The Wolverine Minute Man Newsletter of the Michigan Society Sons of the American Revolution

Transcription

1 1 The Wolverine Minute Man Newsletter of the Michigan Society Sons of the American Revolution March, 2016 Message from the President Rod Wilson What s Inside The Minute Man As we near the end of this MISSAR year, I want to say thank you to everyone for making great steps forward this year. Our membership has grown, we have two new chapters (plus one more to be approved on April 16), we have started rolling out our training programs, and some of the chapters have begun working on one or two of the programs. We cannot live on our laurels as this is just the beginning of a bigger and more active Society. You can join us in these activities and help us educate the public on being patriotic and the true meaning of the freedom we enjoy because of our patriots. MISSAR Officers and Chapter Presidents, page 1-3 Century Club page 4 The Federalist Papers page 6-7 MISSAR and Chapter News Page 8 14 Meeting Notices page There are so many officers, trustees and committee chairman to thank. I will have more to say about all these people at the Annual Meeting. Please plan on attending on April 16, see the flyer on our webpage. Speaking of our webpage, Joel Burkland has submitted his resignation as our webmaster. Joel developed our website 15 years ago and has worked to keep it up to date. He said it is time for someone new to take over and build a new website with the latest technology. We cannot say enough thank yous to Joel for all his efforts. I am working with a SAR member from the Detroit Metro Chapter who is an IT manager for General Motors and is looking at our needs so he can make a decision of what he can do for our Society. He will be at the Annual Meeting to 1

2 2 Michigan SAR Officers President 1rst Vice President 2nd Vice President Treasurer Secretary Chancellor Chaplain Genealogist Registrar Historian DAR/CAR Liaison Rodney J. Wilson Paul R. Callanan James L. Petres Joseph C. Conger Dennis P. VanWormer David W. VanHoof James D. Perkins Allan R. Treppa Robert Wagel John K. Crissman Robert Huber Michigan SAR Trustees West Michigan Gary M. Crump, Douglas J. Rasmussen Detroit Metropolitan Stuart B. Shuster, Eugene M. Tomlinson Sauk Trail Jack W. Haines, Duane A. Peachey Northern Michigan Gerald L. Wall, Charles W. Barr II Paul Emery Gerald J. Burkland, Donald E. Reifert River Raisin William G. Vette, Jerry W. Reed, SR. Oaks Thomas T. Coddington, James T. Walker Huron Valley Thomas W. Pleuss, Thomas Fountain National Officers National Trustee Robert A. Wagel Alternate National Trustee Joseph C. Conger March MISSAR Calendar 27 th Easter Sunday April 15 th Friday Dinner for President s Emeritus Committee 6 pm 16 th Saturday MISSAR Board of Managers Meeting 10:00 am 16 th Saturday MISSAR Annual Meeting General Membership 11:15 am Kellogg Center, East Lansing, MI August Send information for Wolverine Minute Man September 5th,Monday Labor Day 22nd 24th NSSAR Leadership Conference Louisville, KY October Board of Managers Meeting Date and location TBD Great Lakes District Meeting Check the MISSAR website frequently for updates 2

3 3 Michigan Society Chapter Presidents Detroit Metro Huron Valley Northern Michigan Oaks Paul Emery River Raisin Saul Trail West Michigan Kensington Valley Blue Water Stuart Shuster Thomas Fountain David Smith John Crissman Robert Sprague Jerry Reed Sr Robert Wagel Kenneth Goodson Jr. Bob Matthews Robert May (interim) Patriot Biographies Biographies of our Patriot Ancestors are needed for submission to National for inclusion in the Patriot Database. Biographies should be word paragraph written in complete sentences. to 1 st VP Paul Callanan so we can keep track of our progress. He will submit to National. His is LTCMRSC@aol.com. Questions? Call him at

