The Magazine Williamsburg Chapter Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution By signing the Declaration of Independence, the fifty-six Americans pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor. Nine died of wounds during the Revolutionary War, Five were captured or imprisoned. Wives and children were jailed, mistreated, or left penniless. Twelve signers’ houses were burned to the ground. No signer defected. Their honor, like their nation remained intact. Vol. XXVI Page 1 www.williamsburgsar.org I know this has been quite a year for you personally and the Chapter in general. We had a great start with our January joint meeting with the Thomas Nelson, Jr chapter and a full house for our February meeting in the Fords Colony Dining Room. Then, we had to shift gears rapidly with the arrival of Covid-19. With the contribution of a lot of people, we were able to continue the work of the chapter. We held 4 monthly chapter meetings virtually starting in August with excellent and very informative speakers. We had an excellent response again with 54 students participating in the Brochure Contest for middle school students. Thanks go to chapter Youth Programs chairman Paul Huchko and to Walsingham teacher Jeff Nicoloff for spearheading this program. We honored Mr. Nicoloff with a Bronze Good Citizenship medal and have nominated him for the VASSAR Teacher of the Year Competition. We continued our commemorations of Memorial Day, July 4 (35 th annual) and Veterans Day. Although the ceremonies were held virtually, they were still moving and meaningful with the added benefit of reaching many people that normally would not attend. For example, the Memorial Day commemoration in partnership with Colonial Williamsburg was posted on CW social media pages. The video posted on YouTube was viewed 25,800+ times and the Facebook page was visited over 2500 times within the first several weeks of posting. Thanks go to Compatriots Jeff Wooldridge (CW) and James Morford (Bruton Parish) for coordinating the respective events. I would like to thank Compatriots Ron Losee, Jim Hess, Dick Snyder and Tom Hale for their support as they rotate off the Board of Managers. I look forward to working with new Board members Hunt Berryman, Stephen Holm, James Swords, Gerald Sailors and Steve Perger, Jr. Woody Spivey, our incoming Secretary, has had to withdraw for personal reasons. In accordance with chapter By-Laws, I have nominated and the Board has confirmed Milt Holt to fill Woody’s term as Secretary and Steve Perger, Jr to fill Milt’s term as Historian. Duncan McIver has agreed to a new role as Assistant Secretary. I wish you a happy and healthy New Year and am looking forward to when we can get together in person in 2021. Roger W Cross, III
Transcript
The Magazine Williamsburg Chapter Virginia Society
Sons of the American Revolution
By signing the Declaration of Independence,
the fifty-six Americans pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor. Nine died of wounds during the
Revolutionary War, Five were captured or imprisoned. Wives and children were jailed, mistreated, or left penniless.
Twelve signers’ houses were burned to the ground. No signer defected. Their honor, like their nation remained intact.
Vol. XXVI
Page 1 www.williamsburgsar.org
I know this has been quite a year for you personally and the Chapter in general. We had a great start with our January joint meeting with the Thomas Nelson, Jr chapter and a full house for our February meeting in the Fords Colony Dining Room. Then, we had to shift gears rapidly with the arrival of Covid-19. With the contribution of a lot of people, we were able to continue the work of the chapter. We held 4 monthly chapter meetings virtually starting in August with excellent and very informative speakers. We had an excellent response again with 54 students participating in the Brochure Contest for middle school students. Thanks go to chapter Youth Programs chairman Paul Huchko and to Walsingham teacher Jeff Nicoloff for spearheading this program. We honored Mr. Nicoloff with a Bronze Good Citizenship medal and have nominated him for the VASSAR Teacher of the Year Competition. We continued our commemorations of Memorial Day, July 4 (35th annual) and Veterans Day. Although the ceremonies were held virtually, they were still moving and meaningful with the added benefit of reaching many people that normally would not attend. For example, the Memorial Day commemoration in partnership with Colonial Williamsburg was posted on CW social media pages. The video posted on YouTube was viewed 25,800+ times and the Facebook page was visited over 2500 times within the first several weeks of posting. Thanks go to Compatriots Jeff Wooldridge (CW) and James Morford (Bruton Parish) for coordinating the respective events. I would like to thank Compatriots Ron Losee, Jim Hess, Dick Snyder and Tom Hale for their support as they rotate off the Board of Managers. I look forward to working with new Board members Hunt Berryman, Stephen Holm, James Swords, Gerald Sailors and Steve Perger, Jr. Woody Spivey, our incoming Secretary, has had to withdraw for personal reasons. In accordance with chapter By-Laws, I have nominated and the Board has confirmed Milt Holt to fill Woody’s term as Secretary and Steve Perger, Jr to fill Milt’s term as Historian. Duncan McIver has agreed to a new role as Assistant Secretary.
