Established by the Ohio Society in 1979 the Samuel Hubbard Scott Laureate is the highest personal recognition bestowed by the Ohio Sons of the American Revolution. Presented at the Ohio Society’s Annual Meeting the award is presented to the Ohio Society Member who has worked continuously to promote the Ohio Society and its mission of historic, educational and patriotic recognition of the American Revolution. The recipient is chosen by all living Laureates who review the service of selected nominees.
The award is named for Samuel Hubbard Scott of Toledo, Ohio who exemplified the qualities of an outstanding compatriot – service, leadership, and dedication. He was a World War I Veteran, became a member of the SAR in 1948 and was soon elected President of the Anthony Wayne Chapter. In 1958 he was recognized as National Society Minuteman. Scott was a member of the American Legion and was known for his patriotic flag displays known as the Mile of Flags. He was never married. When he died in 1977 at age 86, his flag collection was passed to the Ohio Society to display and to educate the public.
Photo on left – from l to r – Col. Don McGraw, Steve Hinson, Tim Ward & Larry Perkins. Photo on right – from l to r – Col. Don McGraw, Steve Hinson, Tim Ward, Larry Perkins & Roger Jones
At this years annual meeting awards banquet, Troy Bailey, pictured with fellow Laureates, was presented this years Hub Scott award by 2020 Laureate Steve Hinson. A 26-year veteran of Ohio Society SAR, Troy has served the Northeastern Ohio Chapter as President and Color Guard Commander, served the Ohio Society as Registrar and Chairman of the 250th Celebration Committee and continues to represented the Ohio Society at National Society Leadership meetings and as Congress Delegate. In his 10th year as Ohio Society Registrar he has processed over 1600 approved applications for membership and has been first-line sponsor directly assisting 240 of those applicants with genealogical research and completion of their applications. Receiving numerous chapter, state and national medals and certificates, he consistently exemplifies the ideals of Samuel Hubbard Scott. Laureates wear the Laureate Medal. The medal is gold-covered with a dark blue border and lighter blue center with sixteen stars arranged to form a larger seventeen star, which commemorates Ohio as the seventeenth state of the United States and the first state of the Northwest Territory. Around the dark blue border is lettered “Ohio Society – Sons of the American Revolution – Samuel Hubbard Scott Laureate.” On the reverse, the recipient’s name and year of presentation are engraved. The medal is suspended from a red and white neck ribbon representing the colors of Washington’s personal lifeguard. It can be worn in tandem with the officer’s neck ribbon. Laureates are also presented with a plaque that is passed on annually from Laureate to Laureate.
This past Saturday, 8 May 2021, at the 132nd Annual Conference of the Ohio Society, we had the privilege of honoring two young ladies engaged in teaching our youngest citizens about the wonderful land they call home!
Mrs. Julie Flack, sponsored by the Cincinnati Chapter, and Mrs. Amy Elsass, sponsored by the Richard Montgomery Chapter, were celebrated as the Ohio Society’s First Place Winners of the Tom & Betty Lawrence American History Teacher Contest for 2020. Julie teaches at the Middle School Level in Hamilton County and Amy teaches American History at the High School level in Montgomery County.
Additionally, Ms. Robin Hance, sponsored by the Cincinnati Chapter, was celebrated as the Tom & Betty Lawrence American History Teacher First Place Winner of 2019.
left to right Secretary Don McGraw, Committee Chairman Scott Moody, Julie Flack, Amy Elsass and Robin Hance
Each of the three ladies were presented with the SAR Silver Good Citizenship Medal and an icon of their profession and calling in the form of a Pewter Apple suitably engraved for the occasion. Ohio Society American History Teacher Committee Chairman, Scott Moody along with Ohio Society Secretary, Don McGraw made the presentations with Society President Lee wilkerson witnessing the presentations from the podium.
But Wait…! That’s Not All…!
On Wednesday, 12 May 2021, Tom Lawrence, President General 2015, announced the following winners of the National Society Contest:
The Third Place Winner for the High School Contest is Mrs. Amy Elsass, who teaches at Miamisburg High School in Miamisburg, Ohio. She is sponsored by the Richard Montgomery Chapter of the Ohio Society. Ronald Helms is the History Teacher Committee Chairman for the chapter.
And The Second Place Winner for the Middle School Contest is Mrs. Julie Flack, who teaches at Pleasant Run Middle School in Cincinnati, Ohio. She is sponsored by the Cincinnati Chapter of the Ohio Society and George Stewart is the History Teacher Committee Chairman. Scott Moody is the Ohio History Teacher Chairman.
Congratulations Ladies--The education of our younger citizens is of paramount importance to the future of our Grand Republic. We are gratified to have that responsibility resting within the leadership of these three excellent citizens—these teachers of American History in our Public Schools!