4 4 Michigan Society Sons of the American Revolution Century Club, 2015 NMC Charles Barr II General Fund **** OC John Crissman General Fund **** NMC Thomas Catallo General Fund *** PEC John Daly III Eagle Scout *** PEC Wayne Denniston General Fund ** HVC Thomas Fountain General Fund *** DMC John Fuller General Fund WMC Kenneth Goodson Jr General Fund OC Glenn Gouldey General Fund STC Robert Heydon General Fund **** DMC Gordon MacNeil General Fund OC Francis Noggle General Fund *** HVC James Petres Eagle Scout/CAR *** HVC Thomas Pleuss General Fund WMC Douglas Rasmussen General Fund **** OC John Raya Eagle Scout/Youth RRC Jerry Reed Sr Color Guard WMC Richard Santer General Fund PEC Robert Sprague Medals & Awards ** NMC James Strain General Fund OC Lawrence Trevarrow Jr General Fund OC Dennis VanWormer Color Guard ** RRC William Vette Color Guard ** NMC Gerald Wall General Fund *** OC Rodney Wilson General Fund ** 4

5 5 The Last Man Standing B y the mid-1800s, the reality began to set in that the number of Revolutionary War survivors was quickly diminishing. As people began inquiring about the remaining veterans still living across the country, many newspapers took to the task of finding out exactly who was left of those who had bravely fought in the country s war for independence. Throughout the next few decades, newspaper writers used several means to gather information on the surviving veterans including researching pension records, printing inquiries in papers, and simple word of mouth. Although none of these methods were error-proof, they did shine some light on the fast-fading era of revolutionary heroes. In 1843, a list circulated in newspapers throughout the country of over 100 surviving Revolutionary War veterans. A little over twenty years later, in July 1865, the Daily Phoenix out of Columbia, S.C. printed a small paragraph stating that according to pension records, only four soldiers from the Revolutionary War remained alive. The write-up included the soldiers names, dates of birth, and potential whereabouts. Just over a year later, in October 1866, the Daily Phoenix printed the death notice of a man (not mentioned in the previous article) who had fought in the war. And by December 1866, the paper had received word that another soldier who had not been previously listed was also still alive. However, by February of 1867, the death notice written for Samuel Downing presumed that with his passing no other veterans who actually bore arms in the war survived. In 1869, the Daily Phoenix printed a conclusive article stating that there were no longer any soldiers on the pension list (there were, however, many widows and children still recorded). By Laura Blair, South Carolina Digital Newspaper program Samuel Downing Be a Michigan History Day Judge Judges are needed for the 2015 Michigan History Day State Finals at Bay City Central High School on Saturday, April 30. Each year, our wonderful volunteer judges help make Michigan History Day a success. We couldn t do it without them! Click here to download the Judge Registration Form. Read A Judge s Perspective: What the Michigan History Day Program Means to Me Judges are post-undergraduate age or older adults who enjoy sharing their interest in history with a younger generation. They review entries in a given category, conduct a brief interview with the students, provide constructive feedback to the students, and select two finalists. you would like to volunteer as a judge, please register online or call (517) For more information about Michigan History Day judging, visit our website. The registration deadline is April 1,

6 6 The Federalists Papers T his is the third installment in the Federalist Papers series. This essay is Federalist Paper number 74. It was written by Alexander Hamilton and first published 288 years ago in the New York papers on March 25, In this article Hamilton advocates Presidential powers as Commander in Chief of the armed forces of the United States, and also defines the President s power to issue pardons. When studying the final ratified Constitution, it is apparent that Hamilton s views on these subjects prevailed. To the People of the State of New York: THE President of the United States is to be "commander-in-chief of the army and navy of the United States, and of the militia of the several States WHEN CALLED INTO THE ACTUAL SERVICE of the United States.'' The propriety of this provision is so evident in itself, and it is, at the same time, so consonant to the precedents of the State constitutions in general, that little need be said to explain or enforce it. Even those of them which have, in other respects, coupled the chief magistrate with a council, have for the most part concentrated the military authority in him alone. Of all the cares or concerns of government, the direction of war most peculiarly demands those qualities which distinguish the exercise of power by a single hand. The direction of war implies the direction of the common strength; and the power of directing and employing the common strength, forms a usual and essential part in the definition of the executive authority. "The President may require the opinion, in writing, of the principal officer in each of the executive departments, upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective officers.'' This I consider as a mere redundancy in the plan, as the right for which it provides would result of itself from the office. He is also to be authorized to grant "reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, EXCEPT IN CASES OF IMPEACHMENT.'' Humanity and good policy conspire to dictate, that the benign prerogative of pardoning should be as little as possible fettered or embarrassed. The criminal code of every country partakes so much of necessary severity, that without an easy access to exceptions in favor of unfortunate guilt, justice would wear a countenance too sanguinary and cruel. As the sense of responsibility is always strongest, in proportion as it is undivided, it may be inferred that a single man would be most ready to attend to the force of those motives which might plead for a mitigation of the rigor of the law, and least apt to yield to considerations which were calculated to shelter a fit object of its vengeance. The reflection that the fate 6

