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From the desk of TNSSAR State President Colin D. Wakefield October 2013

Compatriots,

Change is in the air with the approach of this coming Fall season. The mornings are getting crisper and the trees are starting to show those yellow and orange highlights indicative of this time of year. As with the change of the season, so too are we seeing change within our Great Tennessee Society as we progress through this year; the kind of positive change that makes us better and stronger as a State Society.

Saturday, 7 September found your TNSSAR State President at our Valentine Sevier Chapter’s annual Black Powder Shoot and Picnic held this year at the historic Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church in Clarksville, Tennessee. Now, there is nothing I like more than burning a little black powder and eating good BBQ, both of which were in abundant supply. What really made this event special was the grave dedication of two Patriots, Captain James Hollis, Sr. who served in the NC Militia during the Revolutionary War and his son Private Isaac Hollis who served in TN Volunteer Militia during the War of 1812. Compatriots Bobby Parker and Rick Hollis are the direct descendants of these two Patriots.

The day started out with Compatriot David Eagan and myself arriving early. We were soon met at the church by Compatriot Johnny Head, Valentine Sevier Chapter President, who gave us a quick tour of the historic church then pointed us in the direction of the black powder shoot. Members, family and guests gathered on the farm of President Johnny Head to fire muskets. Compatriots Dr. Gary Silvey and Don Horton were on hand to load and ensure that everyone who wanted the fire a musket had the opportunity to do so.

Following the musket shoot, members and guests assembled in the fellowship hall of the Mt. Carmel Methodist Church. The meeting began with the presentation of the colors by members of the Valentine Sevier Color Guard, as well as members of the and Tennessee Societies. The invocation was offered by Chaplain Don Batterson and the pledges were led by Compatriot Head. President Head introduced special guests including yours truly and David Eagan who is state President of the Tennessee Society of the War of 1812, as well as Registrar of the Tennessee Society. Comp. Head also recognized Tom Higgins, member of the Gov. Isaac Shelby Chapter, KYSSAR and Past KYSSAR President, as well as Charlie Scott, member of the Louisville Thurston Chapter KYSSAR, and Historian for KYSSAR. President Head then invited everyone to line up to enjoy a sumptuous meal provided and served by prospective member Thomas C. Murff and his wife Jennifer.

Following the meal and business meeting of the Valentine Sevier Chapter, Compatriot Cleo Hogan then called upon Compatriot Jim Thweatt to come forward to provide narration for a unique flag folding ceremony conducted by Thomas Higgins and Charlie Scott of the Kentucky Society. The narration related the symbolism of the flag as well as the meaning behind each fold of the flag in the ceremony used to retire the colors as well as honor soldiers who have given service to their country. Members and guests then followed the color guard out to the cemetery where Rick Hollis and Bobby Parker formally unveiled the markers, and President Johnny Head placed a wreath on behalf of the Valentine Sevier Chapter. With well over sixty in attendance, it was a wonderful gathering of family, friends and Compatriots.

Sunday, 15 September I had the honor to attend a special meeting of our Lt. Andrew Crockett Chapter held at the historic Hiram Lodge in Franklin Tennessee. Lt. Andrew Crockett Chapter President James Hobbs called the large gathering to order and after the Pledge of Allegiance and SAR Pledge, I was asked to give a few brief remarks.

The highlight of the meeting was the presentation of medals and awards, most notably the Silver Good Citizenship medal and certificate which was presented to Mr. John Green for his contributions and involvement with Scouting in the Franklin, TN area for over sixty five years. He is consider the oldest living Scout leader still active in the US today.

Other awards given were the Chapter Distinguished Service Medal and Certificate presented to Compatriot Dick Spenser for his distinguished service to the Lt. Andrew Crockett Chapter, and the Chapter Meritorious Service Medal and Certificate presented to Compatriot Bill Mandeville for his many years of service to the Chapter. Color Guard medals were also awarded to Compatriots James Hobbs and David Eagan.

Thursday, 19 September found me traveling to beautiful for scheduled events leading up to our annual TNSSAR National event, The Gathering at . I arrived at the Holiday Inn in Johnson City midafternoon and was later met by Compatriot Dr. Joe Chambers of our Kings Mountain Chapter who, accompanied by his lovely wife Darlene, chauffeured Compatriots James Stone, Claude Hardison and myself to Kingsport for the scheduled District 1 meeting.

The meeting was called to order and after the Pledges and invocation there was a brief discussion of the events scheduled for Friday and Saturday by Compatriots Ronnie Lail and Dr. Darryl Addington. Chapter reports from our State of Franklin, Watauga and Kings Mountain Chapters were made followed by an introduction of guests and remarks from Past TNSSAR Presidents John Echerd and Charles Dammann as well as yours truly. I also had the privilege of inducting two new members into our Tennessee Society in the persons of Michael Brimer and his son Daniel Brimer, both of whom are from California.

Our after dinner program and speaker was introduced by Compatriot John Wakefield of the Kings Mountain Chapter. The guest speaker was Stewart Harris, an Associate Professor at the Appalachian School of Law and his program was entitled “A Case Study of the US Constitution, The Genius of the American Constitution”. This was very informative and thought provoking program.

Friday’s event of the day, revolved around a gathering of friends Compatriots and NSSAR PG Joe Dooley at the gravesite of Patriot Robert Young who is buried in the Young Cemetery in Johnson City.

In relating the story of Robert Young, Lyman Draper, in his history of the King's Mountain heroes, says, "One of Col. [John] Sevier's men, named Gilliland, who had received several wounds, and was well-nigh exhausted, seeing the advance of Ferguson and his part, attempted to arrest the career of the great leader, but his gun snapped, when he called out to Robert Young, of the same regiment: 'There's Ferguson! Shoot him.' 'I will try and see what Sweet Lips can do,' muttered Young, as he drew a sharp sight, discharging his rifle, when Ferguson fell from his horse, and his associates were either killed or driven back. Several bullets had taken effect on Ferguson apparently at the same time, and a number claimed the honor of shooting Ferguson." In Tennessee, we give that credit to Patriot Robert Young.

That evening following the grave marking, a reception was held at the Holiday Inn followed by a delicious dinner at the Peerless Restaurant. Great fun and fellowship was had by all.

The weekend culminated on Saturday with our annual TNSSAR Gathering at Sycamore Shoals.. This particular Gathering was made very special because for the first time, the Gathering at Sycamore Shoals occurred at the same time that the Washington County Regiment of Militia was stationed at Fort Watauga, occupying the shops, taverns, and cabins within the Fort. Their participation, combined with Color Guard units from the Sons of the American Revolution, Sons of the Revolution, Overmountain Victory Trail Association and others made this the most outstanding Gathering yet. As an additional event, the 230th anniversary of the signing of the was commemorated as a closing component of the ceremony at this year’s Gathering.

Yours in Patriotic Service,

Colin D. Wakefield TNSSAR State President 2013-2014 47 Wakefield Lane Fayetteville, TN 37334 Home :( 931)438-1418 Work :( 931)433-2059 Fax :( 931)433-2027 Cell :( 931)703-6674 Email: [email protected] “Libertas et Patriae!”