Cincinnati Chapter Sons of the American Revolution Cincinnati PATRIOT

Volume 31, Issue 12, December 2017

CCSAR Veterans Day Luncheon – Compatriot Shaun Smith

The Cincinnati Chapter SAR welcomed six new compatriots to our chapter at the Veterans Day luncheon held at the Blue Ash Crowne Plaza on Saturday, November 11th. New compatriots inducted by Past Cincinnati Chapter President and Ohio Society President Jim Schaffer were: Norman Eugene Bissell, Joseph Russell Blank, David Warren Drake, Christopher Wayne Drew, Brian Edward Pace, and Andrew Preston Smith. Congratulations and welcome!

Receiving supplementals at the same celebration were Compatriots Bob Bowers, Shaun Smith and Connor Smith.

Compatriot Lee Wilkerson presented a MIA POW Remembrance.

Our speaker for the luncheon was Daniel Hof, current Chapter Commander for Chapter 156 “Sgt. William Brown” and Judge Advocate for Department of Ohio of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. As a Disabled Veteran Outreach Specialist for the State of Ohio, Office of Workforce Development; he provides one-on-one assistance to veterans with career guidance, job referrals, interview preparation, and job development. He empowers veterans by showing them how they can learn about veteran benefits, training opportunities, and supportive services for which they are eligible.

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He presented an overview and history of the Purple Heart Achievement Award. He also presented information about the heroic actions of William Brown at the Battle of Yorktown.

Compatriots Lee Wilkerson, Michael Gunn, and Ed Bonniwell presented the Cincinnati Chapter with the 1st Virginia Regimental Flag.

Photos by Compatriot Gary Duffield, Laurie Bredenfoerder and Carole Gunn

Members of the Cincinnati SAR whose patriot ancestors were in the 1st Virginia Regiment in the Revolutionary War made a presentation at the Veterans Day Luncheon held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, In Blue Ash, Ohio on November 11, 2017.

The following is the proclamation which accompanied the presentation:

Take Notice

On this 11th day of November in the year of our lord, two thousand and seventeen let the assembly of Patriots Descendants composing the Cincinnati Chapter of the Sons of the Revolution (CCSAR) receive the Regimental Colors of the First Virginia Regiment of Foote and of the Light Dragoon Battalion which was raised in the towne of Williamsburg in the Commonwealth of Virginia on 17 July, 1775.

The Regiment was first commanded by Colonel Patrick Henry and later fought in the battle of Great Bridge, the New York Campaign, Battle of Trenton, Battle of Princeton, Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth, Battle of Stony Point and the Siege of Charleston.

May these Colors continue to fly in celebration of the courage and commitment of those Patriots who fought so Valiantly and with Honor for the Constitutional Liberty we enjoy still to this day!

These colors are proudly presented by Descendants of the companies of Infantry and Squadrons of Dragoons of the 1st Virginia Regiment.

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2017 CCSAR Officers Presidents Message John H. Bredenfoerder President [email protected] Compatriots, Turner Lee Wilkerson III 1st Vice President The Cincinnati Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution has had [email protected] another exceptional and productive year! Our many 2017 activities are a testimony of our chapter’s continuing commitment to further patriotic Larry W. Collins involvement in our community. An examination of our current 2017 2nd Vice President Americanism scores as of December 1, 2017, shows us exceeding our 2016 Gary L. Duffield scores. This is quite a remarkable feat, considering that our 2016 scores won Secretary us the National Society SAR Liberty Bell Award. This all can be credited to the amazing efforts and energy of our increasingly active membership. I’d like Michael J. Blum to extend my grateful thanks to all of our 2017 Chapter Officers and Board of Treasurer Management members. Your leadership and dedication are at the core of our [email protected] chapter’s success. Most of us will be continuing to serve for another year in 2018 and I truly look forward to continuing to serve with this fine hard Franz B. Ott, II working team of compatriots. We also welcome Compatriot Clay Crandall as Registrar our new Secretary and Compatriot Bob Bowers to the Board of Management. [email protected] I’d also like to extend a special heartfelt thanks to Compatriot Larry Collins George H. Stewart, Jr. for his excellent service as our 2017 2nd Vice-President. Historian Personally, 2017 has been an amazing experience. It has been truly an honor to represent the Cincinnati SAR at such a wide variety of community and SAR Shaun P. Smith events. I have been able to meet and develop so many new friendships with Webmaster Kenneth G. Carpenter citizens in our community and organization leaders who are all truly Chaplain committed to the growth of patriotism. As we look forward to 2018, I invite all our compatriots to continue to nurture our chapter’s growth, especially in the BOM Members area of service to our veterans. 2018 will be “The Cincinnati SAR Year of the

