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/374815
SUMMER 2014 39 participated. A typical drop involved four aircraft dropping their paratroopers concurrently into the same drop zone. The team started in France in a campground, but after one overnight took the ferry from Cherbourg to Portsmouth, U.K. Hill's group of 88 jumpers was taken in by wonderful volunteer families in Lee-on-the-Solent. A day in Portsmouth ended with a memorial ceremony honoring the Allied Forces that died on D-Day, conducted by the community of Lee, the British Legion and the Royal Navy. The next morning, the group donned their parachutes, formed up into aircraft and stick order and boarded Daks. The lead ship was Dragamount, so called because it had dragged many a glider on the invasion 70 years ago. The flight of 10 Daks formed up over the Isle of Wight and headed across the channel escorted by a little friend, a "Texan" WWII fighter. At the very last minute, the winds were just too high for safe jumping, so the jump was canceled and the team landed at Cherbourg. The next three days included a jump into Utah Beach for the June 5 memorial. Hill was able to land 50 feet from the "Tee" wind and drop zone marker. Also jumping was Jim "Pee Wee" Martin, a 93-year- old parachute combat veteran of D-Day from the 101st Airborne Division. He was tandem rigged with a free-fall skydiver, and he is no slouch! The next day's jump was into St. Marie du Mont, where Hill bounced off the top of a barbed wire fence using his jump boots, but all was well. The next day, they jumped into Ecausseville to a large enthusiastic crowd around the drop zone. He had to run with the wind but this time landed safely in the zone, 50 feet from the crowd line. They all laughed and applauded when he landed, and he gave them a loud: "Airborne! And vive la France!" At all the drops, Hill gave out U.S. stick flags to the youngsters to many smiles and mercis. Hill, in turn, said, "Merci, Lafayette." The older adults smiled and nodded. Marshes of Glynn Chapter On April 19, the Marshes of Glynn Chapter hosted the 10th Annual Frederica Patriots Day Ceremony on St. Simons Island, Ga. The ceremony included state Rep. Alex Atwood, who presented a program titled "Is our country still free?" After Atwood's program, a wreath-laying ceremony was held honoring patriots of the American Revolution by 44 chapters of the Sons of the American Revolution, Daughters of the American Revolution, National Society of the DAR, Georgia Society of the SAR, Florida Society of the SAR, Colonial Dames XVII Century, Daughters of the American Colonists, U.S. Daughters of the War of 1812, and United Daughters of the Confederacy. Following the ceremony, all chapters were represented in the Parade of Patriots through downtown St. Simons Island. Leading the parade was a 1951 St. Simons fire truck, followed by a drum and fife group, about 20 SAR members in militia and Continental Uniforms, and DAR members dressed in Colonial period attire. Next came a platoon of ROTC cadets. After the Parade of Patriots, a very good meal was enjoyed, furnished by the Fort Frederica Chapter of the NSDAR. The afternoon was filled with a Colonial Festival held at St. Simons Casino & Neptune Park. ILLINOIS SOCIETY Springfield Chapter Members from the Springfield Chapter participated in the 58th Annual Lincoln Tomb Ceremony at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield on April 15. Attending the ceremony were Springfield Chapter President Dan Hrenko, who presented the ILSSAR wreath on the anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's death. Springfield Chapter Compatriot Stephen Bradley also took part in the wreath presentation by presenting the NSSAR wreath. Chapter compatriots Ronald Clark, retired Brig. Gen. Parade of Patriots through downtown St. Simons Island.