The Wolverine Minute Man
Newsletter of the
Michigan Society of the Sons of the American Revolution
#2-2009
Summer
As newly elected president of MISSAR my first duty is to present a list of
officers to help in my endeavors. The
2009-10 slate has vacancies. This presents an opportunity for service. I ask
each of the members of Michigan Society, who have not served, to find a reason to serve the society. Please answer
the call.
The second duty is to serve and to serve to best of my abilities. My
predecessors have left big imprints to follow. My duties to this office include promoting membership and a balancing of the budget.
My goals are to place the society on a firm financial footing and
the promotion of the society and its many goals.
These are busy and stressful times for every one. We, as a society
must stay focused. We will set new goals. We will set new standards. We will grow together. I ask the membership for their cooperation and their strengths in pursuit of our mutual goals.
Joseph Conger, SAR
President, MISSAR
2
SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
State Society and Chapter Presidents
Michigan State Society
Joseph C. Conger
6432 Mission Ridge Road
Traverse City, MI. 49686
West Michigan Chapter
James A. Bergenham
1438 Marwood Drive SE
Kentwood, Michigan 48508
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Paul Emery Chapter
Gerald Burkland
7600 Trumbower Trail
Millington, Michigan 48746-9040
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Northern Michigan Chapter
Joseph C. Conger
6432 Mission Ridge Road
Traverse City, Michigan 49686
River Raisin Chapter
Wayne Carpenter
1700 Fairfield Road
Adrian, Michigan 49221-8719
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Detroit Metro Chapter
Stuart Shuster
815 Madison
Birmingham, Michigan 48009-5746
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Sauk Trail Chapter
Robert A. Wagel
53725 O’Keefe Road
Dowagiac, Michigan 49047
Huron Valley Chapter
Oaks Chapter
Bernie W. Wagers
2850 Ripple Way
White Lake, Michigan 48383
David L. Critchett
2654 Page Court
Ann Arbor, MI. 48104
Perpetual Life Members
Perpetual Life Membership provides a lasting memorial and the payment of chapter, state, and national dues. All are
recognized in the Wolverine Minute Man and Annual Directory. Michigan Society memberships are no longer
available. Memorial Memberships may be purchased through NSSAR on a qualified deceased descendant.
0609
1209
1404
1422
2052
2188
2303
2318
2425
*Wilbert H. Barret
*Wallace C. Hall
*Marion C. Crawmer
*Lynn S. Gorden
*Gov. G.M. Williams
*Harold McCracken
*John L. Ruby
*Linus W. Heydon Sr.
*Donald J. Pennell
2429
2438
2462
2517
2520
2522
2523
2530
2542
*Pres. Gerald Ford
George M. Pennell
Charles E. Dewey
Robert M. Heydon
*George R. Thomas
James L. Monroe
Clare E. Monroe
Kenneth E. Reeves
*Clyde L. Wolff
2553
2712
2751
2752
2754
2774
2780
2819
2835
*Harry S. Radcliff
John G. Fuller
Eugene McKay
Larry L. Blackett
John M. Tuohy
John S. Kennedy
Stephen N. Tuohy
*Donald Richards
James Richards
2875 *Robert Whittenburger
2891 Edward A. Stokel
2895 William K. Stokel
2918 Thomas Monroe
3020 E. Lou Hoos
3072 Earl W. Modert
3077 Bradley J. Boring
*deceased
Memorial Memberships
3201
171826
David James Herold 3/15/1967-5/25/1973
Douglas Fountain
8/22/1942-8/15/1990
170424 Brian Joseph Denslow 2/15/1959-4/4/2007
George Washington Fellow
Compatriots donating $1000.00 or more to the National Society SAR. George Washington Fellow Fund:
**Gerald J. Burkland, Paul Emery Chapter **E.Lou Hoos, West Michigan Chapter **Richard A. Steele, Huron Valley
Chapter, **Gary Wooden, Paul Emery Chapter
Michigan Century Club
Compatriots donating $100.00 or more within a year for a specified program from 1-1-2009 thru 6-1-2009
Bernie W. Wagers
Youth awards
(Gifts for SAR Library, Grave Marking (G.M.), Law enforcement, Boy Scouts, Heritage Center, ROTC, Medal & Awards,
etc)
3
General Rochambeau:
Soldier and Statesman
Part II
Before he left America, Congress presented General Rochambeau with resolutions that
praised his bravery; the services
he had rendered to the cause of
independence; and the way he
had maintained control of his
troops at all times. Congress also
recommended that the Secretary of Foreign relations
recommend him to the favor of Louis XVI.
Rochambeau had accomplished much while on
American soil. For one thing, he was able to dispel the
mistrust that the Americans held towards the French.
While Washington was not as close to Rochambeu as
he was to Lafayette, he still counted General Rochambeau as a friend. This says a lot about the way Rochambeau conducted himself in discussions with the American General. It would have been very easy for the disagreement over the campaign of 1781 to have dissolved
into a power struggle. Rochambeau accepted Washington’s plan even though he disagreed with it. When the
time came to change the direction of the summer campaign, Washington was able to do so mainly because he
did not feel threatened by Rochambeau. Credit must
also be given the French General for his plan to carry
the fight to the south, which proved to be the correct
plan of action, especially after getting the backing of
Admiral de Grasse.