Gregory D. Ballman Veteran”. Jeffrey M. Hartman James H. Houston In patriotism, Bradley Jarard And All Living Past John H. Bredenfoerder Presidents President, Cincinnati Chapter Sons of the American Revolution

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Ohio SAR and CCSAR Mark Grave of Only Revolutionary War General in Southwest Ohio in a Veterans Day Ceremony

Michael B. Gunn, Ph.D. Past President, Patriot Graves Chair CCSAR

On Sunday, November 12, 2017 in a small but solemn ceremony at Wesleyan Cemetery the 5th Surgeon General of the United States of America’s Gravesite was marked with a special granite stone. That marking is a Maltese Cross of four arms and eight points, the top three have the letters SAR and the bottom the date 1775; in the center is the center medallion bears the figure of a minuteman surrounded by 13 stars. This emblem is based on the badges of the Military Order of Saint Louis, founded by King Louis XIV in 1693 to honor faithful military service, and the Legion of Honor, founded by Napoleon in 1803 to reward civil and military service.

The Emcee for the service was Col. Donald C. McGraw Jr., Retd., President of the Ohio Society of the Sons of the American Revolution; who introduced the ceremony as a three part event: 1 – To give honor this day on all those who served in the military of these United States of America to retain our Liberties and Freedoms gained by those Patriots of the Revolutionary War. 2 – To rededicate the Memorial to the 18 Revolutionary War Patriots honored on the Monument within the grounds of the Wesleyan Cemetery. 3 – To properly mark with the SAR Logo this Revolutionary War Patriot the grave of Patriot Richard Allison, a General of the Army of the USA.

Colonel McGraw used these words: “We are here today to mark the grave of Surgeon General Richard Allison, rededicate the granite Memorial that honors the 18 Revolutionary Patriots also buried in these hallowed grounds, and bring Honor to all our Veterans who served this country. Richard Allison entered the army as a surgeon in 1777. During the American Revolutionary War he served as a surgeon’s mate in the Pennsylvania Line of the Continental Army. He was the senior American military physician in the Northwest Indian War, and became the surgeon general of General Anthony Wayne’s Legion when those troops were organized and defeated the Indians at the Battle of Fallen Timbers.” He was the fifth Surgeon General of the USA. (Continued on next page)

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The ceremony continued after posting of the Colors by the Nolan Carson Memorial Color Guard led by Turner Lee Wilkerson, Color Guard Commander; the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the USA led by Michael Gunn of the Cincinnati Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and Patriot Graves Chairman; the unveiling of the marker by Compatriot Gary Duffield; and dedication of the marker by Compatriot Gunn with these words: “We, the members of the Cincinnati Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, dedicate this marked Memorial to the glory of God and in the recognition of the memory of these honorable Patriots of the American Revolution. Here we honor all those who have served these United States of America, risking their being to secure and safeguard our liberties and freedom.”

The names of the 18 patriot soldiers on the Revolutionary War Memorial located near the entrance of Wesleyan Cemetery were read by Compatriot Larry Collins, followed by a bell for each that was rung by Compatriot Connor Smith.

Emcee Don McGraw then announced the placing of four wreaths: for the Ohio SAR, Pres. Donald C. McGraw; for the Cincinnati SAR, John Bredenfoerder, President.; for the Germany Society, Thomas Hess ; for the Highlands Chapter SAR, Ken Carpenter, President.

Finally, Emcee McGraw requested that Color Guard Commander Wilkerson lead a Three-volley Musket Salute. Compatriots George Stewart, Shaun Smith, Chuck Rogers and Bob Bowers comprised the Honor Guard. The ceremony concluded with a recessional, a benediction and a retiring of the Colors in place.

