November 2018 Lake-Sumter Gazette The Lake-Sumter Gazetteflssar.org/FLSSAR/LakeSumterSAR/Documents/NewsletterNov... · 2018-11-29 · November 2018 Lake-Sumter Gazette . Many in the

November 2018 Lake-Sumter Gazette

The Lake-Sumter Gazette Editor: Robert L. Beightol November 2018

LAKE-SUMTER SAR CHAPTER CELEBRATES 30TH ANNIVERSARY WITH

LIBERTY TREE DEDICATION


From the President’s Desk

Compatriots let me begin by expressing my heartfelt thanks to all the members and guests who made our November third meeting a great success which created great memories for our chapter. If you were not able to attend, we held a celebration of our thirtieth anniversary as a chapter and ended with an outdoor ceremony dedicating a Liberty Tree and plaque on our host American Legion property. Our total attendance was 65 members and guests, which is the largest attendance at any meeting in our history for which I can find any record. The President of the Florida State Society of the SAR, Pat Nieman was our lead speaker. Other speakers included Warren Post, a past Florida state president in the American Legion, Dave Bussone, our SAR Regional Vice President, Don Wyman, chapter President of The Villages Chapter, and our own Jerry Hardwich who gave a presentation on the history of the Lake-Sumter Chapter. There were three DAR Regents and one past Regent in attendance, as well as visiting color guardsmen from two different chapters. The American Legion Hall was decorated in a patriotic theme by Vertis Lane, Myra Bushnell and honored guest and former Regent Martha Nolte, whose husband Frank Nolte was a valued member of our

chapter before his passing three years ago. Our celebration committee deserves special recognition. The committee was chaired by Ron Grove, and included Bob Beightol, Richard Offutt, George Chaffee, Jim Carl, and Jerry Hardwich. Without their diligence and skills none of this would have been possible.

Our American Legion hosts went all out in preparing a great buffet meal for us and in preparing the site for our Liberty tree. We are grateful for the support the American Legion post has given us over the years. In that regard, I am encouraging every eligible member, myself included, to join the American Legion and affiliate with our host in Fruitland Park. That will help them with a boost in membership and some extra funding.

Our next meeting, on December 1, will include a ceremony honoring our Vietnam veterans. We have more than twenty who served in Vietnam or during that era, and Jim Carl has arranged for appropriate citations for each veteran based on a Presidential Proclamation recognizing the fiftieth anniversary of the Vietnam War. Please attend and help honor those who served during the Vietnam era. Additionally, Jim Carl has suggested we put together a time capsule of chapter artifacts and bury it beneath the plaque of the Liberty Tree. Please come to the Dec meeting and bring anything you wish to have included, such as documents, news articles, photographs, etc. We will plan on placing the time capsule at the January meeting.

By the time this newsletter is published, Veteran’s Day will have already passed. I would like to note that this Veteran’s Day marks the 100th anniversary of the Armistice that ended the fighting in WWI. Both of my grandfathers were soldiers who served in France during WWI. I was privileged to know both.

Al Lane President

Lake-Sumter Chapter Sons of the American Revolution

September 2018


Many in the chapter also have grandfathers who served in WWI. I feel we should honor them and the many thousands who died and were wounded during that war with a prayer of thanks for their service and sacrifice in preserving western democracy.

I have gone on long enough. See you at the December first meeting!

