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/79692
always wondered: Where were the graves of our ancestors? "When the energetic and talented Father Chad Partain took over as pas- tor, we knew we saw the opportunity to recognize these soldiers. It was our first intent to obtain the familiar white marble markers from the Veterans Administration. We applied for those, but were told service in Galvez's army did not qualify for service in the United States Army. What a slap in the face, we thought, for the very men who helped create the United States to be denied. We tried to appeal with Congressman [Rodney] Alexander to no avail. "So, with my cousin Carlos Mayeux, who is the great preserva- tionist and organizer of Avoyelles, and who kept pushing me to finish this idea of marking the graves, about a year ago, we set a date for today's pro- gram. With no luck on the headstones, A.J. Roy III gave me the idea, and Father Chad ordered the plaque we unveil today." State President Tony L. Vets and Color Guardsmen Ted Brode and Jim Miller joined LSDAR Regent Bonnie Cook at the State Capitol on May 29 to accept the joint resolution commemo- rating the 225th anniversary of the U.S. Constitution. Following the presenta- tion of the resolution, vets presented Rep. Nick Lorusso and Sen. Conrad Appel with plaques as a token of appreciation for shepherding the reso- lution through the legislative process. MASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY Members of the Continental Color Guard of the Massachusetts Society joined the Colonel William Henshaw Chapter March 17 for a celebration and recognition of one of its longest-ten- ured members, Karl L. Briel (National No. 61,661). Not only was Briel's 70 years as an SAR member recognized, but also his service to the country and perhaps the entire world during World War II. Briel proudly served 10 years in the United States Army Air Force, attain- ing the rank of major. During WWII, he flew 38 com- bat missions in the Pacific Ocean Theater as commander of a B-29 Superfortress Group for the elite 58th Bombardment Wing. His bomber group called themselves Hellbirds, a term derived from the Japanese, who called them the birds from hell for their bombing runs over Japan. The MASSAR participated in the Evacuation Day/St. Patrick's Day Parade in South Boston on March 18 (above). The parade crowd was estimated to be several thousand people long and eight to 10 deep. The parade began at 1 p.m. with the first of dozens of black-powder salutes by the Lexington and Plymouth Minute Men Militia, along with 22nd Plymouth Massachusetts Civil War militia group. With each black powder salute that left its mark of smoke rolling from the end the musket, a load roar of acknowl- edgement echoed from both sides of the roadway for the length of the route. Among the other participants in the parade were the U.S. Marine Corps; U.S. Coast Guard Color Guard; USS Constitution "Old Iron Sides" Color Guard and marchers; Massachusetts Society of the Descendants of Washington's Army at Valley Forge; 85th Regiment de Saintonge; Veterans of Our National Honor Color Guard; Tom McDonough of the Chelsea Soldiers' Home; 505th Regiment Combat Engineers; USS Laboon DDG-58 Visiting Navy Ship marchers; Daniel K. Poling Chapter 992 Vietnam Veterans; ROTC units; re-enactment groups; other color guards; cheerleaders; marching bands; and Miss Massachusetts USA 2012. MICHIGAN SOCIETY The Northern Michigan Chapter commemorated Patriot's Day in Veterans Memorial Park in Traverse City. Traditionally observed on April 19, it marks the day the "shot heard around the world" was fired in Lexington and Concord, invoking memories of the ride of Paul Revere and Richard Dawes. Members of the color guard pre- sented a flag display, announcing the pledge of allegiance, proclamation of the State of Michigan declaring Patriot's Day, and a poem and a prayer to honor the heroes of the American Revolution. Members of the color guard were Gerald Burkland, William Vette, Joseph Conger, Bernie Wagers II and James Strain. Attending were members of the DAR, genealogy societ- ies and the general public. Standing, from left, Col. Thomas Cleland, Air Force JROTC, Central High School, Springfield, Mass.; Patricia Cleland, past regent, Mary Matoon Chapter DAR; Chuck Kingsbury; Vern Thayer; Steve Perkins; Wes Wratchford; Andrew Begin; and U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Jake Kingsbury. Seated, from left, State Rep. Peter Durant, Karl L. Briel and State Rep. Paul Frost. 6800(5