The SAR MAGAZINE is the official quarterly publication of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution published quarterly.
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34 SAR MAGAZINE Philadelphia Continental Chapter In the weeks before Memorial Day, compatriots of the Philadelphia Continental Chapter will begin preparing for the annual marking of Revolutionary War soldier and sailor graves throughout the four-county reaches of the chapter. This year, the chapter will serve 150 churchyards holding those veterans' graves, with chapter volunteers marking some 1,650 graves with 13-star "Betsy Ross" flags. This service to our first veterans has a long tradition at Philadelphia Continental. Not long ago, long-term Chapter Historian Herb Armstrong dug into the dusty chapter archives at the Lafayette quarters at Valley Forge. Herb read articles about the early flagging activities, which seemed to originate in the 1920s. Members would dress for the occasion and drive to all corners to place flags on Revolutionary War veterans' graves. They made a great day of it as a chapter-wide outing. That tradition continues, though clearly with less of the outing atmosphere, especially as the number of documented graves grew, thus requiring more volunteers. Finding previously unknown grave locations became a task of Herculean dimensions, but the results have been extraordinary. Compatriots Jim Willis and Joe Stokes were the prime movers in this more recent search. The number of graves continues to grow, which translates into a growing need for volunteers. Some who perform this service do so in teams and, indeed, make a day of it. Others take their children or, more likely, grandchildren to help. For the past three years this author, Jim Sanborn, has taken one, and then two granddaughters, now 9 and 7, to help. They have learned much about the role of our Patriot ancestors, and as a result, they have developed a strong interest in our nation's heritage. That observation comes not from the author, but from the children's mother and their teachers. It is a great adventure to share. They love locating the graves and planting the flags. They also are tasked with helping locate soldier graves that are not on the chapter lists. They look forward to going to their favorite place for a special lunch and a chance to talk about what the soldiers and sailors did. For compatriots with young children or grandchildren, "flagging" is a wonderful activity with a purpose high on the list of not only chapter mission, but also of state and national missions. SOUTH CAROLINA SOCIETY Battle of Eutaw Springs Chapter The Battle of Eutaw Springs Chapter hosted the 233rd Anniversary of its namesake battle Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014. A patriotic service took place at the Historic Church of the Epiphany in Eutawville. State President Dan K. Woodruff brought greetings to those attending the event. Wayne Roberts, president of the Godfrey Dreher Chapter, gave an address about the battle, including a story of his ancestor who fought and was wounded there. A wreath-laying ceremony followed the service at the battle monument site nearby, in Eutaw Springs. Nine wreaths were presented by SAR, DAR and C.A.R. representatives. After lunch, a group traveled 22 miles to Gen. Francis Marion's tomb in Berkeley County and presented an honor wreath, with a musket volley by members of the SCSSAR Color Guard. Col. Thomas Lynch Chapter The Col. Thomas Lynch Chapter of Georgetown received its charter Nov. 16, 2014, from SCSSAR President Dan K. Woodruff. Chapter President Nathan Kaminski said it was an honor to receive the charter from President Woodruff at Hopsewee Plantation at a meeting attended by 30 compatriots and guests. Kaminski said that the Georgetown provisional chapter was started in November 2012 at a meeting conducted at Hopsewee, the home of Thomas Lynch Sr. and Jr., the chapter's namesakes. Despite its rich Revolutionary War history, Georgetown did not have an SAR chapter. As a provisional chapter, the charter members were given membership and activity goals by the state leadership and asked to demonstrate the chapter's viability. Kaminski said the chapter achieved those goals and participated as a provisional chapter in the SCSSAR. The chapter has been represented at the Board of Governors meeting in Columbia, as well as at the SAR annual meetings and the National Congress held in Greenville in July. Daniel Morgan Chapter The Daniel Morgan Chapter of Spartanburg conducted a grave-marking ceremony for Maj. Joseph McJunkin on Sept. 13, 2014, in the McJunkin Family Cemetery in Union County. McJunkin was born June 22, 1755, in Chester, Pa., and died May 31, 1846, in Union County, S.C. He was married to Ann Thomas, daughter of Col. John Thomas of Spartan Rife Regiment fame. He was the last living participant to attend and speak at the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Cowpens. At that ceremony, he said that he fought and bled for the freedom and liberty of this country, and he hoped future generations would be willing to step up and do the same when liberty and freedom are threatened. Gov. Paul Hamilton Chapter On Veterans Day, Beaufort Academy honored chapter veterans Col. Charley Stockell, Wayne Cousar, Claude Dinkins and Jody Henson. Opening remarks were given by fourth-grader Olivia Dinkins, granddaughter of Compatriot Dinkins. The ceremony was arranged by fourth-grade teacher Susan DiFabio and assisting faculty, and it included the Gov. Paul Hamilton Chapter presenting the school with Rembrandt Peale's Porthole Portrait of Gen. George Washington, which was installed shortly thereafter in the school's achievement center. The Gov. Paul Hamilton Chapter was the only SAR chapter to achieve 2013-2014 Chapter President General Initiatives Nos. 2, 3 and 4. Fourth-grade teacher Susan DiFabio addressed Gov. Paul Hamilton Chapter veterans, students and the faculty of Beaufort Academy. At far left, from left, Beaufort Academy Headmaster Stephen Schools with chapter veterans Jody Henson, Wayne Cousar, Claude Dinkins and Col. Charley Stockell, after the portrait of Gen. George Washington was unveiled at Beaufort Academy. [Photo by Emma Roddey]