The Magazine Williamsburg Chapter Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution - Williamsburg SAR
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
The Magazine
Williamsburg Chapter Virginia Society
Sons of the American Revolution
By signing the Declaration of Independence,
the fifty-six Americans pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor. Nine died of wounds during the
Revolutionary War, Five were captured or imprisoned. Wives and children were jailed, mistreated, or left penniless.
Twelve signers’ houses were burned to the ground. No signer defected. Their honor, like their nation remained intact.
Vol. XXVI
I hope you and your families have continued to stay safe. The sooner we get vaccinated, the sooner we will
be able to return to holding in person events.
Our February speaker was Cliff Fleet, the president and CEO of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
who provided an excellent talk to the 35 members that attended. We have another excellent local leader as
our March meeting speaker; Ms. Christy S. Coleman, Executive Director of the Jamestown-Yorktown
Foundation. Her bio and topic can be found later in this newsletter.
The VASSAR Annual Meeting resulted in the following awards for the chapter. I would like to thank all
of you for supporting our Williamsburg Chapter programs last year. In particular, we should thank Paul
Huchko for his work with the Walsingham Lower School which resulted in strong participation in the
Youth Programs Brochure contest and our candidate winning the VASSAR Teacher of the Year contest and
being named as the Virginia State nominee to the national contest. Dave Westenberger brought home a 1st
place for winning the newsletter contest and George Corbett got us a 2nd place for the Flag Recognition
Program. Also, Harley Stewart's PR efforts resulted in a large amount of community exposure and a
significant number of Americanism Report points.
VASSAR intends to emphasize Youth Programs even more this year. To support this effort, our goals are
to expand our existing Youth programs by recruiting applicants for the state Eagle Scout and JROTC
contests and to pursue entries in one or two new Youth programs such as the Essay Contest (high school)
and Poster Contest (elementary school). Please support these initiatives by spreading the word to friends,
neighbors and particularly any school age grandchildren you have in the area.
We will be looking for opportunities to engage with the local community as Covid restrictions are relaxed.
If you belong to an organization that would like to hear more about the SAR in general and our chapter in
particular, please let me know.
I look forward to meeting in person before very long.
Roger W Cross, III
www.williamsburgsar.org Page 1
Chapter News
Monday March 1, 2021
10:00 BOM meeting
by ZOOM
Saturday March 13, 2021
11:45 AM Chapter meeting
by ZOOM
William D. Greaf was sworn
Tuesday March 16, 2021 in as 3rd Vice President of the Virginia Society SAR
James Madison birthday (Sons of the American Revolution) in a ceremony at its
annual meeting in Richmond, VA. held on Feb. 6. Mr.
Greaf resides in Williamsburg and is a past president of
WE WON IT ! the Williamsburg Chapter SAR.
Chapter President Roger Cross presented our
chapter wreath by zoom
Roger Cross, President of the Williamsburg On January 24 the Col. James Wood II Chapter of
Chapter SAR presented an acrylic medal to VASSAR hosted a ceremony to honor Rev. Peter
Mr. David Westenberger, Chapter Editor of Muhlenberg and his “A time to preach and a time to
its monthly Newsletter “The Magazine”and fight. . .” sermon given at his church on Jan. 21,
of its Website, at his home in James City 1776. The ceremony was held at the Courthouse Square
County. The Jennings Flathers award is in Woodstock, VA. This is now a VASSAR
given to the 1st Place winner of the Virginia Designated Event. There was a limited in-person
Society SAR State Contest for Chapter attendance with wreath-laying. Many attended by
Newsletters. Harley zoom with wreath laying also by zoom.
www.williamsburgsar.org Page 2
CHAPTER AWARDS
Roger Cross, President of the
Williamsburg Chapter SAR
presented acrylic medals and a $500
check to Mr. Jeffrey Nicoloff,
Walsingham Academy Lower School
history teacher. The award is given
to the winner of the Virginia Society
SAR State Teacher of the Year
Contest and for nomination to the
Tom & Betty Lawrence American
History Teacher Contest of the
National Society SAR.