I wish you a happy and healthy New Year and am looking forward to when we can get together in person in 2021.
Roger W Cross, III
Page 2 www.williamsburgsar.org
Monday January 4, 2021 10:00 BOM meeting by Virtual ZOOM
Saturday January 9, 2021 1 PM via ZOOM
Installation of Officers Joint ZOOM meeting with the
Thomas Nelson, Jr Chapter and VASSAR
President Bill Schwetke Will conduct the Installation for
both chapters
We will send out a notice in early January and ask for RSVPs to our Treasurer by Thursday, January 7.
New Compatriots joining our chapter
Christopher Evans who transferred in from the Norfolk SAR Chapter. Joe Wadle who transferred in from the Richmond SAR Chapter.
The following chapter certificates have been awarded to individuals that were not able to attend the November Awards ceremony at Freedom Park.
Certificates of Appreciation: Duncan McIver Thomas Hale Richard Snyder Paul Huchko Jeff Wooldridge Robert Schmidt Service Certificates: Thomas Campbell 20 years Robert Schmidt 15 years Robert Spencer 10 years
Page 3 www.williamsburgsar.org
Photo by: Barbara Ketchum
PHOTO BY HARLEY STEWART
The Chapter presented Certificates of Recognition to three new Eagle Scouts of Troop 155 during an awards ceremony of the troop on Dec. 12 at Williamsburg Baptist Church. Pictured L to R are Eagle Scouts Caleb Richardson, Logan Richardson, and Samuel Houston. Behind Logan is Scoutmaster Peter Van Dyke. The certificates were presented by Harley Stewart (not pictured), chair of Eagle Scout Recognitions and Scholarships.
Eagle Scout Recognition and Scholarship Program
For many years the SAR has recognized the many common bonds of purpose and principles of the SAR and Boy Scouts of America. Young men who achieve the rank of the Eagle Scout have demonstrated their belief in these common principles. For this reason, the SAR believes that Eagle Scouts deserve special recognition for their accomplishment and dedication.
The SAR Eagle Scout scholarship is open to all Eagle Scouts who are currently registered in an active unit and have not reached their 19th birthday during the year of application. (The application year is the calendar year, 1 Jan. to 31 Dec.). The year that the Eagle was awarded is not restricted. College plans do not need to be completed in order to receive the cash scholarship.
You may apply more than one year if you meet the age requirements but no more than $10,000 total may be granted to any one Eagle Scout.
National First Place winner - $10,000 Runner-up - $6,000
2nd Runner-up - $4,000
Page 4 www.williamsburgsar.org
CHAPTER AWARDS Eagle Scout Scholarship!
The Williamsburg Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution, is
inviting applications for a 2021 Eagle Scout Scholarship award.
Chapter Competition winners will receive $150, $100, and $50 for 1st,
2nd, and 3rd place. First place will be entered in the State
Competition where winners will receive $1000, $500, and $200.
That first place will be entered in the SAR National Competition
where winners will receive $10,000, $6,000, and $4,000 for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.
The contest is open to all Eagle Scouts who are currently registered in an active
unit and who have not reached their 19th birthday by January 1, 2021. The
application requires a completed form, a completed ancestry chart, and a short
patriotic-themed essay. Applications can be downloaded at
https://www.sar.org/arthur-m-bendena-king-eagle-scout-contest/. A complete
set of rules can be found on the application form.
The completed application should be mailed to Harley Stewart, 123 Little John
Road, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185 or e-mailed to [email protected]. It must be
received not later than December 15, 2021 to allow time for Chapter review and
submission to the State Competition.
