THE NAPLES CRIER Florida Society sons of the American revolution SINCE 1975 NAPLES CHAPTER NEWSLETTER JUNE/JULY 2017 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE tember for the upcoming Thursday, October 12, meeting held at The Club at Longshore Lake, Social Hour @ Compatriots, Happy 241st 11:30 - 12:00 noon; Meeting begins promptly at 12:00 Birthday, America! We have had a p.m. Program: The Elections Process, with Guest busy shoulder season here in our Speaker, Jennifer Edwards, our Supervisor of Elections, chapter following the May meet- arranged by Compatriot Jim Meerpohl. This program ing. should be very good as we sponsor and man an election Compatriots Cahill, Crame, Feh- precinct, but this year promises to have very interesting renbaker, McCullough, Theiler and issues on the ballot that we all need to pay attention to. I attended the Annual Florida President James M. Last month our Chapter had very sad news. We learned Board of Managers meeting May 19 - McGarity III with profound regret of the passing of our Compatriot 20 in Orlando. It was a good, eye and Chapter Past President Charles Sweeney. Colonel opening experience for anyone interested in the work- Sweeney was a true patriot, a combat hero and a brave ings of our Society. Surprisingly to me, Naples Chapter Marine. He was my friend. At the State BOM in May garnered a fair share of awards for chapter and member Chuck and I discussed his return to the Naples Chapter to accomplishments. My ancient Samsonite briefcase was volunteer to take on the duties of our vacant Chapter Sec- bulging with medals, certificates, new member packets retary. Our Board was unanimous in support thereof, and a streamer for our colors by the end of it. I look for- testament of our high regard for Chuck. I can honestly ward to passing those out at our next Chapter meeting at say that we will certainly miss his company in many noon, Thursday, October 12, 2017, at The Club at Long- ways. shore Lake. Be well and have safe travels the remainder of this sum- The Chapter was also well represented at the Memorial mer season. I look forward to seeing each and everyone Day observance at Naples Memorial Gardens on May of you at the next meeting on October 12th. 29th. Best Regards, July 1st, Compatriot John McCullough and I participat- J.M. McGarity III, Chapter President ed in the Independence Day celebrations and parade out at Everglades City where their famous seafood restau- rants open for the weekend and a fireworks display is put on equal to any big city. I can truly say that they take their patriotism seriously out there in the Everglades. Welcome New Members Joseph Emery Sponseller (Memorial) On July 4th, Compatriots John McCullough, Len Crame and I decorated my truck and participated in the Inde- John Edward Vance pendence Day parade here in Naples along with the Big Charles William Gilbert III Cypress Chapter of the DAR. Len and John marched the Jeffrey Daniel Bowles entire route while I had the dubious honor to drive with David Michael Bowles my grandkids throwing candy out at the spectators. Robert Wilton Foreman Next month, The Southwest Region, FLSSAR will con- duct its fourth annual meeting on Saturday August 12th Dillon Fris Johnson (Junior) at the Marina at Edison Ford (Pinchers) in Ft. My- Peter George Papacostas ers. The meeting will be hosted by the Caloosa Chapter John William Meek Yegge (Junior) with a luncheon program high - lighting the FLSSAR John William Meek III Strategic Plan. Members of the five chapters in the re- gion are urged to attend and wives or guests of members Congratulations on the approved Supple- and DAR Daughters are welcome too. Please join us if mental Application you can. Fergus Edward Owens for Patriot Ancestor We will start to gear back up for next season in Sep- Nathan Kingsbury THE NAPLES CRIER - PAGE 1 - JUNE/JULY 2017 May 11, 2017 Luncheon Meeting Minutes of May 11, 2017 Luncheon, Naples Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. Location: Longshore Lakes Club, Phoenix Way, Naples, Florida. Call to Order at 12:00 Noon by President James M. McGarity III. Colors Posted by the Bernardo de Galvez Camp #13 Color Guard, John McCollough, Sergeant at Arms, Don Cahill, Camp Commander, and Len Crame, Camp Flag Bearer. Invocation provided by Chaplain Robert C Matthews Jr. Pledge Of Allegiance, led by guests, Big Cypress DAR Chapter Regent, Shirley Hoerle, and members Annie McGari- ty-MacLean, Virginia Bailey, and Madonna Crame. American’s Creed led by 2nd Vice President Thomas B. Woodruff. S.A.R. Pledge was led by Compatriot John L. McCollough. Welcoming Remarks: President McGarity welcomed all members present; then recognized and welcomed several guests: Big Cypress DAR members: Shirley Hoerle, Annie McGarity-MacLean, Virginia Bailey, and