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/258013
WINTER 2013-14 9 P resident General Joseph W. Dooley presented a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery on Oct. 12, 2013. The Tomb of the Unknowns is one of the most sacred places in America, dedicated after World War I to honor American service members killed in the Great War whose remains could not be identified. Unknowns from World War II, and the Korean and Vietnam wars subsequently were interred there, although the Vietnam unknown later was identified and buried near his family. The inscription on the west face of the WWI tomb reads: "Here Rests in Honored Glory an American Soldier Known But to God." Constantly guarded, day and night, by soldiers of the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), the plaza before the tomb is kept in respectful silence even when large crowds of tourists witness the changing of the guard ceremony. Each of the unknowns has been awarded the Medal of Honor. Dooley was accompanied during the moving ceremony by VASSAR President Kent S. Webber, DCSSAR President Robert D. Pollock and VASSAR Color Guard Commander Peter Davenport. Color guard members from multiple states lined the stairs as the wreath party walked down on their way to the tomb. More than 20 compatriots attended the ceremony. The President General's wreath-laying ceremony has become an annual event in recent years. It is hosted by the VASSAR's George Washington Chapter and is timed to accommodate a President General's travel schedule. "It is an honor to assist the National Society and the PG to honor those who have sacrificed their lives in the defense of our country in this way," Chapter President Michael J. Elston said. "We hope that this ceremony will serve as a reminder to all that each new generation of Americans is called upon to make sacrifices, be they great or small, to preserve the nation that our ancestors founded." Letter to the Editor As past president of the Minnesota Society of the SAR and current Vice President General for the North Central District, I was delighted to see the article titled "Who Was Stephen Taylor?" in the Fall 2013 issue of The SAR Magazine (page 22). Taylor is the only Revolutionary War soldier known to be buried in Minnesota. However, upon reading the article, I was equally chagrined to discover factual errors. For example, the attack on Fort Ticonderoga occurred in 1775, not 1773 as asserted. The Minnesota Society is engaged in an ongoing research effort to document the details of Stephen Taylor's lineage, life and military service. We are familiar with the document cited and know it to contain multiple errors. Col. Ronald E. McRoberts (Ret), Ph.D. Past President, Minnesota Society SAR Vice President General, North Central District SAR Hugo, Minn. Naval Academy Awards At a ceremony at the U.S. Naval Academy on May 22, 2013, the following SAR- sponsored awards were presented. The General Horace Porter Award was presented to Midshipman Second Class Ann E. Kitzmiller for having done the most for the advancement of history. It was bestowed by the John Paul Jones Chapter, Maryland Society SAR. Midshipman Third Class Carly F. Leary was honored with the National Society Sons of the American Revolution Prize—a dress sword for writing the best research paper on American history. And the Sons of the American Revolution Founders of America Award—a check for $500 for writing the best research paper focused on a person, event or document that played a role in gaining American Independence—was presented to Midshipman Fourth Class Sydney F. Hemphill by former Treasurer General and former President of the SAR Foundation Dr. Jack London and President General Bruce Wilcox (2007-08). Unknowns Memorialized President General Joe Dooley presented a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns. From left, PG Bruce Wilcox (2007-08), Midshipman Fourth Class Sydney Hemphill, Midshipman Third Class Carly Leary and Dr. Jack London. WINTER_14_sar5-17.indd 9 2/5/14 10:56 AM