The Wolverine Minute Man

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1 Minute Man March, 2015 The Wolverine Minute Man Newsletter of the Michigan Society Sons of the American Revolution March, 2015 Message from the President We are in the middle of one of the coldest and snowiest winters in our nation s history. New England and particularly Boston is struggling to dig out from several foot of snow and the Midwest has experienced record low temperatures, with the Great Lakes almost frozen over. Looking out the window at the blowing drifts it makes you wonder if spring will ever arrive. Reflecting back on our revolutionary patriot ancestors and the struggles they endured during the winter encampments makes one marvel at the commitment demonstrated toward achieving independence. Many soldiers were without shoes or other basic clothing. You hear of blood stained marches through the snowy wildness just trying to sustain the American army and the dream of independence. Lack of shelter, starvation, illness, and loneliness almost destroyed the American forces. Yet, each time a low point was reached, determination and divine intervention helped sustain our country s noble cause. The idea of commitment to a righteous cause beyond the needs and self-interest of the individual to create a nation of freedom with opportunity for all was the very foundation of the revolution. Although for many the idea of separating from King and Country did not initially represent the majority public view. Like many difficult decisions there were a few visionaries and many who evolved toward the concept of independence. The flame of freedom is always at threat of extinction by evil. Yet during the war for independence and through the many trials throughout the decades since Our nation, under God, and indivisible has stood as a beacon of good and hope for the world. Our ability to respect diversity be it differences in beliefs, culture, race, gender, or anything else, is our national treasure and provides the strength to evolve and cope with all challenges. It has been a great honor to serve as President for the Michigan Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. I will always cherish the privilege of being able to serve this society with its many compatriot brothers who through their lineage and commitment to freedom honor our patriot ancestors. It will soon be time to pass leadership of MISSAR to a very able and well-qualified set of officers. The state of MISSAR is strong. We have made great strides in increasing our membership. We have implemented new social media tools that are improving efforts to make the public aware of our society and to help attract new, younger members to sustain our organization. There is still much work to be done to improve MISSAR and I look forward to continuing to contribute in my new role within our society. Thank you for your support and fellowship. God Bless MISSAR, our Compatriots, and the United States of America. 1

2 Message from President continued It has been a great honor to serve as President for the Michigan Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. I will always cherish the privilege of being able to serve this society with its many compatriot brothers who through their lineage and commitment to freedom honor our patriot ancestors. It will soon be time to pass leadership of MISSAR to a very able and well-qualified set of officers. The state of MISSAR is strong. We have made great strides in increasing our membership. We have implemented new social media tools that are improving efforts to make the public aware of our society and to help attract new, younger members to sustain our organization. There is still much work to be done to improve MISSAR and I look forward to continuing to contribute in my new role within our society. Thank you for your support and fellowship. God Bless MISSAR, our Compatriots, and the United States of America. Dr. Robert M. Sprague, President MISSAR 2

3 Michigan Society Sons of the American Revolution Officers 2014 President Dr. Robert Sprague (Paul Emery Chapter) 1 st Vice President Rod Wilson (Oaks Chapter) 2 nd Vice President Michael Huey (West Michigan Chapter) Treasurer Joseph C. Conger (Northern Michigan Chapter) Secretary Laurence Herman (Oaks Chapter) Chancellor Don Shaw (Paul Emery Chapter) Chaplain James Perkins (West Michigan Chapter) Genealogist Allan Treppa (Huron Valley Chapter) Registrar Robert Wagel (Sauk Trail Chapter) Historian John Crissman (Oaks Chapter) DAR/CAR Laison James Petres (Huron Valley Chapter) 3

4 Michigan Society Sons of The American Revolution Chapter Trustees and National Officers West Michigan Chapter Gary Crump, Lensworth Cottrell, Jr. Detroit Metro Chapter Stuart Shuster, Richard Steele Sauk Trail Chapter Robett Heydon, Vernon Potts Northern Michigan Chapter Gerald Wall, Charles Barr II Paul Emery Chapter Gerald Burkland, Donald E. Reifert River Raisin Chapter Donald Nutt, Jerry Reed, Sr Oaks Chapter Tom Coddington, Dennis VanWormer Huron Valley Chapter Tom Pleuss, Thomas Fountain National Officers National Trustee Rober Wagel (Sauk Trail Chapter) Alternate National Trustee Joseph Conger (Northern Michigan) 4

