1 St. Augustine Chapter Sons of the American Revolution Newsletter for January 2013 THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was written in August 1892 by Francis Bellamy, a member of the American Socialist Party and a Baptist minister who graduated from Rochester Theological Seminary in 1872. Bellamy was considered a Christian Socialists. The socialist movement began in Chicago in the late 1880s. The pledge was originally published in The Youth s Companion on September 8, 1892. The Youth s Companion was an American children's magazine that existed for over one hundred years until it finally merged with The American Boy in 1929. Bellamy hoped that the pledge would be used by citizens in any country not just the United States. The original text of the pledge read: I pledge allegiance to my flag and the republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The words the flag of the United States of America were added in 1923 and in 1954, in response to the Communist threat, President Eisenhower encouraged Congress to add the words under God. Although Bellamy s daughter objected to this alteration, Congress made the addition and the pledge now reads: I pledge
allegiance to the flag of the United States of American, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Section 4 of the Flag Code reads: The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag... should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform, men should remove any non-religious headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag and render the military salute. The 2009 Defense Authorization Bill further modified the Code by stating that service members not in uniform may salute the flag during the National Anthem. It further stipulates that members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute during hoisting, lowering, or passing of the flag. It has now become accepted practice for veterans not in uniform to render a military salute during the National Anthem as well as during The Pledge of Allegiance. This practice is not prohibited by law. In the instructions accompanying the original 1892 pledge, Bellamy began with a military salute and, after reciting the words to the flag, the arm was to be extended toward the flag, palm up. Bellamy wrote explicit instructions for the giving of the pledge to include exactly where the hands were to be placed at the end. During World War II, the extended arm, palm up salute was deemed too similar to the infamous Nazi salute and changed to the current keep the right hand over the heart throughout the pledge. NOTE: Thanks to Member-To-Be Jerry Miles Hanchett for this research. Mr. Hanchett s application is currently at our national headquarters. 2
CHAPTER NEWS Solemn notes: The St. Augustine SAR family lost two members during the month of December. Linnea Maghild Christina (Bockert) Spink, beloved wife of our Chapter secretary Sydney Spink, passed away on December 21, 2012. Compatriot Norman Antle, past Chapter president, passed away on December 24, 2012. LINNEA SPINK: Linnea Spink was born on 23 June 1919 in Cranston, Rhode Island. She graduated from Cranston High School in 1936 and received a Bachelor of Education degree from Rhode Island College in 1940. In 1949 she received her Master of Education degree from the same college. She taught junior high school mathematics in Rhode Island and Michigan, finishing her teaching career in 1982 in Enfield, Conn. She was an accomplished violinist and played in several small orchestras in Rhode Island. Mrs. Spink moved to St. Augustine in 1986 and to the Glenmoor Resort Retirement Community in 2001. She was an active member of her church choir in Rhode Island and was a charter member of Pilgrim Church, United Church of Christ in St. Augustine. In 1993 she joined Memorial Presbyterian Church in the same city. From 1987 to 2003, she was a Hospital Volunteer starting at St. Augustine General Hospital and then Flagler Hospital. She accumulated over 4000 volunteer hours. 3
A memorial service was held for Mrs. Spink on December 27, 2012 at Memorial Presbyterian Church in St. Augustine. NORMAN ANTLE: Compatriot Normal Lee Antle, 84, of St. Marys, GA, passed away on 24 December, 2012. He was born on 11 June 1928 in Springfield, IL, the son of the late Edward and Opal Mae Fesser Antle. Compatriot Antle was retired from the Association of American Railroads in Washington, DC, with 40 years of service. His last assignment was as director of rules and inspection. He was past president of the St. Francis House Society and the Sons of the American Revolution in St. Augustine, FL. He was also a member of the genealogy society of St. Augustine and several church congregations. Most recently, Norman volunteered with the Lutheran Braille Workers Association manufacturing Braille Bible in Jacksonville, FL. A memorial service was held for Compatriot Antle on January 3, 2013 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Kingsland, GA. Compatriots David Baker, John Tinny and Oscar Patterson performed the SAR Memorial Service at that time. Internment will be in the spring in Taylorville, Ill. Compatriot Tarrant recognized for service to the Chapter: Compatriot S. Robert Tarrant was presented the Meritorious Service Medal Oak Leaf Cluster during the January meeting for his significant contributions to the St. Augustine Chapter and for his dedication to the SAR. 4
