On-line

Virginia Bulletin Virginia Society

Sons of the American Revolution

__________________________________________________________________ 2013-14 Volume XXXVII No. 2

DOOLEY BECOMES PRESIDENT GENERAL

The 123rd SAR Congress saw VASSAR’s very own Joseph W. Dooley elected as President General. Dooley

has worked hard for the society at National, State, and Chapter levels, and we salute him for this great honor

with which he has been bestowed with.

- Phil Williams has a full report on the next page >

Pictured above, VASSAR members and friends pose for a picture with newly installed President General Joe Dooley.

Standing L-R: Andy Johnson, Julie and Mike Elston, Judy Carter, Lance Carter, Bob Carr, Ed Butler, Phil Williams, Rick Elofson,

Joe Dooley, Mark Brennan, Bruce Wilcox, Ed Truslow, Lindsey Brock, Jack Sweeney, Bill Broadus, Kirk Sheap, Greg Bodge,

Christina Bodge, Allen Lewis, Pam McPherson, Peter and Sherry Davenport, Doug McPherson, Liz Wells, Mike Wells

Seated : Betty Elofson, Laura Truslow, Julia Carr, Marilyn Williams, Robin Heidenreich, Theresa Wilcox, Billie Brock, Norma

Sheap, Carol Sweeney, Colleen Lewis

2

Virginia Society, Sons of the American Revolution 2013-2014 Officers

Kent S. Webber President 9405 Delancey Drive, Vienna, VA 22182-3410 kwebber10@gmail.com (703) 938-8141

William A. Broadus, Jr. 1st Vice President 10133 Brandon Way, Manassas, VA 20109 wabroadusjr@aol.com (703) 361-2665

Reverdy E. Wright, PhD 2nd Vice President 705 Circle Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24060-3207 vas.sar.rev@gmail.com

(540) 961-2452

Edward W. Truslow 3rd Vice President 110 Moray Firth, Williamsburg, VA 23188 ewtruslow@verizon.net (757) 565-2460

Frederick N. Elofson Treasurer 21 Paula Maria Drive, Newport News, VA 23606 fnecpa@msn.com

(757) 596-6825

R. Wayne Rouse Secretary

71 Hope Springs Lane, Stafford, VA 22554 wrouse4sar@aol.com

(540) 659-5258

Michael Elston Chancellor

1314 Sophia Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401-3742 wrouse4sar@aol.com

(540) 371-2370

Brent D. Morgan Registrar

9091 Pantego Lane, Mechanicsville, VA 23116-5837 brentster1@comcast.net

(804) 550-3039

Howell Sassar Chaplain

nm2n@virginia.edu

Larry G. Aaron, D. Min. Historian 185 Martindale Drive, Danville, VA 24541-4515 Larry.aaron@gmail.com

(343) 770-3258

White M. Wallenborn M.D. Surgeon General

700 Rugby Road, Charlottesville, VA 22903-1627 kenwallenborn@gmail.com

(434) 293-6779

Henry P. “Phil” Williams III, PhD Trustee

Kent Webber Alternate Trustee

2013 Congress Update

By NSSAR Trustee for VASSAR

Phil Williams

In case any one wonders, ―everything is up

to date in Kansas City‖. Tour highlights

included The Arabia, a ship sunk in the

1850s, laden with fine china, shoes, and

jewelry attesting to the boom that had be-

gun in 1822 with the establishment of KC

as the trail head for Westward Ho to Ore-

gon, California and New Mexico. The ship

was only dug out of the silt in the late 70s,

with treasures still being unearthed. The

WWI museum, built in the home of Gen-

eral ―Black Jack‖ Pershing in the late 20s

and thoroughly renovated in 2005, is abso-

lutely the greatest museum of the Great

War.

Some visited the downtown Art Museum

while others of us went to Independence 9

miles away to see President Truman’s

home and his Presidential Library which is

extremely well done, if not as flashy or

expensive as some of the newer Presiden-

tial Libraries. Then again, that is in keep-

ing with the Truman’s’ life style. When he

said that ―buck stops here‖, you could take

it to the bank. Did you know that when he

and Bess finished his term as President,

they drove themselves home, no Secret

Service, no Government Pension?

- Cont on page 3

The on-line Virginia Bulletin is published quarterly by the Virginia Society, Sons of the American Revolution. Editor: Andrew “Andy” Doss. Chapters wishing to report on their

activities, should send their reports to the Editor. Any items to be published on the website

should also be sent to the address above—email is preferred. Editor/Webmaster reserves

the right to decide what to publish.