5 Michigan Society Sons of the American Revolution Chapter Presidents 2014 West Michigan Chartered 1897 Michael Huey Detroit Metropolitan Chartered 1913 Stuart B. Shuster Sauk Trail Chartered 1961 Robert A. Wagel Northern Michigan Chartered 1989 David S. Smith Paul Emery Chartered 1998 Robert Sprague River Raisin Chartered 1999 Jerry Reed Sr. Oaks Chartered 2006 Dennis VanWormer Huron Valley Chartered 2008 Thomas A. Fountain 5

6 Michigan Society Sons of the American Revolution Century Club 2015 MC 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 ** * denotes number of years member of Century Club 6

7 Save our Battlefields At the February 12, 2015 general membership meeting of the Oaks Chapter, MISSAR, Compatriot Bob Matthews gave a presentation on the work of the Civil War Trust to preserve historic battlefields. Recently the United States Congress passed legislation including Revolutionary War battlefields and War of 1812 battlefields in the federal Civil War grant preservation program. This is an important step toward increasing support for preservation of these battlefields. The following article was reprinted from the Civil War Trust web site, Civil War Trust For Immediate Release: 12/12/14 Congress Enacts Landmark Legislation to Preserve America's Endangered Battlefields Legislation expands successful federal Civil War battlefield grant program to include preservation of Revolutionary War and War of 1812 battlefields (Washington, D.C.) The Civil War Trust today applauded members of U.S. Senate and House of Representatives for enactment of landmark legislation to preserve America s endangered battlefields. The legislation, part of an omnibus lands package included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3979), reauthorizes a highly successful federal matching grant program for the preservation of Civil War battlefields. In addition, the bill expands that existing program to provide grants for the acquisition of land at Revolutionary War and War of 1812 battlefields. This is a historic moment for the battlefield preservation movement, remarked Civil War Trust president James Lighthizer. For 15 years, the Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program has been an invaluable tool for protecting the hallowed battlegrounds of the Civil War. Now, for the first time, battlefields associated with America s other formative conflicts, the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, will also benefit from this public-private partnership. Mary Thompson House on the Gettysburg Civil War Battlefield, Gettysburg, Pa. The Mary Thompson House served as General Robert E. Lee s Headquarters during the battle. The 4.14-acre Lee s Headquarters property was acquired by the Civil War Trust in 2014 with a federal matching grant from the American Battlefield Protection Program. (Civil War Trust photo) 7

8 The legislation, originally introduced in 2013 as the American Battlefields Protection Program Amendments Act (H.R. 1033), reauthorizes the Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program, a matching grants program that encourages private sector investment in historic battlefield protection. Since the program was first funded by Congress in FY 1999, it has been used to preserve more than 23,000 acres of battlefield land in 17 states. The battlefields protected through the program include some of the most famous in the annals of America, including Antietam, Md., Chancellorsville and Manassas, Va.; Chattanooga and Franklin, Tenn.; Gettysburg, Pa.; Perryville, Ky.; and Vicksburg, Miss. The bipartisan bill was sponsored by U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and Congressmen Rush Holt (D-N.J.) and Rob Wittman (R-Va.) in their respective chambers. In addition, the bill was championed by Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chair Mary Landrieu (D-La.) and House Natural Resources Chairman Doc Hastings (R-Wash.). A complete list of House and Senate cosponsors can be found on the Congress.gov website (Senate and House). We owe our Congressional champions in the House and Senate an enormous debt of gratitude for believing in this program and guiding it through an often complicated legislative process, Lighthizer noted. Thanks to their tireless efforts, thousands of acres of genuine American history that might have been lost to development can still be preserved for future generations. In addition to reauthorizing the existing Civil War matching grants program, the bill expands the program s authority to provide grants to protect Revolutionary War and War of 1812 battlefields. Similar to the Civil War grants, which are awarded for priority battlefield land identified in a 1993 government report on Civil War battlefields (updated in 2011), funding for Revolutionary War and War of 1812 battlefields will target sites listed in a 2007 study by the American Battlefield Protection Program. Among the battlefields that could potentially benefit from the expanded program are: Bennington, N.Y. and Vt.; Brandywine, Pa.; Cowpens, S.C.; Caulk s Field, Md.; Guilford Courthouse, N.C.; Princeton, N.J.; River Raisin, Mich.; Saratoga, N.Y.; and Yorktown, Va. Colonnade Monument on the Princeton Revolutionary War Battlefield, Princeton, N.J. The Princeton Battlefield is one of the Revolutionary War and War of 1812 battlefields eligible for federal matching grants from the American Battlefield Protection 8

