been in the Coast Guard a total of six months at that time. When the John Sergeant left Bizerte, I rejoined the ship and we returned to Norfolk. I was given thirty days leave and so I travelled by train back home to Birmingham. After my leave was up, I was transferred to a new ship, the fuel tanker SS Phoenix. The Phoenix was a new ship altogether and was the world s largest tanker at the time. It was over 600 feet long and could carry over 176,000 barrels of fuel. She could also make 18 knots and was faster than any Liberty ships. Because of her speed, the Phoenix went without an escort. We made four or five trips between ports in the US, Venezuela and England. We were fortunately never attacked by German submarines during these trips. Even though we carried an armed guard with naval guns and antiaircraft artillery fore and aft, the fuel carried by 8

9 a tanker made any attack extremely dangerous to the ship and her crew. While serving on the Phoenix I made one trip to the Russian port of Murmansk. We had to sail north of the arctic circle past the tip of Norway. Norway at the time, was occupied by the Germans who had placed shore-based heavy naval guns at the northern extremes of the country to fire on allied convoys bound for Russia. These German guns fired on us as we passed by the northern tip of Norway. Although there were some close misses, we were not hit and arrived safely in Murmansk. While berthed in Murmansk, I never saw a Russian man. All the loading and un-loading of ships and other tasks normally handled by men were all performed by women. The Russian pilot who came aboard the ship to guide us in to port was a woman. Men in Russia were mostly in the armed forces. I don t like to say it, but the women we saw in Murmansk were very unattractive. I also never saw a dog or cat in Murmansk, and I can only imagine why. I was assigned to my last ship, the SS Sea Tiger. The Sea Tiger was a new class of cargo ship designated as Victory ships. These were larger and faster than Liberty ships, allowing them to keep up with faster convoys. We made three or four runs from the US to ports in the Mediterranean. By this time, the Germans had been cleared out of North Africa and Italy had changed sides in the war. My final run on the Sea Tiger was to transport German POW s from southern France back to the US for internment. We picked up about 150 POW s and placed most of them in the number 3 hold. Many of these German soldiers were not ethnic Germans but were conscripts from territories conquered and occupied by Germany. One POW committed suicide by jumping over board during our voyage. The German officers were kept in a separate area in the bow of the ship. These officers were very arrogant and acted as if they expected their American guards to serve them. They were soon SS Sea Tiger, a Victory class armed merchant ship launched in disabused of their arrogance. The area of the ship where the officers were kept was guaranteed to provide the greatest motion and sea sickness. There was only one way down from the deck to their hold and it consisted of a narrow passage in which men had to go single file and then go up narrow steps to the deck. The officers were provided with a single oil drum to collect their waste. This oil drum then had to be man handled down the narrow passageway and the steps to the deck for emptying. When they found out that the American guards would not remove the waste for them, the senior German officers designated the lowest ranking officers to haul up the waste drum each day. Watching proud German officers manage this drum of disgusting waste up to the surface was a rewarding sight to behold! One memory I have that illustrates the humanity of American soldiers and sailors occurred when American guards notice that one POW had stopped eating and was wasting away. This POW was not an ethnic German but was one of the foreign conscripts on board. He was an old man of 40 or 50 years and was receiving no attention from his fellow POW s. One American guard told this POW that he was not going to allow him to die. The guard spoke to me and I arranged for the cooks to prepare special food for the POW. The guards saw to it that the POW was fed this special food and he eventually recovered. On VE day, May 8, 1945 we were halfway home on my last voyage. When we arrived in port, I did 9