Rochambeau and his troops, embarked for home on
January 14, 1783. Louis XVI created him a Knight and
appointed him governor. As the French Revolution
began to fall into anarchy, and the Reign of Terror began, Rochambeau found himself out of favor with the
new leaders. He tried to retired to his castle, but he was
arrested in 1793 and, like Lafayette, barely escaped
being executed.
With the coming to power of Napoleon, Rochambeau was freed, and in 1804 was honored by Napoleon.
He was given a pension and lived out the last years of
his life dictating his memoirs. General Rochambeau
died on May 10, 1807. His memoirs were published in
Paris in 1809.
Throughout the eastern seaboard there are streets,
villages, schools, as well as numerous statues honoring
this great diplomatic warrior. While not as flamboyant
as Lafayette, nor quite as willing to take bold gambles
as Admiral de Grasse, Rochambeau deserves the gratitude of the American people for his unwavering loyalty
to the cause of American Independence.
B. Wagers
Note: On March 31st President Barack Obama signed into
law an Act which designates the 685 mile WashingtonRochambeau route as a National Historic Trail.. More information can be found at www.w3r-us.org
***********************************************
The Quest (Part II)
In the Spring 2009 issue of the WMM your editor presented
part I of an article that he had published in the Kentucky
Explorer concerning his experiences in locating the gravesites of his grandfather and great grandparents. The conclusion of that article is contained below.
Day Two:
On Saturday, October 21st my cousins, my Aunt,
and I traveled to Rock Lick, which was the most common way to get into the area called Spencer Bend.
When we had been in Kentucky in the spring we had
met Mr. Charles Crisp. He lived on the bluff overlooking the North Branch of the Kentucky River at Rock
Lick. We were very disappointed at that time because
the river was too high to cross into the Spencer Bend
area. He told us that if we came back in the fall he
would guide us, since he was very familiar with the
area. I called him in September and we agreed to meet
on Saturday October 21st to attempt to reach the “old
homestead.”
We arrived at Mr. Crisp’s house about noon. As
luck would have it, his brother and two nephews were
there from North Carolina to visit. They had brought
their ATVs with them. They volunteered to take us into
Spencer Bend on the ATVs since they felt it would be
too difficult of a walk, especially for my eighty-one
year old aunt. In a short time we were on our way. It
didn’t take long to realize that the ATVs were a great
idea as we traveled over a rough, rocky, rutted trail.
We first located the site where the old home had
stood. My Aunt was not seeing what we were! In her
mind she had traveled back in time over seventy years
and was describing the thriving village of Key Kentucky. My grandparents, Logan and Eliza Sparks ran
the store and Post Office. Horse drawn wagons, people
on horses and mules, and people walking, all shared the
road that ran through my grandparents’ property. The
store/post office was the social gathering place for the
community and it was an exciting place to be for my
grandparents’ children. Ten of their eleven children
were born there. In 1935 my grandparents sold out and
moved to Winchester, Kentucky where they operated a
store/boarding house until moving to Michigan four
years later.
Nothing remained of the house; just a flat level plateau. We did find the well, which had been covered
with 6x6’s for safety. The only other physical evidence
we found was the cellar of the store/post office located
across the road from where the house had stood. The
4
wilderness had reclaimed the entire area and it appeared much as it must have been when the first settlers arrived in the area.
We then traveled several hundred yards from the
‘homestead site” to a place my Aunt referred as “Slick
Rock.” At this location was a spring that flowed from
the side of the mountain. The water flowed over some
rocks for about fifty feet and then plunged over a cliff,
falling well over a hundred feet to the river below. My
Aunt told the story of how her brother, McClellan
Sparks, had been riding his horse “Molly” over Slick
Rock when the horse lost her footing and fell. The bag
of flour he was carrying burst open and covered him.
The water from the spring caused the flour to stick to
him. “Molly” got up and ran for home. “Mack”, while
shaken up, was not seriously hurt and he got to his feet
and walked home, cleaned up, and went to bed; afraid
he would be in trouble for riding “Molly” too fast if
his parents found out. What he didn’t know was that a
lady had witnessed the whole episode. She ran to my
grandmother to report that she had seen the horse fall
on her son and that his spirit had risen up from rock
and wandered off. “McClellan” was the father of one
of my cousins that accompanied me on this trip. Uncle
“Mack” passed away in January 1990.
The next stop was the village cemetery where some
of our ancestors were buried. For the most part it was
abandoned and overgrown. It was here that I came
“Face to Face” with some of the history I had taught
my students in school. We located the gravesites of
my Grandfather’s mother, Eveline (Spencer) Sparks,
and those of his two youngest brothers, Johney and
Kelly Sparks. Also buried here, was the young wife of
my Grandfather’s older brother, Henry Sparks. They
all had died in an eleven day period from March 31st to
April 11th, 1919; victims of the Asian Flu epidemic
that swept the country immediately after WWI. My
Aunt said my grandfather came down with it but survived. There were a number of other graves with death
dates from the spring of 1919. Another tombstone
marked the gravesite of Chester Arthur Sparks, one of
my mom’s brothers who had died at childbirth.
