INDIANA SOCIETY OF THE SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION HOOSIER PATRIOT Volume XLII No. 4 July 2011 Indianapolis, Indiana The Hoosier Patriot is a quarterly publication of the Indiana Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. While the editors and contributors strive to provide accurate and timely information, please consult local chapters and the Indiana Society web site for updated and additional information concerning specific meetings and events. Compatriots, Greetings from President Betzner These first months have been challenging as was to be suspected. Many good ideas have been presented and discussed to help improve the future of the INSSAR.. Past President Cunningham provided me with a wealth of information which prepared me for this responsibility and to him I say Thank you. The Color Guard made a very impressive showing at the State DAR Annual meeting formal dinner with an outstanding display of swordsmanship. Please see the pictures on the INSSAR website. This will be a hard act to follow in the coming years. Thanks to all who participated. At the luncheon, I had the honor and privilege to be seated next to the keynote speaker, Josh Bleill, a local Marine wounded in Iraq. He lost both of his legs and suffered a serious brain injury in an IED explosion. This explosion killed two of his crew and seriously wounded another. While in the hospital at Bethesda, the visiting Super bowl team, the Indianapolis Colts, stopped to see him and many other injured military personnel. Finding he was a Hoosier, Mr. Jim Irsay offered him a ride home when he was ready in his private jet. Josh now works for the Colts organization in Public Relations. GO COLTS Josh delivered a presentation saying in ten minutes what would take many men to state in an hour. His patriotism and courage never wavered through his ordeal. To this he speaks. I ll not tell of his story as he has written a book about his experience One Step at a Time and I would suggest searching it out and reading it. It seems that I have such opportunities to work and interact with true heroes of which many may be found in our State Society. Please, keep searching for recipients for the Flag Certificates. This is a good way to foster awareness of the flag and its proper presentation. If you know a teacher, please discuss the SAR with them and offer to come to their school and do a short presentation on patriotism next year or through the summer. If you can get the INSSAR an invitation and do not feel comfortable doing the presentation another compatriot would be more than happy to assist. Just ask! Thanks to all of those members who worked so hard to schedule and present the ROTC awards this year. This is a great way to observe our future leaders. I look forward to the next State Meeting, July 30th at the Healthplex in Indianapolis. Several issues concerning going to National Congress will be discussed. Your input will be greatly appreciated. Yours in Patriotism, C. David Betzner 1
INSSAR 2011 State April Meeting Pictured above is the installation of the new INSSAR State Officers. Incoming State President David Betzner accepts the gavel from outgoing State President Robert Cunningham at the close of the business meeting in photo at right. 2011 State Officers President C. David Betzner Vice President A. Stuart Hart Secretary Wayne C. Eells Treasurer Arthur S. Bowers Registrar Robert D. Howell, Sr. Genealogist Robert D. Howell, Sr. Historian John West Chaplain Donald Counts Trustee (Elect) Robert P. Cunningham District Directors District 1 Roger D. Barnhart District 2 Earl W. Salisbury District 3 Edward E. Hitchcock District 4 J.D. Strouth Color Guard members perform a musket salute to deceased members at the conclusion of the state meeting held at the Indiana War Memorial in Indianapolis. 2 Ken Gilkey, J. D. Strouth, John G. West, Don Counts, T. Rex Legler II, David Jenkins, with the Albert Tingley Morris Award, and SAR Ladies Auxiliary member, Karen Jenkins.