7 Federalist Papers Continued 7 of a fellow-creature depended on his sole fiat, would naturally inspire scrupulousness and caution; the dread of being accused of weakness or connivance, would beget equal circumspection, though of a different kind. On the other hand, as men generally derive confidence from their numbers, they might often encourage each other in an act of obduracy, and might be less sensible to the apprehension of suspicion or censure for an injudicious or affected clemency. On these accounts, one man appears to be a more eligible dispenser of the mercy of government, than a body of men The expediency of vesting the power of pardoning in the President has, if I mistake not, been only contested in relation to the crime of treason. This, it has been urged, ought to have depended upon the assent of one, or both, of the branches of the legislative body. I shall not deny that there are strong reasons to be assigned for requiring in this particular the concurrence of that body, or of a part of it. As treason is a crime levelled at the immediate being of the society, when the laws have once ascertained the guilt of the offender, there seems a fitness in referring the expediency of an act of mercy towards him to the judgment of the legislature. And this ought the rather to be the case, as the supposition of the connivance of the Chief Magistrate ought not to be entirely excluded. But there are also strong objections to such a plan. It is not to be doubted, that a single man of prudence and good sense is better fitted, in delicate conjunctures, to balance the motives which may plead for and against the remission of the punishment, than any numerous body whatever. It deserves particular attention, that treason will often be connected with seditions which embrace a large proportion of the community; as lately happened in Massachusetts. In every such case, we might expect to see the representation of the people tainted with the same spirit which had given birth to the offense. And when parties were pretty equally matched, the secret sympathy of the friends and favorers of the condemned person, availing itself of the good-nature and weakness of others, might frequently bestow impunity where the terror of an example was necessary. On the other hand, when the sedition had proceeded from causes which had inflamed the resentments of the major party, they might often be found obstinate and inexorable, when policy demanded a conduct of forbearance and clemency. But the principal argument for reposing the power of pardoning in this case to the Chief Magistrate is this: in seasons of insurrection or rebellion, there are often critical moments, when a well-timed offer of pardon to the insurgents or rebels may restore the tranquility of the commonwealth; and which, if suffered to pass unimproved, it may never be possible afterwards to recall. The dilatory process of convening the legislature, or one of its branches, for the purpose of obtaining its sanction to the measure, would frequently be the occasion of letting slip the golden opportunity. The loss of a week, a day, an hour, may sometimes be fatal. If it should be observed, that a discretionary power, with a view to such contingencies, might be occasionally conferred upon the President, it may be answered in the first place, that it is questionable, whether, in a limited Constitution, that power could be delegated by law; and in the second place, that it would generally be impolitic beforehand to take any step which might hold out the prospect of impunity. A proceeding of this kind, out of the usual course, would be likely to be construed into an argument of timidity or of weakness, and would have a tendency to embolden guilt. PUBLIUS 7

8 8 Michigan Society Board of Managers Meets in Chelsea MI T he Michigan Society, Sons of the American Revolution held their first Board of Managers Meeting of 2016 at the Comfort Inn in Chelsea, Michigan, on January 30, A full agenda of Society business was addressed with State President Rodney Wilson presiding. The following pictures are from that meeting. 8