We spent about three hours exploring but all too
soon it was time to leave. My Aunt was content to
have revisited the site of her childhood and pass on her
memories to her daughter, niece, and nephew. We
could not have done it without the help of Charles
Crisp and his family and we will be forever grateful. I
resolved to try and come back sometime next year and
clean up this cemetery also. On Monday Morning,
October 23rd, we left Kentucky and returned to Michigan, all of us moved by the events of the weekend. My
mother, who is eighty-three and was too frail to make
the trip has enjoyed the stories and photos of the trip
immensely. I look forward to my return trip. As the
saying goes, “You can take the boy out of the mountains, but you can’t take the love of the mountains out
of the boy.”
Bernie William Wagers II
************************************************
Chapter News
PAUL EMERY CHAPTER, MISSAR
Paul Emery Chapter has now about 56 members in the
Chapter and is growing. The Chapter met at Wallis
East for its last two meetings. The Chapter was proud
to be the sponsor of the Nathaniel Blackmer Grave
Dedication that was held on 03 May 2009 with close
to 200 people in attendance. About 40 Blackmer Descendants were present.
The Paul Emery Chapter was also very proud to have
sponsored the Flight 93 Plaque dedication on 25 May
2009 at the Flushing Cemetery with about 200 people
in attendance. This was the work of the whole Chapter
and was promoted by Rev. Hugh Fitch, a long time
member of the Paul Emery Chapter.
The Chapter also has sponsored the Elias Cady Chapter of the C.A.R. with a donation of $ 200.00 to help in
their programs. The Chapter is again working with the
Genesee Chapter of the DAR on the Grave Rededication of Patriot Jonathan Beach, early pioneer of Mt.
Morris and Flint, Mi. He was in the Ct. Continental
Line, serving as an aid to General George Washington.
He was assigned to Sheldon's 6th Brigade for the defense of the sea coast and frontier, in1780. In 1781
under Capt. Mathew Smith part of Gen. Waterbury's
State Brigade, he join Washington at Phillipsburg.
The grave rededication will be held in the Spring of
2010.
Submitted by Gerry Burkland
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For information of the activities of the Huron Valley,
and Oaks Chapters please view the newsletters published on the state website missar.org.
No information received concerning the Sauk Trail
Chapter.
*****************************************
The MISSAR would like to extend condolences to
the families of:
Compatriot Weldon A. Beebe: a member of
the River Raisin Chapter who passed away on April 4,
2009 at the age of 92. Compatriots may remember
that Weldon’s twin brother, Wells Beebe, passed away
on January 28, just nine weeks earlier.
Captain Lawrence William Huston: a member of
the Detroit Metro Chapter who passed away on April
16, 2009 at the age of 100 years.
5
New Compatriots, Keith Gordon
and Elijah J. Salalis, are sworn in
by Compatriot E. Lou Hoos during
the March 21st Board of Managers
meeting, as President Ellis Olson
look on.
The MISSAR Board of Managers
conducting the business of the Society at the March 21st meeting, held in
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Eagle Scout, Gerrit S. Baker, reads his
award winning essay to the compatriots and guests attending the annual
meeting held in Lansing, Michigan on
April 18, 2009
6
Wreath laying ceremony held in
honor of Patriots Day, April 18,
2009. The ceremony took place in
Lansing following the annual meeting.