A ceremony where no public dignitaries attended, but was a fine solemn service to all veterans of these United States of America and barely dampened by the rain.

Photographs by Gary Duffield and Christine Smith

Reminder CCSAR 5th annual awards Banquet

Saturday December 9th at 6 PM at the Crowne Pla za in Blue Ash

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There was an Actor Among Us! George Stewart, Chapter Historian

Compatriot William A. Moore

While looking for some past Veterans Day events in our Chapter history, I discovered that our Veterans Day luncheon actually started as a Thanksgiving Day dinner in 1975. These events must have been very entertaining. There were many interesting speakers at these dinners over the years. In 1977 Major General Baron von Steuben was a guest speaker. He appeared in dress uniform carrying the flag of the Society of Cincinnati. In 1983 Captain John Paul Jones, a native of Scotland, and also an American naval commander during the American Revolutionary War, talked about his heroic activities. In 1987 General “Mad” Anthony Wayne was our special guest. He wore the formal uniform that he had worn at the Battle of Stoney Point on the West Bank of the Hudson near West Point, New York.

These famous men were portrayed by Compatriot William A. Moore. Captain Moore was a Corporate Executive of the research department for Armco Steel in Middletown, Ohio. A graduate of Miami University (B.S.) and the University of Cincinnati (M.A.), Mr. Moore was a writer and lecturer on military, historical and scientific subjects. He also portrayed General George Washington at other Chapter events over the years. Because of his great love for the United States, especially Hamilton and Butler Counties, Mr. Moore participated enthusiastically in parades where he portrayed several great men of American history. Wearing authentic uniforms, he also talked about these characters at schools in the surrounding areas. Compatriot Moore passed away on January 2, 2005.

November BOM Highlights

Cincinnati SAR President Bredenfoerder inducted Michael Mershon as a new Compatriot of our chapter during our meeting on November 1st. Compatriot Mershon’s patriot ancestor, Henry Seidel, was from Berks Co. PA. Congratulations Michael!

Compatriot Brad Jarard posted the Colors for the meeting.

Compatriot Jarard welcoming new Compatriot Mershon while Chapter President Bredenfoerder looks on (photo right).

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CCSAR attends Yorktown Day Ceremony Michael B. Gunn

On October 29, 1781, the Continental Congress authorized the Yorktown Victory Monument at York, Virginia, to commemorate the surrender of Lord Cornwallis and the British army, news of which had just reached the Congress in Philadelphia. The building of the actual monument did not begin until the centennial celebration of the victory in 1881.

Congress' original resolution to erect the monument reads as follows: "That the United States in Congress assembled, will cause to be erected at York, in Virginia, a marble column, adorned with emblems of the alliance between the United States and his Most Christian Majesty; and inscribed with a succinct narrative of the surrender of earl Cornwallis to his excellency General Washington, Commander in Chief of the combined forces of America and France; to his excellency the Count de Rochambeau, commanding the auxiliary troops of his most Christian Majesty in America, and his excellency the Count de Grasse, commanding in chief the naval army of France in the Chesapeake."

Notice the emphasis on French involvement during the war. If it hadn't been for French cooperation, the war likely would have been lost - a fact not known by many Americans. The Yorktown Victory Monument was finished in 1884. The main pillar is 84 feet tall and the statue of the Lady Victory is 14 feet high on top of that. The statue was replaced in 1956 after the original was damaged by lightning. Today the monument can be found on the southeast end of Main Street in Yorktown, Virginia.