Committee Chairman Scott Moody recently announced the naming of two Ohio History Teachers as the State Society’s choices to compete at the National Society Award Level.
At the High School Level, Ms. Amy Elsass of the Miamisburg City School District in Miamisburg, Ohio
and
At he Middle School Level, Ms. Julie Flack of the Northwest Local School District in Cincinnati, Ohio
On Saturday, 8 May, the Ohio Society will honor Ms. Elsass and M. Flack at its 132nd Annual Society Meeting in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The Northwest Local School Board of Education held their first in person school board meeting in nine months on March 22, 2021. At that meeting special recognition was given to Ms. Julie Flack, the Ohio Society Sons of the American Revolution Middle School American History Teacher Award Winner for 2021. Pleasant Run Middle School principal Mr. Brad Watkins introduced Ms. Flack and Compatriot George Stewart to the school board members.
Compatriot Stewart presented a short presentation on the chapter’s youth programs and the Tom and Betty Lawrence American History Teacher Contest. Ms. Flack was then presented with the SAR Bronze Good Citizenship Medal and certificate. She was also given the chapter’s cash award. School board members congratulated Ms. Flack and commended the Cincinnati Chapter for our efforts in promoting American History in school classrooms.
On Sunday, 3 January 2021, the New Jersey Society SAR paused to remember the 244th anniversary of the Battle of Princeton.
The battle occurred during a crucial ten-day period that commenced with General Washington’s Crossing of the Delaware River and the Continental Army’s victorious attack on the Hessians in Trenton, NJ. This victory was quickly followed by the Battle of Assunpink Creek, the subsequent march northward to Princeton while flanking Lord Cornwallis’ forces, and ultimately defeating the British at Battle of Princeton.
Members of Hocking Valley and Cincinnati Chapter at the Battle of Princeton Memorial during a 2018 Remembrance Ceremony
This was a turning point for the Continental Forces, victory at last after the season of discouragement following the campaigns in New York during the prior year.
Compatriot Al Gummere of the Hocking Valley Chapter and Bob Bowers of the Cincinnati Chapter represented their respective chapters and the Ohio Society during the virtual event conducted by the New Jersey Society.
Al Gumerre of the Hocking Valley Chapter
Top row, far left — Compatriot Al Gummere of the Hocking Valley Chapter Bottom row, 2nd from left — Compatriot Bob Bowers of the Cincinnati Chapter
This past Saturday, 19 December 2020, Compatriots from many chapters of the Society turned out to remember the Veterans of our past with reverence, patriotism and the Spirit of Christmas.
The Cincinnati Chapter Places a Christmas Wreath at the Revolutionary War Soldiers Memorial in Spring Grove CemeteryCall to Colors at the Civil War Soldiers Memorial in Spring Grove Cemetery
Speeches of Remembrance were made the Names of the Veterans were spoken, and Prayers of Thanksgiving were offered on their behalf for the service they rendered our Grand Republic.
In Cincinnati, seven members of the Chapter turned out in uniform to Present the Colors and Render a 18 Gun Musket Salute.
The Cincinnati Chapter’s Nolan Carson Memorial Color Guard
Color Guard Commander, Bob Bowers—WAA Committee Chairman, Lee Wilkerson—Ohio Society President, Ed Bonniwell—Ohio Society Chaplain, Clay Crandall—Cincinnati Chapter Vice President, Mike Gunn—Former Cincinnati Chapter President, Jack Bredenfoerder—Ohio Society Vice President and Greg Ballman—Cincinnati Chapter President
In Georgetown, three members of the Highlanders Chapter presented a single wreath of remembrance at the Flag Pole and Canon adorning the entrance to the Ohio Veteran’s Home in Georgetown.
Placing a Christmas Wreath at the Ohio Veteran’s Home in Georgetown, Ohio
Gary Duffield—President Highlanders Chapter, Gerold Buzzard Wilkin—Vice President Highlanders Chapter and Jack Bredenfoerder—Secretary/Treasurer Highlanders Chapter.
In Circleville, Members of the Camp Charlotte Chapter honored the resting places of veterans at the Forest Cemetery in Circleville.
left to right—Rick Hartinger—Camp Charlotte Chapter President, Kevin Driesbach—Camp CharlotteChapter Secretary and Sheriff Robert Radcliff . (photo by Tony Robinson)
SAR Historian General Bill Stone has been searching for and finding items for the SAR Education Center and Museum with great success for several years. To facilitate this the SAR has implemented an Artifact Donor Program wherein compatriots and families can purchase Revolutionary War artifacts and donate them to the SAR for the Museum Collection. You can see many of the items purchased and who donated them on display at National Headquarters and in a series of articles in the SAR Magazine
Recently the National Color Guard, working in concert with the Artifacts Donor Program was seeking assistance in acquiring a rare French and Indian/American Revolutionary War period Pierced Halberd with its original shaft, circa 1760 that had been located by Bill.