The MISSAR Board of Managers
elected at the annual meeting, held on
April 18, 2009
MISSAR President Joe Conger, with
MISSAR Musician Allan Peisner, at the
Nathaniel Blackmer grave rededication
held in Davidson, Michigan on May 3rd,
2009
7
MICHIGAN SOCIETY
OF THE
NATIONAL SOCIETY OF THE SONS OF THE
AMERICAN REVOLUTION
119th Annual Meeting
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Lansing, Michigan
At the 119th Annual Meeting of the Michigan
Society of the National Society of the Sons of the
American Revolution held at the Sheraton Lansing in
Lansing, Michigan beginning at 10 o’clock A. M. were
present the following Compatriots and/or guests:
Detroit Metro Chapter
Edward L. Baugh - BOM Trustee
Stuart B.Shuster - Chapter President & BOM
Huron Valley Chapter
John D. Critchett - MISSAR Treasurer
Thomas A. Fountain - BOM Trustee
Richard A. Steele - MISSAR Secretary
Walter J. Timoschuk III - MISSAR Registrar
Northern Michigan Chapter
Charles W. Barr II - BOM Trustee
Joseph C. Conger - Chapter President & MISSAR
1st Vice President
Donald L. MacFarland - BOM Trustee
Ellis N. Olson - MISSAR President
Oaks Chapter
Bernie Wagers II - MISSAR Chaplain
James K. Waller - MISSAR SAR/CAR Liaison
Laurence T. Herman - BOM Trustee
Paul Emery Chapter
Gerald Burkland - MISSAR National Trustee
Norman J. Allison - BOM Trustee (Acting)
James G. Thompson - BOM Trustee (Acting)
River Raisin Chapter
Donald D. Nutt - MISSAR Immediate Past President
Jerry W. Reed - BOM Trustee
William G. Vette - Visitor
Sauk Trail Chapter
None Present
West Michigan Chapter
James A. Bergenham - Chapter President & MISSAR
Historian
MISSAR Spouses
Mrs. Ellis (Sandra) Olson
Mrs. James (Lenora) Waller
Mrs. Walter (Cyndi) Timoschuk
Mrs. Patricia Hough (soon to be Mrs. Steele)
Guests
Mrs. JoAnne Stahl, Regent of Lansing Chapter, DAR
Mr. Ervin Stahl, Husband
Mrs. Bette Twyman, Registrar of Lydia Barnes Potter
Chapter DAR
Mrs. Carol LeMarbe, Past Regent Lydia Barnes Potter
Chapter, DAR
Mr. Andrew Wisniewski, JROTC Youth Award Winner
Mr. Leo Wisniewski (father)
Mr. Gerrit Bakker, Eagle Scout Youth Award Winner
Mr. Steve Bakker, (father)
Mrs.Denise Bakker, (mother)
Mrs. Kristin (step-mother
__________________
The 119th Annual Board of Managers Meeting
was called to order at 11 a.m by the MISSAR President
Ellis Olson (Northern Michigan Chapter). He ordered
the Posting of the Colors under the Command of National Trustee Gerald Burkland, (Paul Emery Chapter)
assisted by Compatriots James Waller (Oaks Chapter),
Bernie Wagers (Oaks Chapter) , and James Bergenham
(West Michigan Chapter).
MISSAR Chaplain Bernie Wagers II offered
those assembled the Invocation, followed by MISSAR
1st Vice President James Conger who led the Pledge of
Allegiance to the United States Flag and MISSAR Secretary Richard Steele who led the Compatriots in the
Pledge to the SAR.
MISSAR President Ellis Olson requested that
each Compatriot introduce himself and local Chapter he
belonged to, in addition to any Chapter and/or State
Society position held.
MISSAR President Ellis Olson requested from
the MISSAR Secretary any notification of Alternate
Board of Managers Trustees from any of the local
Chapter. MISSAR Secretary Richard Steele indicated
that there appear to be non.
MISSAR Present Ellis Olson requested of the
MISSAR Secretary if a quorum was present. MISSAR
Secretary Richard Steele indicated that a quorum was,
indeed, present for the transaction of business pertinent
to the Michigan Society of the Sons of the American
Revolution.
MISSAR Secretary Richard Steele noted to
the Board of Managers that his computer was down and
the minutes of the last MISSAR BOM Meeting of
March 21, 2009 were not available for approval at the
Annual BOM Meeting.
MISSAR Secretary Richard Steele, supported
by MISSAR 1st Vice President Joseph Conger, made
the motion to - Give voting and speaking rights and
benefits to any and all Board of Managers Members
present and voting and Give only speaking rights to any
non-Board of Managers Compatriot present. Motion
passed.
MISSAR Secretary Richard Steele, supported
by MISSAR 1st Vice President Joseph Conges, made
the motion to approve and present the Report of the
Resolutions Committee to the Compatriot’s General
Membership Meeting. Discussion followed and the
motion passed.
MISSAR Treasurer John Critchett presented
the 2009-2010 Annual Budget, in addition to a Treas-
8
urer’s Report, to the Board of Managers for review and
approval to present to the General Membership Meeting for its approval. MISSAR Richard Steele, supported by MISSAR 1st Vice President, made a motion
to approve the original Annual Budget proposal of the
Finance Committee until such time that the Annual
Budget is referred back to the Finance Committee for
revision in order to have a balance Annual Budget.
Motion passed following discussion. MISSAR President Ellis Olson referred this item to the Finance Committee and the Emeristus Committee for such revision.
MISSAR Secretary Richard Steele, supported
by MISSAR 1st Vice President Joseph Conger, made a
motion to accept any and all oral and written reports of
the various MISSAR officers and committee chair people. No discussion and the motion passed.
The Nomination Committee Report was presented by Immediate MISSAR President Donald Nutt
to the Board of Managers for its approval and recommendations to the General Membership Meeting.
