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/518694
SPRING 2015 31 battle is sometimes referred to as "the most important five minutes in American history," as it prevented the linking of the Back Country Scots and the British Regulars from Wilmington, thus bisecting the forces of the Americans. Cooperation with Revolutionary War sites and other like-minded societies is a special, ongoing goal of the chapter. Moores Creek National Battlefield is a particularly close partner with LCFC as the park continually increases exhibits and special areas showing a full range of activities about the lives of our ancestors. Mecklenburg Chapter Revolutionary war hero Maj. Gen. Marquis de Lafayette visited Charlotte as part of the Mecklenburg Chapter's Presidents Day Community Dinner and Education Series. "Lafayette, also known as The Hero of the Two Worlds, fought for the United States in the American Revolutionary War," said Tom Phlegar, program chairman, Mecklenburg Chapter. "He was a close friend of George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, and he was the key figure in the French Revolution of 1789." Each year, the Mecklenburg Chapter sponsors a national historical figure to visit Charlotte as part of the education series. "This dinner and event are open to all individuals, families, organizations, groups and all ages," said Phlegar. "Previous years we have hosted both Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, both of whom were an enormous success." Veteran historical actor Charles Wissinger portrayed Lafayette. "Charles has a long list of roles he has played in film, television, commercials and theater," Phlegar said. "He may best be known for his roles in the movies Killing Kennedy and Evan Almighty, and his television roles in Turn and Secrets of Our Fathers." Lafayette was commissioned as a major general in the Continental Army by Congress on July 31, 1777, at the age of 19. In his home country of France, he came from a wealthy landowning family and followed in his family's tradition, being commissioned an officer in the French army at age 13. "The general was wounded in the Battle of Brandywine in Pennsylvania in 1777 and served with distinction in the Battle of Rhode Island in 1778," said Phlegar, "and his troops blocked forces led by British Gen. Cornwallis in Virginia until the American and French forces could position themselves for the decisive Siege of Yorktown." SAR dignitaries attending were NSSAR Treasurer General J. Michael Tomme, NCSSAR President Ken Wilson and SCSSAR President Dan Woodruff. The crowd also included 142 community and Mecklenburg Chapter members. PPP 234th Commemoration of the Battle of Cowan's Ford The Mecklenburg Chapter, NCSSAR, hosted the 234th Commemoration of the Battle of Cowan's Ford at Hopewell Presbyterian Church in Huntersville, N.C. "With over 125 guests, including SAR national Registrar General Larry Guzy, this was our largest commemoration ceremony to date," said Mecklenburg Chapter President and Event Chairman Jay Joyce. "The event was a fantastic success primarily because so many SAR, SR, DAR, C.A.R. and other organizations attended and presented wreaths." The Battle of Cowan's Ford was fought on Feb. 1, 1781, on From left, NCSSAR President Ken Wilson, NSSAR Ladies Auxiliary National Chaplain Cilla Tomme, Marquis de Lafayette, NSSAR Treasurer General J. Michael Tomme Sr. and SCSSAR President Dan Woodruff during the Mecklenburg Chapter's annual Presidents Day Community Dinner. Commemoration of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse March 15 marked the 234th anniversary of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, a confict critical to the outcome of the Revolution. President General Lindsey Brock, right, was the guest speaker at the event held in Greensboro, N.C., on March 14. President of the SAR Foundation and Executive Committee member Dr. Samuel C. Powell, far right, also participated.