Upcoming Events September 14 Meeting Location Phil Anders

Volume 44, Number 3
www.passar.org/PCC
Summer 2015
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
As I write this, the multiple Memorial Day events are past with the 4th of July yet to come; you will
read about them later in this edition from Color Guard CPT Willis. The annual Chapter picnic was
held again on 7 June at the Fenimore Woods Park in Radnor Twp on a glorious day – none of us can
remember a better set of weather conditions. Both I, and 2nd VP George Clarke, were pleased to bestow some awards upon deserving Compatriots, to include the following:
NSSAR Awards: by President Anders
Bronze Color Guard Medal 2014 Spring Leadership Award
Michael Willis Freeland, Esq.
Janice R. Showler
Phil Anders
2015 Spring Leadership Award
Michael Willis Freeland, Esq.
to George Millington Clarke
(for significant support provided to the CAAH)
1 March 2014
1 March 2014
7 March 2015
SAR Years-of-Service Awards: by 2nd VP Clarke
Michael Willis Freeland
20 years 2/26/2015
James Henry Willis
35 years 3/3/2015
After many years serving as a co-coordinator of the picnic, CG CPT Willis has stepped down, and we gave him a well-deserved
hearty round of applause for those efforts. Compatriots John Mitchell and Stephen Bair have stepped up to join long-timer Joe Stokes
(who also deserves a round of applause).
For most of this current term of Office, your Executive Committee has debated the issue of alternative venues for our regular monthly meetings, and the Chapter has ventured forth during May and June on a trial basis to two such sites. It appears that there is no truly
PERFECT answer with the 3 main issues being 1). Geography, 2). Cost, and 3). Day/date availability. A 4 th can be parking/physical
accessibility, and then there are the internal matters of lighting and acoustics within a meeting area itself.
With all of these having been addressed to a relative degree of satisfaction , and a show-of-hands affirmation of those in attendance
at the June gathering, we will begin the fall season at a relocated site: Charlotte’s Restaurant. The Chapter previously met at this
facility some dozen or so years ago and they welcome us back.
SPECIAL NOTE: The annual Installation of Officers banquet will be held at a new venue this year. It will be on Thursday evening,
12 November, at Aronomink Golf Club in Newtown Square. Watch for details in the October newsletter.
Upcoming Events
September 14 Meeting Location
The September Board of Management meeting
will be held at Charlotte’s Restaurant
3207 West Chester Pike. Newtown Square. PA
Phone 610-356-7100
[email protected]
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PASSAR Summer Mtg
July 31 &Aug 1
Constitution Day Luncheon
Sept 12
1130
PCC Monthly Mtg
Sept 14
1000
PCC Annual Meeting
Oct 5
1000
Janice Showler Receives Lamplighter Award
Janice Showler, wife of FP PASSAR President J. Thomas
Showler received a Lamplighter Award at the Philadelphia
Continental picnic held on June 7, 2015. Chapter president,
Phil Anders is shown presenting the Award
“Old Dog” has 35 Years of Service!
At Philadelphia Continental's annual picnic on June 7, 2015, George
Clarke, Chapter 2nd VP presented Jim "Old Dog" Willis with a 35
year membership pin. Congratulations to Jim on this achievement
and all of the hard work you have done to make The Sons of the
American Revolution proud!
PRESIDENT’S NOTE
A year ago, beginning with the July, 2014 edition of the Compatriot News, we began distribution via e-mail to those Compatriots
who have shared such addresses with us; at that time, we determined that we would continue to make one (1) full USPS distribution annually (in addition to the e-mail one) in order to verify your postal address.
As such, if you receive this July, 2015 edition via BOTH mediums, you are in good order with our records. If you do NOT receive it BY E-MAIl, and wish to do so, kindly send your e-mail address to our Editor Carl Fletcher: [email protected].
Mailing address corrections should be reported to Chapter Secretary Jonathan Jacobs; [email protected]
ROTC Awards Given
Jim Hall
JROTC
ROTC
Air Force
6
1
Army
7
4
Marine
4
Navy
2
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The 2014/2015 JROTC/ROTC completed another successful program for
the year. 6 ROTC Silver awards were given at area Colleges and Universities (Drexel, Temple, Widener, St. Joe’s, Valley Forge Military College, and
U Penn.). A total of 19 Bronze JROTC awards were given at the Philadelphia schools and area schools, starting in April and finishing on May 29,
2015.
