Newsletter for the Wisconsin Society Sons of the American Revolution, May 2021 MESSAGE FROM WISSAR PRESIDENT SAM KEITH First, I would like to thank all WISSAR members for allowing me the privilege of serving as your president for the next year. I would also like to thank outgoing president Bill Austin for his guidance and leadership during his two terms as WISSAR President. He will be a tough act to follow. A little about me. I’m a retired senior executive for global consumer and commercial financial services companies. Married for 53 years with two daughters and six grandchildren. My hobbies include grand kid activities, horses, hunting and working around the house – outside. I am also active in the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW). I have been an SAR member since September 2017. I also currently serve as the Elisa Raymond Chapter President. One of my primary objectives will be attracting new members and retaining existing members. This isn’t anything new but continues to be an issue for our organization. My intention will be to charge the WISSAR Membership Committee to come up with viable ideas to solve these problems. The committee includes one member of each chapter. A way to retain members is to get them involved in chapter activities and leadership positions, then reward that participation in some appropriate manner with a chapter level award or recognition. As the Awards Chairman for the last two years, I have noticed chapter level awards are sporadic and encourage each chapter to be more active. Hopefully the Covid-19 Pandemic will be less of an issue as we move through the year and we can resume in-person WISSAR and chapter meetings. Although we will keep our WISSAR Zoom contract active and available for chapter use, as it has value to do so, I urge all chapters to resume in-person meetings as soon as possible. I urge the leadership of our chapters to get your members involved in projects, programs etc. and then award recognition as appropriate for those efforts. In that regard, I would like each chapter to send me their nomination to serve on the WISSAR Membership Committee. I look forward to the opportunities that will come our way during the year. If WISSAR members have suggestions as to those opportunities, I welcome having discussions with you. Cordially, Sam Keith May 2021 – [email protected] - http://www.wissar.org NEW WISCONSIN SAR STATE SEAL The Development of Wisconsin SAR's State Seal: The Backstory Not by accident, in January of 2021 Nathaniel Ames (NA) Chapter President Ben Hobbins asked Wisconsin SAR State President William Austin for permission to develop a new logo for Wisconsin. President Austin gave NA President Hobbins the green light. As a matter of fact, Wisconsin's new state seal came to be as an extension to other national logo branding development work Hobbins was conducting for NSSAR on personal request of President General (PG) Jack Manning to rebuild their very own Massachusetts SAR State Seal in October of 2020. Hobbins met PG Jack Manning along with former PG Warren Alter at the Orange County Congress in July 2019 when he was a Wisconsin delegate to Congress. Alter, Manning and Hobbins hit it off in a very personable manner. Hobbins wrote an article about his 1st NSSAR Congress experience and it was published in the fall 2019 SAR magazine. The Hobbins Logo Series, Gift to SAR A team player and part of two state SAR Societies, Hobbins sought constructive feedback on look and feel during his new NSSAR logo series development with CA's President Littlefield and WI's President Austin, who both strongly supported the Hobbins logo brand series. The new logo series was substantially donated by Hobbins who gifted his 100+ of hours of work and all Intellectual Property (IP) rights to the NSSAR as a Hobbins family tribute to all son and daughter patriots and ancestors of the American Revolution. Massachusetts State Seal May 2021 – [email protected] - http://www.wissar.org PG Manning's request came at the time when compatriot Hobbins was developing the striking four new SAR color logo brand series for the NSSAR. PG Manning supplied Hobbins with the NSSAR minuteman logo elements as guide, and the old Massachusetts SAR logo, asking him to try to improve the old logo using these pieces. Voila, the new Massachusetts SAR seal (following NSSAR branding) was born. California State Seal In December 2020, California SAR President Littlefield contacted Hobbins to revamp multiple state logos and for a CA State SAR seal redesign. In December Hobbins produced both CA and WI Christmas and New Year’s 2021 cards. Wisconsin State Seal In January 2021, Hobbins asked the Wisconsin SAR President Austin if he could produce the Wisconsin State logo design. Hobbins' collaboration on state seal development followed previous NSSAR branding guidance, procedures and collaborative development processes. Hobbins understood that