Proposed Districts for INSSAR, 2011 District Chapter Location Director 1 Gen. Thomas Posey Mount Vernon J. D Strouth George Rogers Clark Vincennes Ohio Valley Evansville 2 David Benton Brownstown Bob Howell Daniel Guthrie Bedford John Hay Salem 3 Clarence A. Cook Indianapolis Earl Salisbury Benjamin Franklin Franklin William Henry Harrison Lafayette John Martin Rockville Continental Muncie 4 Anthony Halberstadt Fort Wayne Roger Barnhart Seth Jewel Auburn Alexis Coquillard South Bend Duneland Valparaiso Simon Kenton Rensselaer Upcoming Events Patriot Calza Ruberson Grave Dedication Date: Saturday, 16 July 2011 Where: Lost River or Old Union Cemetery, Washington Co. Time: Muster-12 p.m. Step-1 p.m. Task: Participate in Patriot grave dedication sponsored by the John Hay Chapter. Contact: Ed Hitchcock (812) 339-0840 or eeh@bloomington.in.us if you can participate or would like to attend. Indiana Society Summer Meeting Date: 30 July 2011 Registration: 12:30 p.m. Meeting: 1:00 p.m. Where: Healthplex by Westview Hospital, 3630 N. Guion Road, Indianapolis, No pre-registration necessary, plenty of parking available. New Indiana State DAR Historical marker for Revolutionary War Soldier Joseph Galloway Date: Saturday, 20 August, 2011 Where: Washington Twp, Noble Co. Stewart-Griesinger Cemetery, Co. Rd. 1050 W Time: Muster: 4 p.m. Step- 4:30 p.m. Contact: David Betzner (317) 861-5605 Annual Augustin de La Balme Ceremony Date: Saturday, 5 November, 2011 Where: Whitley Co. near Columbia City Time: Muster 1 p.m. Step-2 p.m. Contact: David Betzner (317) 861-5605 3 U.S. Marine Corps Birthday Celebration November 10, 1775 is the birth of the U. S. Marine Corps. The JROTC unit at Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis is a Marine JROTC unit. They celebrate the event every year with an impressive ceremony. The ceremony is November 5, 2011. It is open to the public. If you are a Marine and wish to be notified of the ceremony details, please contact: Stuart Hart (317) 341-3109 or sar.stuart@gmail.com The Indiana Ladies Auxiliary The Indiana Ladies Auxiliary Sons of the American Revolution, assists Indiana Society with programs, fund raising, historical education and carrying out its mission of inspiring patriotism and informing others of the contributions of our patriot ancestors. Membership in the Auxiliary is open to the wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, nieces and other women relatives of members of the Sons of the American Revolution. The Auxiliary meets quarterly during the INSSAR House of Delegates meetings. In addition to conducting business, the ladies often have their own programs and speakers. The Indiana Ladies Auxiliary website: http://inssar.org/sar_auxiliary.aspx The 2011 Ladies Auxiliary Officers are installed at the Spring INSSAR meeting in April.
Arch of Steel at 110th Indiana DAR State Conference The INSSAR Color Guard Compatriots created an arch of swords for State President David Betzner to escort Martha Barnhart, Indiana DAR State Regent at the Formal Banquet on May 15. C.A.R. members also assisted with the Color Guard during the evening festivities. Cemetery Dedication The Northern Command of the INSSAR, along with the IN DAR, Henry County Pioneer Cemetery Commission and American Legion held a dedication on May 28, 2011 in New Castle. Bud Bush is a member of the American Legion and serves on the Henry County Pioneer Cemetery Commission. Bud was instrumental in planning the cemetery dedication. 4
2011 Symphony on the Prairie at Conner Prairie with INSSAR Color Guard INSSAR COLOR GUARD TAKES THE HILL! Thank you to all who participated in the annual event. 5
Indiana Society Color Guard The Indiana Society Color Guard is probably best known for the color and pageantry their uniforms and flags bring to a parade, grave dedication or other community event. Emotions can range anywhere from children's questions and smiles to tears from a veteran's pride and memories. While all of this is true and important, one cannot overlook the wonderful side effect of fellowship with others who share common interests and passions. New members are encouraged for local and statewide participation. There are loaner uniforms available and participation and travel is limited only by your own time and energy. Please consider serving in the Color Guard and experiencing the fellowship of your compatriots and the appreciation of your community. Contact Color Guard Commander Stuart Hart for more information (317) 849-0882 or sar.stuart@gmail.com New Indiana SAR members 2011 First Name Last Name Chapter Aaron Cook Clarence A Cook Blain Cook Clarence A Cook Mark Davis Alexis Coquillard Mark Dicken Alexis Coquillard Nicholas French-Seats Clarence A Cook Thomas Hillenbrand Clarence A Cook James Lawson Daniel Guthrie Phillip Martin Alexander Hamilton Scott McDonald Clarence A Cook Landon Mitchell Gen Thomas Posey Logan Mitchell Gen Thomas Posey Ronald Mitchell Gen Thomas Posey John Moore Daniel Guthrie Donald Sharp Daniel Guthrie William Smith Anthony Halberstadt William Torp Benjamin Franklin Kevin Waldroup Clarence A Cook An estimated 3,500 veterans of the American Revolution are buried in the State of Indiana. The Indiana Society Sons of the American Revolution has cataloged over 2,200 such graves and posted relative information at http://graves.inssar.org. The Hoosier Patriot is a publication by and for the compatriots of the Indiana Society. Contributions of original, previously unpublished materials are welcomed and encouraged. Photos must have at least a paragraph describing the depicted event. Deadline for submitting material is 45 days prior to the upcoming quarterly House of Delegates meeting. 6