10 not know where I would be assigned next. Germany was defeated but we were still at war with Imperial Japan. I was notified that I was eligible for discharge. I decided that I had done enough and was anxious to return to college to finish my degree. Accordingly, I was discharged and resumed my college studies. Auburn University gave me credits for my service as an engineering officer and I graduated in 1946 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. I went to work for Union Carbide and eventually opened my own Union Carbide distributorship with a partner, who was my former college roommate. I sold the distributorship after 17 years, and bought a hotel in Panama City, FL. Later I opened a second hotel. I worked until my retirement at age 70. My wife Beverly and I have a combined total of 30 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren. Beverly and I married later in life. She was a widow, and I was twice a widower, having lost my first two wives. Beverley is our combined family historian and is active in the DAR. Through her research I found out one of my ancestors was a member of the Continental Congress, and it is on that ancestor s service that I based my membership in the SAR. I am proud of my service to our country in WWII. I was grateful to have participated in the Honor Flight program to Washington, DC in 2015 and would urge anyone who is eligible to participate in this honor to our country and the millions who have served her in the armed forces. Author s Note: I would to thank Glenn for allowing me to make this attempt to take down his WWII experiences. I believe these experiences need to be documented and shared as a reminder to all of us of the sacrifices of millions of men and women in defense of our country. It was my honor to speak with Glenn and learn of his personal experiences. H. Allan Lane Greetings from Chuck White Received this in the mail from Compatriot White who remained in Rochester, NY, this winter. Despite being up to his eyeballs in snow, he still has his sense of humor. For those of you who would like to drop him a line, his address in the frozen north is listed on the Chapter Web Site member list. 10

11 Lake-Sumter Gazette Member Meeting February 10, 2018 Attendance Roster Members Guests 1 Barnes, Robert 1 Barnes, Jerry CPT James Neal SAR Chapter 2 Beightol, Robert 2 Johnson, Charles 3 Briggman, Douglas 3 Dixon, Dan 4 Burns, Frank 4 Barrett, Brian S Morgan- Kosciuszko Chapter SAR 5 Bushnell, Scott 5 Burns, Diane 6 Carl, Jim 6 Hughes, Doug 7 Chaffee, George 7 Ron Toops The Villages, SAR 8 Grove, Ronald 9 Hardwich, Gerald 10 Hayes, Bill 11 Lane, Hubert 12 Langston, Glenn 13 Linville, Basil, Jr 14 Moore, John 15 Offutt, Richard 16 Riley, Edward If your name is not on the list, then YOU did not sign in!! Meeting Chapter President Jerry Hardwich At 11:00 a.m., President Jerry Hardwich, assisted by Secretary Ed Riley, called the meeting to order. The Color Guard, led by special guest, Wisconsin SAR Color Guard Commander Brian S. Barrett, and consisting of Compatriots Glen Langston, George Chaffee and Scott Bushnell, posted the colors. President Hardwich, in the absence of Chaplain Ralph D. Nelson, Jr., provided the invocation; and Compatriots Ron Grove and Bob Beightol led the attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance and the SAR Pledge, respectively. A total of 16 members and 7 guests were in attendance. Chapter Secretary Ed Riley. 11

12 The following guests were introduced and welcomed by the members: Compatriot Jerry Barnes, CPT James Neal Chapter, Parkersburg, WV; Compatriot Brian S. Barrett, Morgan- Kosciuszko Chapter, Wisconsin; Charles Johnson; Charles Johnson and Dan Dixon, both potential members; Diane Burns, wife of Compatriot Frank Burns; and Presenter Doug Hughes. From left to right, Our Color Guard: Compatriot Scott Bushnell, Guest Wisconsin State Color Guard Commander Brian Barrett, Compatriot George Chaffee, and Lake-Sumter Color Guard Commander Glenn Langston. Officer/ Committee Reports President: President Jerry Hardwich reminded that any members needing transportation to the monthly meetings should contact either himself at or Bob Beightol at and arrangements will be made. President Hardwich also announced that he will chair the Chapter Nominating Committee for the upcoming officer elections. Other Committee members will be Past Presidents Scott Bushnell and Robert Moody. Any member interested in running for an officer position should contact one of the Committee members. 1 st Vice President: 1 st Vide-President Allan Lane reported that changes had to be made to the speaker schedule for the balance of this year s meetings. Our new speaker on March 3 rd will be COL Pete Stauder, US Air Force (Retired), who has been doing genealogical research since He has extensively researched his Irish and German lineage. His presentation will focus on researching Irish ancestors, and the pitfalls and difficulties of research before He will discuss easy tools available in the US and will include the results of personal research of parish records he has conducted during several trips to Ireland. Following is a list of the remaining speakers scheduled for the balance of our meeting year: 12