Jenafer Naswadi, Director of the Lower School
Walsingham Academy, Jeffrey Nicoloff, holding
Our chapter was also awarded 2
his two awards, and President Roger Cross.
streamers shown here in addition
I was truly humbled upon receiving this to the medals.
award for our chapter. President Roger
Cross III and Past President Harley
Stewart came by my house in full
regalia for the presentation and a
picture to record the event (on page 2).
The monthly creations were a
gathering of articles sent to me by
board members and chapter
compatriots for assembly. I have to
admit very few spellings needed
correction attesting to the capabilities
and talent of our members!
I would like to thank all that
supported me in my efforts to achieve
the best SAR newsletter in Virginia
for our chapter !
David Westenberger Jennings Flathers Award
www.williamsburgsar.org Page 3
Ms. Coleman is presently the Executive
Director of the Jamestown-Yorktown
Foundation.
Her career spans over 30 years serving as
Chief Executive Officer of some of the
nation’s most prominent museums. Prior
to her present position, she held
leadership roles at the Colonial
Williamsburg Foundation, the Charles
H. Wright Museum of African American
History, and the American Civil War
Museum.
Ms. Coleman is a tireless advocate for
the power of museums. She has written
numerous articles, is an accomplished
screenwriter, and public speaker. Most
recently she served as a historical
consultant for the film, “Harriet” and
Showtime’s” Good Lord Bird”
miniseries, and the public historian for
the miniseries “Grant”
Ms. Coleman has received honorary
degrees from the College of Willian &
Mary, Virginia Commonwealth
University and the University of the
South.
Time magazine in 2018, named her one of
the” 31 people changing the south” and in
Ms. Christy S. Coleman 2019, Worth magazine named her one of
the “29 Women changing the World”
www.williamsburgsar.org Page 4
Registrar's Corner
Presently there is a lot of activity and
interest in joining SAR. Thanks to those
that have referred candidates and to
those that have initiated applications for
sons and grandsons. We just received
notice that the junior application of Dillon
Hess, grandson of Compatriot Jim Hess,
and the application of Robert Murden, son
of Compatriot Bill Murden, have been
approved. Currently we have three new
member and two supplemental
applications in the pipeline waiting for
approval. There are ten new member and
two supplemental applications being
processed and four prospects in the que.
Two of our applicants are college
students and sons of members of
Daughters of the American Revolution.
Hunt Berryman - Registrar
Email:
huntberryman@aol.com
Seeking your assistance and hopefully possible
input for our monthly meetings.
"Speakers Wanted" If you have heard or know of a speaker who you
think the membership (and guests) would be
interested in hearing at one of our luncheons
next year, please contact VPres. Steve Mcguffin
at mcguffis@gmail.com
Your serious interest and potential response to
this matter will be greatly appreciated!
www.williamsburgsar.org Page 5
POSTER CONTEST
Compatriots:
Are your elementary aged children or grandchildren suffering from the Remote Learning Blues? We
have a program to break those blues and have fun doing it.
The Americanism Committee of NSSAR is emphasizing Youth Program Contests in the coming
year. Those youth programs consist of contests that pertain to some facet of the American
Revolution for grades 3 thru 12. This year, your chapter is focusing on a contest for students in
grades 3, 4, and 5. It is the ELEMENTARY SCHOOL POSTER CONTEST.
The contest is open to public schools, parochial, home schooled, scouting, or CAR member students
in that same grade range. In most cases, the contest is coordinated with elementary school teachers in
our district. However, not all schools elect to participate in the contests and thus not all students
have an opportunity to enjoy this fun and educational activity.
You may have a child, a grandchild, or know someone whose child would enjoy participating in this
fun and educational activity. It is a great way to spend a cold, snowy or rainy-day or weekend, having
fun, and learning about the American Revolution.
So, what do we do? How do we enter the contest?
The theme for the poster is Revolutionary War Person or Persons.
The student creates a two-dimensional poster on poster board, 22 inches x 28 inches, or foamed back
poster board, 20 inches x 30 inches.
Computer aided graphics designed material may be used on the posters. However, this material must
be of original design and is limited to fifty percent of the poster. No clip art or copyrighted material
can be used.
Deadline for entry submission to the local chapter is April 24, 2021.
If you know of an elementary school aged student who is interested, please contact our Williamsburg
Youth Program Manager at PaulHuchko@comcast.net
NATIONAL
LEVEL
WINNERS
www.williamsburgsar.org Page 6
Virginia History Day 2021
District 6 Hampton Roads
If you are interested in supporting the Williamsburg Chapter’s youth educational
goals, please consider volunteering to be a judge for Virginia History Day 2021.
Additional details are provided below. Tom Campbell and I participated last year
and found the experience very rewarding. You can choose the category and age
group that you would like to judge when you register as a judge. I chose the video
documentary category and was very impressed with the quality of the submittals.
The winning documentary can be viewed at the link below. I think you will be
impressed. https://youtu.be/4B2vUfpPc0k
All student projects will be related in some way to this year's NHD Theme, which
is “Communication in History: The Key to Understanding”.
All 2021 VHD contests will be held virtually due to the pandemic. As a reminder,
there are no specific qualifications necessary to serve as a VHD judge. All that is
required is a general interest in history, the ability to give quality feedback to
students, and the ability to be kind and supportive to young people. The platform
that is being used is user friendly. You will be invited to a training session on how
to navigate the judging platform later this spring.
Judging for the District 6 (Hampton Roads) contest will take place between March
9th and March 14th. Judges will be able to view and evaluate student projects at
their own leisure during this window. Student interviews will take place on Sat,
March 13th. All judges need to be available for several hours that day. There will
be more precise information on how long the interview process will take once the
Coordinator knows how many students have registered for the contest.
To register as a judge for the contest, simply go to the District 6 or State
Contest websites (linked here) and click "Create Account" --> "Judge" on the tool
bar at the top of the screen. A digital flyer with general information is attached.
This is a great way to safely support the chapter when we all are not traveling and
spending more time at home. If you have any questions, please contact me.
Roger Cross roger.cross66@gmail.com
www.williamsburgsar.org Page 7
www.williamsburgsar.org Page 8
jthomas4sar@gmail.com www.williamsburgsar.org Page 9
The History Channel
Stamp Act of March 22, 1765
American colonists rejected
the Stamp Act of 1765 brought in
by British Prime Minister George
Grenville and initiated boycotts of
British goods which helped bring
about the repeal of the Act in 1766.
The passage of the Townshend Acts
in 1767 and 1768 again led to colonial
protests, including a renewed
boycott movement against British
wares. Most of the taxes in the
Townshend Acts were repealed in In May 1764, Samuel
1770 by the Ministry of Lord North. Adams of Boston drafted
The passage of the Tea Act in May the following that stated the
1773, which enforced the remaining common American position:
taxes on tea, led to the Boston Tea For if our Trade may be
Party on December 16, 1773. The taxed why not our Lands?
Parliament considered this an illegal Why not the Produce of our
act because they believed it Lands & every thing we
undermined the authority of possess or make use of? This
the Crown-in-Parliament. we apprehend annihilates our
Charter Right to govern &
When the British then used the military to enforce laws that the colonists tax ourselves – It strikes
believed Parliament had passed illegally, the colonists responded by our British Privileges, which
forming militias and seized political control of each colony, ousting as we have never forfeited
the royal governors – with the exception of the American-born Royal them, we hold in common
Governor of Connecticut, John Trumbull, who was allowed to remain as with our Fellow Subjects
the new Patriot Governor. who are Natives of Britain:
The complaint was never officially over the amount of taxation but always If Taxes are laid upon us in
on the political decision-making process by which taxes were decided any shape without our
in London, i.e. without representation for the colonists in British having a legal
Parliament. Representation where they
Patrick Henry's resolution in the Virginia legislature implied that are laid, are we not reduced
Americans possessed all the rights of Englishmen, that the principle of no from the Character of free
taxation without representation was an essential part of the British Subjects to the miserable
Constitution, and that Virginia alone had the right to tax Virginians. State of tributary Slaves.
www.williamsburgsar.org Page 10Flag Recognition The Liberty Tree became a popular meeting place
for the Sons of Liberty to express their dissent.