9 In his remarks, Lighthizer also noted that this legislation, by encouraging the protection of battlefield land, also honors the courage and sacrifices of all who served in America s military. Preserved battlefields are living monuments not just to the soldiers who fought in those hallowed fields but to all Americans who have worn our nation s uniform. There are no better places to learn about the human cost of the freedoms we enjoy today. The combined Civil War, Revolutionary War and War of 1812 matching program is authorized at $10 million a year for seven years, through the end of FY The FY 2015 Omnibus Appropriations Act (H.R. 83) currently under consideration by the Congress includes $8.9 million for the program. Slaughter Pen Farm on the Fredericksburg Civil War Battlefield, Fredericksburg, Va. The 206-acre Slaughter Pen Farm was preserved by the Civil War Trust in 2006 with a federal matching grant from the American Battlefield Protection Program. (Civil War Trust photo/kelly Schneider) In addition to the American Battlefields Protection Program Amendments Act, the lands package in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) also included other important battlefield preservation initiatives, including modest expansions of the national military parks at Gettysburg and Vicksburg, as well as legislation to explore adding Mill Springs Battlefield in Kentucky to the National Park System. President Obama is expected to sign NDAA into law later this month. 9

10 The Civil War Trust is the premier nonprofit organization devoted to the preservation of America s hallowed battlegrounds. The Trust is the principal nonprofit advocate for federal battlefield preservation programs and legislation. Although primarily focused on the protection of Civil War battlefields, through its Campaign 1776 initiative, the Trust also seeks to save the battlefields connected to the Revolutionary War and War of To date, the Trust has preserved more than 40,000 acres of battlefield land in 20 states. Learn more at News from the Detroit Metro Chapter During the last quarter of 2014 the DMC has completed the following tasks and assignments: We have updated our web page listing our officers and our 2015 Meeting schedule. This information has been sent to all Chapter compatriots who have . We have published our Fall Newsletter to our web page and also sent it out to our compatriots. We have updated our Constitution and By Laws and presented a draft to our website and to our compatriots. We also have drafted a 20 page Officer and Committee Handbook draft and placed it on our web page and sent it out to our compatriots. These documents will be discussed, amended as required and voted on at our April Annual meeting. As a result of our October Chapter meeting and compatriot Michael Franco s presentation, we have provided an article for the Fourth Quarter 2014 WMM regarding Lewis Cass s Round Robin. Our quest for new members continues with three applications in review: Chris White, Greg Winters, and Bruce Jones. We are also looking at Mark Smith s application and have several other inquires pending. We are in process of preparing a presentation for the March BOD meeting with the DMC in Troy. Our newly inducted member, Don Reardon has accepted the post of Treasurer, replacing compatriot Meeker who passed away. He will assume Treasurer duties in the first quarter of

11 MISSAR New Members 2014 NSSAR# 2014 New Members MISSAR# Chapter Approval Dyer, Gabriel 3501 WMC 1/13/ Potere, William R 3500 OC 1/13/ Hale, Ralph 3549 HVC 1/29/ Lucas, Raymond E 3502 OC 1/29/ Easton Randy 3534 Oaks 3/11/ Gilbert, Joseph M 3519 WMC 3/28/ Gilbert, Robert D 3520 WMC 3/28/ Bridges, Howard K 3507 NMC 4/2/ Romney, Kevin S 3508 HVC 4/2/ Romney, George M 3509 HVC 4/2/ Romeny, Mark H 3510 HVC 4/2/ Jones, Earnest A III 3511 OC 4/2/ Jones, Brent 3512 OC 4/2/ Krause, Mark H 3513 OC 4/2/ Krause, Mark W 3514 OC 4/2/ Rakolta, John III 3515 OC 4/2/ Stern, James M 3516 NMC 4/2/ Stern, Michael J 3517 NMC 4/2/ Stern, Matthew J 3518 NMC 4/2/ Hess, Robert K 3522 NMC 4/24/ Hess, Robert J 3523 NMC 4/24/ Lannon, Mark P 3524 WMC 4/28/ Lannon, Thomas S WMC 4/28/ Springer, Jeffery C 3526 STC 4/28/ Gillespie, Richard W 3527 STC 4/28/ Raya, John M 3528 OC 4/28/ Hodges, Thomas S 3529 WMC 4/28/ Springer, Clyde I 3530 STC 4/28/ Karth, Robert W 3535 Oaks 4/24/ King, Brian W 3521 WMC 4/24/ Von Koenig, Edward 3550 STC 5/2/ Huelett, James M DMC 5/21/ Funkhouser, Michael P 3532 RRC 5/21/ Dietz, Stephen W 3533 WMC 5/27/ Difazio, David A 3536 HVC 8/7/ Reardon, Thomas 3537 DMC 8/7/ Armstrong, Jon S 3538 NMC 8/20/ Jackson, Dewey L 3539 DMC 8/20/ Bryant, Allison D 3540 NMC 8/20/ Hoyt, John E 3541 WMC 8/20/ Brennan, Edward C 3542 Oaks 8/28/ Brennan, Michael E 3543 Oaks 8/28/

