Spring 2016 Spring 2016 The SENTINEL Greater Cincinnati Chapter May 2014 Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge

hirteen students sponsored by our Greater Cincinnati Chapter attended T the annual Spirit of America conference on the historic and bucolic campus of the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, Valley Forge, PA. Following an orientation meeting on February 19th, students departed CVG International airport mid-afternoon on March 3rd chaperoned by Matt Troutwine. Mr. Troutwine, an Army and Air Force veteran has also guided student tours to Peru, Costa Rica and Canada. He is an American History teacher at Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy. They returned on March 6th.

Inside …

President’s Message 2 Committee of Five 2 Spirit of America 3 Memorial Day 4-5 Paying Forward 6 Youth Adv. Council 6 Why We Do 7 Coming Events 8

Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.

George Washington Greater Cincinnati students gathered around the Ohio obelisk in the Medal of Honor Grove on the campus of the Freedoms Foundation in Valley Forge. “The Patriot’s blood is the seed of Freedom’s tree.” - Thomas Campbell

President’s Message Bob Stevens

want to take this opportunity to offer my heart- As you can see, our newsletter has taken on a dra- I felt thank you to Ted Kalsbeek. Ted has been a matic new format. A recent addition to our board, member of our Chapter for nearly three decades, Gary Williams has assumed the duties as editor of many of those years as Board Member, Chaplain, The Sentinel. Gary is a Director of Graduate Pro- President, Membership Chairman and newsletter grams for the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge. Editor. Ted and his late wife Lewise, both true We are excited to have Gary as a board member, American Patriots, have given hundreds of hours editor, and liaison from the National Office. of their time, talent and treasure to both our Chap- ter as well as the Medal of Honor Grove at the We are progressing with initiatives that will greatly Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge. Ted will expand our programs for both students and teachers, remain a board member; but has decided to take a assimilate community partners to assist in the ad- step back and complete other projects that have vancement of the core values and principles of the been put aside for many years. Freedoms Foundation, and honor acts of civic virtue. With the support of the National Office, we will Ellen Rember, another long-time officer of the modify our traditional membership structure to in- Chapter has decided not to seek another term as our clude students, associates, partners and affiliates, Corresponding Secretary. Ellen will remain a valua- thereby creating exciting educational and leadership ble member of our Chapter, but will now take time opportunities for students. to pursue other projects. Thank you Ellen for your decades of service to the cause of freedom.

Committee of Five Gary Williams

n June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia mary View of British America, consuming about a sin- O introduced the fatal resolution in Congress call- gle day. The remaining sixteen days were spent per- ing for complete separation from Great Britain. Sev- fecting the incorporation of, as Jefferson described, eral states asked for a brief postponement, however, a eight ancient principles, subsequently identified as the special committee was appointed to write a formal Laws of Nature. declaration of independence. The committee which became known as the Committee of Five consisted of Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, John Adams of Massachusetts, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, Rob- ert Livingston of New York, and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia.

While Jefferson proposed that John Adams prepare the initial draft, after limited debate, Jefferson agreed to pen the initial draft. For seventeen days he com- posed and revised his rough draft of the Declaration of Independence. The major portion of the Declaration is taken up with a long series of charges against King George III. These were all copied directly from Jeffer- son’s drafts of the Virginia Constitution and his Sum-

Page 2 One man with courage is a majority. - Thomas Jefferson Spirit of America Conference - March 3-6, 2016

Greater Cincinnati delegation in front of Independence Hall, Philadelphia

-Sarah Sheppard- - Nathaniel Scheffer- Deer Park HS Miami Valley Christian Academy

-Lemya Tirba- -Zach Taylor- Miami Valley Christian Academy The Shilling School -Brynne Menkhaus- -Chrissy Boehmer- The Schilling School Deer Park HS

-Rachel Oberholzer - Jim Brenner- Loveland HS St. Xavier HS . -Megan Robison- - Hunter Goering- Ursuline Academy Walnut Hills HS

-Kristen Stueve- - Abigail Klare - McAuley HS Ursuline Academy -Meredith Karbowsky- Page 3 Ursuline Academy Memorial

any of us In the mid-60’s America was at war in a place M can re- called Viet Nam but to many of us in our small member back town, it was a place we could hardly pronounce to our child- and certainly knew nothing about. During the hood and the drive to the cemetery our scout leader reinforced local Memorial Day events of days gone by. As the history of Memorial Day. Upon arrival at our Memorial Day approaches, I am reminded that destination, we were each given a six-inch as a young Cub Scout in Upper Sandusky, Ohio wooden ruler and instructed to place the flag in a our duty began on the Tuesday before Memorial special flag holder exactly six inches in from the Day. At our weekly Den meeting our Den Moth- headstone. After placing the flag properly we er would give us the history of Memorial Day took two steps back, read the name of the veter- and remind us of our obligation to meet at the St. an aloud and gave the Boy Scout hand salute. Paul’s Lutheran Church on Friday immediately Scout leaders and senior scouts “supervised” to after school in full uniform. At the church we ensure that our duties were conducted accurately were driven to the one of the local cemeteries to and reverently. At the cemetery our leaders gave place flags at the graves of every veteran. instructions in a hushed voice.