Our Ohio Color Guard Commander, Bob Hill, sought to support the fundraising effort required for the acquisition by gathering donations from the Ohio Society’s Chapter Color Guardsmen. Upon completion of the fundraising, Bob had gathered funds from three of Ohio’s Color Guard units from the Hocking Valley, Northeast Ohio and Cincinnati Chapters totaling $765.00!
The Society’s Executive Committee then met to review a proposed resolution seeking funds from the Ohio Society to match the funds collected by the Chapter Color Guard Units. This resolution was passed unanimously by the Committee and the Society’s Treasurer was authorized to issue a matching $765.00 check to the National Color Guard’s Fundraising Campaign, bringing Ohio’s total contribution to the effort to $1530.00.
To our fellow compatriots, many thanks for your generosity and support in the preservation of Our Heritage and Our National Story.
The Battle of Great Bridge was fought in the present-day City of Chesapeake, just south of Norfolk, Virginia and at the southern end of the Chesapeake Bay.
This was the first Virginia Battle of the Revolutionary War occurring just 6 months after the Battle of Bunker Hill and 8 months after the Battles of Concord and Lexington.
On that day, the 2nd regiment of the Virginia Militia stood up to the British Forces supporting the Crown’s Governor, Lord Dunmore. The battle was short and decisive. Great Britain lost many and retreated to Norfolk where further skirmishes occurred in the following weeks. The Virginia Militia took only a few light casualties during the battle.
The Remembrance ceremony today was a joint effort by many from the State of Virginia, most notably, Virginia Societies of the NSDAR, NSSAR and NSCAR.
Many Chapters, Districts and State Societies joined in the Remembrance Ceremonies including three members of the Ohio Society placing wreaths in honor of our patriots serving on that historic day:
left to right – President Lee Wilkerson, Ohio Society; Compatriot Bob Bowers, Cincinnati Chapter; President Gary Duffield, Highlanders Chapter.
On Sunday, November 1, 2020 at 2 PM the Cincinnati Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (CCSAR) Honored Joseph Catterline (1741-1822) a Revolutionary War Patriot by marking his grave located at Miami Chapel Cemetery, 6210 River Road in Fairfield, Liberty Twp., Butler County, OH. Rain was predicted for the morning and disappeared with a gift of bright sun, but with a brisk wind by noon with gusts of 30 mph, as we set up the 8 flags and the podium behind Joseph’s Gravesite.
Cincinnati, Highlanders & Hocking Valley Chapter Members Participating in the Day’s Ceremonies
This was a Social Distancing Event, due to the existing 2020 Pandemic and protective masks re-quired as additional assurance of a safe event during the ceremony expected to be an hour in length. Our agreement with the City of Fairfield Parks and Recreation Officials and common sense both dictated such. Fairfield also required we reach out to Joseph’s descendants, which we’d already done as one of our CCSAR Compatriots, Charles Rogers had informed us of the interest to mark this grave by Descendant Thomas Foster Stander, CCSAR Member # 963392. We initially planned to honor this ancestor in late 2018. Unfortunately, Compatriot Stander died in 2019 and didn’t get an opportunity to be here and participate personally.
Presentation of Our National Colors
Before we began the ceremony, a few minutes was spent to acquaint our only guests, the Officials of the City of Fairfield, with who the CCSAR is and what we do. Some of them took advantage of our Web Site cincinnatisar.org and viewed videos of earlier Ceremonies for Grave Marking Patriots. The flags, uniforms, weapons and process preparing for the event being better understood, as the EMCEE gave direction to the Commander of the Nolan Carson Memorial Color Guard (NCMCG) to post the Colors, then Compatriot Robert Sturm led us all in the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag, followed by voicing the pledge to the SAR led by John Bredenfoerder, then the rousing Invocation expertly administered by OHSSAR Chaplain Dr. Ralph E. Bonniwell.
Ohio Society Chaplain Bonniwell & Past Cincinnati Chapter President Gunn
An introduction and welcome of Guests and Presenters began with City of Fairfield Officials: Mayor Steve Miller, City Manager Mark Wendling, Council Member & Park Board member, Leslie Besl, Park Board member, Gwen Richie, Director of Parks & Recreation, Tiphanie How-ard and Robert Schappacher with the Parks Department. We then identified those in the SAR and roles we have during our tribute to Joseph Catterline, concluding with Turner Lee Wilkerson, President of the Ohio Society SAR and the Cincinnati Chapter.
