Battle of Point Pleasant Remembered

At the 10th hour of the 10th day of of the 10th month in the year of our Lord Two thousand and twenty, we remembered the Battle at Point Pleasant, Virginia (now West Virginia). Many SAR State Societies stood up to honor and remember the Patriots that fought and sacrificed to achieve vistory on this day in history–Monday, 10 October 1774.

Unlike past days of remembrance we were driven this year to honor our National History in a hybrid ceremony of remembrance in virtual reality and actual circumstance. The ceremonials were led by President of the Point Pleasant Chapter, Ed Cromley. the SAR State Societies of Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Kentucky and Tennessee were present along with numerous SAR, DAR & CAR Chapters from the aforementioned state societies.

The writer of this article, having participated virtually, cannot provide photos of the event. However at least three officers of the Ohio Society Chapters were represented:

1. Ohio Society – Ohio Society President, Lee Wilkerson
2. Cincinnati Chapter – Committee Chairman, Bob Bowers
3. Lt. George Ewing Chapter – Chapter President, Scott Moody

Chaplain and Reverend Patrick Norman Kelly

Today, Monday, 5 October 2020 we buried our compatriot, Patrick Kelly, of Mount Gilead, Ohio of whom I wrote about a few weeks ago.

Chaplain Patrick Norman Kelly 1933-2020

The day started out foggy and a little chilly, but by noon the fog lifted and the temperature began to rise to a nice 65° and the sun came out revealing a lovely landscape of changing colors.

I car pooled with three compatriots from the Hocking Valley Chapter. At the funeral home in Cardington, my friends Matt and Sharon Hardman met us, as well as Ohio Society President Lee Wilkerson and his wife Shari, and 5 more compatriots from the Cincinnati Chapter, including our Ohio Society Chaplain, Pastor Ed Bonniwell.

Ohio Society Color Guard… l to r Al Gummere, Jack Bredenfoerder, Dan Schmitz, Mike Gunn, Bob Bowers, CG Commander Bob Hill, Charles Bundy, and Bob Davis

We stood vigil over Patrick’s casket, two at a time, during the hour of visitation. We posted the Colors, and rotated the guards every 10 minutes.
At the cemetery in Lexington (near Mansfield) we came to Present Arms, and after prayers and Eulogies, we fired a seven (7) musket, three volley salute. I think compatriot Pastor Kelly would have been pleased.

Compatriots Mike Gunn & Dan Schmitz standing watch

As the Color Guard Commander, I can never say enough good things about the guys from the Cincinnati Chapter, and my own Hocking Valley boys. I am proud of their dedication to our country, the SAR, and our Revolutionary ancestors. The guys from Cincinnati drove a good three hours to give an honorable ceremony of farewell to our Compatriot Kelly.

The Kelly Family and Friends gather Graveside

Our State Chaplain Ed Bonniwell’s never failing eloquence and booming voice echoed across the grounds as if the Lord himself was speaking to us from the heavens. And I guess he was, using Ed as his instrument.

The SAR Funeral Service begins…
Ohio Society President Lee Wilkerson flanked on left by Hocking Valley Chaplain Matt Hardman and Ohio Society Chaplain Dr. Ed Bonniwell to the right

Day is done … Gone the sun … From the lakes … From the hills … From the sky …
All is well … Safely rest … God is nigh

After we fired our muskets, we went to “Mourn Muskets” as Taps was played, and then a bagpiper played Amazing Grace. Afterwards, we had lunch with the family and friends of Patrick at the church where he last pastored, St. John’s Lutheran Church outside of Mount Gilead. It’s a beautiful little country church built around 1870.

There were pictures of happy times in Patrick’s 86 years of life. He pastored for 50 years and was an SAR member for 30. I’m so happy I was able to meet Patrick a few weeks ago, and that we were able to award him the Good Citizenship Medal a short time later before he passed away. And I think all of us were honored to have fulfilled his wishes for an SAR vigil and ceremony. Such a decent man deserved that honor. I have no doubt he is with Jesus now.