Two schools submitted essays on “How JROTC has made me a better citizen of the United States of America”; 4 from North Penn High School and
one from Coatesville High School. The winning essay was written by
Coatesville’s David Tatum. His essay also won at the State level and competed at the National level.
Many thanks to Frank Leone, John Gibson, George Clarke and Jim Willis.
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COLOR GUARD ACTIVITIES
M
other Nature smiled on us again this year for the Radnor Memorial Day Parade. We enjoyed a good turnout of troopers and
had two autos in the march. General Washington and his entourage (Jim Sanborn) rode in Dick Di Stefano’s convertible and
Phil’s machine driven by Fletch was for the walking wounded. In addition we participated in the Wayne Memorial Day Service
which is a solemn experience. Some of us them visited Gallagher- Bateman Post
libation and a couple of us went on down to the annual DAR/CAR Service at
Memorial Day at Washington Square for
Washington Square to represent PCC.
The following Sunday saw a group of us at the Malvern Parade and Jim Sanborn
was still riding along in his convertible and the weather held good but hot.
Flag Day has grown into a monstrous affair with the Army taking over the show.
We raised the flag at the Constitution Center again then marched down the mall to
Independence Hall. The heat really had its effect on some of us as we stood in the
sun during the long Army service. The Flag House was next on our agenda for
another program. If this wasn’t enough, Bob Glosner then went over to the Lansdowne DAR service at 7 o’clock—What a day!
The March-out from Valley Forge on June 19th was next and wrapped up activity
for June. This was a one mile march from the Artillery Park over to Varnum’s
Regiment The weather was acceptable and all went well.
The July 4th program in E Vincent Twp. went well and is an impressive ceremony. A few of us then drove in town for the Let Freedom Ring Ceremony at the
Flag House where 13 young children were given the oath and accepted citizenship—most impressive.
George Clarke was awarded the Color Guard Medal for his many activities, well
deserved.—Captain Jim Willis
Havre de Grace Lafayette Trail
Lanny Patten
M
y wife Ann and I stopped here, just off I-95, recently for a Sunday lunch in the town, curious about its name. At the point leading into the downtown area stands a statue of the Marquis de Lafayette, dedicated in 1976. Havre de Grace is a small city situated where
the Susquehanna River and the Chesapeake Bay meet. Lafayette presumably gave the city its name and most likely was there as the French
troops encamped there in 1781 were under his command. That force
preceded the Washington Rochambeau march to Yorktown. A walking tour called the Lafayette Trail meanders through the city and along
the river and bay, with points of interest marked.
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Yorktown Day
Lanny Patten
T
he Yorktown Day is always on that day, October 19, in
Yorktown, VA. The celebration is organized by the
National Park Service and 13 different lineage or heritage
organizations, of which VASSAR is one. 2014 was VASSAR's turn to organize events (once every 13 years) on behalf of the Yorktown Association.
The Yorktown Association banquet was held on October 18
and attended by 175- the largest attendance ever. As a part
of the banquet program, the bust of Comte de Rochambeau,
issue #2, purchased by contributions from the SAR Atlantic
Middle States District societies, was delivered to VASSAR
for safekeeping, to be eventually contributed to the Museum
of the American Revolution at Yorktown which is now under
construction. I was privileged to introduce sculptor Pierre
Lebefvre for remarks at the banquet.
Of interest, the following day was marked by the spectacular
parade, and the wreath program at the Yorktown Monument. SAR PG Lindsey Brock was the keynote speaker at
the event, attended by several thousand on a magnificent sunny day. Both US and French military officers attended and military units
were prominent in the parade along with fife and drum corps.
Rochambeau bust #1 is still with me, awaiting a handover to the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia (on behalf of
PASSAR) before its construction completion in 2016. Again I was privileged to participate, representing SAR, in a groundbreaking
and Liberty Tree ceremony held at 3rd and Chestnut on October 9, 2014. About a thousand were there, including both US Senators
and the Governor. The excavation of the building site is well underway and it was announced that construction funds have been
raised totaling over $120 million.
