THE JEFFERSONIAN GAZETTE

THE THOMAS JEFFERSON CHAPTER OF THE SONS OF THE SPRING-SUMMER ISSUE- 2016

THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE WELCOME ABOARD PRESIDENT TILMAN A native of Charlottesville, Mackey Tilman was born at the Martha Jefferson Hospital in 1941. As he says, he has “been lucky enough to have lived in our community all these years except for high school (Woodberry Forest), College (Washington and Lee University), Military Active Duty, and a short business transfer to Richmond, VA.” After graduation from W&L, he received an Army ROTC Commission in the Artillery and served two years of active duty at Fort Benning, GA. Upon release from active duty, he joined his family department store (Tilman’s), founded by his grandfather in 1910. He succeeded his Father as President and for the next 12 years managed the retail operation until an opportunity for sale of the business presented itself in 1977. His next career was at National Bank and Trust Company, where, as he says, he was, “fortunate enough to have great mentors and opportunities for growth within the Corporation”, eventually becoming Executive Vice President of Jefferson National Bank. In the background of these two careers, he was able to maintain an active Reserve commit- ment for 24 years, during which he graduated from The Command and General Staff College and the US Army War College, and went on to hold numerous Company, Battalion, Division Staff and Command positions retiring as the Chief of Staff of the 310th Theater Army Area Command Headquartered at Ft. Belvoir with the rank of Colonel. The Chapter is honored to have him as its President. In his own words, “I accept this honor of being named the President of the TJ Chap- ter with trepidation and the knowledge that I am going to need the help and guidance of all our members and officers. I will try to emulate all of the successes of Presidents past, but if I do not succeed then the blame will need to be placed on Harvey Hague who was my sponsor and Phil Williams who had exhausted all other names. Please know that I have enjoyed my years participating in the Chapter and I look foward serving as your President.”

(A Salute to President Tilman) PAST EVENTS Flag Certificate Presentation – Michael and Susan Timko Flag Award Recepients

The Crossing of the Dan Compatriot Williams served as MC for this “Nationally Sanctioned” event mid-February. This was a pivotal event in the Southern Campaign leading to the Battle of Guilford Court House a month later and Cornwallis’ decision to concentrate his forces in leading to his entrapment at Yorktown, cut off from a sea exit by Admiral de Grasse and the French fleet and Generals Washington’s and Rochambeau’s siege at Yorktown.

March Chapter Breakfast Meeting Highlights included Ken Wallenborn receiving the 50-Year Membership medal, the Induction of Jerry Stanton Cornelius, the return of Compatriot Joe Garland after a 12-year leave of absence, an EMT award to Corporal Wallace, a provocative and engaging keynote speaker Heyward Marshall, author of Vietnam – Lessons not Learned, and the Installation of Officers Cobham, Cook, Chapman, Minich, and Hague by Acting President Williams.

June Breakfast, 50 Year Membership EMT Award Award Medal

Veteran’s Service Medal Recipient and Induction Speaker Heyward MacDonald

Guilford Court House – The Chapter thanks Compatriots Kelly, Wallenborn and Day for serving in the Color Guard in this event that put the British on their heels. President Monroe’s Birthday – Acting President Williams is joined by President Elect Tilman and VASSAR 2nd VP Kelly for the wreath presentation at Montpelier. Father Minich also participated. UPCOMING EVENTS ( MARK YOUR CALENDARS, PLEASE! )

Sept. 4 The Annual Garden Party, Ladies invited, 4:00 at Father Nick and Ducie Minich’s home. Sept. 7 Board of Managers meeting at Harvey Hague’s High Ground, 3:30

Sept. 16,17 VASSAR Semi-Annual, Williamsburg

Oct. 1 Chapter Breakfast, FCC, Pine Room

Oct. 19 Yorktown Victory Ceremony, Wreath, Parade

Nov. 3 Board of Managers Meeting, 4:00

Dec. 1 Ladies Night, Black Tie Ceremony, Greencroft Club, 6:00 Drinks, 6:45 Dinner. Don’t forget to bring a gift for a Vet at the VA Hospital, Richmond. Honoring Kat Imhof, Director and CEO of Montpelier, with a Silver Good Citizenship Award. Jan. 12, ‘17 Board of Managers Meeting, 4:00