Many different people contribute photos, but it is hard to find space to credit everyone,

please know from the bottom of my heart that your photos are TRULY appreciated!

3

The Ladies had a wonderful tour of the Hallmark Museum, about which they raved. One of the more interesting aspects

of KC is the ―Subtropolis‖ – miles and miles of natural limestone caves which house Government stamp inventories and

corporate merchandise sitting on pallets with 18-wheelers going in and out. We also visited The Frontier Museum which

vividly told the story of the hundreds of thousands who moved by wagon train across the Lewis & Clark and subsequent

wagon trails to the Willamette Valley, Sacramento and Santa Fe.

While yours truly missed the KC Jazz scene at ―18th and Vine‖, he did have a chance, with fellow Compatriots to sample

KC Cuisine. We’re talking serious and nationally renowned BBQ (Fiorello’s Jack Stack and Oklahoma Joe’s) and fine

steak houses (Pierpont’s). While some Texas, Carolina and Chicago Compatriots might take issue with the subject of

whose ribs and steak are better, all I can say is that the dining was ―flat out‖ memorable.

The Congress attracted 268 Delegates. The Color Guard carried 50 state flags, one for France, and ―Old Glory‖ and oth-

ers with muskets, swords, sabers, tomahawks. It was a grand sight! Meetings were well orchestrated, very little conten-

tion, and most instructive. Compatriots donated to various Funds more than $28,000. A video was shown showing Lou-

isville HQ construction making good progress to date and an inspirational ―Vision‖ and virtual recreation of what the

new, state-of-the-art, Education and Exhibition Center is expected to look like. Set to open in July of 2015 at Congress,

this facility is going to be so dramatic, so exciting. The role it will play in educating future generations is incalculable.

Those who have given, given for years - keep giving. Those who have not - get started. This is ―our‖ Mount Vernon,

―our‖ Monticello, ―our‖ Independence Hall. All Compatriots are going to want to see this for themselves. You will be

proud you belong to the Sons of the American Revolution and that your organization, during your time, will have given

this Country such a magnificent ―teaching legacy‖ in memory of our Patriot Ancestors. Attendees were also treated to a

fascinating presentation by the founder of Family Tree DNA. It was clear, concise, and at times humorous presentation

of DNA-based genealogy, complete with power point that one could wish for. He forthrightly advised what science can

do, what it can’t and how it is evolving in sophistication all the time. I can tell you that the speaker spent the rest of the

day pulling swabs out of peoples’ cheeks and signing them up for his tests and report for 5 or 6 hours after.

When the Business Meeting finished, South Carolina gave a strong appeal for all the opportunities that the next Congress

will offer in Greenville, surrounded by 11 battle and skirmish sites in the Southern Campaign, including side trips to

Kings Mountain, Cowpens and Charleston. The ―Swamp Fox‖ and his Carolina Compatriots will no doubt put on a

memorable Congress.

NEWS FLASH! One of our very own, Joe Dooley is President General. Coming as no surprise to many, Joe hit the

ground running with guns blazing. He fired up the troops and charged them with Presidential Initiatives and cash, Na-

tional Streamers and other Incentives. As promised, these all appeared the next day on the National Website. He even

offered to shave his head, among other things, if the States and Chapters meet certain Fund Raising goals for the Center

for Advancing America’s Heritage. If was hilarious to see Guardsmen jump up with their hats in hand seeking immedi-

ate donations.

At the end of the day, all Congresses seem too long in many ways, but each piece of them plays a part in the furtherance

of the Mission.

- Cont on page 4

4

So now, let’s see how VASSAR Members, Chapters and contestants did in the way of NSSAR Recognition and Awards

for the 2012 year.

1st VP Bill Broadus, for his work as National Chair for Orations and Compliance, received the Roger Sherman Gold

Medal.

Trustee Phil Williams received recognition for Leadership through his VASSAR Presidential Orations Endowment

Fund Raising of nearly $10,000.

Williams was also listed as entitled to have the Liberty Medal for being a ―First Line‖ signer for 10 or more new

members.

VASSAR Third Vice President Ed Truslow, VASSAR Color Guard Commander Pete Davenport and VASSAR As-

sistant Registrar Jim Mobley also earned their first Liberty Medals

VASSAR Chancellor Mike Elston received recognition for Leadership in the Knight Essay Endowment Fund Rais-

ing effort. Several Virginia compatriots (and one wife!) received Thomas Jefferson Medals for Support of the Essay

Contest at the final banquet Wednesday night.