Madonna Crame; the spouses of members present; and Guest Speaker, Dwight Brock. Business: The Podium was then turned over to 1st Vice President Leonard W. Crame, who presented an overview of the Special Board Meeting conducted at the conclusion of our last monthly luncheon meeting on April 13, 2017, the purpose of which was to re-register our organization with the State of Florida in its tax-exempt status and compliance with bank- ing laws. Immediate Past President Michael E. Garey and President McGarity presented the SAR Medal of Appreciation that is designed to be given to DAR Regent Shirley Hoerle in recognition and appreciation for outstanding service rendered to the SAR. Compatriot Danny Hornbeck, assisted by President McGarity, then presented Veterans Service medals to Compatri- ots: Tyler Hornbeck Danny Hornbeck Otis Wragg III Michael Lyster Alan Frost President McGarity then recessed the meeting for lunch to be served. Program: “The Intersection of the Branches of Government” After luncheon, President James McGarity reconvened the meeting and introduced the guest speaker, Dwight Brock, the Collier County Clerk of Courts. Dwight Brock gave an energetic and thorough presentation on the role of the Col- lier County Clerk of Courts, where the Executive and Judicial Branches of government intersect in local govern- ment. It was an interesting presentation of services the office of the Clerk of Courts provide to both the State of Flor- ida, our court system and to the public. Mr. Brock provided insight into his implied duties to control fiscal excess and spending by local government. Dwight ended his presentation by fielding many spirited questions from the audience about our local government. It was a very informative presentation of our constitutional process of local government, its checks, and bal- ances. President McGarity thanked Dwight Brock for his presentation, and presented him with a Certificate of Appre- ciation. Closing: President McGarity then called on Chaplain Robert C. Matthews Jr to provide our Benediction. Compatriot Acey Lee Edgemon led the chapter in the S.A.R. Recessional. The luncheon was closed at 1:30 p.m. by President McGarity. These Minutes were respectfully prepared and submitted by President James M. McGarity III, in the absence of a Chapter Secretary. THE NAPLES CRIER - PAGE 2 - JUNE/JULY 2017 Heraldry: The SAR Badge 1 1 This scholarly account of the SAR Badge was done by Com- patriot Duane L. C. M. Galles, some 20 years ago. The story was originally published in five parts in the November through March issues of “The Naples Crier.” Photos by Chuck Sweeney. Naples Chapter SAR President 2011-2012. ton rather than that of St. Louis. Next, our medallion is surrounded by the SAR’s motto “Libertas et Patria” (Liberty and Country) rather the words on the front of St. Louis Cross that translate into “Louis the Great instituted it in 1693,” and the motto on the reverse side of the cross that reads Part I: Introduction Most members of the SAR are familiar with the Membership Badge; but few perhaps are familiar with the history and significance which underlie its heraldry. The badge is not only one of the most beautiful of American hereditary societies; it’s also one of the most steeped with history and replete with meaning. “Bellicae Virtutis Praemium” (the Reward for Virtue in War). And third, the angles between the arms of the The badge was designed in the very early days of the cross lack the French fleurs de lis . Instead our SAR Society by Major Goldsmith Bernard West, Vice Presi- Badge has the cross superimposed on the laurel wreath dent of the Alabama Society. The Badge consists of a of republican victory. cross of eight points suspended by an Eagle. The cross is of white enamel and has four arms and eight points, each point being decorated with a gold bead. The source of our cross is the cross of the ancient chivalric Order of St. Louis, founded by Louis XIV in 1693. Part II: Order of St. Louis The royal and military Order of St. Louis was part of a package of war veterans’ benefits decreed by the Sun King at that time. For disabled or needy war veter- ans, Louis founded the Hotel des Invalides, the first old soldiers’ home of the modern era. Its chapel, the Church of the Invalides designed by Hardouin-Mansart, is today known around the world as a magnificent baroque inter- Hotel des Invalides in the 7th arrondissement of Paris pretation of Michelangelo’s St. Peter’s and as the final resting place of Napoleon. To reward officers for distin- Part III: French Aid Influential guished service and merit Louis established the Order of St Louis. The Order was named after his namesake and Several reasons made the St. Louis cross an appropri- patron, Louis IX, saint, crusader and king of France.