Five Family Members Apply to the SAR From A Single Patriot

Volume 3, Issue 3
Fall 2009
The Defender
A
A publication
publication of
of The
The Fairfax
Fairfax Resolves
Resolves Chapter,
Chapter, Sons
Sons of
of the
the American
American Revolution
Revolution
Best
Best Large
Large Chapter
Chapter in
in Virginia
Virginia –– 2007
2007 and
and 2008
2008
President,
President, Jack
Jack Sweeney
Sweeney
Publisher,
Publisher, Phil
Phil Ray,
Ray, Secretary
Secretary
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Five Family Members Apply to the SAR From A Single Patriot Ancestor
President’s
Message
2
Historical
Presentations
2
Color Guard
Activities
3
New Members
Welcomed
8
Remembering
Patriots
9
Meet My Patriot
10
Veteran’s
Report
14
Registrar’s
Report
20
Vignettes of the
Revolution
22
Calendar of
Events
23
Opportunities in
Fairfax Resolves
24
Recently, a unique event occurred for
Fairfax Resolves when five family members
applied for SAR membership based on a
single patriot ancestor. On 28 October,
General (Retired) Earl Anderson, USMC,
completed his application for acceptance
into the Sons of the American Revolution
along with his sons Dave, Mark and grandson James Anderson, as well as grand-son
Bowen Rose III. The Andersons were all
available to sign their applications at the
same time while Bowen, a resident of
Delaware, signed soon thereafter.
The Andersons and Rose applied using the
service of their ancestor patriot, Randall
Wells. Wells served as Ensign, Lieutenant,
and Captain in the Hopkinton Militia
Company, 1st Regiment, Rhode Island
Militia. Wells served continuously in the
militia from June 1775 to May 1788.
General Anderson followed in his patriot
ancestor‘s footsteps by serving in the US
Marine Corps and at age 53 becoming the
youngest active duty Marine to be promoted
to 4-star general in the history of the
Marines. He served in combat actions in
James, Earl, Mark, and Dave Anderson (L-R) Sign
Their SAR Applications for Patriot Randall Wells.
World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam
War. He is the recipient of numerous medals
including the Navy Distinguished Service Medal
with two award stars, the Legion of Merit with two
award stars and valor device, the Distinguished
Flying Cross with one award star, the Bronze Star,
and the Purple Heart
All five applications have been submitted to
VASSAR and are on their way to one large chapter
induction ceremony upon their NSSAR approval.
Fairfax Resolves Welcomes Former Sgt Major John Champe Members
In 2008, compatriots in the Sergeant Major (SGM) John
Champe SAR Chapter, mostly from Loudon County, Virginia
made the difficult decision to disband their SAR Chapter, largely
due to diminished and an aging membership.
Recognizing that this unfortunate circumstance left a sizeable
number of SAR Compatriots without a chapter, the Fairfax
Resolves Chapter sent letters to about 40 compatriots listed on the
rolls of the SGM Champe Chapter, offering membership in
Fairfax Resolves.
In conjunction with the disbanding of their chapter, most of
these compatriots had paid National and Virginia Society SAR
dues but no chapter dues. Because chapters have the sole
responsibility for issuance of SAR ID cards, Fairfax Resolves
offered to issue SAR cards to cover 2009 dues .
So far, seven of these compatriots have joined the Fairfax
Resolves Chapter for 2010. An eighth former SGM Champe
compatriot, Donald Cooper, on his own has joined Fairfax
Resolves and is now a member of our Management Board.
To properly serve these newly joined compatriots, Fairfax
Resolves intends to conduct at least one event in 2010 at the
Falcons Landing Retirement Community, the former meeting
location for the SGM Champe Chapter. Details are yet to be
finalized but all will be kept posted. Fairfax Resolves welcomes
Elmo L. Bowman, Robert G. Brown, Sr., James M.
Compton, Donald Cooper, PhD, Donald C. Felton, Edgar
P. Leggett, William P. Schneider, and Donal R. Williams.
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Some words from Jack…
As the end of 2009 approaches, our Fairfax Resolves Chapter has some
excellent initiatives to its credit. Among these include our highly active color
guard which supports chapter, Virginia Society, and National SAR activities; our
website with historical documents, articles, and other unique postings;
considerable involvement of our members in historical celebrations; grave
markings; and quite significant is our membership expansion through recruiting
and encouragement of the reinstatement of former members as well as the transfer
of former Sergeant Major John Champe SAR Chapter members. Currently,
twenty four individuals are in various stages of seeking membership in our
chapter which clearly demonstrates SAR membership as a meaningful
accomplishment.
Pride in our ancestors in the American Revolution is part of SAR membership
and Phil Ray, our chapter secretary, is asking members for articles of about 250
words on members‘ ancestors. Submissions will appear in our DEFENDER
chapter newsletter and possibly on our website or in other publications. An
example of articles gaining notoriety is Dr. John Sinks‘ article on our chapter‘s
10,000 Name Petition transcription project, published in the Summer 2009 SAR
Magazine. Another historically oriented initiative is the posting of video recordings of our guest speaker presentations on the
chapter website.
Our chapter is growing and expanding in both membership and land area covered. Our chapter invited former Sergeant
Major John Champe Chapter members, mostly in Loudon County, to consider joining our ranks and eight have! Next year
we plan to conduct a chapter meeting or other event at the Falcons Landing Retirement Community near or where some of
these new Loudon County members live.
The year ended with our Sunday, December 6th holiday social at Vinson Hall at 6:00 PM with the induction of several
new members, recognition of successful supplemental applications, and an opportunity to enjoy ourselves with family and
friends. We had a great time with over 50 compatriots and guests in attendance even though the event had to be
re-scheduled at the last minute due to inclement weather. My best wishes to all for a wonderful holiday season.
Compatriotically,
John E. (Jack) Sweeney
Fairfax Resolves Sponsors Two Excellent Historical Presentations
Fairfax Resolves continued it‘s tradition of insightful historical presentations at their monthly Chapter meetings. First
Vice President Larry Lamborn brought in two exceptional presentations this quarter.
Compatriot Andrew
Gutowski
On the 10th of September,
Compatriot Andrew
Gutowski took a personal
look into the Revolutionary
War maneuvers in Virginia
during his presentation
entitled, ―The War Comes
to Virginia: 1781 .‖
Andrew‘s presentation
took an in-depth look at the
numerous troop movements in Virginia that
eventually helped set the
stage for the Battle of
Yorktown.
On the 12th of November,
Jerry Whipple presented
―The Forgotten Man of the
Continental Navy.‖ His
presentation detailed the
exploits of his relative,
Abraham Whipple of Rhode
Island. Commodore Abraham
Whipple was a sea captain
that engaged the British on
several occasions including
the famed schooner, Gaspee.
Mr. Jerry Whipple
Both presentations were recorded and, along with supporting documentation, are available for viewing on the Fairfax
Resolves website at Chapter Presentations. If you did not see them in person, we hope you take the opportunity to view
them and enjoy them as much as we did.
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Color Guard Activities
Members of the Fairfax Resolves Color Guard have
attended numerous events over the past three months. Their
many activities are described below.
The Campaign of 1781
Lafayette’s Maneuvers
Compatriot Larry McKinley of The Fairfax Resolves
served with the VASSAR Color Guard along with VASSAR
President William Simpson at the 24 October, 2009 dedication of the official Virginia State Historical Marker highlighting the maneuvers of Continental Army Major General
Lafayette. Major General Lafayette commanded troops in
the area during the campaign of 1781 which led to defeat of
the British at Yorktown, Virginia.
The dedication ceremony was also attended by the
Fairfax Resolves Chapter President, Jack Sweeney and his
wife Carol of the Kate Waller Barrett DAR Chapter. Other
Virginia DAR and SAR chapters were also represented
as well as staff from the nearby historical Ellwood
Plantation home.
The marker is located about 13 Miles west of
Fredericksburg on Hwy 3, about 20 Miles east of Culpeper
on Hwy 3, about 22 Miles east of Orange on Hwy 20.; about
60 mi NE from Charlottesville on Hwy 20
Anthony‖ Wayne. On 3 June 1781, Lafayette‘s army
camped south of the Wilderness Bridge across Wilderness
Run from Ellwood. The next day, Lafayette reconnoitered
Ely‘s Ford while the Army crossed Germanna Ford to reach
Culpeper Church. Afterward Lafayette marching south,
recrossed the Rapidan River. During his grand American
Tour, Lafayette retraced his campaign and visited the
Wilderness twice. In November 1824, Lafayette attended a
reception at the Wilderness Tavern, and in August 1825 he
breakfasted at Ellwood.
VASSAR President Bill Simpson stands by the
historical road marker for The Campaign of 1781,
Lafayette’s Maneuvers
Yorktown Day - 19 October, 2009
Yorktown Day is always October 19th as we celebrate
the final victory of the Revolutionary War over the British.