Compatriot Tarrant served the Chapter as treasurer for 16 years and was instrumental in the organization and operation of the BOM when it held its annual meeting in St. Augustine. Under Compatriot Tarrant s stewardship, the Chapter was always financially sound. We owe Compatriot Tarrant a loud and long round of applause for his dedication to the SAR. Korean War veteran recognition: The NSSAR is now moving to recognize all members who served in the Korean War. To be recognized by the NSSAR for Korean War service, you must hold one or more of the following: (1) Korean Service Medal (KSM); (2) Korean Defense Service Medal (KDSM); (3) Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM); (4) United Nations Service Medal for Korea (UNSM); and (5) Republic of Korea War Service Medal (RKWS). One or more of these medals must be listed on your DD214 or in orders. A copy of your DD214 and/or the orders authorizing the wearing of the medal must be submitted to the Chapter president along with the completed survey form (next to last page of this newsletter). Vietnam veteran recognition: The NSSAR plans to recognize all members of the Society who served in Vietnam. To be eligible for this recognition, the veteran must hold the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM), the Vietnam Campaign Ribbon (VCR) or both. If you served in Vietnam, please submit a completed Veterans Battalion Survey form to your Chapter president along with a copy of your DD214 showing the noted medals. The form will be found on the last page of this newsletter. 5
All Veterans: If you served in the U.S. military at any time, please complete the Veterans Battalion Survey form on the last page of this newsletter and return it along with a copy of your DD214 to the Chapter president. Chapter Name Recognition: In early January 2013 we submitted our Chapter Challenge Report. Two items in that report received special notice. First, Vice President Dean Smith reported that 34 articles about the St. Augustine Chapter appeared in different publications during 2012. This generates positive name recognition for the Chapter and brings us new members. It also makes the St. Augustine Chapter a strong contender for the Earl Marlin Award for Chapter publicity. We extend our thanks to VP Smith for his diligent work obtaining such marked name recognition for our Chapter and its activities. Second, each time a medal was awarded or a presentation made, we included a significant segment about the history and purpose of the SAR as we encouraged those interested to consider membership. This activity garnered us a significant number of points in our Chapter Challenge Report. When you present a medal or a certificate or make a public appearance, please include in your presentation comments about our Society, its history and purpose, and report this activity to the chapter president. Flag Certificates: If you are aware of a private citizen, a business, a school, a government agency or any other organization that displays the U.S. flag in the proper manner (lighted at night, for example) and for patriotic purposes, please nominate them to receive the certificate. Nominations should be sent to the Chapter president. Application status report: Any member of the Sons of the American Revolution may track the status of all applications submitted to our national headquarters. The national staff posts a weekly report that includes a wealth of information. 6
To access the Application Status Report go to www.sar.org. Under the Membership tab click Application Status. You must be a registered member with a login and password to view the report. If you have not registered, check the top left of the main page at www.sar.org. Click Login and you will be taken through the process of registering your login and password. When you access the Application Status Report you will find the following: Accounting Number, National Number (if assigned), Date Application Received at National, Application Type, Current Status, Date of Status, Genealogy Approved, Registered Date, Society, Name and Patriot s name. When you access the report you should be able to search the document by pressing CtrlF (Ctrl key and F key at the same time). A search window should open on the upper right of your screen. Type in the name you wish to search and hit enter. 7 JANUARY 2013 CHAPTER MEETING The Chapter s regular meeting was held on Saturday, January 19, 2013 at the Le Pavillon Restaurant in St. Augustine. The meeting was called to order at 11:00 a.m. The invocation was given Chapter Chaplain Rev. David Baker followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by President Patterson and the SAR Pledge led by Compatriot John Tinny. Members present: Rev. David Baker, George Brenick, Ralph Crews, Don Erdmann, Stephen Luckau, George McCabe Jr., Edward Neely, Oscar Patterson, William Roberts, Dean Smith, James Smith, Bob Tarrant and John Tinny. Guests: Lorie Brenick, Julie Patterson and Christine G. Rant Prospective Members: Josiah Andrews, Jerry Hanchett, Wilson McMullan