An Evening at the Shoreby Club with The Western Reserve Society

September 23rd Ohio Society President Lee Wilkerson, 2nd Vice President Troy Bailey with his bride Christine and Past Ohio Society President Steve Hinson had an opportunity to visit Western Reserve Society members at their first face-to-face gathering since the Pandemic began back in March. It was a grand evening for a reception on the shores of Lake Erie and a most congenial evening with friends enjoying a great dinner!

The evening was hosted by Will Ross, Secretary of the Western Reserve Society. The evening was opened the traditional manner of the SAR with Prayer, the Pledge to our Flag and the Pledge to the SAR. Greetings were shared by President Wilkerson and Past President Steve Hinson who made several awards carried over from the previous year. Finally, we introduced this year’s raffle prize to be awarded at the Society Annual Meeting in May 2021. The Ohio Society Ladies Auxiliary is again raffling off a King Size quilt.  Proceeds will support Youth Program awards. The quilt has been pieced together (see photo below) and in process of being hand quilted.  It features a Log Cabin derivative and nine patch squares creating 1 inch strips and squares. 

As the dinner began we had the opportunity to witness WRS 2nd VP Keith West induct newly minted Compatriot Douglas Payne as seen in the photos below.

All in all a great evening and lot’s of fun for everyone. I’ll look forward to a return visit!

Ohio Society President and First Lady Visit Camp Charlotte Chapter Meeting

On September 22nd President Lee Wilkerson and First Lady Shari Wilkerson attended Camp Charlottes first face-to-face meeting since the Pandemic began. Camp Charlotte President Rick Hartinger provided a most hospitable time before and during the meeting. Offering the floor to the state president to make a make an award to an unsuspecting member of the chapter.

Unbeknownst to Compatriot Scott Barthelmas, Rick Hartinger had submitted a memorial member application for Scott’s deceased brother, Capt. William Jennings Barthemas. Capt. Barthelmas was an F105 Thunder chief pilot that was shot down in July 1965 over North Vietnam while on a bombing mission. As the result of his courageous service, Capt. Barthelmas was awarded the Silver Star Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, multiple Air Medals, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Capt. William Jennings Barthemas Jr.

F105D Thunderchief

As a veteran of the War in Vietnam, I was deeply honored to have been asked to make the award.

Allen County Patriot Remembrance Day

Northwest Territory Chapter — Saturday September 12, 2020

The NWT chapter commenced the day’s remembrance ceremonies in Bluffton, Ohio at the Shannon Cemetery.

The Program was kicked off at 10 am at the gravesite of Patriot  Joseph DeFord (P-146398 ) who served with the 5^th Maryland Regiment.  Members of the DAR and American Legion were present and participating in the ceremony.

This second Remembrance event was held for Patriot William Rodgers (P-280934) of Capt. John Reid’s Company, Colonel William Washington’s 3^rd Continental Dragoons.   Patriot Rodgers fought with his unit at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse in North Carolina.

The Perry Township Trustees assisted in obtaining a granite veteran’s Administration Marker and had it installed and assisted in the dedication and unveiling of the marker. The Keynote speaker was Perry Township Trustee, Norm Capps with remarks by Kevin Cox and Greg Kessen and Natalie Scott.

The final Ceremony and remembrance of the day was at the Ash Grove Cemetery for Patriot Simon Cochran (P-135524) of the 13^th Virginia Regiment.

Each ceremony was performed with reverence and respect for the Patriots and received military honors from the Ohio Society Color Guard.

You will be able to find the video clip of our Perry Township program by typing or copying the following URL into your search bar

https://www.hometownstations.com/news/revolutionary-war-veterans-get-proper-recognition-in-grave-marking-ceremonies/article_b0de03e6-f563-11ea-94e8-af069c38e377.html

Compatriot Over-watch for Former Chaplain & Chapter President Patrick Kelly

A recent photo of Patrick N. Kelly, courtesy of The Morrow County Sentinel newspaper. From an article on Patrick’s involvement in a patriot grave marking ceremony for Alexis Lemmon in October, 2018.