Compatriot Don Nutt indicated that the Nomination
Committee denoted the following Candidates for Office:
President -Joseph Conger, Northern Michigan Chapter
1st Vice President -Vacant
2nd Vice President-Harry Robinson, Northern Michigan
Chapter
Treasurer-Vacant Compatriot John Critchett to serve
until 1 May 2009
Secretary-Vacant Compatriot Richard Steele to serve
until 1 Jul 2009
Registrar-Walter Timoschuk III, Huron Valley Chapter
Genealogist-Fred Ward, Paul Emery Chapter
Chancellor-E. Lou Hoos, West Michigan Chapter
Chaplain-Bernie Wagers II, Oaks Chapter
Historian-James Bergenham, West Michigan Chapter
DAR/CAR-Ellis Olson
National Trustee-Gerald Burkland, Paul Emery Chapter
Alternate National Trustee -Bernie Wagers II, Oaks
Chapter,
And approval and acceptance of the following Board of
Managers Trustees elected by their respective local
chapters
West Michigan Chapter
Gary M. Crump
Lynn D. Sheren
Detroit Metro Chapter
Edward Baugh
Stuart, Shuster
Sauk Trail
Robert Heydon
Clare Monroe
Northern Michigan Chapter
Charles W. Barr II
Donald MacFarland
Paul Emery Chapter
James Thompson
Donald Reifert
River Raisin Chapter
Douglas Lefflet
Jerry Reed
Oaks Chapter
Rodney Wilson
James Waller
Huron Valley Chapter
Thomas Pleuss
Thomas Fountain
Discussion was had and Compatriot Laurence Herman
was nominated for the office of MISSAR Genealogist
Nominations were closed and approved in proper form
for presentation to the General Membership Meeting.
No further business to come before the Board
of Managers, this portion of the Annual Meeting was
adjourned to be followed by the Annual General Membership Meeting
General Membership Meeting
MISSAR President Ellis Olson called the General Membership Meeting to order after which MISSAR 1st Vice President Joseph Congers led the Compatriots and Guests in the Pledge to the Flag and the SAR
Pledge. MISSAR Chaplain Bernie Wagers gave an
invocation. MISSAR President Ellis Olson made several introductions of guests presented.
MISSAR Treasurer John Critchett presented the
Annual Budget which was referred to the Finance
Committee and the Emeritus Committee for revision to
a balanced budget via motion by MISSAR Secretary
Richard Steele and supported by MISSAR 1st Vice
President Joseph Conger. Motion passed and the item
was referred to the indicated joint committees for action and presentation at the next Board of Managers
Meeting.
MISSAR Immediate Past Present and Nomination Committee Chairperson presented the report of the
Nominations Committee, as approved by the Board of
Managers. Call for further nominations were requested
and Compatriot Laurance Herman of the Oaks Chapter
was nominated for the position of MISSAR Genealogist. MISSAR Secretary Richard Steele appointed the
necessary tellers to collect and report the election information who consisted of Former MISSAR Presidents
Lou Hoos, Don Nutt, and Gerald Burkland. Election
results indicated all nominations were approved
elected with the exception of Compatriot Fred Ward
who was not reelected to the office of MISSAR Genealogist. Installation of Officers and Trustees was held
under the direction of National Trustee Gerald Burkland, after which the Meeting was recessed for lunch.
9
Following Lunch, Former MISSAR President, Ellis
Olson presented Eagle Scout Gerrit Bakker, who was
the winner of the Eagle Scout Youth Award, and Andrew Wisniewski who was the JROTC Youth Award
Winner. Both gave their essay presentation and each
received a check for $1,000.
The following medals and awards were given
to SAR members:
Donald D. Nutt
Patriot Medal
Charles Barr II
Dis. Service Certificate
50 Year Membership Medal and Certificate
War Service Medal
Gerry Burkland
Color Guard Medal
Norman Allison
Color Guard Medal
Richard Steele
Color Guard Medal
Jim Bergenham
Color Guard Medal
Bernie Wagers
Color Guard Medal
Jim Waller
Color Guard Medal
John Critchett
Bronze Good Citizenship Medal
Jim Bergenham
Bronze Good Citizenship Medal
An excellent presentation was given pertinent
to the banking system of Washington, Jefferson compared to today by a speaker from Grand Valley College.
No further business to come before the general
membership, MISSAR President Joseph Congers declared the meeting closed after which the recessional
was recited and the removal of the Flag.
badge, distributed and collected order forms with payment due at the next meeting.
Northern Michigan chapter purchased a full SAR
flag last fall and President Conger donated a full
American flag to the chapter today. President Conger
also reported that the Kellogg Corn Flakes cereal box
has a flag photo on it and by sending in the bar code
you can receive a 3x5 American flag for $10.00.
The next meeting of the Northern Michigan Chapter
will be a joint meeting with the DAR to be held at the
Music House in Acme in June 20, 2009. The chapter is
considering giving a Bay City teacher the chapter
Teacher Award. Also, a recommendation has been
made for a SAR Heroism award.
President Conger reported on his visits to the Paul
Emery Chapter as well as the Plano, Texas chapter.
While in Texas he witnessed his son’s induction into
the SAR.
It was motioned and carried that the $22.50 generated from the 50-50 drawing would be given to the
Western Michigan chapter for the Grand Rapids Veterans Home Razor Fund.
The meeting adjourned at 1:18 P.M.
Submitted by Charles Barr-Secretary
abridged by B. Wagers
***************************************
River Raisin-River Raisin Chapter, Sons of the
American Revolution, met on Thursday evening, April
23rd at the Family Kitchen for their Spring Meeting.