9 The Patriotic Post Family of Acquackanonk, NJ By Compatriot Glenn Gouldey, Oaks Chapter, MISSAR 9 Acquackanonk (now Passaic, NJ) was land on the Passaic River in NJ acquired from the Lenni Lenape Indians by a group of New Netherland settlers in The names of the original 14 patentees who acquired the large tract of land included Post, Vreeland, Van Houten and Spier. On September 3, 1724, Frans (Franscoys) Post, (my 6 great grandfather) was born in Acquackanonk, to Jacobus Post and Margarite Christie. As unrest started with the British in New England, a group of 23 men in Acquackanonk, NJ were elected to a committee on June 11, 1774 as the first group in NJ to take a position against British actions. Frans Post was a member of the committee which was headed by Michael Vreeland Jr (another 6 great grandfather). On June 28, 1775 three militia companies were enlisted in Acquackanonk Township attached to Col Van Cortland s Essex Militia. Frans Post became Captain of the Third Company, and Michael Vreeland Jr became 1 st Lieutenant of the First Company. Acquackanonk was a hotbed of activity after the British attacked New York City. Following the Battles of Long Island and White Plains in 1776 General Washington and his troops retreated to Hackensack, NJ. On November 21, 1776 Fort Lee was lost and General Washington ordered his troops to retreat west. The bridge at Acquackanonk was the only bridge crossing of the Passaic River. General Washington and his troops crossed the bridge as they were pursued by the British. The Acquackanonk locals including the Posts wrecked the Acquackanonk Bridge after the crossing to slow the advancing British allowing Washington and his troops to escape west across NJ avoiding a crippling early defeat. The British were slowed but ultimately were able to cross the river by a shallow at the mill of Adrian A. Post, (another 6 great grandfather) and cousin of Captain Frans Post. Adrian was born December 6, 1730 in Acquackanonk to Adrian Post and Martje Van Rypen. As the British crossed into Acquackanonk they ransacked the farms and goods of the residents. On November 28, 1776, a week after the ransacking, Adrian A Post (plus John Post and Jacob Post, younger brothers of Frans) and other townspeople met to sign an allegiance to the new government of the US and against the British. They also passed a resolution pledging financial and material support for the acts of the new Congress and signed a roll for enlistment into the militia. Captain Frans Post continued to fight the British with the Essex Militia and was involved in many of the early skirmishes. Ralph Post (my 5 great grandfather) was born Nov. 10, 1756 in Acquackanonk. He was the son of Captain Frans Post and Cathlyntje Van Houten. He served in the Revolutionary War from 1776 until He was the Ensign of Captain Cornelius Speer s Company, Second Regiment of the NJ Essex Militia. He fought in numerous battles including Princeton, Trenton, and Monmouth. He wintered in Morristown in 1776/1777. In 1780 he fought in the battles of Connecticut Farms, Springfield and Elizabethtown. In July of 1780 he was a member of the military court in Newark for a court martial of three soldiers of the Essex Militia who had disobeyed orders. In November 1788 he was Captain Ralph Post on a petition from officers of the Essex Militia to the New Jersey Legislature recommending a permanent disciplined Militia. In 1801 he was elected state Assemblyman representing the county of Essex, NJ. 9

10 10 The Michigan Society welcomes another new Chapter. The Blue Water Chapter will make the tenth chapter for the Michigan Society. The Blue Water Chapter hopes to be officially chartered and operating this April. The following is an excerpt from their very first newsletter. Blue Water Chapter The first official meeting of the Blue Water Chapter was held at the Dorsey House which is located just west of Port Huron. A meeting schedule was established for the balance of A face book page has been established by the Chapter. At the meeting there was a presentation by President Robert May titled George Washington Celebration. The next meeting of the Blue Water Chapter will be held at the Dorsey House on April 19, The Blue Water Chapter officers are: Robert May President, Mathew VanWormer Vice President, Karl Goodrich Secretary, Robert Zimmer Treasurer, and Robert Eager Registrar/Genealogist Kensington Valley Chapter holds Charter meeting.on February 16, 2016, the Kensington Valley Chapter of the Michigan Society, SAR, held their official Charter meeting. Shown above, is MISSAR President Rod Wilson with Kensington Valley Chapter President Bob Matthews. In addition to the charter members, also present was MISSAR 1rst Vice President Paul Callanan. The Kensington Chapter officers are: John (Bob) Mathews President, Harold Winegarner Vice President, Dennis VanWormer Secretary, Marc Malott Treasurer, David Carter Registrar/Genealogist, Donald Reifert Historian, Bernie Wagers MISSAR Trustee. 10

