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/462055
12 SAR MAGAZINE By Richard T. Bryant, National Trustee, Missouri Society SAR O n Nov. 16, 1776, just four months after the United States declared its indepen- dence from Great Britain, Gov. Johannes de Graaff of St. Eustatius 1 ordered the guns of Fort Oranje to return a salute fired by the United States brig Andrew Doria 2 , thereby recognizing the sovereignty of the United States of America. This was the "First Salute," the first international recognition of the independence of the U.S. On Nov. 16, 2014, the NSSAR dedicated a bronze plaque at Fort Oranje on St. Eustatius island to commemorate the First Salute. Island Gov. Gerald Berkel and President General Joseph W. Dooley (2013-2014) jointly unveiled the plaque as part of the celebration of "Statia Day." The DAR placed a plaque at Ft. Oranje in 2001. The SAR's plaque is mounted next to the DAR's. PG Dooley commented: "Four months after Congress adopted a document that declared the United States was no longer a part of Great Britain, St. Eustatius fired a salute and recognized an independent America. But that document, adopted by Congress, did not just declare American independence. That document set forth certain political principles, such as the notion that all men are created equal, and that we are endowed by God with a right to life and liberty. So, when St. Eustatius fired that First Salute, Eustatius wasn't just recognizing the independence of the United States; Eustatius was saying 'Yes!' to the assertion by the new United States that life and liberty are fundamental, God-given rights." After the unveiling of the SAR plaque, Richard T. Bryant of the MOSSAR presented Gov. Berkel with a resolution of the Missouri State Senate, commemorating the First Salute and honoring St. Eustatius. The resolution briefly The First Salute The SAR Honors