President Wilkerson began with Greetings from the 2000 + SAR members in Ohio and himself, then said:
Ohio Society & Cincinnati Chapter President Wilkerson
“Today we are celebrating a man’s patriotism and a remembrance of his willingness to defend a land in which he believed. As you enjoy fellowship and conversation with one another this day—I would encourage you to reflect on our rich heritage as Americans. Speak together, of the history of our great land and its people—and the fact that we are “one people” richly blessed by a Divine Providence.
Recognize that the rights and privileges we enjoy as American citizens are blessings that were earned by a WILLINGNESS to make the great personal sacrifices necessary to secure the liberties that we frequently take for granted today. Appreciate that our diverse origins and ethnicity produces an alloy that strengthens our culture and society.
On behalf of our Society, I want to thank the City of Fairfield for the care they are giving to the graves of our first military veterans. Mayor Miller, we are especially proud of the manner in which you and your team have expressed their passion and reverence for our Patriot Heritage and the preservation of our National Story for future generations. All of us gathered here are the living legacy of the many Patriots like this brave soul we celebrate and remember today!”
At this point in the Ceremony Compatriot Larry W. Collins unveiled the grey granite SAR Marker and the Dedication: “We, the members of the Cincinnati Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution reveal and dedicate this marked Memorial to the glory of God and in the recognition of the memory of this honorable Patriot of the American Revolution.” Was made by our Emcee.
Compatriot Gregg Ballman presented a short biography of Patriot Catterlin, accompanied by a reverent chime: Joseph Catterlin (1741 – 1822) is an ancestor of Thomas Foster Standish, Cincinnati SAR Member. Joseph served as a 1st Lieutenant in the in the 1st Regiment Somerset County, New Jersey Militia in the Revolutionary War, they were known as the Jersey Blues due to their blue coats and Pants. The records of the Adjutant General indicate his unit was active before November 1777. He was also a recruiting officer in New Jersey for the Continental Army. He was buried here in 1822 and his name is also on Panel #9 of the Butler County, Soldiers & Sailors and Pioneers Monument in Hamilton, OH.
2021 1st & 2nd Vice President Nominees George Stewart (left) and Greg Ballman (right)
Nine Wreaths were presented: Ohio Society SAR by President, Turner Lee Wilkerson Indiana Society SAR, by Michael Gunn. Germany Society SAR by John H. Bredenfoerder Cincinnati Chapter SAR by Robert E.R. Bowers Hocking Valley Chapter SAR by OHSSAR Color Guard Commander Bob Hill & Al Gummere Highlanders Chapter SAR, by Pres. Gary Duffield Ohio Society Ladies Aux. by Shari Wilkerson & Carol Gunn City of Fairfield by Mayor Steve Miller
l to r – OHSSAR President Wilkerson, Compatriot Bowers, OHSSAR VP Bredenfoerder, City of Fairfield Mayor Steve Miller, OHSSAR Color Guard Commander Hill, Compatriot Gummere and EMCEE Gunn
To conclude the ceremony, three rounds of musket fire was ordered by NCMCG Commander Jarard for each of 12 SAR members (Ballman, Bowers, Crandall, Stewart, Hill, Gummere, Bredenfoerder, Schmitz, Rogers, Bonniwell, Duffield, Crandall, and Adjutant Blum with Colors.
COLOR GUARD COMMANDER…FIRE THREE VOLLIES
Taps were played by Robert Sturm. Then a SAR Recessional by George Stewart “Until we meet again, let us remember our obligations to our forefathers, who gave us our Constitution, the Bill of Rights, an independent Supreme Court, and a Nation of Free Men.”
Cincinnati Chapter Bugler Robert Sturm
And a Benediction by Chaplain Dr. Ralph E. Bonniwell ended the program.
Again, Mayor Miller, we are especially proud of the manner in which you and your team have expressed their passion and reverence for our Patriot Heritage and the preservation of our National Story for future generations. All of us gathered here today are the living legacy of the many Patriots like the brave soul we celebrate and remember today!
Paul Alan Irwin was approved for the SAR Von Steuben Color Guard Medal by the National Color Guard Commander, Lou Raborg, on October 22nd.
Paul received his Bronze CG Medal in November, 2012, and his Silver GG Medal in April, 2013. Paul’s participation in the Color Guard has been exceptional since 2013, and he only started slowing down, but never stopping, in 2019 due to his wife’s and his own health concerns.
Paul has been present at 43 National and District events since 2013, far exceeding the minimum 25 National / District events needed over a 5 year period after earning the Silver CG Medal. Paul is the first to earn this award from the Hocking Valley Chapter. Congratulations to compatriot Paul Irwin for earning this distinction. Thank you for your many years of dedicated service to the Color Guard.
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