Meeting Attendance

Sixty-five members and guests gathered on Saturday, November 3, 2018, to celebrate the Chapter’s 30th Anniversary with a dedication of their 2nd Liberty Tree. The following persons were present:

SAR MEMBERS GUESTS 1 Beightol, Robert 1 Beightol, Pamela 2 Bowron, Glenn 2 Bowron, Beverly 3 Bushnell, Scott 3 Bushnell, Myra 4 Bussone, David 4 Bloch, Ron 5 Carl, Jim 5 Carl, Donna 6 Chaffee, George 6 Abling, Nick (Amer Lgn, Post 219) 7 Grove, Ronald 7 Grove, Martha 8 Hampton, Don 8 Carbonneau, Karen (DAR) 9 Hardwich, Gerald 9 Spencer, Robert (Amer Lgn, Post 219) 10 Hensley, Gary 10 Rudd, Joe (Amer Lgn, Post 219 11 Johnson, Chuck 11 Johnson, Deborah 12 Lane, Jacob 12 Post, Warren (Amer Lgn, Post 219) 13 Lane, Richard, Jr 13 Maynard, Jim (Amer Lgn, Post 219) 14 Lane, Richard, Sr 14 Maynard, Pat (Auxilliary, Amer Lgn, Post 219) 15 Lane, Stuart 15 Lane, Leah 16 Lane, Hubert 16 Lane, Vertis (DAR) 17 Langston, Glenn 17 Lane, Alyssa 18 Linville, Basil, Jr 18 Kantz, Sallie (DAR) 19 McCleary, Raymond 19 Nolte, Martha (DAR) 20 Moody, Robert H 20 Zartman, Lucy (Amer Lgn, Post 219) 21 Moore, John 21 Crawley, Gary 22 Mosher, Ken 22 Kawalski, Joy 23 Offutt, Stephen 24 Offutt, Richard 23 Offutt, Charlotte 25 Oldham, Terry R. 26 Riley, Edward 24 Riley, Arlene 27 Rubel, Charles 25 Rubel, Sylvia 28 Toops, Ron 29 Voorhees, Donald 26 Voorhees, Marie 30 Wilcox, Tom 31 Gibson, Russ (Withlacoochee Chapter) 32 Niemann, Patrick (President, FLSSAR) 33 Simpson, Jim (VP, The Villages) 34 Thomas, David (President, Gainesville Chapter) 27 Cathy Thomas


35 Townsend, Jack (Withlacoochee Chapter) 36 Wyman, Donald P. (The Villages) 37 Young, Dick (Tampa Chapter) 28 Young, Lisette (DAR)

Honored Guests

FLSSAR President, Patrick J. Niemann, COL,

US Army (Retired).

Compatriot W. Richard Young, FLSSAR

Treasurer, Member Tampa SAR.

David E. Bussone, North Central Regional Vice-

President, Member, The Villages SAR.

Warren Post, Judge Advocate, American

Legion Post 219.

Martha Nolte, Past Regent, Tomoka Chapter, DAR.

David Thomas, President, Gainesville

Chapter, SAR.

Dr. Donald Wyman, President, The Villages Chapter, SAR.

Pamela J. Beightol, Regent, Ocklawaha

Chapter, DAR.

Lissette Young, Immediate Past Regent, Winding Waters Chapter, DAR.


Chapter Honors World War II Veterans

World War II veterans, Glenn Langston, Donald Voorhees and Glenn Bowron were present for the celebration. All three were introduced to the gathering and Donald Voorhees and Glenn Bowron received certificates recognizing their contribution to their respective war efforts. Glenn Langston had previously received his award. Sadly, the Chapter’s fourth World War II veteran, Fred Allan Harrison, passed away 0n December 28, 2017. It has been mentioned on several occasions that each of our four World War II veterans had been interviewed by Compatriot Allan Lane who documented their recollections of their war time activities. The recollections can be found in the below listed editions of the Lake-Sumter Gazette all of which can be found on the Chapter web site:

Compatriot Glen Langston – December 2016 edition. Compatriot Fred A. Harrison (Deceased) – November 2017 edition.

Compatriot Glenn Bowron – February 2018 edition. Compatriot Donald R. Voorhees – April 2018 edition.

From left to right: Compatriot Donald Voorhees, Chapter President Allan Lane, Chairman Jim Carl, Veteran Recognition Committee and Mrs. Marie Voorhees. Compatriot Voorhees is being presented with NSSAR Certificates documenting his admission to the World War II and the Korean War Corps for his contribution to both wars.