13 April 7: David Head, Ph.D. currently is a lecturer at the University of Central Florida and has authored many published books and articles on American history. His presentation will be on early aspects of Florida s history. May 5: James Brown, a member of The Villages Chapter of the SAR will give a presentation titled The USS Slater DE766 and the Destroyer Escort Historical Museum. June 2: Roger Smith received a Ph.D. in history from the University of Florida and currently works as an independent researcher and author. His presentation will be on Florida during the Revolution and is titled Florida, the Fourteenth Colony. Dr. Smith is a member of the St. Augustine Chapter of the SAR and has presented this lecture to the NSSAR Leadership Conference at the request of President General Guzy. Education Committee: Compatriot Ron Grove, Chairman of the Education Committee, provided the following status for the individual competitions: Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest: On February 3, 2018, Lake-Sumter Chapter winner, Montverde Junior, Ms. Yanni Verina Zhang, made her presentation at the FLSSAR Board of Management meeting in Orlando, FL. As a result of her efforts she was awarded second place. Congratulations to Ms. Zhang for a job well done. DAR Box-tops for Education: In the absence of Compatriot Robert H. Moody, President Hardwich received box-tops collected by members for forwarding to a local Daughter s of the American Revolution Chapter Eagle Scout, JROTC Committee: As of February 10, 2018, the Lake- Sumter SAR will present awards to individuals in 6 JROTC units in Lake and Sumter Counties and 1 Sea Cadet unit in Lake County. All units have been contacted, and 3 have responded that they wish us to participate this year. The Mount Dora High School AF JROTC has designated CDT Daniel Gantz as the Cadet to be honored by the SAR this year. Five Compatriots have volunteered to make the presentations in April and May. Five Boy Scouts have risen to the rank of Eagle Scout so far this year, all of whom will be presented with SAR Certificates. Particularly noteworthy were the efforts of Cadet Gantz, mentioned above, who recently has been awarded the rank of Eagle Scout. In addition, his project was selected as being the Outstanding Eagle Project for Lake District, Central Florida Council Boy Scouts of America. Eagle Scout 13

14 Gantz led a project at the House of Ruth in over Umatilla, FL, that included 34 Scouts and Scouters for over 600 hours and involved raising $3,500 to establish a place where the residents can produce and process food for their consumption. Editor s Note: The House of Ruth helps women, children and families in great need and with very limited resources to build safe, stable lives and achieve their highest potential and help them heal from lifetimes of traumatic abuse. For additional information on the House of Ruth, CTL/click the following link: GeorgeFest Parade/ Color Guard: Color Guard Commander Glenn E. Langston reminded members of the up-coming GeorgeFest parade on February 24, Members desiring to participate, especially those who wish to ride, should report to Langston Golf Cart Center, 220 S. Bay St, Eustis, FL, between 9:00 and 9:30 a.m. at which time the contingent will depart for the parade starting point. Uniforms are encouraged but not required, candy can be given to children in the crowd but not thrown directly to the children. This year, in addition to the normal trappings added to the golf cart, will be a banner at the front allowing for easy identification of our Chapter. Several historic flags will also be available for members to carry thanks to Compatriot Lane. Clear your calendar and make an appearance in the 30 th year our Chapter has participated since our inception and join Glenn in his 64 th appearance in the parade. Let s make this our best appearance ever! Newsletter/ Publicity/ Photography: Publicity: Members were again reminded to clip and submit all articles they see in local newspapers which mention our Chapter. The importance of the articles is that the Chapter receives points for each article published in a local newspaper in the Americanism Report. Thus far, we have had SAR articles published in the Daily Commercial, Triangle News, The Villages Daily Sun, and the Sumter Shopper, and there could be others of which we are unaware as we submit draft news releases to a total of twelve newspapers within our area. We receive points for each article published even if it is published in more than one newspaper, but must have a copy of the article for verification. So, as you read your local newspapers, no matter how obscure, watch for SAR articles and bring them to the next meeting and we will ensure they get counted in our next annual Americanism Report. Photography: Members are reminded that if you are need of a photograph for the Chapter website, we can make that happen. Just let me 14