Richard A. Steele-Secretary
Wayne Carpenter, President, welcomed the 15 mem****************************************
bers and guests present. A memorial was given for
long time members, Wells Beebe and Weldon Beebe,
More Chapter News
who passed away in 2009.
Special guests introduced included: Donald Nutt,
Detroit Metro-The following Compatriots are the
Past
President of the Michigan State Society, SAR;
officers for the 2009-2010 term.
Sandy
Leffler, Regent of Sarah Treat Prudden ChapPresident-Stuart Shuster
ter,
DAR;
and Stephen Trammell, member of General
1st Vice-President-open
Joseph
Martin
Chapter, SAR, of Tennessee.
2ed Vice President-Anthony Salmeto
Don
Nutt,
Jerry
Reed, and Bill Vette told about the
Treasurer-Andrew Meeker
highlights
of
the
State
Meeting held last Saturday in
Secretary-John Miller
Lansing
along
with
the
Vietnam Dedication CereHistorical-Gerald Radloff
mony.
Several
members
of River Raisin Chapter
Board of Managers-Edward Baugh
helped
the
Lucy
Wolcott
Barnum
Chapter, DAR celeStuart Shuster
th
brate
their
100
anniversary
on
April
19th.
From Stuart Shuster-President
Wayne Carpenter gave a talk on “Royalty and the
******************************************
American
Revolution.” He told about the role of
Northern Michigan-The Chapter gathered at 11:00
King
Gustavus
III of Sweden and King Carlos III of
A.M. at the Ruby Tuesday restaurant in Traverse City
Spain
and
the
aid
that they gave to the Colonists.
Michigan on March 26, 2009. President Conger called
The
present
day
kings
of Sweden and Spain are both
the meeting to order at 11:35 A.M. The minutes from
members
of
the
SAR.
th
the January 24 , 2009 meeting were read and apThe next regular meeting of River Raisin Chapter will
proved.
be Thursday, September 17th at the Family Kitchen.
Treasurer Harry Robinson then gave his report. It
In the summer a Cemetery Picnic will be held at North
was noted that $300.00 had been given to the MichiAdams and a summer picnic will be held at Devils
gan Society to be donated to the State of Michigan’s
Lake at the summer home of Dr. Richard Youngs.
Civil War Flag restoration program.
President Conger showed the members a new name Submitted by Wayne Carpenter President
10
lunch and reception will be held at the Saline Post of the
On April 11, 2009 the Western Michigan chapter of the American Legion.
NSSAR National Gravesite Committee Chairman
SAR held their annual meeting. President James BergenGerald
Burkland and MSSAR member Fred Ward reham reviewed the accomplishments of the previous year.
searched this project for the past three years. Patriot
(a) Regular meeting have become the norm
Throop is in an un-marked grave. Compatriots Burkland
(b) The Veterans Committee was established and
under the leadership of Compatriot Lynn Sheren and Ward were greatly aided in their research by the
records of the Ypsilanti Chapter of the DAR. In the
has been very successful in obtaining electric
1920’s three descendants of Patriot Throop joined the
razors for the veterans
DAR and confirmed his burial in the unmarked grave in
(c) The chapter has participated in the Michigan
the Throop family cemetery plot.
Home for Veterans annual carnival
Planning and executing ceremonies of this nature
(d) The West Michigan Compatriot Citizen is
require the work and dedication of many people. The
now published on the MISSAR website
SAR, on the national level, has a partnership with the
(e) Purchased an American flag as well as a SAR
American Legion to work together on patriotic
flag for display at WMCSAR functions
celebrations such as this. Gerry called on the American
The election of new officers for the 2009-2010 year was Legion and Elmer White of Ann Arbor, Judge Advocate
of the Michigan Department of the American Legion,
conducted. The winners were:
answered the call. Elmer recruited American
President and Historian-James Bergenham
Legion members Fred Veigel and Gary Lillie; they were
Vice-President-Brian Weston
instrumental in energizing local government leaders and
Treasurer and Registrar-Elijah Shalis
veterans groups to support the project. Fred Veigel
Secretary-Stephen Bergenham
raised a substantial sum of money to finance
Trustees-Lynn Sheren and Brian Weston
the project from building trades unions and interested
individuals.
The Chapter will explore ways to make new members
US-23 south, past I-94 Interchange, turn right onto the
feel comfortable and welcome. Lines of communication Directions:
Saline Road, five miles to Saline. Turn left at the main corners and
need to be kept open concerning the status of new appli- drive two miles south on the Saline-Milan Road. You will see the
cations.
cemetery on your left. The Sheriff will provide traffic control along
with the Sheriff’s Mounted Patrol.
The meeting adjourned at 1:45 P.M.
Western Michigan Chapter
Submitted by Stephen Bergenham abridged by B. Wagers
************************************************
Burkland’s Corner
On Friday, July 3d, 2009 at 11:00AM, a Very Special Ceremony will be held at a country cemetery south
of Saline (Saline is about 10 miles south of Ann Arbor).