Speaker: Donna DeLorenzo, Executive Director of College Relations at Flagler College. Total: 22 Award Presentation: President Patterson presented Compatriot Bob Tarrant with an Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a second award of the SAR Meritorious Service Medal for his long and distinguished service as Chapter Treasurer (see pages 4 & 5 above). Guest Speaker: President Patterson introduced the guest speaker, Ms. Donna DeLorenzo, Executive Director of Flagler College Relations. Ms. DeLorenzo spoke briefly about the Solarium restoration and other areas of the College that were scheduled for rehabilitation. She went on to outline several community projects that the College was involved in such as the Sandwich Delivery and Home Again programs. She also pointed out that the College was working in conjunction with the City of St. Augustine to eliminate the use of plastic bags in the city. President Patterson presented Ms. DeLorenzo with an Outstanding Citizenship Certificate and pin for her presentation. Business Meeting: Reports: President: Made note of the Chapter s loss of Compatriot Norman Antle and Mrs. Sydney Spink wife of Syd Spink our Secretary. A most gracious note from Mrs. Antle was read thanking the Chapter for its participation in her husband s funeral service. The note was passed to the Chapter Historian for the Chapter record. Vice President: nothing to report. 8
Secretary: A motion was made to approve Decembers Minutes. Motion was made, seconded and passed. Treasurer: reports an ending balance of $2817.82 and was accepted for the record. Registrar/Genealogist: Reports three applications currently at national headquarters: David L. Freeman, received at national 13 December 2012; Jerry M. Hanchett, received at national 31 December 2012; and Clayton Tinny, received at national 20 December 2012. These three applications are currently being processed by the national genealogical staff. The applications for William H. Camp, Harrison O. Cassle and Wilson M. McMullan have left state but have not yet been logged in at national (Application Status Report of 18 January 2013). Chaplain: nothing to report. It was noted that our Chapter secretary, Syd Spink, had been hospitalized for the past week. He is scheduled to return home on Monday, January 21. Public Safety/Heroism: nothing to report. President Patterson noted that the Chapter would present three hero medals to men who rescued three fishermen off Matanzas inlet in December 2012. The date, time and location of the presentation will be announced. Boy Scouts: nothing to report. A memo from Charles L. Day, FLSSAR Eagle Scout Chairman commending Compatriot McCabe for his word was read to the members. Historian: Compatriot Tinny displayed several pictures of past meetings featuring our past President Norman Antle. Compatriot Tinny in his support for the Friends of the Library says the BOM Report suggests State allocate a set amount to support the Library. I disagree and suggest that State mount a campaign to urge members to individually become a Friend and support the Library at $25.00 per year. We are a dues financed society and members should participate. 9
Old Business: none New Business: Compatriot John Tinny pointed out mistakes in the FLSSAR Winter BOM Report concerning patriots being omitted from the Veterans Battalion list. President Patterson suggested that he contact compatriot Charles Sweeny (State) and advise him of the errors. Benediction: led by Chaplain Baker Recessional: led by Compatriot Bill Roberts The next meeting will be 19 Feb. 2013, at 11:00 A.M. Le Pavillon Restaurant. The scheduled speaker will be Mr. Stephen Gard on the topic of scams. Submitted by: William A. Roberts acting Secretary St. Augustine, Chapter The meeting adjourned at 1:15 p.m. SPEAKERS FOR SPRING 2013: February 16, 2013 Stephen Gard, Attorney March 16, 2013 R. J. Larizza, State Attorney April 20, 2013 Dr. Joseph Joyner, St. Johns County Schools May 18, 2013 Archeologist, St. Augustine Lighthouse President: Vice President: Secretary: Treasurer: Dr. Oscar Patterson III Dean Smith Sydney Spink Robert Tarrant 904-280-1067 904-797-4459 904-940-1077 904-797-3865 opatters@comcast.net deano54@bellsouth.net linsyd@bellsouth.net kaynbobtar@bellsouth.net Registrar/Genealogist: Historian: Chaplain: Sergeant-At-Arms: William R. Roberts John Tinny David Hoffman Drew Upchurch 904-825-1594 904-285-8145 904-797-5673 904-540-1866 Roberts237@be;llsouth.net overlook3@comcast.net rdavidhoffman@bellsouth.net dsupchurch@gmail.com Past Presidents 1981-82 Michael H. Charles 1988 George L. Houghtalling 1998 George I. Knowles 2006-07 Syd Spink 1983 John L. Mikel 1989-90 Charles A. Tingley 1999 John D. Tinny 2008-10 William A. Roberts 1984-85 Alan R. Edwards 1991 Harry A. Stowell III 2000 Richard E. Welty 1986 Charles A. Tigley 1992-93 Donald R. Fisher* 2001-2003 George E. McCabe III 1987 James A. Keamey 1994-97 John D. Tinny 2004-05 Norman L. Antle 10
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