Page 5 www.williamsburgsar.org
VASSAR-Chapter Presidents' Meeting Chapter Presidents' meeting called by VASSAR President Bill Schwetke. The key points discussed were: 1.VASSAR Annual Meeting-In order to comply with current state Covid-19 requirements, the meeting will be mostly virtual. There may be a small group (<10) of state officers in the Omni Hotel in Richmond. 2. Induction of 2021 Chapter Officers-State officers are available to conduct the inductions virtually. 3. NSSAR Spring Leadership meeting- Will now be virtual. 4. Semi-Annual Meeting- Will be September 10-11 at the Berryhill Resort near South Boston like this year. Considering visiting a Patrick Henry home site, Red Hill, which is nearby. 5. Website competition-Bruce Meyer has started evaluating Chapter websites for the State competition. Details on the national competition have been sent by email with a due date in March. 6. Newsletter competition-Bruce Meyer wants submittals to him NLT 1/4/21. 7. Citizen of the Year competition-Ernie Coggins wants submittals by 12/31. He has 3 submittals to date. 8. State Membership- Wayne Rouse reported that fewer members have not paid than in years past. State membership is 2100+ with most chapters reporting. 9. Finances- Rick Elofson reported that expenses are under budget and our finances are in good shape. 10. Applications- Bill Haskins said that he only had a few applications to finish reviewing before the end of the year. 11. Scrapbook competition- Due to a virtual Annual meeting in February, the 2020 Scrapbook competition will be held at the VASSAR Semi-Annual meeting in September. No realistic way to review them virtually. 12. Covid-19- one member was on a ventilator in an ICU but is now home and on his way to recovering. 13. Flag Certificates- Chapter participation is at 100% again this year. 14. National Special Congress- there will be an in-person meeting on 3/13 to approve Zoom meetings similar to what was done at the state and chapter levels. 15. Americanism Report- Mike Weyler wants submittals by 1/9/21. 16. Crossing the Dan- Plans are being made to hold the commemoration on 2/20/21 with a small group (<10) on site and the remainder by Zoom. Due to poor internet service they are worried about connectivity issues. 17. Peter Muhlenberg Commemoration- The Col James Wood II chapter will hold a virtual event on 1/24/21. 18. VASSAR BOM meeting- scheduled for Sunday, 1/31/21. If you have any questions, please contact me. President Roger Cross III
Seeking your assistance and hopefully possible input for our monthly meetings. If you have heard or know of a speaker who you think the membership (and guests) would be interested in hearing at one of our luncheons next year, please contact VPres. Steve Mcguffin at [email protected] Your serious interest and potential response to this matter will be greatly appreciated!
Other planned crossings in support of the operation were either called off or ineffective, but this did not prevent Washington from surprising and defeating the troops of Johann Rall quartered in Trenton. The army crossed the river back to Pennsylvania, this time laden with prisoners and military stores taken as a result of the battle.
Washington's army then crossed the river a third time at the end of the year, under conditions made more difficult by the uncertain thickness of the ice on the river. They defeated British reinforcements under Lord Cornwallis at Trenton on January 2, 1777, and defeated his rear guard at Princeton on January 3, before retreating to winter quarters in Morristown, New Jersey.
Following the battle, Washington had to execute a second crossing that was in some ways more difficult than the first. In the aftermath of the battle, the Hessian supplies had been plundered, and, in spite of Washington's explicit orders for its destruction, casks of captured rum were opened, so some of the celebrating troops got drunk, probably contributing to the larger number of troops that had to be pulled from the icy waters on the return crossing. They also had to transport the large numbers of prisoners across the river while keeping them under guard. One American acting as a guard on one of the crossings observed that the Hessians, who were standing in knee-deep ice water, were "so cold that their underjaws quivered like an aspen leaf." The victory had a marked effect on the troops' morale. Soldiers celebrated the victory, Washington's role as a leader was secured, and Congress gained renewed enthusiasm for the war.
George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River, which occurred on the night of December 25–26, 1776, during the American Revolutionary War, was the first move in a surprise attack organized by George Washington against Hessian forces (German auxiliaries in the service of the British) in Trenton, New Jersey, on the morning of December 26. Planned in partial secrecy, Washington led a column of Continental Army troops across the icy Delaware River in a logistically challenging and dangerous operation.