Day−May 30 th

n Memorial Day local police and fire de- of him and of Memorial Days long since passed O partment vehicles with their lights flashing and acknowledging the hundreds of memorial and the occasional yelps of the sirens led the pa- flags at the graves of other defenders of freedom. rade of county local high school bands, converti- bles with former prisoners of war waving to Throughout our national history, approximately cheering crowds and younger veterans marched one percent of each generation has answered the smartly behind. Boy and Girl Scout troops fol- call to military service. They liberated Europe, lowed by the cub and brownie scouts made the defended people they had never met and coun- annual pilgrimage that assembled at a local auto- tries they had never visited, and since September mobile dealership. 2001 defended us those who would do us harm here at home. To me, it looked like the entire town had lined the parade route that proceeded south on North This Memorial Day, let us take a few minutes Sandusky Avenue for one-half mile to the town from our family gatherings to fly our flag proud- square then turned left onto West Wyandot Ave- ly, remember those who fill our national ceme- nue and proceeded one mile down the hill to the teries here at home and those hundreds of thou- Harrison Smith Park and the Veterans Memorial. sands who repose in the foreign lands for which Our Uncles Robert and Ivan served in World they fought many known but to God. War II and my siblings and I knew that our fa- ther was a Korean War veteran, but none of us Let us keep “Memorial” in Memorial Day by re- really understood its significance. membering and following General John Logan’s General Order No. 11 issued on May 5, 1868, After his five children had grown and he and my “…gather around their sacred remains and gar- mother were ‘empty nesters,’ both served in the land the passionless mounds above them with local color guard and for many years Dad served choicest flowers of springtime…let us in this sol- as commander and presided at dozens of military emn presence renew our pledges to aid and as- funerals. We were reared with the near-reverent sist those whom they have left among us as sa- respect for those who wear and have worn the cred charges upon the Nation’s gratitude–the uniform of our nation—a lesson I have never for- soldier’s and sailor’s widow and orphan.” gotten. Thank you Dad, and thank you to all those who This year marks the sixth anniversary of my fa- defend freedom. ther’s death. I will make the drive to Oak Hill Cemetery and place a memorial wreath at my father’s grave; admire the new American and Ar- my flags in their bronze holders placed by to- day’s cub scouts. As I do, I will probably shed a tear or two as I remember those fond memories — Gary Williams

Opposite: Tomb of the Unknowns, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA. All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing. —

Paying Forward Gary Williams

very community has at least one. My Many of the boys these four men mentored have E hometown community was blessed with sev- assumed their rightful positions of leadership in eral; noble men of character and integrity who society and several have assumed their own Dad serve as mentors and role models raising up the Advisory role. For Dads Everett, Helge, Thiel, and next generation of men. Loose, I most respectfully offer the International Order of DeMolay Memorial Service words of the In the small northwest Ohio city of Upper Senior Councilor, Sandusky, four men, all now in eter- nal rest, profoundly affected the lives The West is symbolic of the eve of of hundreds of young men and whose life and I bring, from the station of impact will be felt for generations. the setting sun, the consolation of Earl Everett, Ellis “Bud” Helge, journeys ended and lives well-lived. I Thomas “Tommy” Thiel, Raymond bring the sweetest consolation of “Gene” Loose, all Master Masons, all−the assurance of the holiest served as DeMolay Chapter Dad Ad- promises of our faith, the attainment visors to me, my brothers and hun- of the goal of all our striving, the dreds of other boys. reward of all our hopes. Their lives are glorified with duties well- The Order of DeMolay, created in performed, and upon them shines the 1919 by a Kansas City, MO commu- splendor of everlasting memory. nity leader, is a fraternal organization dedicated to preparing young men to The void created by the loss of each lead successful lives. of these pillars of society will not be easily filled. We, who benefited from their tutelage, stand on As in all too many cases, true servant leadership, their shoulders. We honor their service and sacri- unshakable character and a true internal moral fice by our word and deed and they will always be compass often times is not fully recognized or with us, and our posterity better for it. appreciated until it is gone.