Each of the four sides of the base of the monument contain an inscription:

Side 1: At York on Oct 19 1781 after a siege of nineteen days by 5500 American & 7000 French troops of the line 3500 Virginia Militia under command of Gen Thomas Nelson and 33 French ships of war Earl Cornwallis Commander of the British forces at York & Gloucester surrendered his army of 1751 officers and men, 840 seamen, 244 cannon and 24 standards to His Excellency George Washington Commander in Chief of the combined forces of America and France; and His Excellency the Comte de Rochambeau commanding the auxiliary troops of His Most Christian Majesty in America; and to His Excellency The Comte de Grasse Commanding Chief The Naval Army of France in Chesapeake 7| Page The Cincinnati Patriot December 2017

Side 2: The provisional Articles of Peace concluded Nov 30, 1782 & the definitive treaty of peace concluded Sept 3 1783 between the U.S.A. and George III King of Great Britain & Ireland declare His Britannic Majesty acknowledges the said U.S. viz New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia to be free, sovereign and independent states

Side 3: The treaty concluded Feb 6 1778 between the U.S.A. and Louis XVI King of France declares the essential & direct end of the present defensive alliance is to maintain effectually the liberty & sovereignty & independence absolute & unlimited of the said U.S. as well in matters of government as of commerce

Side 4: Erected in pursuance of a resolution of Congress adopted Oct 29 1781 & an act of congress approved June 7 1880 to commemorate the victory by which the independence of the U.S.A. was achieved.

Also on the South side is a Bronze DAR Memorial Monument with 105 names of Patriot Soldiers who fought and died at the Battle of Yorktown. The inscription reads “In appreciation of the Service of these Men who made the Supreme Sacrifice in the Yorktown Campaign, 1781. This tablet is erected by the National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, October 19, 1931.”

At this same memorial, at 2 PM on Thursday, October 19, three members of the Cincinnati SAR continued the Yorktown Day Ceremony with a ceremony to honor the American Soldiers who made the Supreme Sacrifice here at the Yorktown Campaign in 1781. Turner Lee Wilkerson placed a wreath for the Ohio Society SAR, John H. Bresenfoerder placed a wreath for the Cincinnati SAR and Michael Gunn placed a wreath for the Germany Society SAR.

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Articles of Confederation

Gary L. Duffield, Secretary, Cincinnati Chapter Sons of the American Revolution

The Articles of Confederation, formally the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, was an agreement among the 13 original states of the United States of America that served as its first constitution. Its drafting by a committee appointed by the Second Continental Congress began on July 12, 1776, and an approved version was sent to the states for ratification on November 15, 1777. The Articles of Confederation came into force on March 1, 1781, after being ratified by all 13 states. A guiding principle of the Articles was to preserve the independence and sovereignty of the states. The federal government received only those powers which the colonies had recognized as belonging to king and parliament.

The Articles formed a war-time confederation of states, with an extremely limited central government. While un- ratified, the document was used by the Congress to conduct business, direct the American Revolutionary War, conduct diplomacy with foreign nations, and deal with territorial issues and Native American relations. The adoption of the Articles made few perceptible changes in the federal government, because it did little more than legalize what the Continental Congress had been doing. That body was renamed the Congress of the Confederation; but Americans continued to call it the Continental Congress, since its organization remained the same.

As the Confederation Congress attempted to govern the continually growing American states, delegates discovered that the limitations placed upon the central government rendered it ineffective at doing so. As the government's weaknesses became apparent, especially after Shays' Rebellion, individuals began asking for changes to the Articles. Their hope was to create a stronger national government. Initially, some states met to deal with their trade and economic problems. However, as more states became interested in meeting to change the Articles, a meeting was set in Philadelphia on May 25, 1787. This became the Constitutional Convention. It was quickly realized that changes would not work, and instead the entire Articles needed to be replaced. On March 4, 1789, the government under the Articles was replaced with the federal government under the Constitution. The new Constitution provided for a much stronger federal government by establishing a chief executive (the President), courts, and taxing powers.

On June 12, 1776, a day after appointing a committee to prepare a draft of the Declaration of Independence, the Second Continental Congress resolved to appoint a committee of 13 to prepare a draft of a constitution for a union of the states. The committee met repeatedly, and chairman John Dickinson presented their results to the Congress on July 12, 1776. There were long debates on such issues as sovereignty, the exact powers to be given the confederate government, whether to have a judiciary, and voting procedures. The final draft of the Articles was prepared in the summer of 1777 and the Second Continental Congress approved them for ratification by the individual states on November 15, 1777, after a year of debate. In practice, the Articles were in use beginning in 1777; the final draft of the Articles served as the de facto system of government used by the Congress ("the United States in Congress assembled") until it became de jure by final ratification on March 1, 1781; at which point Congress became the Congress of the Confederation. Under the Articles, the states retained sovereignty over all governmental functions not specifically relinquished to the national government. The individual articles set the rules for current and future operations of the United States government. It was made capable of making war and peace, negotiating diplomatic and commercial agreements with foreign countries, and deciding disputes between the states, including their additional and contested western territories. Article XIII stipulated that "their provisions shall be inviolably observed by every state" and "the Union shall be perpetual".