Fairfax Resolves participated, as seen on the left by laying a
wreath at Governor Nelson‘s Grave. ―Present Arms‖ is
observed by the Color Guard at the Grave Site in the photo
on the right. Compatriot Darrin Schmidt is visible holding
the American Flag and the Color Guard Commander,
Compatriot Larry McKinley is on the near end ready to
announce ―Raise Colors‖.
VASSAR President Bill Simpson dedicates the historical
highway marker honoring The Campaign of 1781,
Lafayette’s Maneuvers along with the VASSAR Color
Guard which was led by Compatriot Larry McKinley of
the Fairfax Resolves (2nd from the right).
The historical marker was a presidential project of
President Simpson. The text on the marker reads as follows:
The Campaign of 1781, Lafayette‘s Maneuvers: In the
campaign of 1781, the Marquis de Lafayette marched
through the Wilderness to rendezvous with Brig. Gen. ―Mad
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Point Pleasant Battle Days – 4 October, 2009
This observance is conducted in Point Pleasant, West Virginia on the 1st weekend of October every year and is a national
historical event celebrating the 1st battle of the American Revolution (nearly two full years before Lexington and Concord).
The VASSAR Color Guard at Pt. Pleasant getting their marching
orders straight. Here we can see the Fairfax Resolves wreath very
clearly, blue, buff and white carnations. VASSAR Color Guard
Members journeying to Pt. Pleasant, WV are: L-R: Allen Brahin
(hidden by flag) (Fincastle Resolutions), Larry McKinley, Andrew
Johnson (George Mason Chapter), Darrin Schmidt, and Dennis
Fritts from Roanoke (Fincastle Resolutions).
Darrin Schmidt, Fairfax Resolves 2nd VP
rendering proper honors for our chapter at Pt.
Pleasant, WV—the first battle of the
Revolution, October 10, 1774. Larry McKinley,
Registrar and Andy Johnson (George Mason
Chapter) are part of the honor guard. Andy is
carrying the Fairfax Resolves Flag.
The marker pictured below left explains the Point Pleasant Battle. A fierce fight between Cornstalk, leader of the federated
tribes and General Andrew Lewis with a thousand Virginia riflemen fought the first battle of the Revolution. Battle Days has
parades, Governor‘s reception and a ball to enjoy the entire weekend culminating in a memorial service on Sunday morning
and the wreath laying from DAR, SAR, C.A.R. and other lineage societies all over the east coast and the Midwest. Of course
this year we had President General Butler from Texas and many National Officers participate. It truly is a memorable
weekend.
The wreaths presented to the 29th Division Commander in honor of those who fought and sacrificed at the Battle of Pt.
Pleasant is seen below right. This dedication area is where the magazine stood. The beautiful Ohio River is seen behind as
well as the beginnings of the State of Ohio.
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Point Pleasant Battle Days - Continued
The monument erected to the men who fought and died at
the Battle of Point Pleasant is seen to the left. It was funded
under the direction of DAR fundraisers and the location is TuEndie-Wei State Park right on the Ohio River.
It is a beautiful site with many local craft-makers and
period dressed shops owners under tent. Many artifacts are on
display and the original cabin has been preserved on site for
tours.
The person conducting the ceremony is Finlay ―Jack‖
Coles, a member of the West Virginia Point Pleasant Chapter
of the SAR. He is requesting the Canon Firing Party to Fire
its volley in salute to those involved in the battle and truly this
was the beginnings of the 29th Division (Blue - Gray Division)
which fought through the Revolutionary War, Civil War, and
WW II as well as the latest conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
This Battle is presented thoroughly in an attempt to get
people to visit next year. As a Chapter, we could have a
couple of cars load up with people and it is so worth the effort
to go.
It is always on the first weekend of October and is usually
excellent weather for the event.
Battle of Kings Mountain
Beautiful Tu-Endie-Wei State Park and venue for Battle
Days Memorial Service and wreath laying.
The Battle of Kings Mountain is always celebrated on
October 7th and it was a major battle taking place between the
Tories lead by Major Ferguson and the militia lead by eight
different commanders each staking out a location on the
mountain. One of the militia commanders was Col. Frederick
Hambright. A day earlier, October 6th, we, the combined
State and National groups of SARs rededicated Col. Frederick
Hambright‘s burial location at the Old Shiloh Presbyterian
Cemetery. Many ancestors of Col. Hambright and that
included our President General shown above in a business suit
with the C.A.R. children attended.
Combined color guard from National, VA, NC, SC, and a few from GA. The C.A.R. are also in evidence in the middle
right in period dress. The VASSAR Color Guard---four members strong are on the left side starting with the fourth
person from the left.
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Firing Party – 30 October, 2009
On October 30th, 2009 a Compatriot from the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter and former FBI special agent and Re-enactor
Lon Lacey sponsored a Firing Party at his home for the Virginia Color Guard. This included four members from the Fairfax
Resolves. We had a discussion and exercises on history of the weapons (mostly Brown Bess and French Charleville), how
they fire, what type of powder to buy, how to properly load the weapon, install flash guards properly, firing, and the all
important cleaning the weapon after firing. We followed this exercise with drill and ceremonies. We need more practice but
it sure was a great beginning.
We are learning how to fire a volley salute at historical events—this is a Firing Party, not a Firing Squad!!
L to R: Darrin Schmidt, Larry McKinley, Andrew Johnson (George Mason Chapter), Larry Alexander (Culpeper
Minutemen), Don Jennings (Culpeper Minutemen), Dan Rolph and Vernon Eubanks, and Brett Osborn (Col James
Wood Chapter).
You have to admit, Compatriot Vernon Eubanks has firing ―down pat‖. We caught him as the fire was leaving the
barrel. Compatriot Lon Lacey who conducted the Firing Party is standing directly behind Vernon.
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Occoquan Workhouse Project
Women Suffragists were imprisoned at the Occoquan Workhouse (Lorton Prison Building) and force fed among other
indignations to attempt to keep them from stirring the rest of the women together and pursuing the ―Right Vote‖. The SAR
participated at the request of the DAR and you can see the plaque dedicated to the women‘s effort in the photo on the right.
No one will take the plaque as long as Fairfax Resolves Compatriots Dan Rolph
and Darrin Schmidt are guarding it. The stalwarts in the photo below right are
Vernon Eubanks (looking great in his new uniform), holding the DAR Flag, and
Judge Pete Davenport from the George Mason Chapter, proudly displaying his
Charleville – French weapon.
We were proud to be asked to present the
colors for the ceremony and plaque dedication.
Many dignitaries were present including the
Secretary of the Virginia Commonwealth, Kate
Hanley. Notice to the left we loaned the DAR
our Chapter wreath—standing behind Darrin.
Because this event is so significant for all our
voting liberties, we were glad to show our
support.
Additional details of the event are captured in
the excerpt from the DAR article by Holly
Lynne McKinley Schmidt.
…The Fairfax County Chapter, DAR placed
Compatriots Dan Rolph and Darrin
Schmidt stand guard over the new an historical marker to honor the Suffragists
imprisoned at the Occoquan Workhouse in 1917
DAR plaque.
and 1918 for picketing the White House to gain
support for an amendment to the Constitution to give women the right to vote. The
Suffragists came from diverse social backgrounds that included businesswomen, factory
workers, homemakers, and students. Some women held membership in the DAR.
Compatriots Vernon Eubanks
―Placing this historical marker is a special opportunity for our Chapter,‖ says Ellen van (L) and Larry McKinley (R)
attend the Occoquan
Hully-Bronson, Fairfax County Chapter Regent. ―The women imprisoned at the
Workhouse ceremony.
Occoquan Workhouse were imprisoned on exaggerated charges of ‗obstructing the traffic‘
or ‗unlawful assembly‘ for their picketing outside the White House.‖ The Suffragist
prisoners were met with cruel punishments
and deplorable living conditions that are
documented in photographs and publications
and will be preserved in the Women‘s
Suffrage Museum planned for the Workhouse
Arts Center.
On November 15th, the Workhouse Arts
Center will be open from 11AM-4PM with
tours occurring regularly. Several elected
officials participated in the Marker dedication
ceremony, and the general public was also
invited to join in the celebration.
―Many people take for granted that they
can vote at age 18, and some don‘t vote at
all,‖ observes Holly Lynne McKinley
Schmidt, Fairfax County Chapter Historian.
―I hope that this marker makes visitors pause
and realize that some very strong women
fought against significant odds for a voice in
their government.‖
L to R: Larry McKinley, Dan Rolph, Darrin Schmidt,
Andrew Johnson, Vernon Eubanks and Peter Davenport
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Veteran’s Day in Manassas, VA
The VASSAR Color Guard was invited to attend the
Veteran‘s Day Parade in Manassas, their first sponsored by
the American Legion. With most of the Guardsmen on
vacation or detailed to their own Chapter celebrations we
were fortunate to have the above group. We are looking
forward to additional invitations.