12 New Members 214 Continued from previous page Malott, Marc A 3544 Oaks 8/28/ Miller, Donald F 3545 STC 8/28/ Underwood, Jack 3562 HVC 9/4/ Botsford, Matthew 3546 DMC 9/4/ Wagel, Ashley 3547 STC 9/4/ Wagel, Aaron 3548 STC 9/4/ Preston, John L 3551 HVC 9/22/ Olson, Richard L 3552 NMC 9/22/ Grosskopf, Bernard 3553 WMC 11/1/ Hanson, Christopher 3554 WMC 11/3/ Huber, Robert M 3555 Oaks 11/14/ Huber, Robert Charles 3556 Oaks 11/14/ Biener, James A 3557 WMC 12/4/ Houston, James E 3558 NMC 12/3/ Ferriby, Andrew C 3559 Oaks 12/14/ Ferriby, Robin D 3560 Oaks 12/14/ Anderson, Brian E 3561 NMC 12/14/2014 Thanks to all the sponsors, genealogists, registrars and secretaries for their work during the year. Have you considered applying for your sons, grandsons, your brothers and your uncles? Reach out to the DAR members and ask for their sons, grandsons, brothers and uncles. The philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next. Abraham Lincoln 12

13 MISSAR STATE NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE 2015 Report to the MISSAR General Membership and Board of Managers 2015 SLATE OF COMPATRIOTS PRESIDENT: ROD WILSON (OAKS CHAPTER) 1ST VICE PRESIDENT: PAUL CALLANAN (NORTHERN MICHIGAN CHAP- TER) 2ND VICE PRESIDENT: WILLIAM VETTE (RIVER RAISIN CHAPTER) TREASURER: JOSEPH C. CONGER (NORTHERN MICHIGAN CHAPTER) SECRETARY: DENNIS VAN WORMER (OAKS CHAPTER) CHANCELLOR: DAVID VANHOOF (RIVER RASIN CHAPTER) CHAPLAIN: JAMES PERKINS (WEST MICHIGAN CHAPTER) MICHAEL HUEY (WEST MICHIGAN CHAPTER) GENEALOGIST: ALLAN TREPPA (HURON VALLEY CHAPTER) REGISTRAR: ROBERT WAGEL (SAUK TRAIL CHAPTER) HISTORIAN: JOHN CRISSMAN DAR/CAR LAISON: JIM PETRES 13

14 CHAPTER TRUSTEES, COMPATRIOTS **PENDING FINAL APPOINTMENTS FOR 2015** WEST MICHIGAN: GARY CRUMP, DOUGLAS J. RASMUSSEN DETROIT METROPOLITAN: STUART B. SHUSTER, GENE TOMILSON SUAK TRAIL: JACK HAINES, DUANE PEACHEY NORTHERN MICHIGAN: GERALD WALL, CHARLES BARR II PAUL EMERY: GERALD BURKLAND, DONALD E. REIFERT RIVER RAISIN: WILLIAM VETTE, JERRY REED, SR OAKS: TOM CODDINGTON HURON VALLEY: TOM PLEUSS, TOM FOUNTAIN NATIONAL OFFICERS, COMPATRIOTS NATIONAL TRUSTEE: ROBERT WAGEL (SAUK TRAIL CHAPTER) ALTERNATE NATIONAL TRUSTEE: JOSEPH CONGER (NORTHERN MICHIGAN CHAPTER) RESPECTIVELY SUBMITTED 2015 MISSAR STATE SLATE CHAIRMAN JERRY W. REED, SR. MEMBERS THOMAS FOUNTAIN AND DENNIS VAN WORMER 14