11 11 News from the Northern Michigan Chapter C ompatriot Calvin Murphy is the Grand Traverse Area Veterans Coalition 2015 Veteran of the Year On Veterans Day at Elks Lodge #323 in Traverse City, Compatriot Calvin Murphy of the Northern Michigan Chapter was honored as the Grand Traverse Area Veterans Coalition 2015 Veteran of the Year Award. Compatriot Murphy has given exemplary service on behalf of Veterans and their families for many years. His efforts are too many to list, but a few include: organizing the Gold Star Family Event at the CGAS Traverse City, participating as an escort for Mid-Michigan Honor Flight, serving in many roles with Rolling Thunder, Michigan Chapter #1, Bear Creek VFW Post #6333 Commander, aiding Veterans with PTSD, fighting for Veteran s rights, and touching all of the many lives that he has over many years and on a daily basis. Compatriot Murphy is a Vietnam Veteran that served honorably in the United States Army. 11

12 12 The SAR Veterans Bugle March 30 has been officially designated Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day by the U.S. Senate. On 2 March 2015 fifty-one years have passed since an aerial bombardment campaign known by code name Rolling Thunder was launched against strategic targets in North Vietnam. On 8 March 2015 fifty-one years have passed since US Marines landed on a beach in South Vietnam, becoming the first US ground fighting forces March 2015 forty-three years have passed since the last combat and combat support American troops withdrew from South Vietnam, ending direct US military involvement in the Vietnam War. During the 1960 s and the Vietnam War years, our nation eventually became a state in turmoil with dissatisfaction over US involvement in SE Asia. Except for a few former policymakers like Walt Rostow and Henry Kissinger, a majority of the American public, regardless of their politics, believed that sending our troops to war was a mistake. In 1971, for example, 58% of the public told pollsters that they thought the war was immoral, a word that most Americans had never applied to their country s wars. Even in this century, a Gallup poll conducted during November 13-15, 2000, found that nearly seven out of ten Americans69%) believed that our involvement in Vietnam was a mistake. And in the Congressional Record of 7 March 2011 it is documented the Senate concurred in the fact that the Vietnam War years were an extremely divisive period among the people of the United States, which caused a generation of veterans to wait too long for the United States public to acknowledge and honor them with words of gratitude. When the troops came home there were no ticker-tape parades honoring them, no triumphant marches or speeches as there had been at the end of World War I and World War II. America s Vietnam veterans returned home to silence, or worse, in some cases to denigration for having served their country. The purpose here is not to elaborate on the merits or faults of the Vietnam War; or to explain why we were there, what we accomplished or how we could have done it better. The purpose here is to acknowledge and honor the Compatriots of the Vietnam War with words of gratitude. For us, the Sons of the American Revolution, such words should come easily and sincerely for they are an acknowledgment of deeds similar to that which our forefathers did: They fought not for territorial gain, or personal wealth. They fought to make a country free. It is with deep humility and pride that on behalf of the Compatriots of the Sons of the American Revolution I say thank you to Vietnam War Veterans for their service to country, especially to the 436 Compatriots who are members of the NSSAR Vietnam War Veterans Corps. Welcome home! President General Thomas E. Lawrence SAR Vietnam War Veterans Corps Michigan Members John H. Daly III Stephen L. Latchaw Thomas L. Reardon JR. If you are a SAR Member who served in Viet Nam and are interested in becoming part of the Viet Nam Veterans Corp please contact Michigan Society 1rst Vice President Paul Callanan at ltcmrsc@aol.com This article was reprinted from the SAR 12 Veteran Bugle, a veterans recognition newsletter

13 13 News from the Paul Emery Chapter Compatriot Norm Palmer gave a wonderful presentation about tracing his Patriot through New England. Norm s Patriot s name is Lt. Richard Ransom. Lt. Ransom was stationed in New York during the Revolution. Also, Compatriot Norm was able to find the grave site of his Patriot. Where a former chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution had marked the grave. Thank you Compatriot Norm for a wonderful presentation! Detroit Metropolitan Chapter Activities for the first quarter of 2016 T he Detroit Metro Chapter met with Louisa ST. Clair Chapter of the DAR at the Detroit Country Club on Saturday, January 23 rd to celebrate the 123 rd birthday anniversary of the DAR Chapter. This is an annual event that we attend. In February the Officers of the Chapter met to plan the year and to discuss the activities for the Chapter. The DMC s activities for the 2016 year are presented on its webpage. On March 5 th the Chapter gathered in the large room at the Rusty Bucket to discuss projects that the Compatriots of the Chapter might be involved in. Two of our special ladies received their national Ladies Auxiliary pins. These are the second and third ladies in the State of Michigan to join this 13