Youth Advisory Council (YAC)

he Youth Advisory Council is intimately in- experience, a better understanding of what it T volved with the National Headquarters of means to be a responsible citizen and the voice of Freedoms Foundation, advising how to com- today’s youth on a national level. Youth engage- municate its message more effectively to younger ment in understanding the rights and responsibili- generations while inspiring future leaders of ties of being a citizen is crucial to the future of America. They are responsible for providing our nation. The YAC is an opportunity to get in- a crucial youth opinion on programs, initiatives, volved and make a difference. The Greater Cin- and projects that the Freedoms Foundation pro- cinnati Chapter is pleased to have two members vides. The YAC is a great opportunity for youth of the YAC, Paul Scheeler and Miles Tiemeyer. between the ages of 15-21 to gain leadership

Page 6 Guard against the impostuers of pretended patriotism. - George Washington

Why We Do What We Do

Dear Cincinnati Chapter: Dear Cincinnati Chapter: I cannot even begin to express how thankful I am for I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you being able to attend this trip. I got more out of this for the opportunity to attend the Spirit of America experience than I could have ever hoped for. This trip conference at Valley Forge. I have learned and af- was absolutely amazing! We had so many great expe- firmed so many of my values and beliefs in my riences, from visiting Valley Forge and witnessing the four short days here. I am so grateful for the sacri- re-enactment to talking to some of the best speakers fices others made to provide me with this expense- I’ve ever had the pleasure of listening too. We were free trip to one of our Nation’s most important constantly challenged from day one and I constantly landmarks. Listening to the lectures and speakers felt my abilities being tested. I can honestly say it was has provided me with great insight to the responsi- one of the greatest weekends of my life. We learned bilities of citizenship and the blessings of free en- about the Constitution and government, the free enter- terprise. I feel very fortunate and blessed to have prise system and out nation’s history. We were con- been chosen to represent my school by attending stantly surrounded by leaders and not just those from this conference. I feel empowered and prepared to Cincinnati. We spent our time with others here from return to my community in hopes of sharing with Florida, California and Utah. I can remember no other them some of the important lessons I’ve learned time when I was exposed to so much incredible diver- this weekend. Many thanks for your dedication sity. These experiences were beyond comparable. I and support of high school students like me in wouldn’t trade my time here for anything! Thank you helping us to become the best version of ourselves for your generosity and this opportunity I won’t soon through this unique experience. forget it. —Abigail Klare —Kristen Stueve

Dear Cincinnati Chapter: Dear Cincinnati Chapter: I don’t have words to describe this experience. The Thank you so much for giving me the oppor- first words to come to mind are fantastic, amazing, tunity to experience this surreal historical and life-changing, but these can’t even come close to presence. I have learned so much from this describing all of great things that I have experienced. trip, most importantly I have learned how and Thank you so much for sending me on this trip. It why becoming a better leader and citizen is may very well be a turning point in my life. I have important. I am taking back the qualities of learned so much, not only from the speakers but from being a better leader. The qualities that most my peers and the chaperones. I have made friends that stuck out to me are integrity and commitment. will last many years and learned skills that will hope- I plan on integrating these characteristics into fully stay with me until the end of my life. Again, I my everyday life, and helping others grow in thank you so much for this amazing opportunity for these characteristics as well. Thank you so learning and friend-making. much for this incredible experience. —Hunter Goering —Jim Brenner

Page 7 GREATER CINCINNATI COUNCIL—

Greater Cincinnati Council 19 Dexter Park Blvd. Cincinnati, OH 45241

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

2016 Coming Events

June 19-26 Medal of Honor Legacy Program, FFVF Campus June 26-July 1 Medal of Honor Legacy: War on Terror, FFVF Campus July 5-11 Our American Experiment: The Constitution in Primary Documents July 7-12 Presidential History and Virginia (Washington DC & VA) July 17-22 Medal of Honor Legacy, FFVF Campus July 24-29 Medal of Honor Legacy: Vietnam War, FFVF Campus July 31-Aug 5 Service Learning in Public Policy (SLiPP), FFVF Campus Sept. 8-11, 2016 National Chapter Conference, FFVF Campus Sept. 17, 2016 ASEA Patriot Fair, Mason Municipal Building Nov. 11, 2016 Young Patriot Conference, Sycamore Presbyterian Church Nov. 11, 2016 Veteran’s Day Memorial Service, Sycamore Presbyterian Church

The Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge is a 501 3(c) or- ganization dedicated to our three-fold mission. We educate about American rights and responsibilities, honor acts of civic virtue, and challenge all to reject apathy and get involved.