Feb. 17,18 The Crossing of the Dan Event, South Boston, Virginia

Feb. 24, 25 VASSAR AGM, Richmond

Mar. 2 Board of Managers Meeting

Mar. 4 Chapter Breakfast, FCC, 8:45 Coffee, 9:00 Breakfast, 9:30 Meeting, Pine Room. Officer Installation by VASSAR President Elect Pat Kelly Mar. 16 James Madison Birthday Commemoration, Montpelier, 1:30, Wreath

April 13 Thomas Jefferson’s Birthday Commemoration, Monticello 10:00, Wreath

April 15 Graves Mountain, Multi-Chapter Luncheon, 11:00, Chapter Flag

April 17 Joint with DAR, C.A.R. Grave Marking, Farmington Country Club

May 4 Board of Managers Meeting, 4:00

June 3 Chapter Breakfast, FCC, Thomas Jefferson Room, Ladies Invited, 8:45 Coffee, 9:00 Breakfast, 9:30 Meeting Jason Corral, local Director for Concerned Veterans of America, Junior Vice Cmdr. VFW Post 1827, Keynote Speaker, will receive Chapter Good Citizenship Medal Award. July 4 Immigration and Naturalization Ceremony followed by Joint Jack Jouett DAR and Thomas Jefferson Chapter graveside ceremony. Children of the American Revolution – Compatriot Williams presented a $100.00 check on behalf of the Chapter at the Peter Jefferson Society Officer Installation. Ramsour’s Mill – VASSAR/TJ Guardsman Kelly attended the N. Carolina event on June 20th. UVa. ROTC Awards – The Chapter was represented by President Elect Tilman (Army presenter), Col. Hiss (Air Force) and Father Minich (Navy). Each recipient received a Certificate, Medal and a check for $100.00. Compa- triot Williams spoke on behalf of the Richard and Mary Williams Scholarship Program for NROTC Midshipmen. President Jefferson’s Birthday – The Chapter and VAS- SAR were represented by Compatriots Tilman, Kelly and Williams for a wreath presentation. Later that day, at the behest of the Farmington Historical Society, Compatriot Williams presided over a dinner, Italian wine tasting and talk on Minister Jefferson’s 1200-mile journey to Northern Italy and the importance of Italian culture, language, music, food, wines and architecture on the Sage of Mon- ticello. He began his remarks with quoting Jefferson’s observation to his granddaughter Caroline Jefferson Randolph, “We never repent of eating too little”. Battle of Petersburg – The Chapter thanks VASSAR 2nd VP Kelly for serving with the VASSAR Color Guard at this important and little appreciated battle leading up to Yorktown. Dogwood Festival/Vietnam War Memorial – VASSAR 2nd VP and American Legion Officer Pat Kelly was joined by President Elect Tilman at the wreath laying. Graves Mountain – Multi Chapter Meeting - Highlights included keynote speaker VASSAR President Ed Truslow and his installation of President Tilman with the neck ribbon and medal placed around his neck by outgoing President Williams with Compatriot Wallenborn, in uniform with musket presented standing honor guard. Other Compatriots and wives included First Lady Nancy Tilman, the Browns, Posts, Chapmans, Dr. Taylor, Cobhams and the Williams. Marilyn received a special award as the wife of Past VASSAR President Williams presented by the Event Sponsor, the Culpeper .

Albemarle Chapter, DAR Track Chair Event where Compatriots Wallenborn and Williams served as Color Guard.

The Raid on Martin Station – VASSAR 2nd VP Kelly, in attire, standing two people to the right of VASSAR President Truslow in the center School Good Citizenship Awards – Thanks go to award presenters Tilman, Hague, Cobham, Cook, Minich,Wallenborn, Taylor, Kelly, Day and Williams. Seen here, a jubilant award recipient, also Phi Beta Kappa awardee, at the Woodberry Forest Graduation

Memorial Day – Compatriots Williams and Cobham, together with Geoff’s wife Beth, did the wreath laying honors for VASSAR and the Thomas Jefferson Chapter.