Three Hocking Valley Chapter compatriots, Bob Hill (Ohio Society Color Guard Commander), Al Gummere, and Paul Irwin traveled to Woodside Village Care Center in Mount Gilead, Ohio on Friday, August 28th. There they met Cincinnati Chapter and Ohio Society Chaplain Ed Bonniwell to present awards to an ailing compatriot, Patrick Kelly, age 86.

Earlier last week, Chaplain Ed visited Patrick, and a few days later, Matt Hardman (President and Chaplain of the Hocking Valley Chapter) and Bob Hill visited as well. All enjoyed meeting Patrick, his wife Shirley, and his loving daughter, Karen. Patrick suffered a bad fall a few months ago and his injuries have not healed properly. He and his family know time is running out and he is growing weaker, though he perked up during visits from his compatriots. Bob was quite surprised when at the end of their visit, they all joined hands in prayer and Bob expected Matt to lead, but it was Patrick who immediately led in prayer, and a good one!

Patrick once served as the Pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church in North Woodbury, and 8 other churches in his career. He joined the SAR under his patriot ancestor, Reuben Frisbee of Connecticut…yes, the same family line that invented the frisbee! He was an active member and Chaplain for nearly 30 years in the Centennial Chapter (as well as a past President), and the former Henry Knox Chapter. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal by the Ohio Society in 2007, a Distinguished Service Certificate, the Roger Sherman Medal, Silver Color Guard Medal, and a 20-year Tenure Pin.

The facility caring for Patrick is very strict on the number of visitors allowed inside. So, Ed went inside to do the presentation, and Patrick’s daughter, Karen was there. Bob, Al, and Paul formed a small Color Guard outside Patrick’s window where he could see them. Patrick’s son, Dave, stood outside with them. Although rain was threatening, the Lord held it back for the ceremony.

All involved knew it was an important gesture for Patrick and family to do this ceremony for him. Bob wasn’t expecting to get misty-eyed, but tears welled-up when he saw Patrick through the window, laying on his bed wearing his Continental Army jacket and tricorn hat, and he gave the Color Guard a salute.

The Bronze Good Citizenship Award Presented to Compatriot Patrick Kelly

The Color Guard came to Present Arms as Pastor Ed, with his booming voice and eloquence, awarded Patrick the Bronze Good Citizenship Medal, and the Army Colonel’s Chaplain Insignia. When the time comes, Patrick has requested an SAR vigil at his viewing and a graveside ceremony. It will be an honor to fulfill his wishes.

Hocking Valley Chaplain and Ohio Society Associate Chaplain Matt Hardman during last week’s visit with Patrick, and his wife, Shirley

Chaplain Ed Bonniwell with Compatriot Patrick Kelly immediately after the awards presentation

Compatriots at the Awards Presentation, L to R: Al Gummere, Ed Bonniwell, Bob Hill, Paul Irwin

Eagle Scout Awards at Northeastern Ohio Chapter Ceremony

On Sunday, 23 August at the home of Andrew Proctor and his family, the Northeastern Ohio Society, Chapter #12 Sons of the American Revolution held a ceremony to present to Rafe Proctor, an Eagle Scout, member of Scout Troop 99 of Newbury, OH, and a member of the Northeastern Ohio Chapter SAR, a certificate and and trophy from the Ohio Society  SAR for earning first place in their Eagle Scout Award competition.

Leading the ceremony was Jim Pildner, President of the Northeastern Ohio Chapter .  Special guests included:

• Lance Beebe, Eagle Scout Scholarship Chair for the Ohio Society;
• L. Stephen Hinson, Immediate Past President of the Ohio Society;
• Jim Gilbert, Eagle Scout Committee Chair for the Chapter;
• Rafe Proctor’s parents and members and leaders of Boy Scouts of America Troop 99
• Fellow Eagle Scout, James Keherly,
• His father Mike Keherly, and Scout Master Rob Poekling.