NSSAR would examine and confirm, strengthen current IP, policies, procedures and validate approval processes. Hobbins' idea was to reinvigorate and reinforce NSSAR IP policy and procedures on state seal use, establishing order in the process, while strengthening NSSAR original IP branding systems. Hobbins filled the use case for a NSSAR- administered state seal portfolio of uniform state seals, following its own brand systems with uniformity of design. NSSAR Efforts Compatriot Ben Hobbins continues his work with NSSAR, PG Jack Manning, Executive Director Shaw and NSSAR officers in collaboration on branding, strategic development, advertising and merchandising. Hobbins was appointed to the SAR National Branding and Engagement Committee and the America 250th Anniversary Committee by PG Manning. Article and picture submitted by Ben Hobbins May 2021 – [email protected] - http://www.wissar.org WISSAR ANNUAL MEETING Saturday April 24th was the annual meeting and awards luncheon of the state society. We were fortunate enough to have our Knight Essay Award winner and Eagle Scout Award winner on hand. Herman Bender addressed the attendees and presented his 4th of 5 lectures in his series of events that led up to the American Revolution. Past President William Austin was thanked for his steadfast and enthusiast leadership and support during his 2 years as state president. Sam Keith (Elisha Raymond Chapter) was sworn in as State President, Bob Haglund (Capt Hendrick Aupaumut Chapter) was sworn in as 1st Vice President and Don Skarda (MK Chapter) was sworn in as 2nd Vice President. Pictured at left is the Knight Essay winner Emma Ruth Jansky and chairman Tom Curtis. Chairman Curtis asks you to please contact your local high schools to promote this essay. May 2021 – [email protected] - http://www.wissar.org Pictured at right is the Eagle Scout Award winner Riley Van Zeeland and Chairman Bob Haglund. Riley is the son of WISSAR member Jay Scott Van Zeeland from the Capt Hendrick Aupaumut Chapter. Nathaniel Ames Chapter Awarded Matthew Harvey of Elkhorn and Ivan Cermak of Middleton a chapter essay award certificate. The young men placed 2nd and 3rd respectively in the WISSAR essay contest. Article and picture submitted by Aaron Krebs and George Abrams DAR AND SAR CELEBREATE GEORGE WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY George Washington’s birthday was celebrated at the Washington Statue in Oshkosh, WI by the Wisconsin Society Color Guard and Wisconsin Society DAR. The statue of George Washington is a cast taken from the original Houdon life size statue. Houdon used Washington’s life mask and measurements to create the statue. Pictured are Wisconsin Society DAR Regent Brenda T Majewski, WISSAR Color Guard Commander Brian Barrett, Robert Haglund, Russ Buhr, David Grover, William Austin, Mike Nelson, DAR member Elizabeth Baker and Mark Nelson. Article and picture submitted by William Austin May 2021 – [email protected] - http://www.wissar.org COMPATRIOT WILL AND THE SAR COMPATRIOT GRAVE MARKER The family of Randolf "Lee" Will was on hand as well as Capt Hendrick Aupaumut Chapter members Russ Buhr, Bob Haglund, Robert Johnson (not pictured) and Past WISSAR President William Austin to place the SAR compatriot grave marker on Randolf "Lee" Will's headstone. The Wisconsin Color Guard (CG) rendered honors. Right - Russ Buhr reads a prayer while Bob Haglund and William Austin hold the colors. Compatriot Will’s family was present and a nice family chicken dinner was consumed after. The weather cooperated for a 4.5 hour round trip for Past President Austin. Left - Three members from the CG gathered with Lee Will’s family for a celebration of life for compatriot Randall “Lee” Will. CG members Bob Haglund and Bill Austin with Russ Buhr officiating. This was the twelfth Compatriot Grave Marking for the CG this year. Article and picture submitted by Bob Haglund May 2021 – [email protected] - http://www.wissar.org AUPAUMUT CHAPTER INDUCTS NEW MEMBERS BAMMAN AND BULTMAN Compatriots George Bamman and Steven Bultman were inducted into the SAR at the Capt Hendrick Aupaumut Chapter meeting by WISSAR President William Austin and Chapter President Robert Haglund. George Bamman’s patriot is Eleazer Fisk Sr. Steven Bultman’s patriot is Abial/Abiel “Byall” Easterbrooks. Riley Van Zeeland receives his Eagle Scout Medal and certificate for being the chapter winner in the Arthur M & Berdena King Eagle Scout contest. Riley went on to be the WISSAR winner. George Bamman receives his War Service Medal w/Vietnam bar. Article and pictures submitted by Bob Haglund May 2021 – [email protected] - http://www.wissar.org ELISHA RAYMOND CHAPTER PRESENTS LIFE SAVING MEDAL TO DEPUTY COULTRIP Pictured left to right is Elisha Raymond Chapter Secretary-Treasurer Brian McManus, WISSAR President Sam Keith, Deputy Sheriff Colin Coultrip and Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth.