The SAR MAGAZINE is the official quarterly publication of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution published quarterly.
Issue link: http://sar.epubxp.com/i/109748
hands at shooting. Chapter members felt that with the increased interest in home defense they were providing an important service. Chapter members, dressed in Colonial attire, took advantage of the time together to fire both the chapter's replica 1750 blunderbuss flintlock pistol and a Charleville musCompatriots Wayne Brown and Larry Guzy of the Captain John Collins SAR Chapter presented Adam Smothers with the SAR Medal for Heroism. ket. The chapter hopes to add a secChapter member Terry Gibbs (not shown) assisted in the presentation. ond musket soon John Collins Chapter On a beautiful afternoon in late fall, members of the Captain John Collins Chapter gathered on the football field at Shiloh Hills Christian School—not to cheer on the team but to recognize a hero. The compatriots were there to honor Adam Smothers, a member of the football team, and to present him with the SAR Medal for Heroism. A few months earlier, Adam, just 17 at the time, stepped forward while vacationing in Panama City Beach, Fla., and rescued two men caught in a riptide and in desperate need of help. Hearing a voice offshore screaming for help and without any thought for his own safety, Adam swam out to help the man. While helping the victim to shore, he heard a second voice calling for help. With the first man safely out of the water, Adam went out to rescue the second man, who at that point was passing in and out of consciousness. The current shifted, and Adam was able to lead him, too, safely to shore. Through this act of bravery and courage, Smothers exhibited the characteristics of those patriots who established the United States of America. Sons of Liberty Chapter The Sons of Liberty Chapter prides itself in its uniqueness and gets involved with the community wherever it can. The chapter's recent gun safety program is an example of how the chapter aims to do something members can enjoy while maintaining its image for individuality and providing community service and education. At a recent Saturday event, Sergeant-at-Arms Chris Boyce led a large group of citizens, many of whom had never fired a gun, as they learned about gun safety, received written material on the subject, and tried their WINTER 2012-13 Georgia Declaration signers honored The three signers of the Declaration of Independence from Georgia were honored this year as part of the ceremonies that commemorated the Battle of Savannah that took place on Oct. 9, 1779 (photo below). At the Battlefield Memorial Park, where 800 granite headstones are arranged to represent the number killed at the Siege of Savannah, three stones were donated by GASSAR to honor their chapters' namesakes. The stone for Button Gwinnett was unveiled by Compatriot and retired Navy Lt. Cmdr. Michael Henderson, president of the Button Gwinnett Chapter SAR; Dr. Lyman Hall's stone was unveiled by Compatriot Dr. Ed Rigel, president of the Dr. Lyman Hall Chapter SAR; and George Walton's stone was unveiled by Compatriot William Dobbs, president of the George Walton Chapter SAR. The signatures of Gwinnett, Hall and Walton are located together at the bottom left on the Declaration of Independence. When the State of Georgia began to expand and create new counties, the Georgia General Assembly saw to it that the counties of Gwinnett, Hall and Walton were located together as placed on the Declaration of Independence. The GASSAR's three chapters named in honor of the Georgia signers of the Declaration of Independence coordinated with the Coastal Heritage Foundation to arrange placement of the stones together where they Sergeant-at-Arms Chris Boyce led a large group of citizens, many of whom had never fired a gun, as they will be forever part of historic learned about gun safety, received written material on Savannah at the Battlefield Memorial Park. the subject, and tried their hands at shooting. so that it will have the equipment needed for a fully equipped color guard. Plans are being made now for a chapter outing at a local firing range. Members expect a great day together as they learn to load and fire a flintlock weapon. 29