The next adventure for the VASSAR Color Guard is the
plaque marking Revolutionary War Patriots buried at the
Old Presbyterian Meeting House Cemetery on Hamilton
Lane in Old Town Alexandria, VA. We will share the color
for the event with the St. Andrews Bag Pipers, Prince
William, III Fife and Drum Corps, and the 1st Virginia
Re-enactors.
The SAR rosette is pinned on Compatriot Bill Price
by his wife Marsha.
On 12 November, Compatriot Robert G. Brown was
welcomed into Fairfax Resolves. Robert is a transfer from
the recently disbanded SGM Champe Chapter from Loudoun
County. Several of the SGM Champe members transferred
to Fairfax Resolves.
L To R: Judge Peter Davenport (George Mason
Chapter), Darrin Schmidt, Larry McKinley, Andrew
Johnson (George Mason Chapter), and Vernon
Eubanks in his first appearance in the VASSAR Color
New Members Welcomed
Several new members have been inducted into the SAR
this quarter. Some can been seen in ―Meet My Patriot.‖
Here are a couple more that have been recently welcomed to
Fairfax Resolves.
On 10 September, Compatriot Bill Price was inducted
into the SAR. Bill‘s patriot, Jonathan Clower was approved
by the SAR on 28 May 2009.
Robert Brown says a few words to the audience
following the welcome he received from
Chapter President Jack Sweeney.
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Fairfax Resolves Remembers Revolutionary
War Patriots on Veteran’s Day
This past Veteran‘s Day, Fairfax Resolves President Jack Sweeney and Compatriot John Sinks traveled to several
Revolutionary War patriot grave sites and remembered their patriot service by marking their graves with an American flag.
The patriots honored were as follows:
Colonel Charles Broadwater and Lt Charles Lewis Broadwater: Both Broadwater patriot graves were originally
cataloged for the SAR on 5 Nov 1989. They are located in a private cemetery in Vienna, Virginia.
Corporal Jeremiah Moore: Corp Moore‘s grave was originally cataloged for the SAR on 11 Nov 1990. He is located in
a private cemetery in Vienna, Virginia. Please take the time to read The Life and Times of Corporal Jeremiah Moore.
Justice Richard Chichester: Justice Chichester‘s grave was originally cataloged for the SAR in Nov 1991. He is located
in a private cemetery in Newington, Virginia.
President Jack Sweeney Places an American Flag on the Graves of
Colonel Charles Broadwater and Lt Charles Lewis Broadwater
President Jack Sweeney Places an American Flag on the Graves of
Corporal Jeremiah Moore (Left and Center) and Justice Richard Chichester (Right)
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Meet My Patriot
Starting with this issue of The Defender, Fairfax Resolves will give our new members as well as our long-standing
members an opportunity to tell the story of their recently approved patriot ancestor. Sometimes it‗s a very tedious task to
validate the service of a patriot in the Revolutionary War. Because of that, our fellow compatriots are proud of the service
that they have discovered and proven. We believe it is important to share the legacy of our founding patriots that fought
and served for our freedom. In this issue:
Nathan Wing, by J. Clarke Bursley. Clarke‘s patriot was approved by the SAR in May, 2009. Clarke was inducted into
Fairfax Resolves on 9 May, 2009.
Joshua Hardy, by Joseph Paton Marshall. Joseph is a recent transfer into Fairfax Resolves from California. His patriot
was approved by the SAR on 13 August, 2009. He was inducted into the chapter on 12 November, 2009.
Six Patriots, by Larry McKinley. Larry has six new supplemental Patriots that have been approved by the SAR. This
brings his total Patriot count up to eight. His six Patriot supplementals are: Thomas Hughes, William Stewart, Colonel
William Lowther, Joseph Staats, Henry Flesher, and Adam Flesher.
James Ross, by Phil Ray. Phil‘s patriot is his first supplemental and it was approved by the SAR on 20 October, 2009.
James Ross is also the first approved Supplemental for Phil‘s son Jeremy Ray.
Jacob Troup, by Brett Sweeney. Brett‘s patriot was approved by the SAR on 20 October, 2009. This is Brett‘s first
Supplemental. He was inducted into the SAR on 10 September, 2009.
Nathan Wing
By: J. Clarke Bursley
Barnabas Bursley - - the reason I‘m here today!
Nathan Wing died in April 1836, age 71, in Abbot, ME.
His spouse, Love, died almost 20 years later in the same
town.
Joshua Hardy
By: Joseph Paton Marshall
Compatriot Clarke Bursley Receives his SAR Certificate
from Former Chapter President Tom Speelman
The Patriot Nathan Wing was born in January 1765 on
Cape Cod. He moved in early life to what was then the
District of Maine, settling near modern day Portland.
In the spring of 1782, at age 17, the town of Gorham
furnished him from their militia company for a three-year
enlistment. He served until the close of the war near West
Point NY.
He married Love Frost in Gorham on Christmas Day
1791. They lived in a number of villages and towns in the
Lakes & Mountains and Kennebec River Valley regions of
Maine, raising 12 children. One of their daughters - - Ruth
Wing - - met and married my 2nd great grandfather - -
My Patriot ancestor was Joshua Hardy. He was born in
Bradford, Massachusetts, 13 September, 1740. {Bradford,
now Groveland, was originally the site of a Native
American village on the south
shore of the Merrimac River,
called Agawam. When it was
occupied by English colonists
in 1633 by order of Governor
Winthrop, it was renamed
Ipswich, later Bradford, and,
subsequently, Groveland.}
Joshua Hardy was a
Minuteman who served as a
Sergeant under Captain
John Savory in Col Samuel
Johnson‘s regiment. He
marched from Bradford,
Massachusetts, on the Lexington Alarm to Cambridge, 20
April, 1775. He was later a
Sergeant in Col. Samuel
Johnson‘s
Massachusetts
Grave of Joshua Hardy,
Regiment of the Continental
Riverview Cemetery,
Groveland, Essex Co, MA Army, out of Andover.
According to family records,
Joshua was one of many Hardys who responded to the call
to serve in the rebellion against English rule.
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Joshua undoubtedly felt the call to preserve and protect
the independent quality that had become natural to
Colonial Americans. More than many perhaps, he was
aware of how American‘s identity with their own country
had grown to possess this land and its unique kind of
nationhood. His great-grandfather Thomas had been one of
the ten men ordered by Governor Winthrop to go to
Agawam with their wives and children to establish a
settlement there in order to preempt a settlement at that
primitive site by the French.
It is stirring to think of what the men and women of
those days must have thought and felt as their decisions
and actions became inevitable.
In 1795, Joshua delivered a bell cast by Paul Revere in
1793 to the town of East Bradford. It had been brought
from Boston to Newburyport by water, then placed on a
cart drawn by oxen that was owned and driven by Joshua
Hardy.
Compatriot Joseph Paton Marshall accepts his certificate for
Patriot Joshua Hardy from President Jack Sweeney while his
Wife Dorothy, Daughter Heather, and Grand-Daughter
Amanda look on.
(Supplemental Notes)
As noted, the settlement on the bank of the Merrimac
was established and developed. In 1676, Thomas built a
house there which still stands. Joshua might have lived in
it. The Hardy family owned and occupied it for many
years, but others own and live in it now.
A lineal descendant of Joshua was Reverend Seth
Hardy. He was born in the old Hardy House, as it is known
in 1804. After completing his studies at Amherst College
in 1832, he traveled by canal boat and steamer to Detroit
and finally settled in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Before the Civil
War he was active in the Underground Railroad, helping
slaves escape to Canada.
One of Seth‘s daughters was Caroline S. W. Hardy
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Paton, my Grandmother, who was and ardent and active
campaigner for women‘s right to vote. One of his sons was
A. B. C. Hardy, a pioneer in the automotive industry.
Six Patriots
By: Larry McKinley
My new supplemental
ancestors are Col. William
Lowther, Thomas Hughes,
William Stewart, Joseph
Staats and Henry and Adam
Flesher. These men and
their families fought to
preserve the western
boundary of the Virginia
colony in Harrison County,
the present day West
Virginia.
Col William Lowther
had a distinguished military
career, and eventually
served as an early Justice of
the Peace. Books have been
written about his exploits
and much of his military
career was with the militia.
Thomas Hughes fought
in William Lowther‘s
Grave of Col William
c o m p a n y, e a r l y i n
Lowther, West Milford, WV
Lowther‘s military career.
He was killed by Indians
on Hacker‘s Creek in 1778. Thomas Hughes‘ daughter,
Sudna, married William Lowther‘s son, Jesse Lowther.
William Stewart served as a Private and wagoneer under
Col. Charles Lewis in the 14th Regiment. He also served in
the 1st and the 10th Regiments.