From Left to Right: Compatriot Glenn Bowron, Mrs. Beverly Bowron, Chairman Jim Carl and President Allan Lane. Compatriot Bowron was presented with a NSSAR certificate documenting his admission to the World War II Corps for his contribution as he served in the Coast Guard in the European Theater.


Recognition of American Legion Hosts

Recognition of Lake-Sumter Chapter Ladies Auxilliary

The following representatives of the John Gella Post of the American Legion honored us with their presence: Left to right, Lucy Zartman, Auxilliary Chaplain; 1st Vice Commander John Maynard, Joe Rudd, Sergeant at Arms; Nick Abling, Commander; and Bob Spencer, Finance Officer.

Despite our failure to identify all the American Legion and Auxilliary members who assisted in our celebration, we did manage to identify these two food service volunteers to the right, Ron and Tonna Villeneuve. Many thanks to all the volunteers without whom, our celebration would not have been such a success.

Many thanks to the Lake-Sumter Chapter Ladies Auxilliary (left to right) Myra Bushnell, Martha Nolte and Vertis Lane, who, among other things were responsible for the meeting room and table decorations.


Recognition of Past Presidents

Guest Speakers

Patrick J. Niemann, President, FLSSAR, reminded us that guests in attendance represented five FLSSAR Chapters, three DAR Chapters and officers from the American Legion. He also provided information about our current membership of 2,417 of our 34 Chapters. The cooperation amongst the FLSSAR chapters and members have led to great inroads in our “outreach” Poster, Essay and History teacher, programs, as well as our Veteran Recognition program. In conclusion, President Niemann reminded the audience of the Board of Management (BOM) meeting scheduled for February 2019, which will include the FLSSAR finals of the Rumbaugh Oration Contest. David E. Bussone, Vice-President, North Central Region, FLSSAR: Compatriot Bussone spoke of the Lake-Sumter Chapter, of which he was a member and Treasurer, prior to the Chartering of The Villages Chapter, of which he was instrumental as well as their first Chapter President. He also spoke of the cooperation between the two Chapters and assistance he received from Chapter members Ralph D. Nelson, Jr, from whom he first learned of the Liberty Tree, Glen Langston from whom he took over Treasurer

duties; and Scott Bushnell who was a wealth of information on all SAR related topics. Warren Post, Judge Advocate, American Legion Post 219: Warren Post, Past Post Commander of several different American Legion Posts in the States of Idaho, New York and Florida, spoke of his 47-year association with the American Legion. The American Legion was formed effective March 15, 1919, following a meeting of American Veterans in Paris, France, and was soon Chartered by Congress as a Patriotic Veteran organization. Since their inception, the American Legion has been instrumental in Veteran’s benefit programs such as the Serviceman’s Readjustment Act passed in 1944, by Congress, better known as the “GI Bill”. Another program is the “Boy’s and Girl’s State” in which High School juniors from around the state are send to Tallahassee where they are involved in leadership and citizenship for one week at the Florida State University. Our Chapter President advised that as a High School junior he had participated in the Boy’s State program sponsored by the American Legion in his home state. Judge Advocate Post spoke of the American Legion “Rider” program. This program involved members of the American Legion who ride motorcycles for

Past Chapter Presidents in attendance were recognized as follows (standing left to right): Ronald E Toops, 2004 – 6 (FLSSAR President 2008-09); Robert H. Moody, 1993-4, 1997-99, 2001-4; Dr. E. Scott Bushnell, 2012 – 15; Stephen C. Offutt, 2008-12; and Gerald C. Hardwich, 2016-18.


