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/604650
28 SAR MAGAZINE IOWA SOCIETY Compatriots Danny Krock, David Rowley, Jon Verner, Dr. Jerry Greenfield and Mike Rowley joined with Ethan Ragner and Morgan Trimble of the Tallgrass Prairie Society, C.A.R., and Roger Shannon to carry a 12-foot-by-18-foot Betsy Ross reproduction banner in the 60 th annual Urbandale, Iowa, Fourth of July Parade. The banner was hand-sewn by Tammy Krock. One of the duties of Iowa Compatriots is to honor veterans by seeing that their final resting place is properly marked and maintained. In 2003, the grave of Revolutionary War veteran Philip Stech was re-discovered near Mercersburg in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, by his great-great-great-great-grandson. Cleaning of the small family farm cemetery began with the removal of more than 40 trees and overgrowth accumulated over the decades. By 2009 octogenarian brothers Chuck and Robert Stech had meticulously rebuilt the surrounding stone wall and gate. More dead and dying trees were removed. New trees were planted inside the walls in each of the four corners. Many other descendants, both local and from around the country, contributed labor and funds to make this one of the country's most beautiful family cemeteries. In September 2015, descendants of Pvt. Stech and Iowa Compatriot Mike Rowley added a military-style stone to supplement the original to ensure that the information engraved in granite would last for another century and beyond. Perhaps this is a picturesque reminder to all of us that work on remembering the sacrifices of veterans of all eras must always be re-taught to each generation, and that this work never really is done. KANSAS SOCIETY Kansas SAR President Brooks Lyles visited his granddaughter Kalei's third-grade class at Centreville Elementary School to help celebrate Constitution Day. He was able to talk to her class about his uniform, George Washington, The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and Kalei's Revolutionary War ancestor. There was also a lively question- and-answer period. As a Kansas SAR Color Guardsman, Lyles also participated in the National Color Guard Vigil at Washington's Tomb at Mount Vernon on Sept. 19. His 5-year- old grandson, Chayne James (in the green shirt), the youngest compatriot in the Henry Leavenworth Chapter Kansas SAR, participated in the retirement ceremony's wreath laying. MAINE SOCIETY Maine SAR Color Guard participated in the celebration of Gen. Henry Knox's birthday in Thomason, Maine, on July 25. From left are Court Dwyer, Paul Salisbury, Lance Weddell and Wayne Mallar. The MESSAR would like to invite all members and wives who attend the upcoming Congress in Boston to please come to enjoy mid-coastal Maine and visit the Gen. Henry Knox Mansion. Tom Donahue Photo