15 know at or before each meeting. Also, member photos of SAR, historical or other events of interest to the members are always welcome and attempts will be made to publish those photos in the newsletter. Remind Me: Many times, during the meeting, members ask me for things, i.e., copies of photos, articles, additional information on something, among other things. If you ask me for something and I don t comply, please remind me. Not only do I not mind the reminder, I encourage it! Thanks. Veteran Recognition Committee: Committee Chairman Jim Carl, spoke of a 2012 Presidential Proclamation recognizing the 50 th Anniversary of the Vietnam conflict in which Veterans of that era, regardless where they served, would be eligible for award of a special pin and certificate recognizing their service. More information will become available as he continues to research the program of which FLSSAR is a Commemorative Partner. Compatriot Carl also spoke of the NSSAR Multi-Corp Veterans Program which recognizes veterans of all US conflicts and in response to an application provides a Certificate documenting entry of the Veteran into the applicable Multi-Corp listing. One application for Compatriot Beightol of our Chapter, was submitted in August 2017, and approved in December 2017; however, has not yet been received by the Chapter. Web-Master: Compatriot and Past President Scott Bushnell is the web-master for both FLSSAR and Lake-Sumter Chapter web sites, among others. During the meeting he took the opportunity to brief the members on an upcoming survey, Member Skill Profile, to be released through the web sites in about one month. The survey will be comprised of approximately 120 questions and will be designed to track skills of SAR members. Ultimately, the survey will allow SAR units to easily and quickly identify members which have skills needed at any time. Questions concerning the survey, and/ or the web site should be directed to Compatriot Bushnell. Registrar: Lake-Sumter Registrar John Moore reported three applications at NSSAR pending approval and 3 to 4 prospective member applications being researched and prepared. 15

16 North Central SAR District Vice-President: District Vice-President David Bussone took the opportunity to remind the members of the Liberty Tree Dedication, conducted by The Villages SAR Chapter, with the John Bartram and Puc Puggy Chapters of the NSDAR, all of the Villages. The event is scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 10, 2018, at the Eisenhower Recreation Center, The Villages, FL. A special luncheon will follow at the cost of $35.00 per person, reservations are required. For more information refer to a copy of the invitation and RSVP card attached at the end of this newsletter. Responses must be received by March 1, Presentation Our Revolution from the British Perspective by Douglas Hughes (aka Sir Douglas) Sir Douglas (Mr. Douglas Hughes) during his presentation. Many books have been written about our Revolution from the British perspective; however, Sir Douglas in his presentation, again reminded us that losers hardly ever write the history books. As the British perceived their levying of taxes, laws requiring Colonists to house and feed British Soldiers; restrictions in trade and manufacturing rights; and settlement rights west of the Appalachian Mountains, Mr. Douglas Hughes receiving a Certificate of Appreciation from 1 st VP Lane. their just due as the Empire builder, the Colonists felt much different which eventually led to the conflict. To hear of the British attempts to solve their disagreements with the Colonists diplomatically, you should have been there. Thank you, Sir Douglas, for a very informative presentation. 16