A continuing review of our flags Unpopular officials were hung and burned in
from the Revolution to the present. effigy from the tree. Colonists posted notices
threatening citizens who cooperated with British
taxation schemes. The British finally cut the tree
down in an effort to stop the dissent. The
colonists erected a pole in its place called the
"Liberty Pole" and flew the Sons of Liberty Flag
from it instead. The flag came to be known as
the "Rebellious Stripes" and was outlawed by the
British. The colonists simply reversed the stripes
The Sons of Liberty flag and kept using it.
The Sons of Liberty were formed in Boston around
the time of the Stamp Act protests in 1765. Local
patriots would meet at a large elm tree to protest.
This became known as the Liberty Tree. They began
to fly this flag whenever the leaders would want to
call the townspeople together and it became known as
the Sons of Liberty Flag or the Liberty Tree Flag.
Legend says the 7 stripes represented the 7 colonies
that attended the Stamp Act Congress to coordinate
their dissent.
The Williamsburg Chapter, VASSAR,
was pleased to present a NSSAR Flag
Recognition Certificate to the Two Rivers
Country Club on 5 February 2021. The
club does an excellent job of properly
displaying and caring for our national
flag. In the attached picture is (L to R)
Stephen McGuffin, Chapter Vice
President, Ms. Samantha Chagetas,
Clubhouse Manager, Mr. John Hilker,
Club General Manager and COO and
George Corbett, Chapter Flag Recognition
Committee Chair.
Photo Credit: Karen Corbett
www.williamsburgsar.org Page 11From the Chaplain
Jim Morford
Recently I have been viewing TV programs portraying the wonders of the universe.
Beautiful photos from the Hubble and other telescopes are impressive confirmation
of the immensity of our Milky Way galaxy and beyond to deepest space. Attempts to
understand discussions among scientists about the “Big Bang”, the “Big Crunch”,
String theory and even the “multiverse” are a real challenge for this aging brain.
When trying to grasp the immensity of the billions of stars in our own galaxy let
alone contemplate multiple galaxies how do we even attempt to comprehend the
meaning of God? The patterns in all of nature are incredibly complex but
mathematically consistent, so much so that it is beyond credible belief that it is just
happenstance.
I recently came across a song written by Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah
McLachlan. The lyrics to the song titled, Ordinary Miracle read in part:
It's not that unusual
When everything is beautiful
It's just another ordinary miracle today.
The sky knows when it's time to snow
Don't need to teach a seed to grow
It's just another ordinary miracle today.
The birds in winter have their fling
And always make it home by spring
It's just another Ordinary miracle today.
The sun comes up and shines so bright
And disappears again at night
It's just another ordinary miracle today.
We need to pause from time to time to contemplate that each day and with every breath
we take we are surrounded by God’s miracles.
www.williamsburgsar.org Page 12Williamsburg 2021 Chapter Officers
President Roger Cross roger.cross66@gmail.com
Registrar Hunt Berryman huntberryman@aol.com
Newsletter&WEB David Westenberger pa1744@cox.net
Vice-President Stephen McGuffin
Secretary Milt Holt
Asst Secretary Duncan McIver Jr.
Treasurer Jeff Wooldridge
Public Relations Harley Stewart
Historian Steve Perger Jr.
Chaplain James Morford
Sergeant-at-Arms Stephen Holm
Past President William Greaf
At-Large James Swords
At-Large Gerald Sailors
Color Guard John Lynch
March 13 Chapter meeting by ZOOM
An email will be sent in early March to all members,
Respond to it for your RSVP by March 11.
A link will be sent to the RSVP requests.
NOTICE
Compatriots,
I will be sending our latest updated SAR Roster out after the 1ST of March.
4 amendments have been done following your Jan-Feb input.
Please take a look at it and if any corrections are needed let me know at
PA1744@cox.net
I will send the corrections on to Secretary Milton Holt and start preparing the
next update.
Thank you for your assistance in helping to keep our Chapter’s roster up to date.
David Westenberger Editor / WEB
www.williamsburgsar.org Page 13SAR apparel is available at (502) 589-1779 or on the
National SAR WEB site at:
https://store.sar.org/storefront.aspx
Personal Name Badge link is:
https://store.sar.org/categories.aspx?Keyword=personaliz
ed%20name%20badge%20(name%20tag%20)You can also read