A frequent description of service for those on the frontier
is ―Defender of Fort‖. This description applies to Joseph
Staats‘, Henry Flesher‘s and Adam Flesher‘s service to the
cause of independence. Henry Flesher settled on a land
grant in present day Lewis County, West Virginia,
founding the town of Weston, (West) Virginia. Adam
Flesher married Joseph Staats‘ daughter, Elizabeth.
In addition to Defender of Fort, Joseph Staats and
Henry Flesher provided supplies to the Army. Adam
Flesher went on to serve in the War of 1812.
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Grave of Joseph Staats,
Staats Cemetery, Millwood, Knox County, Ohio
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British army under Lord Cornwallis. I was in the Battle at
Guilford Court House in March 1781. Soon after which
Capt. Kennady was disgraced and dismissed from the
army.‖
―I was then placed
under Capt James
Evans and was at
Ramsey's Mills on
Deep River when the
Cavalry had a battle
with the British; from
thence in Genl Greene's
Army - was marched to
Camden South Carolina
- and was in the Battle
at Camden - against
Lord Rawdon in April
1781. Served at least
five months and was
discharged
near
Camden So Carolina by
Col Guilford Dudley in
July 1781.‖
―I again volunteered
Grave of James Ross, Ennis
Staton Cemetery, New Salem,
in the County of Martin
Union Co, NC
North Carolina in
August 1781 - under
Capt Ballard in the regiments commanded by Cols, Major
Eaton and Sewell - and was marched to Hillsborough,
Grave of Adam Flesher, Butcher Cemetery,
Turnertown, Lewis County, WV
James Ross
By: Phil Ray
James Ross was born in Martin County, North Carolina
on the 8th day of June 1761. He was living in Martin
County when called into Service. He removed to Anson
County, North Carolina where he continued to live until he
moved to Union County where he died.
The service of James Ross is best described by quoting
from his pension application.
―I entered the service of the United States under the
following named officers and served as herein stated. First
I volunteered in February 1781 in the County of Martin
under Capt John Kennady of Col. Whitmill Hill's
Regiments in the Brigade of Genls Eaton and Butler and
was marched and join Genl Green's [sic, Nathanael
Greene's] army at hanging rock thence through
Hillsborough to Guilford Court House where we met the
Compatriot Phil Ray Accepts the Supplemental Certificate
for Patriot James Ross from President Jack Sweeney
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Salem & Salisbury and from there to S. Carolina on the
Catawba River - Served four months and having been for
some time in the hospital attending on the sick I was
discharged in December 1781 by Doctors.‖
―I volunteered again in the County of Martin North
Carolina in January 1782 in the light horse or Cavalry
under Capt. George Cockburn attached to Col. Whitmill
Hill's Regiment. Served nine months and was discharged in
October 1782; having served in all during the three terms Eighteen months.‖
Jacob Troup
By: Brett Matthew Sweeney
Jacob Troup was a member of the Henry County
Militia who fought and died at the Battle of Yorktown in
1781.
Jacob and his wife Mary are believed to have been
among the many 18th Century ethnic German newcomers to
Virginia, having migrated from Pennsylvania. While his
exact date and place of birth and marriage are unknown,
there is evidence that he may have been born in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where the records of the First
Reformed Church of Philadelphia, 1748-1831, show a
child named Jacob Trop born on 26 June 1749 to Valentine
Trop and Catherine Deling and baptized on 2 Jul 1749.
The birth of Jacob and Mary‘s son, Henry, in Maryland
indicates Jacob and Mary were probably married prior to
1769 and lived in Maryland prior to establishing residence
in Henry County, Virginia. It is likely other Troup family
members preceded Jacob and Mary to Virginia for the
surname of Troop is cited in early tax and voting records of
Halifax County.
Little is known of their life in Virginia prior to Jacob‘s
Revolutionary War service. Tax records of Henry, later
Franklin County, indicate that Jacob and Mary owned
about four hundred acres on the Pigg River. It is recorded
that Jacob and Mary had three children. Franklin County
marriage records show the following: Henry, born about
1770 in Maryland, married Dorothy Wade on 8 Jan 1794;
Sarah, born about 15 Jul 1776, married Turpen Rentfro on
7 Apr 1792 and later on 5 Mar 1812 married Enos Miles,
widower of Anna Buchanan and Mary, birth date unknown,
married Peter Mikesel on 14 Aug 1797.
According to the official American Revolutionary
Government Records, filed in the Library of Virginia
Archives in Richmond, Virginia, Jacob Troup was a private
in Captain Owen Ruble‘s Henry County, Virginia Militia
Company. At the Battle of Yorktown, Governor Thomas
Nelson was on the field and commanded the Virginia
Militia‘s three brigade force. Jacob Troup served in and
died at the Battle of Yorktown in Oct 1781 as a member of
Captain Ruble‘s Henry County Militia Company assigned
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to Colonel Skipwith‘s Regiment in Brigadier General
Robert Lawson‘s Virginia Militia Brigade.
In July 1787, February 1788, and August 1788, Jacob
Troup‘s family, consisting of his wife, Mary, and three
children were cited by the Franklin County Court. Mary
Troup was described as being in indigent circumstances
having three small children. The court clerk was directed to
appeal to the Governor for a pension for them. However,
no pension, land warrant, or other support from the U.S. or
Virginia State Governments was granted. A record of the
inventory and appraisal of Jacob Troup‘s estate shows
there were liabilities in terms of a first colt from a gray
mare owed to a neighbor and former Virginia Militia
Patriot, John Huff, and assets such as 112.10 pounds in
paper currency were owed to Mary by Margaret Turpin.
Mary stipulated to the court that she had not sold Jacob‘s
land and inherited estate. She kept the property and
maintained herself and her children from the profits. In
1799, Mary Troup and John Huff jointly sold 117 acres of
Mary‘s land on Pigg River for 50 pounds to Peter
Saunders. It seems probable that John Huff had a lien on
the land.
By 1803, it appears that Mary Troup had died because
she no longer appears on the tax rolls of Franklin County
and her son, Henry, is recorded as Head of Household.
Henry Troup and Dorothy or Dolly Wade had at least
eight children, six daughters and two sons. It is through
Henry and Dorothy Wade‘s daughter, Mary Troup, that
Brett Matthew Sweeney is descended. Mary Troup married
Jordan N. Peters and their daughter, Cynthia, married
Moses W. Cox, the grandson of James Cox, also a Henry
County American Revolutionary War veteran. Brett
Sweeney‘s great-great-grandmother was Elizabeth Cox, a
grand-daughter of Moses and Cynthia.
Compatriot Brett Sweeney Accepts the Supplemental Certificate
for Patriot Jacob Troup from President Jack Sweeney
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The Veteran’s Report
As this issue of The Defender goes to press, we have just
celebrated Veteran‘s Day on the 11th of November. For
many it‘s only a day off from work, but for others, it‘s a day
that holds tremendous significance. It‘s an opportunity to
remember and honor those that have served to make our
nation what it is today, the world-wide recognized symbol
of freedom. Although our SAR organization primarily
emphasizes the service of our ancestors that initially
established this great nation, the recognition of the countless
veterans that followed should not be forgotten.
The following story by Patricia Salwei, ―May I Salute
You?‖, has appeared on the Internet and in several forums.
It captures one military member‘s thoughts towards veterans,
and how their lives are sometimes lost in the shuffle. Please
take the time to honor a veteran whenever you get the
opportunity, not just on Veteran‘s Day.
May I Salute You?
By: Patricia Salwei
I approached the entrance to Fort Belvoir‘s medical
facility last year as an old veteran puttered towards me.
Easily over 80 years old, stooped and slow, I barely gave
him a second glance because on his heels was a full bird
Colonel.
As they approached, I rendered a sharp salute and barked,
―Good morning, Sir!‖ Because they were heel to toe, I
began my salute as the old veteran was about two paces from
me. He immediately came to life!
Transformed by my greeting, he rose to his full height,
returned my salute with pride, and exclaimed, ―Good
morning Captain!‖ I was startled but the full bird Colonel
behind him was flabbergasted.
The Colonel stopped
mid-salute, smiled at me and quietly moved on.
As I entered the clinic, the utter beauty of the encounter
preoccupied me. What prompted the old man to assume that
I was saluting him? Perhaps he just though, ―It‘s about
time!‖ After all, doesn‘t a veteran outrank us all? I turned
my attention to the waiting room taking a moment to survey
the veterans there. Service people rushed around, loudspeakers blared, the bell for the prescription window kept
ringing. It was a whirl of activity and the older veterans sat
quietly on the outside seemingly out of step, patiently
waiting to be seen. Nobody was seeing.