Rafe led the Assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Rafe’s Scout history was shared from his time as a Cub Scout through the current time.  He earned 67 merit badges, attended 5 summer camps, and camped 133 nights.  His Eagle Scout Project included the installment of a flag retirement drop box outside the American Legion Post 663 and the construction of a U.S. flag retirement fire pit in Newbury Township’s Veteran’s Memorial Park.  He organized a group of scouts, adults and community members to volunteer over 175 hours of service to design, paint and install the collection box and to guild a pentagon shaped flag retirement fire pit in order to promote community and national pride in remembrance of the brave men and women who have served, or are serving, in the defense of our nation.   Lance Beebe then made the presentation of the State Society’s First Place certificate and trophy.

Remarks were given and the ceremony concluded.

Eagle Scouts wanting to qualify for consideration to receive this award must complete a Chapter application along with an essay, a 4-Generation Genealogy Chart, and a questionnaire.  This packet of information is forward by the Chapter Eagle Scout Award Committee Representative (Jim Gilbert) to the OH Society Eagle Scout Committee Chairperson (Lance Beebe) whose Committee then considers all applications received to determine the winning candidate.

There Was Some Skepticism on Whether or Not the Boyz From Kentucky Could Pull It Off…

But, They Did!

And They Did It in Truly Grand Fashion!

This past Saturday morning August 15^th at 10:00 AM, I reported to my home office fully dressed with Medals and Ribbons for the Battle of Blue Licks Remembrance Ceremony sponsored by the Kentucky Society SAR.

The Pandemic tried hard to drive us all underground, but Kentucky managed to produce a hybrid ceremonial event that combined the best of SAR Protocol with the nuance of virtual attendance and participation by a host of twelve State SAR Societies as well as many DAR and CAR Societies and over forty separate Chapters.

Indiana Society, NSSAR – Allen Manning, 3rd District Vice President
Ohio Society, NSSAR – Turner Lee Wilkerson III, State President
Virginia Society, NSSAR – Bill Schwetke, State President
South Carolina Society, NSSAR – Dan Woodruff, Trustee/Past State President
Georgia Society, NSSAR – Kenneth Scott Collins, Immediate Past State President
Tennessee Society, NSSAR – Walter Timoschuk
Delaware Society, NSSAR – Patrick Kelly
Michigan Society, NSSAR – Paul Callanan, Past State President
Florida Color Guard, FLSSAR – Dwight Elam, State Chaplain
International Society, NSSAR – Brooks Lyles, Vice Commander National Color Guard
French Society, NSSAR – Patrick Kelly
Maryland Society, NSSAR – Mike Kelley, 2nd Vice President and Chapters
Kentucky Society, NSDAR – Carol Rogow, State Regent
Georgia Society, NSCAR – Noah Tindall, State Chaplain
Maryland Society, NSCAR – Emma Weltz, State Corresponding Secretary
The National Huguenot Society – William Floyd
Ohio Society Daughters of Founders and Patriots – Rose Isgrigg, State President

Reporting virtually from the Ohio Society and its Chapters, placing Floral Honors and serving as members of the virtual Color Guard were:

Bob Hill, Ohio Society Color Guard Commander
Bob Bowers, Cincinnati Chapter Youth Education Committee Chairman
Dr. Ed Bonniwell, Ohio Society & Cincinnati Chapter Chaplain
Rev Matt Hardman, Hocking Valley Chapter President & Chaplain
Greg Ballman, Cincinnati Chapter 1^st Vice President
George Stewart, Cincinnati Chapter 2^nd Vice President
Don Miller, Benjamin Franklin Chapter President
Scott Moody, Lt. George Ewing Chapter President
Gary Duffield, Highlanders Chapter President

A good turnout by Ohio Compatriots! 

One of our members even reporting virtually and placing a Wreath from his hospital room dressed appropriately in hospital gown and cocked hat!

Kentucky Society truly did superior work in staging and executing this event.  It provides an inspiration to the rest of us to become even more imaginative and creative in the presentation of our National Story.  The event was live streamed via You Tube and is available to be viewed at: https://youtu.be/x2KiKASCYhs

Once again, “Hats Off” to Kentucky Society SAR!

The Ft. Laurens Marker is Installed!

Most of us missed Fort Laurens This Year…

…but not John and Betty Franklin!  They made the journey to Ft. Laurens this past Thursday, July 30^th to witness the installation of the Ohio Historical Marker on the grounds of Ft. Laurens.

