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/311328
SPRING 2014 11 A Fitting Tribute I read with delight the article written by Stanley A. Evans Sr., "Honoring a Revolutionary War Heroine" (Winter 2013-14 issue, page 10), about the noble Mary Ramage Dillard. I am a proud descendant of Valentine Crawford Jr., Washington's close aide and friend, and as such, mourn over the careless and unworthy genera- tion who refuses to acknowledge true greatness. Stan Evans rectifies this situation with this story. How he chronicled the events of that midnight ride to warn the Patriots of their danger is impressive and inspiring! Here is a lady of faith who trusted the Lord to take care of her baby while she went on an important errand for the Lord of Hosts Whose angels kept it safe. Now, she probably would be cited for child abuse by today's Tories, whose infidelity is mirrored in their warped values. Stan is to be commended for his scholarship and earnest work in bringing this history to life, and to Paul Dietrich who wrote the poem honoring Mary's heroism. Where are today's Mary Dillards? For God and Country, June Griffin, DAR, Dayton, Tenn. Music Lesson I have read the great article by Dr. Thomas Romine "Let's Get The Music Right" and agree that the playing of the Great Highland Bagpipes at any SAR event should not be included (Winter 2013-14 issue, page 22). I recently became a member of the SAR and have been approached by the local SAR past president of the Saramana Chapter and asked to play the pipes at our meetings. Luckily, my pipes have been sent for the year- ly maintenance, and I was temporarily unavailable. I am a graduate of the North American Academy of Piping and Drumming and have been taught by piping greats such as Sandy Jones, who was the pipe major of The Citadel and U.S. Air Force Pipes and Drums, and the late Hamilton Workman, who was the youngest Pipe Major of the Scots Guard and a personal piper to Lord Mountbatten. I have won first-place trophies in piping competition, and have achieved the grade I piper level (the levels start at 5 and go up to grade I). When approached by then-president Col. Chuck Sweeney of Saramana, I was pleased to be a part of the events and agreed to do so when my pipes returned. I began looking for a tune that would be appropriate for leading the color guard and flags into the ceremony, and I could not find anything that would have been appropriate. I felt that playing "Scotland the Brave" or any other march of the UK would not be fitting. The other tunes that could have been a selection would have been a traditional march such as "The Nut Brown Maiden" or "Jenny's Bawbee" or "The Black Bear." Each is a stirring march tune but again, not appropriate to any tune for presenting the American colors. I am glad to see that Dr. Romine's article has pre- vented me from making what would have been consid- ered a faux pas. I did see, however, that there were two photos of SAR events printed in the magazine that showed pipers at the forefront of ceremonies in Ohio and North Carolina. Go figure. Richard Mock, RN, RRT, PA, Ph.D. Saramana Chapter SAR, Bradenton, Fla. Letters to the Editor The first weekend of April saw the dedication of a monument to James Forten in historic Eden Cemetery in Collingdale, Pa., just outside Philadelphia. This monument was sponsored by the National Society, the Pennsylvania Society and the Philadelphia Continental Chapter. I wish to thank the George Washington Endowment Fund for underwriting a large portion of the expense of this monu- ment. A few private individuals also contributed to this monument, including Dr. Marion T. Lane and our own Lanny Patten. Again, I wish to thank Ernie Coggins for serving as the official photographer for this event. (For more information on the dedication of this monument, please see the article by Phil Anders in this issue of The SAR Magazine, beginning on page 22.) In mid-April, I headed to the West Coast and attended the California Society Annual Meeting in Sacramento. I wish to thank Jim and Un Hui Yi Fosdyck, who were exemplary aides-de-camp during my stay in California. While there, I installed the CASSAR's new officers, includ- ing Jim Faulkinbury as the new president. I've always known Jim as a first-rate genealogist, and I'm sure he will exercise the same care and thoroughness in his duties as CASSAR president as he has always provided for his work in genealogy. Congratulations to past President J. Stephen Hurst, and best wishes to Jim, who I know will do a ter- rific job. At the annual meeting of the Indiana Society, I installed its officers, or really, I re-installed its existing officers for a second term. Bill Sharp is a fantastic state society presi- dent. He's done a great job so far and will continue to do so for the next year. I had the pleasure and honor of marching across the Old North Bridge in Concord, Mass., on Patriots Day. This was the first time I had participated in the Patriots Day festivi- ties in Massachusetts. It is an awesome feeling to cross the bridge where the "shot heard 'round the world" was fired. I encourage all members of the SAR to visit Concord and to walk across the "rude bridge that arched the flood." Spe- cial thanks to MASSAR President Mike Fishbein, to the Patriot Pastor Garret Lear, and to Jack and Sheila Manning, all of whom made this a memorable weekend. April ended with a visit to Eugene, Ore., and the SAR Pacific District (the Alaska, Washington and Oregon state societies). While there, I installed the officers of the Ore- gon Society. Vice President General (and soon-to-be-mint- ed Minuteman) Bob Bogardus was a wonderful and charming host. Thank you, Bob! As I close this letter, I am packing for the SAR trip to Ireland to honor Irish patriots of the American Revolution. The SAR will present a wreath at the John Barry Memorial and a bronze plaque at the home of Charles Thomson— but more on this in the next issue of The SAR Magazine. SAR compatriots work hard all over the country to pre- serve and honor the memory of the Revolutionary genera- tion. I applaud you all, and I thank you all. May the Lord bless you; may He bless the SAR; and may He bless the United States of America. Fraternally, Joseph W. Dooley President General Continued from page 3 SPRING_14_sar5-21.indd 11 5/7/14 4:13 PM