My old friend stayed on my mind. I began to pay
attention to the military‘s attitude toward it‘s veterans. I
witnessed indifference: Impatient soldiers and airmen
plowing over little old ladies at the commissary; I noticed
my own agitation as an older couple cornered me at the
Officer‘s Club and began reminiscing about their tour in
Germany.
To our disgrace, I have also witnessed disdain: At
Ramstein Air Base terminal, an Airman was condescending
and borderline cruel with a deaf veteran flying Space
Available; An ancient woman wearing a WACS button was
shoved aside by a cadet at the Women‘s Memorial
dedication in D.C.; A member of the color guard turned
away in disgrace from a drunk Vietnam vet trying to talk to
him before the Veteran‘s Day Ceremony at the Vietnam
War Memorial.
Have you been to a ceremony at the Wall lately? How
about a Veteran‘s Day parade in a small town? The crowds
are growing feint. Why do we expect the general public to
care if we don‘t? We are getting comfortable again.
It is not my intention to minimize the selfless service of
our modern military; my comrades are the greatest people I
know. But lately I‘m wondering if the public‘s attitude
towards the military isn‘t just a reflection of the active duty
military‘s attitude towards it‘s own veterans.
It‘s time to ask - do we regard them, do we consider
them at all? How does our attitude change when the hero is
no longer wearing a uniform?
I was proud to wear my uniform. Can I admit that I
thought it was cool? There is no denying that there is
something about our profession, combined with youth, that
feeds the ego a little.
We have all seen a young pilot strut into the Officer‘s
Club with his flight suit on. He matters; he takes on the
room; he knows he can take on the world. But, one day he
will leave his jet for a desk, and eventually he will have to
hang up that flight suit. A super hero hanging up his cape.
How will we measure his value then? He will no longer
look like a pilot, an officer, a Colonel. He‘ll just look like
an old man coming out of the clinic with his prescription.
But, is he less of a hero? Will anybody remember or
care about all the months he spent away from his newborn
daughter while making peace a possibility in the Balkans?
Probably not.
Our society has a short memory. Maybe it is not for the
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The Veteran’s Report - Continued
May I Salute You?(Continued)
protected to understand. Rather, it is my hope that when a
young Lieutenant walks by him they will each see
themselves reflected in the other - one‘s future, the other‘s
past. In that moment, perhaps, the Lieutenant will also see
the hero, now disguised as an old man, and thank him. The
truth is, there are heroes in disguise everywhere.
I used to wonder why people would want to chat with me
when I was in uniform, telling me about their four years as a
radio operator in Korea. So What? I wasn‘t impressed
relative to my own experiences. Now I understand that they
are telling me because nobody else cared. Proud of their
service, no matter how limited, and still in love with our
country, they are trying to stay connected. Their stories were
a code for ―I understand and appreciate you, can you
appreciate me?‖ The answer is yes.
Yes, this started out as a misunderstanding on my part.
But now I get it. That day was the first time in my life that
I really understood what it meant to salute someone.
Dear veteran, I recognize and hail you! I do understand
what I have and what you have given to make it possible.
So I‘m wondering if we meet on the street again. . . May I
salute you?
Film Honors Town of
World War II Veterans
Two Fairfax Resolves Chapter Compatriots (CAPT
Dennis Hickey, USNR-Ret. and 1st Lt. Brett Sweeney, U.S.
Army National Guard and current member of Co. A, 116th
Infantry) participated with other veterans in a Virginia U.S.
Senator Mark Warner sponsored social and Premier of the
History Channel film ―Bedford, The Town They Left
Behind.‖ The Premier and the film recognize the horrific
sacrifice of which 22 of the 28 men of tiny Bedford,
Virginia died in conjunction with the D-Day Omaha Beach
Landing and Normandy Campaign of the U.S. Army‘s 29th
Infantry Division‘s Company A of the 116th Infantry
Regiment. Bedford, Virginia‘s men were all assigned to Co.
A, 116th Infantry Regt. and suffered the greatest per capita
WWII losses of any U.S. community.
General Colin Powell visits the World War II
Memorial with Numerous World War II Veterans
I separated from the military in February. I‘m out of the
club. Still, I want you to know that I‘ll attend the parades,
visit the memorials, and honor you while my kids and your
kids are watching. Then, maybe someday when I‘m an old
woman riding the metro, a young airman will take a moment
of her time to listen to one of my war stories. I, in turn, will
soak in her beauty and strength, and remember.
Today as I reflect on my adventures in the Air Force, I‘m
thinking of that ancient warrior I collided with at Fort
Belvoir. I‘m wondering where he is, if he‘s still alive, if it‘s
too late to thank him. I want to start a campaign in his honor
- Salute a veteran.
Compatriot Brett Sweeney (Far Right) and wife Pam
(Center Right), Along With Others, Meet With Former
Senator Mark Warner at the History Channel Premier,
―Bedford, The Town They Left Behind.‖
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The Veteran’s Report - Continued
Compatriot Bill Price Awarded the
War Service Medal
On 12 November 2009 Compatriot Bill Price received the
War Service Medal in recognition of his service as a Captain
in the US Air Force Reserves during Operations Desert
Shield and Desert Storm. Bill was assigned to the Defense
Communications Agency (now Defense Information
Systems Agency) in Arlington, Virginia, and was on active
duty during the period 2 Aug 1990 to 15 Mar 1991. He was
involved in the command and control networking and
automated data processing missions assigned to DCA. On
17 April 1992, the Agency received the Joint Meritorious
Unit Award in acknowledgement of its participation in
Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Bill was later
promoted to Major and received an honorable discharge in
2006. He was inducted into the Sons of the American
Revolution Fairfax Resolves Chapter in September 2009.
specific War Service Medals were authorized for World
War I and World War II service. Subsequently, a generic
War Service Medal was authorized for those who have
served in the armed forces of the United States (or a country
that was an ally of the United States or in a United Nations
Peace Keeping Force) and fought against a common enemy
of the United States in a war or action that has been
recognized by a branch of the Armed Forces of the United
States and for which a campaign medal and ribbon are
authorized. The medal is bronze and may be presented by a
chapter or society to SAR members (or purchased by SAR
members).
Proof of such service, in the form of a copy of the
member's discharge (or other U.S. Government proof in the
case of a member in active service), must be presented to
his chapter or state society secretary before the medal can
be purchased and/or worn.
Specific bronze bars are available indicating service in
WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Southwest Asia, Kosovo, Iraq,
Afghanistan, and the Global War of Terrorism (for service
associated with the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary
Medal) and may be attached to the medal drape. Oak leaf
clusters may be worn to designate service in any of the
recognized wars or actions (previously described) to
recognize participation in a war or action for which a
specific bronze bar is not available.
The medal is available in miniature. A War Service
Medal certificate is available.
Military Service Medal
Compatriot Bill Price Receives the War Service Medal
Certificate From President Jack Sweeney
Eligibility for SAR Service Medals
There are two SAR medals that Compatriots may be
eligible for, War Service and Military Service. Here are the
requirements that you must meet in order to receive a medal.
War Service Medal
The War Service Medal was first authorized in 1899 for
members who had served in the War with Spain. Subsequent
The Military Service Medal, authorized in 2006, may be
presented by a chapter or society to SAR members (or
purchased by SAR members) who have served in the
Armed Forces of the United States, Coast Guard, or a
country that was an ally of the United States, or in a United
Nations Peace Keeping Force, who otherwise do not qualify
for the SAR War Service Medal.
Proof of such service, in the form of a copy of the
member's discharge papers or DD214 (or other U.S.
Government proof in the case of a member, in active
service), must be presented to his chapter or state society
secretary before the medal can be purchased and/or worn.
The medal is available in miniature. A Military Service
Medal Certificate is available. The Military Service Medal
ranks the same in order of precedence as the War Service
Medal. The ribbon is of the same color as the War Service
Medal and is of the same size. This member may NOT wear
both the Military Service Medal and the War Service
Medal.
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The Veteran’s Report - Continued
Beginning with this issue, we will provide information on
our nation‘s Congressional Medal of Honor recipients. The
total living recipients are now less than 100. Here is the
latest news on some of our country‘s greatest veterans.
Additional information can be found on the following
veterans by clicking on the link associated with their name.
Recently Passed Congressional
Medal of Honor Recipients*
Leonard B. Keller
Born: 25 Feb 1947, Rockford, Ill.
Departed: 18 Oct 2009
Organization: US Army
Division: 60th Infantry/9th Infantry
Company: Company C,
3rd Battalion
friendly unit. When his ammunition was exhausted, Sgt.
Keller returned to the platoon to assist in the evacuation of
the wounded. The 2-man assault had driven an enemy
platoon from a well prepared position, accounted for
numerous enemy dead, and prevented further friendly
casualties. Sgt. Keller's selfless heroism and indomitable
fighting spirit saved the lives of many of his comrades and
inflicted serious damage on the enemy. His acts were in
keeping with the highest traditions of the military service
and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.