17 AWARDS As an odd coincidence, Regional Vice-President David Bussone, arrived at the meeting with a delivery for President Jerry Hardwich. Within that delivery package was the NSSAR Multi-Corps Certificate for Compatriot Beightol. Depicted to the left is President Hardwich as he presents the NSSAR certificate to Compatriot Beightol. Chapter Activities On Monday, February 12, 2018, the Ocklawaha Chapter of the Daughter s of the American Revolution in accordance with the NSDAR Quilts of Valor Program, awarded another Quilt to a local veteran of the Korean War. At 11:00 a.m. at his residence a contingent from the Ocklawaha Chapter, accompanied by a volunteer photographer, Compatriot Bob Beightol from the Lake-Sumter SAR Chapter, awarded a quilt to James DiBiasio, Zellwood, FL, who served in the Korea War, from early 1953 to the ceasefire in July 1953, with the Heavy Mortar Company, 25 th Infantry Division. Mr. James DiBiasio with Ocklawaha Members Evelyn True, Regent Pam Beightol and Frankie Goebel. The DiBiasio Family from left to Right: Linda (Daughter); Beth (Daughter-in- Law/ Nominator); James; Jacqueline (wife); Bob (Son). 17

18 Next Meeting Topic: COL Pete Stauder, USAF (Retired); Researching Irish Ancestors. Date: March 3, 2018 Time: 11:00 AM - General Membership Meeting 10:00 AM - Executive Committee Meeting. Members are encouraged to attend. Place: John Gela Memorial American Legion Post 219, 194 West Fountain Street, Fruitland Park, FL Lunch: The Post will be serving their BBQ sandwiches or plates with pork & chicken, baked beans, slaw, and a roll. Coffee $1 with free refills and deserts for $1.00. Canned soda is available in the meeting room. This and That Chapter Web Site: /lakesumtersar.org Personal Information Update: Updating member information such as address, , or phone number is the responsibility of the member. If you are registered on the state/ chapter website (which uses the same data base) and/ or the National website (a different data base) you can update your own information. If you aren t registered on either, or need help completing the update, contact or send the information to our Chapter Secretary Edward Riley, at apej2313@yahoo.com. He can then update the appropriate data base. Recruitment: Our individual primary effort should be in the direction of new member recruitment. Remember, male children, siblings and grandchildren are all eligible for the SAR. Should you have candidates, please connect with Registrar John Moore at jmoore417@gmail.com or via phone at Washington s Life Guard: Those able to attend our last meeting probably heard Compatriot Allan Lane mention Washington s Life Guard Flag, pictured to the right. Effective March 11, 1776, General Washington was authorized a protective detail. Just in case it piqued your curiosity as it did mine, I thought we should know what it looked like. Perhaps we will see it at the GeorgeFest Parade. For more information about Washington s Life Guard, to include the Hickey Mutiny, control click the following link: Oldest George Washington Birthday Celebration: As we have been reporting for several years, the Eustis GeorgeFest is the second oldest annual celebration of George Washington s birthday. Have you ever wondered what is the oldest? On January 18, 2018, Laredo, TX will initiate their 121 st month long celebration of George Washington s Birthday. For more information visit FLSSAR Patriot Magazine: The latest edition released. An update on the Lake-Sumter Chapter has been printed in the edition; however, it is printed in a section entitled Late News as your editor 18

19 failed to submit the article on time. Many thanks to outgoing editor Steve Williams who added our news after I missed the deadline. Box Tops for Education Digital Product List: Prefer a Digital List? Use the following link NSSAR Color Guard Magazine: Volume 6, Issue , edition of the NSSAR Colorguard Magazine has been released. Check out the From the Field section, for the state of Florida and find two photos of our color guard on Page 13. The first from the December 2, 2017 member meeting and the second from the December 16, 2017, Wreaths Across America ceremony. Control Click on the following link and it should take you to the magazine. Lake-Sumter Gazette Contact Information Robert L Beightol bogi0104@bellsouth.net Phone: Compatriots, please submit all news items and photos you believe of interest to the membership, via , with a name and telephone number for a point of contact. Remember, if you think it is interesting, chances are your fellow members will too! 19

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