John Dickinson's and Benjamin Franklin's handwritten drafts of the Articles of Confederation are housed at the National Archives in Washington, DC.

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Naturalization Ceremonies

Members of the Cincinnati SAR Nolan Carson Memorial Color Guard posted the Colors at a naturalization ceremony held at Deer Park High School on Friday, November the 3rd. Compatriots Dan Schmitz, Ken Carpenter, Mike Gunn, Ed Wilson and President Bredenfoerder welcomed 70 new citizens. The compatriots were joined by Cincinnati DAR Regent Gretchen Wilson and her contingent. The Honorable Beth Buchanan officiated the ceremony.

Cincinnati SAR President Jack Bredenfoerder and Compatriot Jerry Knight welcomed 72 new US Citizens at the naturalization ceremonies held at the Potter Stewart Southern Ohio Federal District Courthouse on Friday, November 17. The Honorable Karen L. Litkovitz presided over the ceremonies. Judge Litkovitz always shares copies of her grandparents’ naturalization papers with the new citizens. It makes such a compelling illustration of how new citizens can make an impact on the lives of future generations. Welcome to the US!

SAR President Jack Bredenfoerder

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CCSAR Join Mariemont DAR Vietnam Veterans Program

On Saturday, November 18, 2017, the Nolan Carson Memorial Color Guard presented the Colors at the Mariemont Chapter DAR annual Vietnam Veterans' Tribute. Thirty-one Vietnam era veterans and their spouses were honored. Congressman Brad Wenstrup was on hand to give a special “Thank You” to all of the veterans and delivered the keynote address.

Chapter Compatriots Jerry Knight (above left) and Gary Duffield (above right) were honored at the ceremony.

Photography by Debra Patek, member of Mariemont Chapter DAR

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For the Good of the Order

2017 -2018 COMING CHAPTER EVENTS Wed Dec 6th CCSAR BOM Meeting, 6 PM Dinner, 7 PM Meeting, Blue Ash Crown Plaza Thurs Dec 7th Naturalization, 10 AM, St. John the Baptist School, 5375 Dry Ridge Rd. 45252 Sat Dec 9th CCSAR 5th Annual Awards Dinner, 6 PM, Blue Ash Crowne Plaza Hotel Mon Dec 11th Wreaths Across America at the Ohio Statehouse, Columbus, Ohio h Sat Dec 16t Wreaths Across America 11:15 AM at Greenwood Cemetery, Hamilton, Ohio John Reily DAR, John Reily Wreath Laying, Greenwood Cemetery, Hamilton, Ohio Luncheon follows at Max & Erma's Thurs Dec 21st Naturalization Ceremonies, 10 AM and 2 PM, Potter Stewart Courthouse, Rm. 842 Wed Jan 3 CCSAR BOM Meeting, 6 PM Dinner, 7 PM Meeting, Crown Plaza

Facebook – Compatriots, when you view our Facebook page, please hit LIKE on the Membership Any man of age eighteen (18) years or over, who is a lineal descendant of an articles that are posted, even if you do not LIKE ancestor who supported the war for American Independence is eligible for the article. membership in the Sons of the American Revolution. Men under eighteen (18) may join as junior members. When you LIKE a posting, it is now able to be If you are interested in membership or need help with your application please do read by all of your Facebook Friends. This will not hesitate to contact the Chapter Registrar, Franz B. Ott, II, at 513-384-7411. help spread the word and promote all of the [email protected] activities that we participate in.

For More Information about the CCSAR, please visit our Editor website at: CincinnatiSAR.org Jeff Hartman 3020 Shaker Road Our Facebook page also has many more photos of the Franklin, OH 45005 events that you see highlighted here. [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/cincinnati.sar/?fref=nf

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