Everett Parker Pope
Born: 16 Jul, 1919, Milton, Mass.
Departed: 16 Jul 2009
Organization: US Marine Corps
Division: 1st Marines, 1st Marine
Division
Company: Company C
Citation
Citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the
risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sweeping
through an area where an enemy ambush had occurred
earlier, Sgt. Keller's unit suddenly came under Intense
automatic weapons and small-arms fire from a number of
enemy bunkers and numerous snipers in nearby trees. Sgt.
Keller quickly moved to a position where he could fire at a
bunker from which automatic fire was received, killing 1
Viet Cong who attempted to escape. Leaping to the top of a
dike, he and a comrade charged the enemy bunkers,
dangerously exposing themselves to the enemy fire. Armed
with a light machine gun, Sgt. Keller and his comrade began
a systematic assault on the enemy bunkers. While Sgt. Keller
neutralized the fire from the first bunker with his machine
gun, the other soldier threw in a hand grenade killing its
occupant. Then he and the other soldier charged a second
bunker, killing its occupant. A third bunker contained an
automatic rifleman who had pinned down much of the
friendly platoon. Again, with utter disregard for the fire
directed to them, the 2 men charged, killing the enemy
within. Continuing their attack, Sgt. Keller and his comrade
assaulted 4 more bunkers, killing the enemy within. During
their furious assault, Sgt. Keller and his comrade had been
almost continuously exposed to intense sniper fire as the
enemy desperately sought to stop their attack. The ferocity of
their assault had carried the soldiers beyond the line of
bunkers into the treeline, forcing snipers to flee. The 2 men
gave immediate chase, driving the enemy away from the
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of
his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as
Commanding Officer of Company C, First Battalion, First
Marines, First Marine Division, during action against
enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu Island, Palau Group, on
19-20 September, 1944. Subjected to point-blank cannon
fire which caused heavy casualties and badly disorganized
his company while assaulting a steep coral hill, Captain
Pope rallied his men and gallantly led them to the summit in
the face of machine-gun, mortar, and sniper fire. Forced by
wide-spread hostile attack to deploy the remnants of his
company thinly in order to hold the ground won, and with
his machine-guns out of action and insufficient water and
ammunition, he remained on the exposed hill with twelve
men and one wounded officer, determined to hold through
the night. Attacked continuously with grenades, machineguns, and rifles from three sides and twice subjected to
suicidal charges during the night, he and his valiant men
fiercely beat back or destroyed the enemy, resorting to hand
-to-hand combat as the supply of ammunition dwindled and
still maintaining his lines with his eight remaining riflemen
when daylight brought more deadly fire and he was ordered
to withdraw. His valiant leadership against devastating odds
while protecting the units below from heavy Japanese attack
reflects the highest credit upon Captain Pope and the United
States Naval Service.
* Veteran‘s information provided by Congressional Medal of Honor Society.
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The Veteran’s Report - Continued
Recently Passed Congressional
Medal of Honor Recipients*
Lewis L. Millett
Born: 15 Dec 1920, Mechanic Falls,
Maine
Departed: 14 Nov 2009
Organization: US Army
Division: 27th Infantry Regiment
Company: Company E
George Edward Wahlen
Born: 8 Aug 1924, Ogden, Utah
Departed: 5 Jun 2009
Organization: US Navy
Division: 5th Marine
Regiment: 26th Marine
Battalion: 2nd Battalion
Citation
Citation
Capt. Millett, Company E, distinguished himself by
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the
call of duty in action. While personally leading his company
in an attack against a strongly held position he noted that the
1st Platoon was pinned down by small-arms, automatic, and
antitank fire. Capt. Millett ordered the 3d Platoon forward,
placed himself at the head of the 2 platoons, and, with fixed
bayonet, led the assault up the fire-swept hill. In the fierce
charge Capt. Millett bayoneted 2 enemy soldiers and boldly
continued on, throwing grenades, clubbing and bayoneting
the enemy, while urging his men forward by shouting
encouragement. Despite vicious opposing fire, the whirlwind
hand-to-hand assault carried to the crest of the hill. His
dauntless leadership and personal courage so inspired his
men that they stormed into the hostile position and used their
bayonets with such lethal effect that the enemy fled in wild
disorder. During this fierce onslaught Capt. Millett was
wounded by grenade fragments but refused evacuation until
the objective was taken and firmly secured. The superb
leadership, conspicuous courage, and consummate devotion
to duty demonstrated by Capt. Millett were directly
responsible for the successful accomplishment of a
hazardous mission and reflect the highest credit on himself
and the heroic traditions of the military service.
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of
his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving
with the 2d Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division,
during action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima in
the Volcano group on 3 March 1945. Painfully wounded in
the bitter action on 26 February, Wahlen remained on the
battlefield, advancing well forward of the frontlines to aid a
wounded marine and carrying him back to safety despite a
terrific concentration of fire. Tireless in his ministrations, he
consistently disregarded all danger to attend his fighting
comrades as they fell under the devastating rain of shrapnel
and bullets, and rendered prompt assistance to various
elements of his combat group as required. When an adjacent
platoon suffered heavy casualties, he defied the continuous
pounding of heavy mortars and deadly fire of enemy rifles
to care for the wounded, working rapidly in an area swept
by constant fire and treating 14 casualties before returning
to his own platoon. Wounded again on 2 March, he
gallantly refused evacuation, moving out with his company
the following day in a furious assault across 600 yards of
open terrain and repeatedly rendering medical aid while
exposed to the blasting fury of powerful Japanese guns.
Stouthearted and indomitable, he persevered in his
determined efforts as his unit waged fierce battle and,
unable to walk after sustaining a third agonizing wound,
resolutely crawled 50 yards to administer first aid to still
another fallen fighter. By his dauntless fortitude and valor,
Wahlen served as a constant inspiration and contributed
vitally to the high morale of his company during critical
phases of this strategically important engagement. His
heroic spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of overwhelming
enemy fire upheld the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval
Service.
* Veteran‘s information provided by Congressional Medal of Honor Society.
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The Veteran’s Report - Continued
Alejandro Renteria Ruiz
Born: 28 Apr 1945, Okinawa,
Ryukyu Islands
Departed: 20 Nov 2009
Organization: US Army
Division: 165th/27th Infantry
Citation
When his unit was stopped by a skillfully camouflaged
enemy pillbox, he displayed conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty. His squad,
suddenly brought under a hail of machinegun fire and a
vicious grenade attack, was pinned down. Jumping to his
feet, Pfc. Ruiz seized an automatic rifle and lunged through
the flying grenades and rifle and automatic fire for the top of
the emplacement. When an enemy soldier charged him, his
rifle jammed. Undaunted, Pfc. Ruiz whirled on his assailant
and clubbed him down. Then he ran back through bullets and
grenades, seized more ammunition and another automatic
rifle, and again made for the pillbox. Enemy fire now was
concentrated on him, but he charged on, miraculously
reaching the position, and in plain view he climbed to the
top. Leaping from 1 opening to another, he sent burst after
burst into the pillbox, killing 12 of the enemy and completely
destroying the position. Pfc. Ruiz's heroic conduct, in the
face of overwhelming odds, saved the lives of many
comrades and eliminated an obstacle that long would have
checked his unit's advance.
The Three Present Day Versions of the Medal of Honor
Army, Navy, Air Force
* Veteran‘s information provided by Congressional Medal of Honor Society.
Recent Congressional Medal of
Honor Recipients*
Jared C. Monti
Born: 20 Sep, 1975, Abington, Mass.
Departed: 21 Jun 2006
Organization: US Army
Division: 10th Mountain
Company: Headquarters Company
Awarded: 17 Sep 2009, Posthumously
Citation
Staff Sergeant Jared C. Monti distinguished himself by
acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call
of duty while serving as a team leader with Headquarters
and Headquarters Troop, 3d Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 3d Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division,
in connection with combat operations against an armed
enemy in Nuristan Province, Afghanistan, on June 21, 2006.
While Staff Sergeant Monti was leading a mission aimed at
gathering intelligence and directing fire against the enemy,
his 16-man patrol was attacked by as many as 50 enemy
fighters. On the verge of being overrun, Staff Sergeant
Monti quickly directed his men to set up a defensive
position behind a rock formation. He then called for indirect
fire support, accurately targeting the rounds upon the enemy
who had closed to within 50 meters of his position. While
still directing fire, Staff Sergeant Monti personally engaged
the enemy with his rifle and a grenade, successfully
disrupting an attempt to flank his patrol. Staff Sergeant
Monti then realized that one of his Soldiers was lying
wounded in the open ground between the advancing enemy
and the patrol‘s position. With complete disregard for his
own safety, Staff Sergeant Monti twice attempted to move
from behind the cover of the rocks into the face of relentless
enemy fire to rescue his fallen comrade. Determined not to
leave his Soldier, Staff Sergeant Monti made a third attempt
to cross open terrain through intense enemy fire. On this
final attempt, he was mortally wounded, sacrificing his own
life in an effort to save his fellow Soldier. Staff Sergeant
Monti‘s selfless acts of heroism inspired his patrol to fight
off the larger enemy force. Staff Sergeant Monti‘s
immeasurable courage and uncommon valor are in keeping
with the highest traditions of military service and reflect
great credit upon himself, Headquarters and Headquarters
Troop, 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade
Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, and the United
States Army.