Years of Service Awards
20 Years
In Memorium
Michael W. Freeland
2/28/2015
Carl A. Easterling
6/28/2015
25 Years
David Cole, past PCC President
Nathan R. Hicks
Kenneth R. Ricketts
Scudder G. Stevens
9/27/2014
Alexander W. Atkinson, Jr.
1/9/2015
35 Years
James H. Willis
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3/3/2015
Remembering the Revolutionary War Veterans
Jim Sanborn
E
ach year during the whole month of May volunteer members of the Philadelphia Continental Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution turn out to mark
Revolutionary War veterans’ graves with 13-star “Betsy Ross” flags. This year
was a continuation of that effort, first begun by chapter members in the 1920’s.
This year the volunteers marked those first veterans’ final resting places at 167
churchyards, cemeteries, and remote sites in the woods of the Delaware Valley.
The number of flags deployed has steadily grown, thanks to the dogged searching
of Compatriot Joe Stokes, who leads the chapter program. By the end of May, over
1700 “Betsy Ross” flags marked those graves. Several chapter compatriots have
found the program a great time to introduce their children, and more frequently
grand children to a real life piece of American Revolution history. Former chapter
president Jim Sanborn is a case in point. In each of the past four years, Jim has
recruited first one then a second granddaughter to help him find the graves at seven churchyards spread across much of western Chester County. The day starts on
the Friday preceding Memorial Day, as both children have that day off from
school. Armed with 20 Betsy Ross flags and snacks, Jim picks up his two granddaughter assistants and they set off for points west. By now the girls know the
route and the churchyards, and in most cases they remember who the veterans are,
and where the headstones and SAR medallions are located. They are also well prepared, having applied ample sunscreen, insect repellent, and boots for tromping
through wet grass. It has become a family tradition that the girls look forward to,
especially since the expedition includes a stop at the Four Dogs Café for lunch,
where they serve great ice cream bars for dessert. As noted in last year’s report on
this activity, the girls continue to ask questions about the veterans and of the Revolution in general, and that interest and knowledge has been observed later in class
by their teachers. It makes for a great outing, which includes bonding with a
grandfather, lessons in history, a sense of doing something special and personal for many Revolutionary War Veterans and indeed
fulfilling one of the tenets of the SAR. And, there is the full month of May to get the job done. Touch base with Joe Stokes at 610431-4751 to sign up for this fun, but vital service to Delaware Valley Revolutionary War Vets.
The Philadelphia Convention of 1787
Tom DelConte
A
mericans in 1787 already recognized that the Articles of Confederation, the
foundation document for the new United States adopted in 1777, had to be
changed greatly. The Articles gave Congress virtually no power to regulate
domestic affairs- no power to tax, no power to regulate commerce. Without
coercive power, Congress had to depend on financial contributions from the
states, and they often turned down those requests. Congress had neither the
money to pay soldiers for their service in the Revolutionary War or to repay
foreign loans granted to support the war effort. In 1786, the United States was
bankrupt. Moreover, the young nation faced many other challenges and threats.
States engaged in an endless war of economic discrimination against commerce
from other states. Southern states battled northern states for economic advantage. The country was ill-equipped to fight a war--and other nations wondered whether treaties with the United States were worth the paper they were
written on. On top of all else, Americans suffered from injured pride, as European nations dismissed the United States as "a third-rate republic."
America's creditor class had other worries. In Rhode Island (called by elites "Rogue Island"), a state legislature dominated by the
debtor class passed legislation essentially forgiving all debts as it considered a measure that would redistribute property every thirteen years. The final straw for many came in western Massachusetts where angry farmers, led by Daniel Shays, took up arms and
engaged in active rebellion in an effort to gain debt relief.
Troubles with the existing Confederation of States finally convinced the Continental Congress, in February 1787, to call for a
convention of delegates to meet in May in Philadelphia "to devise such further provisions as shall appear to them necessary to render the constitution of the Federal Government adequate to the exigencies of the Union."