Chapter Breakfast – The highlight of the program at which the Ladies and DAR Regents were in attendance, was the private screening of Compatriot Eduardo Montes-Bradley’s award-winning documentary on the Founding and the Founders of The University of Virginia on land owned by President Mon- roe, while President, first aired at the Virginia Film Festival in November of 2015, titled “Monroe Hill”. He was ably assisted in the production of this film by his wife Soledad who joined us for the event. For past services to the Chapter as photographer par excellence and for his graciously sharing the documentary and answering questions about it’s making, which took him to the far West and Paris in search of documentation, he was presented with the esteemed Howard Hamilton Service Award. July 4th at Monticello – The morning began with the Immigra- tion And Naturalization Program where 75 news Citizens from 41 Countries were sworn in by the Court, where Political Scientist Larry Sabato of “Crystal Ball” fame spoke. The Ash Lawn High- land Opera Soloist sang the National Anthem. The Army Chorus rocked the West Lawn with “Oh Beautiful for Spacious Skies” and the music of the Charlottesville Municipal Band, now 94 years old regailed the audience. As the only person in the “field” with Revolutionary War regalia, Compatriot Williams was spotted by the Cville Weekly and Tweeted out in the picture you see here. The West Lawn event was followed by the Joint DAR/TJ SAR C.A.R. grave side ceremony where National History Day State of Virginia Essay winner, and National Finalist, now rising 2nd Year UVa. student Monica Grabowska gave an enlightening talk about the Polish Freedom Fighter of Battle of Saratoga fame and elsewhere, Thaddeus Kosciusko, and his close relationship with Thomas Jefferson, especially after the War. Jack Jouett Regent Sharon Boyer presided. Participant attendees also included DAR State Regent Judith Surber, previously awarded the Martha Jefferson Award by our Chapter during President Williams’ tenure, and Peter Jefferson Society C.A.R. President Isabella Middleton and its Senior President, her mother Elizabeth, and Chapter Compatriots Tilman, Cobham, Minich, Post, Strauch, Middleton, Cooke and Wil- liams. VASSAR NEWS – During the Presidency of Bob Short, the Chapter received a Chapter Excellence award, as well as streamers for attendance at many VASSAR events and for completing Presidential Initiatives. The Semi- Annual will be in Williamsburg on 9/17,18.

NSSAR NEWS – National met in Boston this year July 8 – July 13, 2016. Compatriot Williams represented the Chapter as VASSAR Delegate and served with the National Color Guard.

COMPATRIOTS’ CORNER - Having lectured on the subject for years, I can highly recommend Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates – The Forgotten War that Changed American History by television host Brian Kilmeade and Don Yeager.

I might also suggest Valiant Ambition – George Washington, Benedict Arnold and the Fate of the Revolution by Nathaniel Philbrick. He opens with a quote from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, “As he was valiant, I honor him. But as he was ambitious, I slew him.” Philbrick’s work is thought-provoking, sometimes unsettling and provoca- tive. He begins in the Preface by stating, “The real Revolution was so troubling and strange that once the struggle was over, a generation did its best to remove all traces of the truth. No one wanted to remember how, after boldly declaring their independence they had so quickly lost their way; how patriotic zeal had lapsed into cynicism and self-interest; and how, just when all seemed lost, a traitor had saved them from themselves… By the summer of 1780, America had reached its lowest ebb. The expectations created by the dramatic victory at Saratoga in 1777 had subsided into disillusionment as the much-vaunted alliance with France had so far done nothing to win the war.” With this as background, he goes on to say about Arnold, “When combined with his growing disillusion- ment with Congress, which in addition to denying him promotion, proved reluctant to reimburse him for his considerable expenses at the beginning of the war, Arnold’s need for money helped fuel his gradual creep toward treason.”

NECROLOGY - We are deeply saddened by the passing of Compatriot Mack Halsey, a fine and good family man, talented, widely admired and a steady and contributing Compatriot.

OFFICERS - G. McNeir Tilman, President and Acting Treasurer; Geoff Cobham, Secretary and Event Coor- dinator; David Cooke, Vice President, The Rev. Cn. H. N.F. Minich, Chaplain; Mark Chapman, Registrar; Pat Kelly, Historian; Harvey H. J. Hague, Chancellor; W.M. Wallenborn, Surgeon; and Phil Williams, Publicist.

BOARD OF MANAGERS - Mackey Tilman, Geoff Cobham, David Cooke,Pat Kelly, Ken Wallenborn; Phil Williams; Cn. H. N. F. Minich; Harvey Hague; Mark Chapman, Lea Schultz, Trice Taylor Emeritus: T. Connor, J. Parrish

COLOR GUARD M. Day, P. Kelly, K. Wallenborn, T. Taylor, P. Williams