The ceremony will celebrate the service to our country of Patriot Captain Daniel Throop of the Connecticut
Light Horse. Patriot Throop led troops at the first battle
of the Revolutionary War at Lexington Bridge (called by
historians the “Lexington Alarm,” reference Paul
Revere’s famous Midnight Ride). The battle was the
“Shot Heard ‘Round the World.” The MSSAR Color
Guard will lead the ceremony and the Washtenaw Veterans Honor Guard will present a Rifle Salute.
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs
has provided a grave marker. Additionally, a large granite grave marker relating a short history of Captain
Throop’s service to the founding of the United States of
America will be unveiled. You will want to bring your
children and grandchildren to this important ceremony!
Our newly formed MSSAR Huron Valley Chapter will
participate in the ceremony, as will the Ypsilanti Chapter
of the DAR. A member of the Throop family will receive the 13 star Betsy Ross American Flag presentation by the Honor Guard. After the ceremony, a light
Contacts:
Gerry Burkland 989 871-9569 — bftb@tds.net
Elmer White 734 995-2020 — eewhite@umich.edu
David Critichett, President of the Huron Valley SAR — 734 9718533
*****************************************************
Welcome New Members
Date
Compatriot
Nat’l # State # Chapter
6 May 09 Keith Champ
173791 3348
HV
6 May 09 Lawrence Champ 173790 3347
HV
6 May 09 Conner Gilbert 173797 3349
WM
6 May 09 Glenn Gilbert
173796 3350
WM
27 May 09 Andrew Harper 174063 3359
HV
27 May 09 Timothy Harper 174061 3357
HV
13 May 09 John McClinic 173985 3361
PE
6 May 09
Eric J. Myers
173704 3351
Oaks
6 May 09 Lawrence D. Myers 173793 3353
Oaks
6 May 09 Lawrence M. Myers 17392 3352
Oaks
27 May 09 Richard A. Santer 174060 3356
WM
28 May 09 Wesley B. Vanderlan174064 3360
Oaks
4 May 09
6 Apr 09
7 Jan 09
Successful Supplemental Applications
Elihah J. Shalis
172994 3343
William G. Vette (2) 172281 3322
Bernie W. Wagers II 164673 3199
WM
RR
Oaks
Welcome Back!
Nicholas Nelson
155718 3108
Ted Spear
149734 3033
Shawn Miller
172500 3330
RR
PE
NM
11
From the editor
Well,here we are all ready to
begin enjoying summer 2009.
The Summer Issue of the
WMM “is a wrap”, as they
say in show business. It has
been a little difficult to stay
on task with the weather so
nice outside, but I finally
triumphed.
Whereas there was not
much happening to report in
the spring issue, such was not the case with this issue.
The MISSAR and its chapters were quite active this
spring. Paul Emery Chapter President and National
Gravesite Committee Chairman, Gerald Burkland, outdid himself with the May 3rd Nathanial Blackmer
grave rededication. It is estimated that close to two
hundred people were in attendance, over 40 of them
Nathanial Blackmer’s descendants. If you have never
attended one of these grave rededications I strongly
urge you to do so.
The MISSAR held its annual meeting in Lansing
with good attendance. MISSAR youth awards were
given to the young men who were the winners. The
young Eagle Scout who won the MISSAR competition
also was awarded first place at the National level. Following the meeting, the MISSAR Color Guard and
other interested members held a wreath laying ceremony in honor of Patriots Day.
On March 31st Compatriot Burkland, and myself,
accompanied by a friend who owns property very close
to where my parents were born and who graciously
allowed us to use his place as a base of operations, traveled back to Breathitt County, Kentucky. One of our
goals was to replace the destroyed tombstone of my
great grandfather Sparks. As you know if you read
“The Quest”, the area is very difficult to get to, accessible only by using ATV’s. We had ordered the granite
grave marker when we were there in early March. It
arrived on April 2ed. We carefully wrapped it and
placed it on the back of Compatriot Burkland’s ATV
since he had the biggest machine. My friend and I carried reddi-mix on our ATV’s. We were successful in
getting it to the cemetery without damaging it and spent
an hour or so mixing the concrete and replacing the
destroyed headstone. I cannot put into words the feelings I felt knowing that I had accomplished a goal that I
had set for myself during that October 2006 trip.
On Friday Compatriot Burkland and I traveled back to
Magoffin County to visit our friends at the Historical
Society. I had finally been able to contact Roy Sexton
and had set up an appointment to have him guide us to
the gravesite of my Patriot Ancestor, Benjamin Wages.
Todd Preston, President of the Magoffin Historical Society wanted to accompany us. We met Roy and traveled by truck for about a mile before we parked and
walked uphill for about 30 minutes until we arrived at
the gravesite. Compatriot Burkland and I were dressed
in our Color Guard uniforms; Compatriot Burkland in
his military uniform and I in my buckskins. We held a
small ceremony, and once again, I felt a strong attachment to my Patriot ancestors who fought for American
Independence and the freedoms I tend to take for
granted. We returned to Michigan on Sunday April 5th
feeling we had accomplished what we has set out to do.