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Registrar’s Report
2009 Accomplishments
For 2009: 9 New members: 4 installed, 4 Forgotten Patriots; 14 New Applicants: 2 Forgotten
Patriots; 25 Supplementals: 21 Approved, 7 Forgotten Patriots; In work - 12 Prospective
members; and 7 Prospective Supplementals: 1 Forgotten Patriot
The difference between applicants and prospective members is the Applicant has already
submitted their application to National and the prospective member is in the process of working
on proof and has not submitted their application yet.
Approved and Submitted
Ancestor
State of
Service
Mason McAllister
Abisha Horne
VA
Allen Duane Wills
Thomas Bass
William "Bud" Walker, Jr.
New Members
Forgotten
Patriot
Mailed to
State
7/20/2009
Received at
National
8/5/2009
Approved
Chapter Status
10/5/2009
To be Installed
VA
12/4/2009
Installed
David Cook
NJ
11/5/2009
To be Installed
Brett Sweeney
Robert Hathaway
RI, MA
Clarke Bursley
Nathan Wing
MA
William Price
Jonathan Clower
NC
John "Jack" Simms
William Cooke
VA
James Naughton, Sr.
John Davenport
VA
James Naughton, Jr.
John Davenport
VA
Joseph Carl Kennedy
Alvin Moxley
GA
9/30/2009
Robert Joseph Kennedy
Alvin Moxley
GA
9/30/2009
Robert Sorrel Kennedy II
Alvin Moxley
GA
9/30/2009
Robert Joseph Kennedy, III
Alvin Moxley
GA
9/30/2009
Adam C. Huftalen
William Sidney Price, Jr.
Lewis Shive
John Hudnall
PA
VA
12/6/2009
12/14/2009
Carter Price
John Hudnall
VA
12/6/2009
12/14/2009
Harry Hemphill Price
John Hudnall
VA
12/6/2009
12/14/2009
Earl Edward Anderson
Randall Wells
RI
12/8/2009
12/14/2009
David Allen Anderson
Randall Wells
RI
12/8/2009
12/14/2009
Mark Edward Anderson
Randall Wells
RI
12/8/2009
12/14/2009
James Earl Bryant Anderson
Randall Wells
RI
12/8/2009
12/14/2009
Bowen Francis Rose, III
Randall Wells
RI
12/8/2009
12/14/2009
New Members in 2009
YES
12/13/2008
1/5/2009
5/1/2009
Installed
1/8/2009
1/26/2009
5/28/2009
Installed
2/14/2009
2/23/2009
5/28/2009
Installed
2/13/2009
2/23/2009
YES
Applicants
Brandt Heatherington
Transfers in
Landgrave Smith
DC
Jay Matthews
VA
Joseph Patton Marshall
CA
LTC Mark Scott
DC
YES
YES
6/2/2009
To be installed
6/19/2009
To be Installed
6/19/2009
To be Installed
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Registrar’s Report - Continued
Supplementals Submitted
Ancestor
State of
Service
Forgotten
Patriot
Mailed to
State
Received at
National
Approved
7/16/2009
7/22/2009
9/30/2009
3/30/2009
3/30/2009
10/20/2009
10/22/2009
10/23/2009
12/3/2009
4/1/2009
4/1/2009
7/16/2009
7/16/2009
8/12/2009
9/30/2009
9/30/2009
9/30/2009
Brett Matthew Sweeney
John Clarke Bursley
John Clarke Bursley
Lawrence McKinley
Lawrence McKinley
Lawrence McKinley
Lawrence McKinley
Lawrence McKinley
Lawrence McKinley
Jacob Troup
Joshua Howard
David Colcord
William Lowther
Thomas Hughes, Sr.
William Stewart
Adam Flesher
Henry Flesher
Joseph Staats
VA
MD
LTC Mark Scott
Robert Patrick Brown
Phillip Anthony Ray
Willliam Wilson Price
Brett Matthew Sweeney
John Stanfield
John George Peiffer
James Ross
John Hudnall
Edward Barnard, Jr.
NC
PA
NC
VA
CT
Other Supplementals in 2009
Rob Engle
Andrew Gutowski
Andrew Gutowski
Larry Lamborn
Andrew Monahan
Joshua Myers
John Sinks
John Sinks
John Sinks
John Sinks
Thomas Speelman
John E. Sweeney
John Ems
Alexander Spootswood
Alexander Waugh
Josiah Lamborn
Thomas Copenhaver
Catherine Sharp
John Maxey
Jeremiah Jacob
Nathaniel Barker, Sr.
Edward Laurance, Jr.
Christian Herring
Edward Barnard, Sr.
VA
VA
PA
PA
NC
VA
MD
VA
VA
PA
CT
Prospective Members in Work
Bigler, James
Bigler, Jeffrey
Kenneth Don Williamson
Josiah Parker
Josiah Parker
Edward Villers Harbin
MA
MA
MD
Youth membership! Awaiting grand-uncle's record copy
No response to Feb email
11/15/2009
William McSwain
NC
Major John Savage
VA
Lt. David Nelson
Referral from Nat'l
VA
Close; in Afghanistan; follow up email 11-23
Mother in DAR# 813488
Mother in DAR# 0575856
Everything ready to go-waiting on age
Sent application--visited discussed
DAR Application 445308
Sent application. Working on support
James Judge
NC
James Walker
Joseph Bullitschek
Thomas McKinley
Edward Bullard
William Whitten Wash
VA
NC
VA
MA
Matheney, Barry
Robert Taylor
Marcus Cunningham
Nicholas A. Mason
Phil Logan
Brad Guckenberger
Kim Holmes
Robert Stephens
Charles L. Booker, Jr.
Supplementals in Work
Gutowski, Andrew
Hamtpon, Robert
McKinley, Larry
Sweeney, John
George Lawrence Lamborn
George Lawrence Lamborn
Phillip Ray
VA
VA
VA
VA
VA
VA
5/28/2009
5/28/2009
5/28/2009
10/28/2009
2/11/2009
3/11/2009
12/6/2009
12/10/2009
YES
Daniel Tucker
Francis Cockburn (Coburn)
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
4/10/2009
10/11/2008
3/7/2008
9/28/2008
12/1/2008
4/15/2009
9/28/2008
10/4/2008
1/23/2009
2/21/2009
2/14/2009
3/28/2009
10/23/2009
12/14/2009
4/20/2009
11/7/2008
3/16/2008
10/8/2008
12/8/2008
4/24/2009
10/8/2008
10/22/2008
2/6/2009
3/6/2009
2/23/2009
Friend of Phillip Logan
Working on project
Yes
Reviewed and ready to go. He will submit directly
Working
More research to establish relationship
Working
Will begin work 12/14
Will begin work 12/14
NC
8/12/2009
2/19/2009
6/15/2009
1/7/2009
3/9/2009
8/12/2009
1/7/2009
1/20/2009
5/26/2009
6/30/2009
5/26/2009
Will submit December 12/17
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Vignettes of the Revolution
by Phil Ray
Historical Markers in Virginia
At the recent Fairfax Resolves Chapter meeting on the
10th of September, Compatriot Andrew Gutowski presented
a look at the events of the Revolutionary War in Virginia
during the year 1781. His opening remarks showed that
many people don‘t recognize a lot of the war related
activities in Virginia other than Yorktown. At the end of his
presentation, the questioning focused on Revolutionary War
related historical markers in Virginia. After several minutes
of discussion, only a few marker locations could be
identified by the audience. This discussion prompted me to
wonder just how many historical markers there actually are
in Virginia. I was quite surprised when I found the answer.
Were there only a few or were there many?
Before we look into historical markers, here‘s a little quiz
to get you thinking about it.
Q:
A:
a) How many total identified historical markers are
there in the state of Virginia?
b) And, how many of them are Revolutionary War
related?
A. 6; B. 395; C. 2106; D. 3859
What do you think of when you hear the term historical
marker? Most people think of a black and silver sign on the
highway that you blow by going 60 mph. You may even
have a chance to read part of it if you‘re lucky. That‘s just
one form of historical marker. There are many other
variations. Here are a couple of variations that are located
within driving distance of Fairfax County. They are
definitely worth going to see.