14 14 News from the West Michigan Chapter Local team submits winning design for Sons of the American Revolution 250 th US Sestercentennial celebration logo Two members of the West Michigan Chapter, Michigan Society, Sons of the American Revolution are being honored for submitting the winning entry for the design of a logo to be used by the S.A.R. through the United States Sestercentennial (250 th anniversary) in S.A.R. Compatriots Thomas Lannon and Jim Biener of Grand Rapids worked with local designer Richard VanHaften to create a logo to be used by the national organization through 2026, the year of the 250 th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence for the United States of America. Clifford C. Olsen, II, Chairman of the National Society Sons of the American Revolution 250th Anniversary Committee announced the winning design this week, out of dozens of entries from chapters across the United States. The logo will be used for the next decade to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of America's founding. It will be used with articles in the SAR Magazine, as well as with printed matter and merchandising. The Sons of the American Revolution is the leading male lineage society that perpetuates the ideals of the war for independence. As a historical, educational, and patriotic, non-profit corporation, the organization seeks to maintain and expand the meaning of patriotism, respect for our national symbols, the value of American citizenship, and the unifying force of "e pluribus unum" that was created from the people of many nations -- one nation and one people. L to r Compatriot Thomas Lannon with logo designer Richard Van Hafton (not pictured Jim Biener) L to r Compatriot Thomas Lannon with logo designer Richard VanHaften (not pictured Jim Biener) 14

15 15 Michigan Society Sons of the American Revolution 2016 ANNUAL GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING Saturday April 16, 2016 Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center 219 S Harrison Rd, East Lansing, MI Phone (517) kelloggcenter.com 10:00 a.m. Board of Manager Meeting 11:00 a.m. Annual Membership Meeting General Business: Officer and Committee Reports Requiring Action Constitution and Bylaws Changes (Tentative) Election of Officers and Trustees 12:30 p.m. Luncheon 1:30 p.m. Afternoon Activities Installation of Officers and Trustees Presentation of Member Medals and Awards MISSAR Members, Wives and Guests are Welcome Block Room rate for MISSAR Friday night $ Standard Double or Standard King Rooms Room reservations can be made on-line at or by phone at (M - F 7:30am 7:00pm, Saturday 10:00am-2:00pm) Use Group Code: 1604SARCON See Flyer at MISSAR Web Page 15

16 16 Great Lakes District Annual Banquet and Meeting A meeting of ILSSAR, WISSAR & MISSAR Announcement Friday and Saturday October 28 and 29, 2016 Hosted by: Michigan Society of Sons of the American Revolution Formal Banquet Dinner on Friday night with Color Guard Ceremony and Saturday business meeting with Luncheon Come see: Fred Meijer Gardens Gerald Ford Museum After the meeting SAVE THE DATE and PLAN TO ATTEND 16

17 17 Message from the President continued from page 1 ask you for some input as to what you want the new website to be. He is also looking at other states websites and the NSSAR new website. Also, Jeremy Latchaw is stepping down as our JROTC/ROTC Chairman as he is currently on a sabbatical and cannot devote the time needed to the chairmanship. He will remain on the committee and hopes that someday in the future he can be the JROTC/ROTC chairman. I am talking to one of our members about taking over that position. Thank you to Jeremy for all his efforts for this important program. My closing remarks are recruit new members and then work on getting them involved in your chapter programs. Best Regards, Rod Wilson, President Michigan Society, SAR Message from the Editor My sincere thanks to all the Compatriots who supplied me with news and photos from the State Society and our Chapters. Without your input this newsletter would be impossible to publish. I look forward to seeing many of you at the Michigan Society annual meeting in April in East Lansing. Please keep The Minute Man in mind when there are SAR activities that you would like to share with your fellow Compatriots. me with news anytime. Have a great Spring, Sincerely, John Crissman, Editor, The Minute Man Johncrissman17@gmail.com 17