It is very encouraging to see the number of new compatriots that are listed in this issue of the WMM. The
MISSAR is growing, thanks to the hard work of Compatriots who are recruiting new members.
I would like to thank Past President, Ellis Olson, for
his dedication to the MISSAR over the last year. I
would also like to welcome the new President of the
MISSAR, Joe Conger, and wish him much success as
he strives to lead and strengthen the MISSAR .
Chapter Secretaries are encouraged to get chapter activities to me by August 31st so they can be included in
the fall issue of the WMM. Until then……..May the
Lord bless you and keep you safe
Bernie
Compatriot Bernie Wagers at the abandoned cemetery where his great grandparents and great uncles
are buried. The newly installed tombstone is the one
closest to Compatriot Wagers.
******************************************
Announcements
Board of Managers meeting 6/27/09 Coral Gables
Restaurant , Lansing, Mi. 10:00 A.M. regular meeting, 1:00 P.M. special meeting.
119th SAR Congress July 4-8 2009 Atlanta, Ga.
12
THE
THE WOLVERINE
WOLVERINE
MINUTEMAN
MINUTEMAN
ALBUM
PHOTO
ALBUM
CONTAINING PHOTOS
CONTAINING
PHOTOS
OF
MISSAR ACTIVITIES
OF MISSAR
ACTIVITIES
FROM
FROM
April
2009
February 2007
thru
May 2007
13
Photos taken during the Nathanial Blackmer grave rededication-Hosted by the Paul
Emery Chapter SAR May 3, 2009
14
Photos taken during the Nathanial Blackmer grave rededication-Hosted by the Paul
Emery Chapter SAR May 3, 2009
15
Photos taken during the Nathanial Blackmer grave rededication-Hosted by the Paul Emery Chapter
SAR May 3, 2009
Eagle Scout, Gerrit S. Baker, receives his award from The winner of the JROTC award, Andrew Wisniewski,
Compatriot Gerald Burkland, as his proud father
accompanied by his father, is introduced by Compatriot
looks on
Lou Hoos
Jim Waller receives an award during the Annual
MISSAR meeting held on April 18th, 2009
Gerald Burkland is honored as the MISSAR Color
Guard Captain during the MISSAR annual meeting.
16
Jim Bergenham receives an award during the MISSAR Compatriot Richard Steele receives an award recognizing his service to the MISSAR
annual meeting.
Charles Barr receives several awards during the
annual meeting of the MISSAR.
Compatriot Gary Grout presents the ROTC/JROTC
Medal to Cadet Staff Sergeant DeCarlo Chenault
Retiring Treasurer, John Critchett, receives an award
for his service to the MISSAR.
MISSAR President, Ellis Olson, assisted by E. Lou
Hoos, presents the SAR Patriot Medal to Compatriot Donald D. Nutt.
17
Sandy Olson, wife of MISSAR President, Ellis Olson
receives an award during the annual meeting
BOM members socializing following the annual
meeting.
Northern Michigan President, Jim Bergenham, counts
the money collected during the annual meeting to help
the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans.
BOM members socializing following the
annual meeting.
President Joe Conger and Secretary Richard Steele with Patricia Steele and Sandy Olson during the annual
meeting.
18
MISSAR Patriot Day ceremony that took place in Lansing following the MISSAR meeting. Color Guard Captain, Gerald Burkland, and the MISSAR Color Guard, with Eagle Scout award winner, Gerrit S. Baker and other
interested parties participated in the wreath laying ceremony.
19
Compatriot Frank Noggle receiving his Military Service Medal during the Oaks Chapter annual meeting
held on April 9, 2009
David Finney receiving his Military Service Medal
during the Oaks Chapter annual meeting.
President Wilson gives certificates of appreciation to
the Oaks Chapter outgoing Board of Governors.
Oaks Chapter President, Rod Wilson, gives Compatriot, Gerald Burkland a certificate of appreciation for
his support given to the Oaks Chapter.
Oaks Chapter Outgoing Board of Governors.
The incoming Oaks Chapter Board of Governors is
sworn in by Gerald Burkland, National gravesite Committee Chairman
20
Oaks Chapter President, Rod Wilson, showing off the
cake at the third annual meeting.
Compatriot Clare Hart and his wife Ann. Together
they have donated over 135 handmade quilts to the
Grand Rapids Home for Veterans.
Oaks Chapter President, Bernie Wagers, presents former MISSAR Color Guard presenting the colors at the
Oaks Chapter President, Rod Wilson with the Silver
beginning of the MISSAR meeting held March 21,
Good Citizenship medal that had been authorized by the 2009 in Grand Rapids.
MISSAR Board of Managers.
Compatriot Lynn Sheren, Western Michigan chapter
member, oversees that chapter’s involvement in the electric shaver program for the Grand Rapids Home for
Veterans. Here Volunteer Co-ordinator Jan Rosochacki
accepts the most recent donations.
Compatriots, Gerald Burkland and Bernie Wagers, at
the gravesite of Compatriot Wagers’ Patriot ancestor,
Benjamin Wages.