Across the country, the cry "Liberty!" filled the air. But which liberty? Few people claim to be anti-liberty, but the word "liberty"
has many meanings. Should the delegates be most concerned with protecting the liberty of conscience, liberty of contract
(meaning, for many at the time, the right of creditors to collect debts owed under their contracts), or the liberty to hold property
(debtors complained that this liberty was being taken by banks and other creditors)? Moreover, the cry for liberty could mean two
very different things with respect to the slave issue--for some, the liberty to own slaves needed protection, while for others , liberty
meant ending slavery. [Next-the Convention Begins]
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The following awards were distributed at the PASSAR quarterly meeting in May:
PASSAR
NSSAR
2015 Spring Leadership Lamplighter Award, for outstanding
support of the SAR Center for Advancing America’s Heritage
(for monetary contribution thereto)
The Marshall E. Lignian Certificate, in recognition of outstanding membership support given to the Pennsylvania Society (for
his initial 1st-line signer on a new application)
C. Kelsey Brown
William M. Harris
James H. Sanborn
John Mark Briggs
Hugh E. Brown
Michael Willis Freeland
Howard Randall Morgan
David Arnold Stewart
2 May 2015
2 May 2015
2 May 2015
7 March 2015
7 March 2015
7 March 2015
7 March 2015
7 March 2015
John Briggs receives his Lamplighter Award
from Phil Anders
Kelsey Brown and Jim Sanborn receive their Marshall Lignian
certificates from President Anders
Constitution Ball
September 12, 2015
Presenting Debutantes from CAR and DAR
Please join Mrs. Bobbi McMullen, State Regent, PSSDAR; Mr. Joe McMullen, State
President PASSAR; and Mrs. Nancy Popielarski, Senior State President, PA CAR, for the
2nd Constitution Debutante Ball. Young ladies must be between the ages of 18 and
22. It will be held on Saturday evening, September 12, at the DoubleTree by Hilton,
Philadelphia-Valley Forge, 301 West Dekalb Pike, King of Prussia, PA, 19406. Phone
number: 610-337-1200 (A block of rooms have been reserved, mention DAR)
The Receiving Line is at 5:30 p.m. Followed by the Presentation of Debutantes, then
dinner and dancing. Pictures will precede the receiving at 3:30 o’clock p.m.
The cost will be $250.00 per debutante (includes Deb’s dinner and escort’s dinner,
flowers and boutonnières).
The cost per individual (everyone who is not a debutante) is $85.00.
For more information, contact Mrs. Sallie Ann Sites (717) 334-8712,
e-mail: [email protected]
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CONSTITUTION WEEK CELEBRATION
in the
DELAWARE VALLEY
Hosted jointly by the
Southeast District
Pennsylvania State Society
Daughters of the American Revolution
And
Philadelphia Continental Chapter
Pennsylvania Society
Sons of the American Revolution
Cordially invite you and your guests to the 46th Annual Buffet Luncheon
celebrating the Signing of the Constitution of the
United States of America
Date: Saturday, September 12, 2015
Time: 11:30 AM Social Hour (cash bar)
12:30 PM Buffet Luncheon
Place: Hilton DoubleTree Hotel, 301 West Dekalb Pike (Rt 202) King of Prussia, PA
Cost: $40 per person, payable to “SAR-DAR Constitution Week Committee”
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY SEPTEMBER 7, 2015
Mail to: Jim Willis---431 Hightop Road, West Chester, PA 19380
----------------——-------Please cut here and return lower part with your remittance---------———-------Your name, chapter and title______________________________________________
Address________________________________________________________________
Telephone # ________________
Buffet Style
Number attending____________@ $40 each
Salad-Cole Slaw-Potato Salad-Pasta Salad
Total remittance $_______
Turkey Breast-Roast Beef-Maple HamSalami and Cheese-Fresh Fruit-Brownies
Vegetarian available
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Philadelphia Continental Chapter – SAR
3346 N SMEDLEY ST
PHILADELPHIA, PA 19140-4901
Constitution Week Luncheon
The 46th Annual Constitution Week Luncheon will be held on Saturday September 12, 2015 at the Hilton
DoubleTree Hotel, 301 West Dekalb Pike, King of Prussia, PA - 11:30 am Social Hour 12:30 pm Lunch
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