enjoyment. Each year they ride to a national convention where their intention is to raise money in support of children who have lost a parent due to a combat arms assignment with one of our military services. Last year, the American Legion Riders raised $1.8 million dollars in one week through their efforts. The audience was also treated to historical information on Post 219. The post was started in 1980 under a temporary Charter granted by their national headquarters. The first meeting was held at the Hilltop Lounge but soon moved to their first home, forever known as “the Chicken Coop”. The chicken coop meetings were held in a pole barn with a dirt floor. The members were allowed use of the building rent free; however, the members did make many improvements to the building. They remained in the Chicken Coop for five years and received a permanent Charter on March 20, 1985. The Post next move took them to an abandoned Post Office building in Fruitland Park where they remained for two years. Their final move came after they purchased the property and made extensive improvements to their current building to which they moved on July 4, 2011. The Post has been renamed the John Gella Memorial Post in honor of their first Post Commander. Dr. Donald P. Wyman: President, The Villages Chapter, SAR: Compatriot Dr. Wyman, in honor of the Chapter’s 2nd planting of the Liberty Tree, chose to read a poem entitled “Liberty Tree” written in the year 1777 by Revolutionary War author, Thomas Paine. The poem is printed as follows:

Liberty Tree by Thomas Paine

(For the PENNSYLVANIA MAGAZINE,

A new Song. Tune, The Gods of the Greeks.)

IN a chariot of light from the regions of day, The Goddess of Liberty came; Ten thousand celestials directed the way, And hither conducted the dame. A fair budding branch from the gardens above, Where millions with millions agree, She brought in her hand as a pledge of her love, And the plant she named Liberty Tree.

II. The celestial exotic struck deep in the ground, Like a native it flourished and bore; The fame of its fruit drew the nations around, To seek out this peaceable shore. Unmindful of names or distinctions they came, For freemen like brothers agree; With one spirit endued, they one friendship pursued, And their temple was Liberty Tree. III. Beneath this fair tree, like the patriarchs of old, Their bread in contentment they ate Unvexed with the troubles of silver and gold, The cares of the grand and the great. With timber and tar they Old England supplied, And supported her power on the sea; Her battles they fought, without getting a groat, For the honor of Liberty Tree. IV. But hear, O ye swains, 'tis a tale most profane, How all the tyrannical powers, Kings, Commons and Lords, are uniting amain, To cut down this guardian of ours; From the east to the west blow the trumpet to arms, Through the land let the sound of it flee, Let the far and the near, all unite with a cheer, In defence of our Liberty Tree.

Gerald C. Hardwich, Immediate Past President, Lake-Sumter Chapter, SAR: Past President Hardwich arrived at the podium with the original Lake-Sumter Charter in hand. He obtained the Charter from Chapter Historian Richard Offutt and was correct in assuming that most members had not ever seen the Charter. He then passed the Charter to current

http://www.revolutionary-war-and-beyond.com/liberty-tree-by-thomas-paine.html


President Allan Lane who placed the Charter on display in the meeting hall for the members to view and inspect.

Compatriot Hardwich also provided a brief history of the Chapter chartered on October 22, 1989, with 19 members. Since them, the Chapter membership has, on at least two occasions exceeded 100 members and nears that position again currently having 96 members. The Chapter assisted in the Chartering of The Villages Chapter and

has received state and national recognition for its newsletter, Poster and History Teacher Contests. In conclusion, Past President Hardwich thanked the many members who assisted in his transition from member to President and those that provided guidance during his term. Those specifically mentioned were Compatriots Robert H. Moody, Ron Toops, Steven Offutt, Scott Bushnell, Ron Grove and Bob Beightol.

Lunch Break!


Toast to the Chapter The honor of the non-alcoholic toast to the Lake-Sumter Chapter of the SAR fell to 1st Vice-President Robert L. Beightol. The toast was as follows:

“We are gathered here today to celebrate the 30-year existence of the Lake-Sumter Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. From a Chapter Chartered on October 22, 1989, with 19 members, we became a Chapter who grew to over 100 members; a Chapter who spawned The Villages SAR Chapter; a Chapter who served our local communities in pursuit of our SAR objectives; a Chapter who will dedicate their second “Liberty Tree” today; a Chapter who received recognition at the State and National levels for their newsletter and winners in the Poster, Oration and History Teacher of the Year contests; and a Chapter who provided two Regional Vice-Presidents and a State Society President. The Lake-Sumter Chapter has done well!