Christmas 1776 – January 3, 1777
Page 8 www.williamsburgsar.org
Flag Recognition A continuing review of our flags from the Revolution to the present.
The Williamsburg chapter of the National Society, Sons of the American Revolution (NSSAR) was honored to present a NSSAR Flag Recognition certificate to Linda and David Westenberger on 2 September 2020. The certificate is presented to organizations and individuals who proudly and correctly display the flag of our great nation. The Westenbergers' are residents of James City County. Pictured L to R are George Corbett, Flag Recognition Committee Chair, Linda and David Westenberger.
Photo Credit: Karen Corbett
The first official national flag, formally approved by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777, was the Stars and Stripes. That first Flag Resolution read, “Resolved, that the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field representing a new constellation.” The layout of the stars was left undefined, and many patterns were used by flag makers. The designer of the flag—most likely Congressman Francis Hopkinson, a signer of the Declaration of Independence from Philadelphia—may have had a ring of stars in mind to symbolize the new constellation. Today that pattern is popularly known as the “Betsy Ross flag,” although the widely circulated story that she made the first Stars and Stripes and came up with the ring pattern is unsubstantiated. Rows of stars (4-5-4 or 3-2-3-2-3) were common, but many other variations also existed. The new Stars and Stripes formed part of the military colors carried on September 11, 1777, at the Battle of the Brandywine, perhaps its first such use.
Page 9 www.williamsburgsar.org
PHOTO by Linda W
IN MEMORIAM Compatriot H. Lowrey McNeel, 80, passed away on December 21, 2020.
Compatriot Lowery McNeel (L) accompanied by his wife Carol was welcomed in a formal Induction ceremony by Past President Harley Stewart in June 2016. Past President Stewart attended and represented our SAR chapter at his memorial on Monday December 28, 2020. A full obituary will be provided when available. Cards may be sent to his wife Carol at: 105 Royal Sydney, Williamsburg, VA. 23188.
Page 10 www.williamsburgsar.org
From The Chaplain Jim Morford
A new year begins but it brings with it many of the problems of the old. The COVID-19 virus which spread from China at the beginning of last year surged in the final months of 2020. Two vaccines were approved in December – less than a year after the virus arrived on our shores. It is a miracle of modern medicine and a bureaucracy driven to perform. Hopefully, the vaccines will turn the tide on the pandemic and lead to its defeat. Each year especially during the holiday season and in the “deep dark winter” illness and death seem to escalate, compounded now by depression resulting from pandemic induced isolation. Your SAR Chapter wants to know of any compatriots or their family members who have recently or are presently suffering from any life-changing events. Please keep us unformed by sending a message either to the newsletter at [email protected] or to the chaplain at [email protected] We want all members to know that in time of need or distress their SAR compatriots are thinking about and praying for them and their families.
Let us pray for healing and recovery: Heavenly Father, your word tells us to bring our needs in prayer to you. To those who ask, it will be given. To those who seek, it will be found. We ask you for healing and recovery. You are the God of hope and therefore we look to you in our times of need. You are the healing God, please bring us healing. You are the Comforter, please bring us comfort. We pray that you will heal our nation. Diminish that which divides us and increase that which binds us together. Instill in those who write the law, those who administer the law and those who judge the law the wisdom, the courage, and the patriotism to craft and uphold the law in the spirit of those who founded this great nation and bequeathed the Constitution to guide us. AMEN
January 9, 2021 Installation and new member Induction meeting Will be done via ZOOM. An email will be sent in early January to all members, Respond for your RSVP to our 2020 Treasurer James Hess [email protected]
by January 7. A link will be sent to the RSVP requests.
Virtual Tour of SAR Genealogical Research Library A moving panoramic tour ↓ of our SAR library in Louisville, KY.
https://map.threshold360.com/8416070
The mission of the SAR Genealogical Research Library, a component of the SAR Center, is to maintain and enlarge the collection of genealogical and historical materials available for research by SAR members and the general public. It was ranked in the top 10% of all attractions worldwide based on visitor experience. Drop in and see us the next time you are in Louisville, Kentucky.