15 News from the Northern Michigan Chapter The last meeting of the Northern Michigan Chapter was held on February 21, 2015, at the Ruby Tuesday Restaurant. In attendance were Compatriots Charles Barr II, Roger Benter, Howard Bridges, Allison Bryant, Paul Callanan, Joseph Conger, David Smith, Lowell Spence, and James Strain. There were also eight guests present. President Smith conducted a memorial induction for Compatriot James Houstan of Cadillac. James died on December 1, 2014, and his SAR membership application was accepted on December 4, James Houstan was a life long resident of Cadillac and a local business owner. He was a veteran of the Korean conflict. James rosette and certificate of membership was given to his widow. Several other family members were present for the ceremony. Up Coming Northern Michigan Events April 11, 2015 Regular meeting at Ruby Tuesdays June 6, 2015 Regular meeting at Traverse City District Library October 9, 2015 Color Guard Ceremony Old Mission Peninsula 3 p.m. October 10, 2015 Special Thanks to Charles Barr II for supplying this news Joint meeting Northern Michigan Chapter and MISSAR Board of Managers 15

16 Michigan Society Meets twice in first quarter of 2015 The Michigan Society Sons of the American Revolution met on two separate occasions in the first quarter of On January 17, 2015, the MISSAR Board of Managers met in Chelsea, Michigan to conduct business of the Society, and also take the opportunity to socialize over lunch. On March 7, 2015, the Board of Managers met again at the Somerset Inn in Troy Michigan. This meeting was held in conjunction with the Detroit Metro Chapter, which hosted the meeting. There were several items on the agenda in preparation of the Michigan Society annual meeting to be held at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing, Michigan, on April 25, Please see the MISSAR web site, or this edition of the Minute Man for a flyer on this meeting and registration form. All Compatriots are urged to attend this important meeting. Meeting host and Detroit Metro Chapter President Stuart Shuster and fellow Compatriots from the MISSAR enjoying lunch at the Somerset Inn on March 7, 2015, at the MISSAR Board of Managers Meeting 16

17 Michigan Society Sons of the American Revolution 2015 ANNUAL GENERAL MEMERSHIP MEETING Saturday April 25, 2015 Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center 219 S Harrison Rd, East Lansing, MI Phone (517) ask for code BLOCK SAR Friday April 24th 6:00 p.m. Emeritus Committee Dinner Meeting for Past MISSAR Presidents only Saturday April 25th 10:00 a.m. Board of Manager Meeting 11:00 a.m. Annual Membership Meeting General Business: Officer and Committee Reports Constitution and Bylaws Changes 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 General Membership and Wives and Guests are invited R.S.V.P. Early PAID reservation needed to be served Luncheon The cost for facilities rental and luncheon is $35 per attendee Make checks payable to MISSAR payment must accompany reservation form and send to: Compatriot Dr. Robert Sprague, 5587 Woodfield Pkwy #42, Grand Blanc, MI Reservations must be received before April 16, 2015 to qualify for refund You must have a reservation & be PAID to be served. Number of Reservations Name(s) Address City State Zip Telephone Number Check Meal Entree(s): Mixed Greens Salad and cake dessert; Roast Pork Loin 17

18 Message from the Editor, In February my wife and I drove to Florida to escape another hideous Michigan winter. Not wanting to do the same old I-75, drive there as quickly as possible trip, we meandered all around the southeast, much of the time traveling secondary roads. We visited interesting places like Lexington Virginia, where Robert E. Lee lived his final years as a college president and where Stonewall Jackson was a professor long before he became known as Stonewall. We visited Charleston where the first shots of the civil war rang out and we stopped at Savannah Georgia where Sherman finally put down his torch at the end of his famous march to the sea and spared this beautiful city. We were in seven different states and saw many sights. Best of all we saw at least a corner of America up close and personal. America is truly a special place. When you take the time to stop and talk to people along the way your trip is immensely enriched. We are privileged to be descendants of the Patriots who risked everything to create this great country We always must remember our obligations as guardians of this heritage to honor those Patriots, and also to protect and perpetuate our freedoms and institutions that define who we are. On Saturday, April 25, 2015 you have an opportunity to be involved with the Michigan Society by attending our annual meeting in East Lansing. Join us and discover how you can contribute to the cause of freedom. A flyer is included in this issue of The Minute Man, and can also be found on our web page. Honor your Patriot ancestor by continuing the work he or she started almost 240 years ago. I look forward to seeing many new Compatriots at the meeting Sincerely, John Crissman, Editor, The Wolverine Minute Man O beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife. Who more than self their country loved And mercy more than life! America! America! May God thy gold refine Till all success be nobleness And every gain divine! America the Beautiful Katherine Lee Bates 18