So, please raise your glass with me and salute the Lake-Sumter Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution in recognition of their accomplishments over the past thirty years and as we look forward to new challenges, new successes and new friends over the next thirty years. Salute!”

Liberty Tree Dedication The color guard posted to the Liberty Tree location to await the ceremony. Members of the color guard included (left to right): Ron Toops, Glenn Langston, George Chaffee, Scott Bushnell, Russ

Gibson, David Bussone, Ken Mosher, Richard Young, Jack Townsend, Jim Carl and John Moore.

Significance of the Liberty Tree: To the left is a photograph depicting Compatriot Ron Grove as he informed the members and guests of the History and significance of the Liberty Tree from its planting in 1646, to its status as a gathering and rally point until it was chopped down by the British and loyalists in 1775. The site of the Liberty Tree, unfortunately, did not remain a landmark despite the interest of the Marquis de Lafayette and references by Thomas Jefferson. For the full reference provided by Compatriot Grove, please refer to Page 7 of the celebration program attached to this newsletter.


Proclamation/ Plaque Unveiling: The first photo depicts Chapter President as he announces the reading of the Proclamation announcing the planting of the Liberty Tree on the American Legion property. The second photo (provided by Vertis Lane) depicts Grandson Richie Lane as he reads the proclamation and the third as Grandchildren Alyssa and Jacob Lane uncover the dedication plaque. It should be noted that both Richie and Jacob Lane are Junior members of the SAR and most assuredly, Alyssa Lane will become a member of the DAR when she reaches their minimum age of 18 years. Congratulations to the Lane family on jobs well done and thank you for your participation. A copy of the Proclamation read by Richie Lane can be found as an attachment to this newsletter.

At the completion of the ceremony, Compatriot Grove lead the members in the SAR Recessional, Compatriot Moody provided the benediction and the meeting ended as those in attendance sand “God Bless America”.

This and That Chapter Web Site: http:/ /lakesumtersar.org

Need Transportation: Members are reminded that anyone needing transportation to the monthly meetings should contact Bob Beightol at 850-206-7344 for arrangements.

Personal Information Update: Updating member information such as address, e-mail, or phone number is the responsibility of the member. If you are registered on the state/ chapter website (which uses the same data base) and/ or the National website (a different data base) you can update your own information. If you aren’t registered on either, or need help completing the update, contact or send the information to our Chapter Secretary Edward Riley, at [email protected]. He can then update the appropriate data base. Recruitment: Our individual primary effort should be in the direction of new member recruitment. Remember, male children, siblings and grandchildren are all eligible for the SAR. Should you have candidates, please connect with Registrar John Moore at [email protected] or via phone at 734-646-0902. New SAR Logo: You may have noticed that a new SAR logo is on the first page of the newsletter. If you have an opinion, we would like to hear it.

http://lakesumtersar.org/

mailto:[email protected]



Lake-Sumter Gazette Contact Information Robert L Beightol

Email: [email protected] Phone: 850-206-7344

Compatriots, please submit all news items and photos you believe of interest to the membership, via email, with a name and telephone number for a point of contact. Remember, if you think it is interesting, chances are your fellow

members will too!





Proclamation

Hear ye, hear ye, hear ye. To all hearing this proclamation, be it known from this day, November 3d, 2018, and forever after, that the Sons of the American Revolution have planted a Tree of Liberty on this American Legion Property. Let all who see this tree confirm it as a reminder of our ancestors who fought for our independence from Great Britain, and to secure the blessings of Liberty for all future generations. May all who see this tree be mindful to safeguard our sacred American Republic and preserve it as a light to all the nations. God Save the United States


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30th Anniversary Program