Daniel Morgan’s Grave Marker, Winchester, Virginia
―Fought everywhere, was beaten nowhere.‖
Each state in the United States has it‘s own program to
commemorate various people and events with historical
highway markers. Virginia‘s program is one of the oldest
in the nation and it has served as the model for many other
states. The Historical Highway Marker program was
originally assigned to the Conservation and Economic
Development Commission in 1927. You will often see that
title etched into the bottom of the highway markers. That
responsibility has been transferred several times through the
years and is currently the responsibility of the Virginia
Department of Historical Resources. In addition, the
Virginia Department of Transportation has the
responsibility for installation and maintenance of highway
markers.
If you do a search for Historical Markers on the internet
you will find that there are several sites dedicated to the
topic. I believe that one of the best is The Historical Marker
Database. It has several categories and even has a search
function. I would highly recommend this site if you are
interested in locating historical markers. When you look,
you will find that you could spend a full day in Winchester
alone. Here‘s the site for Virginia Historical Highway
Markers that I mentioned earlier.
So how did you do? Did you get the answers to the quiz?
The answer, there are nearly 4000 historical markers in the
state of Virginia and over 10% of them are Revolutionary
War related, according to The Historical Marker Database.
Many are within driving distance of Fairfax County. Wow,
where are they hiding?
Order of the Purple Heart Trail, Mount Vernon, Virginia
Commemorates the establishment of the Purple Heart
decoration by General George Washington, Commanderin-Chief of the Continental Army, on August 8, 1782.
Correct (Part a) 3859 - The total historical markers in VA
Correct (Part b) 395 - The total Revolutionary War related
historical markers in VA
Wrong 6 - The total Revolutionary War related historical
markers in the District of Columbia.
Wrong 2106 - The total Revolutionary War historical
markers in the United States
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Fairfax Resolves Calendar of Events
12 December, 2009, 0830 - Arlington National
Cemetery - Wreaths Across America
Morrill Worcester, owner of Worcester Wreath Company,
Harrington, Maine, will donate over 15,000 Maine balsam fir
holiday wreaths to be placed on graves at the Arlington National
Cemetery. This will be the 18th consecutive year that Mr.
Worcester has donated wreaths at Arlington. There will be a
short welcome and briefing of all volunteers at 8:30am on that
Saturday at the McClellan Arch on McClellan Drive (same place
as last year). We will start placing wreaths at approximately
9:00am. There will a special wreath ceremony at the Tomb of
the Unknowns at Noontime which we hope the volunteers will
stay to attend.
Students from local high schools participating in the
Rumbaugh Oration Contest will present orations on
some aspect of the Revolutionary War. The winning
oration will be eligible to participate in the state
competition. The location for this meeting is TBD.
Please check the Fairfax Resolves website for details.
18 February, 2010, 1900 – Vinson Hall Penthouse Chapter Meeting
12-13 February, 1010 - Richmond, Virginia - Virginia
Society of the SAR Annual Meeting
15 February, 2010, 1300 - Alexandria, Virginia - George
Washington’s Birthday Parade
278th anniversary ceremony to be held in Alexandria. The
largest parade celebrating Washington‘s birthday in the USA.
9 January, 2010, 1800 - Mt Vernon Inn - George
Washington
SAR
Chapter
Awards
Banquet
The George Washington SAR Chapter has invited all
Fairfax Resolves Chapter members and their spouses to
their January Awards Banquet. The Chapters will be
recognizing General Eric Shinseki, former Army Chief of
Staff and current US Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
6:00-7:00 PM - Cocktail hour
7:00 PM - Dinner
Black Tie Optional
Cost is $50 per person
Make reservations by sending an E-mail to the GW
Chapter Treasurer Paul Briggs at
[email protected] or calling 703-768-6910.
Payments should be made out to the George
Washington Chapter SAR and sent to Paul Briggs
at 7213 Regent Drive, Alexandria, VA 22307 NLT
31 Dec 2009.
Reservations are 1st come basis because of limited
seating.
16-17 January, 2010 - Spartanburg and Cowpens, SC Cowpens National Battlefield Ceremony
Memorial at the
statue of Daniel Morgan in Spartanburg and a wreath laying
ceremony at Cowpens National Battlefield.
28 January, 2010, 1900 – TBD - Oration Contest and Chapter
Meeting with refreshments
Topic: Revolutionary War and related topics
20 February, 2010 - South Boston, Virginia - Crossing of
the Dan Commemorative Ceremony
Each year Berryman Green Chapter, National Society
Daughters of the American Revolution and Dan River Chapter,
Sons of the American Revolution sponsor the Commemoration
of the Crossing of the Dan in February 1781. Co-sponsors for
the event include the Halifax County Historical Society, Town
of South Boston, Halifax County Office of Tourism, Dan River
Basin Association, and Halifax County Public Schools.
11 March, 2010, 1900 – Vinson Hall Penthouse - Chapter
Meeting
13-14 March, 2010 - National Memorial Park, Greensboro,
NC - Battle of Guilford Court House Memorial Service
Each year on the weekend nearest the anniversary of the Battle
of Guilford Court House, March 15, 1781, a reenactment
attracts hundreds of participants and thousands of onlookers to
see a live recreation of the original battle. From the opening
cannon fusillades to the last solitary musket shot, there is a
whirl of intense activity as the American and British troops
fire, advance, attach bayonets, charge, retreat, reload and fire
again amid the swirling smoke and acrid odor of gunpowder.
TBD March, 2010 - George Mason University - National
History Day Competition
National History Day Competition
8 April, 2010, 1900 – Vinson Hall Penthouse - Chapter
Meeting
15 May, 2010, TBD – Vinson Hall Penthouse and Dining
Facility – Chapter Awards Banquet and Induction of New
Officers
The Chapter will recognize Fairfax County police officers for
their service to the community, present Chapter awards, and
install the 2010-2011 Chapter Officers.
Details and directions to Vinson Hall.
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Opportunities Within Fairfax Resolves
Are you familiar with the quote, ―Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.‖ I know you‘ve
heard it. But do you know who originated it? Was it: A) Thomas Payne, B) John Hancock, C) Charles Weller, D) Ben
Franklin. I‘ll give you the answer in a moment.
Did you realize that interest in Fairfax Resolves and the SAR is at a new high. Compatriot Larry McKinley recently
reported that we have about 28 patriot applications in various stages of completion. Many are from prospective new
members. The list of new inductees grows at each chapter meeting. Unfortunately, the number of Compatriots willing
to get involved in the various activities that the chapter engages in is surprisingly small. There are numerous
opportunities within the chapter for you to make a difference in the community. We hope that each of you will consider
taking a position on one of the vacant Committees within the chapter. Below is a list of the various committees that are
currently available for you to choose from.
Committee
Law Enforcement
Fire Safety
Rev War Graves
Oration & Essay
C.A.R.
ROTC
Eagle Scouts
National History Day
Poster Contest
Flag Recognition
Veterans
Teacher of Year
Citizen of Year
Outstanding Students
Website Manager
Public Relations
Historic Celebrations
Chairman
Larry McKinley
Vacant
Jack Sweeney
Larry McKinley
Larry McKinley
Bob Hampton
Vacant
Jack Sweeney
Dan Rolph
Bill Youngs
Larry McKinley
Larry McKinley
Dennis Hickey
Vacant
Darrin Schmidt
Vacant
Vacant
Vice-Chairman
Vern Eubanks
Lauris Eek
Vacant
Larry Lamborn
Bob Hampton
Vacant
Bob Hampton
Vacant
Vacant
Vacant
Phil Ray
Vacant
Vacant
Vacant
Larry McKinley
Vacant
Vacant-Jack Sweeney (Temp)
Officer Positions:
Registrar
Treasurer
Secretary
Position
Larry McKinley
Dan Rolph
Phil Ray
Asst. Position
Don Cooper
Vacant
Vacant-Jack Sweeney (Temp)
Now for the answer to the quiz. From the typewriter it came, and to the typewriter it shall return: the phrase ―Now is
the time for all good men to come to the aid of their party‖ was proposed as a typing drill by a teacher named Charles E.
Weller. Many typing books used the variant "Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country"
instead, because it exactly fills out a 70-space line if you put a period at the end. Before there were personal computers
(yes, way back then), there were typewriters. When people took classes in typing, one of the sentences used to test typing
speed and accuracy was the above: "now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country." And you
thought it was a revolutionary War quiz.
So how is this typing phrase even remotely related to chapter committees? With one simple word change, the phrase
becomes, ―Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their chapter.‖ It even maintains 70 characters. The
bottom line is, Fairfax Resolves wants and needs for you to find your niche to help the chapter continue to thrive. Please
volunteer to take on a vacant committee position. Most are very easy and only require efforts about one month out of the
year, some only one day. Come to the aid of your chapter and help increase our ability to make a difference in the
community. Please contact Jack Sweeney, the chapter President, to inquire about taking a position.