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/311328
and business partners. Members of the local SAR Chapter are active in the Veterans Council Parade Committee. Athens Chapter TXSSAR President Stephen Rohrbough was the chapter's featured speaker at its annual banquet. He spoke on his German ancestor who immigrated to America and served during the Revolut- ionary War. He concluded his program with an update on the SAR National and Texas societ- ies. Rohrbough also inducted the chapter officers for 2014. Elected officers are Gene Pilgrim Sr., president; Clayton Starr, vice president; and Sam Whitten, secretary and treasurer. Officers appointed by the president are Harry Fife, registrar; Wayne Stafford, chaplain; and Charles Luna, chancellor. Officers receiving Certificates of Appreciation for 2013 were Terry Sharit, president; Pilgrim, Whitten, Fife, Stafford and Luna. The chapter Distinguished Service Medal was presented by 2008-13 chapter past presidents to Harry Fife, Art Hall, Charles Luna, Wayne Stafford and Sam Whitten for long and conspicuous service to the SAR Athens Chapter. Plano Chapter The color guard from the Plano Chapter had the privilege of standing honor guard for Staff Sgt. Alex A. Viola at the Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home and Memorial Park. He was killed in action during his first tour of duty in Afghanistan. UTAH SOCIETY Lyle Gingery, Gregg Hansen and Doug McGregor, repre- senting the UTSSAR Color Guard, provided a "readers the- ater" Feb. 7 to Scouts of the Arrowhead District BSA as part of their Klondike camporee. Adult Scout leaders were given a script and portrayed individuals such as the Marquis de Lafayette, Gouverneur Morris and Dr. Albigence Waldo, pro- viding the Scouts eyewitness accounts of the heart-wrench- ing conditions at Valley Forge. Scouts learned of the three miracles, including Polly Cooper's delivery of corn from the Oneida Indians, the unexpected arrival of Baron Von Steuben, and the change in weather that brought a "false spring" and an early run of shad fish up the Schuylkill River. Scouts were asked to volunteer for service: "Are there any here who love free- dom, who have a desire to defend lib- erty? Raise your hands. Which of you would be will- ing to get up at the crack of dawn each day? Drill and learn military maneuvers for eight hours a day? And give full obedience to Baron Von Steuben so that you could learn how to be an effective soldier in the fight for liberty? Show your hands if you are brave and willing!" Hands in the audience shot up and a few boys were selected to come forward and learn basic commands, such as attention, face left, face right, about face and stand at ease. The fugleman showed the boys what to do and demon- strated the proper way to handle a flintlock as the Baron shouted out the commands. As the heated lodge had limited seating, two performanc- es were provided so that all attending could learn of Gen. George Washington and the soldiers at Valley Forge. "And so the American Revolutionary War did end well, young American men. The American Revolution was won; you are free. The pain, the anguish, the toils of the Revolutionary War patriots have given you your great American birthright, the birthright of one nation under God, indivisible, with lib- erty and justice for all. God bless you to love your liberty and to always value the freedom, which is yours." The BSA District leadership reported that the turnout was the largest ever for its annual Klondike camporee. VIRGINIA SOCIETY Another Success at Great Bridge Patriots commanded by Col. William Woodford defeated the British in the Battle of Great Bridge, Va., on Dec. 9, 1775. This was a strategically important early success that drove the British to abandon Norfolk and the Chesapeake Bay, freeing up important supply routes to Gen. George Washington's army and greatly strengthening support for the revolutionary cause. Norfolk Chapter VASSAR and Great Bridge Chapter NSDAR on Dec. 6-7, 2013, again hosted a celebration of this amazing and complete victory. Co-hosts for the event were the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter SAR, Great Bridge Battlefield & Waterways History Foundation, and the city of Chesapeake. The city publicized the combined the third annual NSSAR celebration and 60th annual Great Bridge NSDAR wreath laying as a major event of its 50th anniversa- ry commemoration. Weekend events began with a Friday evening reception at Chesapeake/Greenbrier Hyatt Place Hotel, headquarters for out-of-town guests. This was again a highlight, providing time for fellowship and relaxation. Great Bridge Chapter NSDAR provided a light supper and Culpeper Minutemen SAR offered an excellent bar stocked by the Virginia Society. Afterward, some continued to another reception, a fundrais- er of the Great Bridge Battlefield & Waterways History Foundation, featuring a presentation by a Patrick Henry re- enactor. The city-run bus ride to this reception was nothing less than exciting, and Patrick Henry made a convincing case for his differences with Thomas Jefferson. Because of inclement weather, the Saturday ceremony was relocated from Battlefield Park to the sanctuary of near- by Great Bridge Presbyterian Church. Gracious and expeditious support from the church, Chesapeake Parks & Recreation, the foundation's Lin Olsen and Cindy Mulkey, and attend- ing compatriots smoothly imple- Athens Chapter 2014 President Gene Pilgrim Sr. received the Certificate of Appreciation from TXSSAR President Stephen Rohrbough. Inclement weather caused the Saturday celebration to com- memorate the Battle of Great Bridge to be relocated indoors. 38 SAR MAGAZINE SPRING_14_sar28-39.indd 38 5/7/14 5:24 PM