A small group of onlookers from the Friends of Fort Laurens Foundation and the Sons of the American Revolution gathered with Meghan Marley, the Ohio History Connection Archeologist, to dig and sift through the soil removed from the post hole excavation.  Quite naturally, there was concern for any possible archaeological artifacts that may have been buried there.  After a green light from Meghan the marker was erected and celebrated!  According to John & Betty, the marker looks great!  It is located just inside the entrance and across from the gatehouse of the park. 

The campaign to have the Ohio Historical Marker funded, fabricated and installed was a collective effort by a number of distinguished organizations passionately concerned with the preservation of the History of Ohio and it’s role in the American Revolutionary War. 

Many contributed time, energy and funding for the success of this campaign:

Friend of Fort Laurens Foundation

The Ohio Society of the Sons of the American Revolution

The Ohio Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution

The George Washington Endowment Foundation

The Ohio History Connection

Ohio Society’s Highest Individual Recognition

During this year’s Summer BOM Meeting, Don McGraw, a Hub Scott Laureate, Past President and current Secretary of the Ohio Society officiated over the presentation of the 2020 HUB SCOTT LAUREATE AWARD.  This award presentation is normally presented at the Society’s Annual Spring Meeting.  But as we all will recall, the 2020 Spring meeting was negatively impacted by the  COVID-19 Pandemic and the hope that we would be able to gather for the Summer Meeting and make award presentations in the traditional manner was not to be! Instead our meeting and award presentation was virtual via Zoom Time!

Hub Scott Laureate Tim Ward presents the Hub Scott Laureate Award Plaque and Medal to their newest Laureate, Compatriot Steve Hinson

Don McGraw closed the proceeding by by stating that, “it gives me great pleasure to announce that the Hub Scott Laureate Committee has selected our 128^th Ohio Society President, L. Stephen Hinson as its 2020 Hub Scott Laureate”.

The Award

The Samuel Hubbard Scott Award is unique to the Ohio Society and is its highest level of individual recognition. This award is named in honor of compatriot Samuel Hubbard Scott for his dedication and service to the Ohio Society SAR.

The 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.” The medal is suspended from a red and white neck ribbon representing the colors of Washington’s personal lifeguard.

Samuel Hubbard Scott

Samuel Hubbard Scott (1891-1977) was a native of Toledo, Ohio. A veteran of WWI, he joined the Sons of the American Revolution in 1948, becoming the president of the Anthony Wayne Chapter. The National Society recognized him in 1958 with the Minuteman award, the highest recognition for service to the SAR at the national level. He was also active in the American Legion and became the commander of the local McCune Post. There he started the Mile of Flags Collection, which featured 48 historic flags and flags for every state in the union, as well as, all the service flags. When he passed in 1977 at the age of 86 he bequeathed the flag collection to the Ohio Society of the Sons of American Revolution. Since 1979, the Ohio Society has identified an Ohio Society member that embodies the combined attributes of leadership, duty and service of Samuel Hubbard Scott.

The Selection

Each year, the living Laureates scan the leadership of the Ohio Society and vote to confer this high honor upon a member that has demonstrated leadership, patriotic and educational service to the Ohio Society and the community.

This Year, the Laureates identified an individual who has served the Ohio SAR in leadership positions of chapter president, state treasurer and state president. In addition, he has served and continues to serve in numerous positions and chairs at the chapter and state levels of our organization. As State President, he was a proponent of initiatives in the areas of membership recruitment, retention and renewal. Through his services as Treasurer, Member and Chairman of the Finance Committee and Member of the Audit Committee, he has been instrumental in the review of the state financial operations. His advice in matters pertaining to the Ohio Life Membership Plan sustainability, insurance coverage, fundraising, bonding, fund management and investments have brought clarity and improvement to the organization. He has authored numerous administrative instructions utilized as addendum to the Ohio Society Regulations with the purpose of providing procedural guidance to the future leadership of the Ohio SAR. He is looked upon by others for his sage advice on matters outside of his areas of responsibility, and consistently exemplifies the ideals of Samuel Hubbard Scott.