Knight Essay National Winner Bryan Habashi received a $2000 check and read his essay; he was sponsored by the

George Mason Chapter. This is now 3 years in a row that the Virginia winner has won the national contest.

VASSAR was recognized for the largest one-year growth in new members total AND growth in new Members under

40: a first in recent memory.

VASSAR came in a very close second to Texas for the largest number of new and approved supplemental applica-

tions.

C.A.R. Relations National Streamer.

Admiral Furlong Flag Program National Streamer (and an untouchable 3-yr. record of 100% Chapter participation).

Officers Streamer for Trustee representation at Leadership meetings (2) and Congress.

George Washington Chapter was recognized for its support of veterans with the USS Stark Award for extra large

chapters: a first.

In the area of Public Service and Heroism, the following Chapters were recognized:

Heroism – Thomas Jefferson Chapter.

Law Enforcement – Dan River, Fincastle resolutions, George Washington and Thomas Nelson, Jr. Chapters.

Fire Safety – Colonel William Grayson, Colonel George Waller and Fincastle Resolutions Chapters.

Emergency Medical Services – Colonel William Grayson, Colonel George Waller, Fincastle Resolutions and Tho-

mas Nelson, Jr. Chapters.

It might interest you to know that the Florida Society presented a total of 91 such awards, Texas 55, Georgia 36, Tennes-

see 55 and Virginia 12 on down with a total of 305.

Fair to say that the Virginia Society, Officers, Committee Chairs, Chapter Presidents, Registrars, Officers and Commit-

tee Chairs and individual Members provided a distinguished and generous service to the National Society and our fellow

citizens of the Commonwealth.

HUZZAH!

Phil Williams

NSSAR Trustee for VASSAR

5

Operation Ancestor Search

3. Help match the facilities with the leadership of

the SAR local chapters in their closest geographic

proximity in order to ensure adequate volunteer sup-

port.

4. Ensure that the state and local OAS committees

are ―visionary,‖ meaning that they will not only serve

the needs of the Wounded Warriors while they are

inpatients, but that they will collaborate with local ge-

nealogical societies, lineage societies, libraries and

other organizations as appropriate for support with

training, reintegration and mentoring after they transi-

tion back to their local communities.

5. Ensure that the SAR’s greatest resources – our

MEMBERS in local chapters across the country, in

concert with our State and National Societies – con-

tinue to develop Operation Ancestor Search as the pre-

eminent SAR program, not only for us, but for our

OAS partners who provide the resources that support

our nation’s Wounded Warriors and their families.

* * * * *

If you are interested in helping with Operation An-

cestor Search at the state or local level, please contact

your State OAS Chairman. If your state does not yet

have an OAS Chairman, please contact your State

President if you are interested in serving in that posi-

tion.

For additional information on the OAS program,

please contact Rick Kincaid, the National Program

Director, at rkincaid@sar.org or (502) 588-6147.

Operation Ancestor Search Seeks State, Local

Committee Members

by Rick Kincaid, Program Director

Operation Ancestor Search

Operation Ancestor Search (OAS) is a free

NSSAR genealogy training program for Wounded

Warriors and their families. It provides participants

with the knowledge and tools that allow them to con-

duct their own genealogy research as they recover

from their injuries at military hospitals and VA medi-

cal centers across the country.

The OAS program is conducted through SAR

state societies and local affiliate chapters and their

volunteer members. The national committee evolved

from a local program developed at the former Walter

Reed Army Medical Center (now the Walter Reed

National Military Medical Center) by the DCSSAR.

The program proved so successful that Ancestry.com

became a major national sponsor, contributing a

$180,000 grant over three years, renewable for an-

other three years after the initial period.

National Chairman Carl Bedell presides over the

OAS Committee. Each State Society has its own

OAS Chairman to spearhead these efforts and organ-

ize each state’s program. State chairmen serve as ex

officio members of the national committee.

State OAS Committee Members are volunteers

who desire to share the genealogy expertise within

the SAR in order to give back to the Wounded Warri-

ors who were injured in their service to our nation.

They provide injured service members with the

knowledge and tools they need to conduct their own

genealogy research in training classes, work sessions,

individual hands-on assistance, and most notably, ac-

cess to Ancestry.com databases.

OAS volunteers perform the following:

1. Help target the military medical facilities

within their respective states that are most open and

receptive to offering the OAS program to their

Wounded Warriors.

2. Help identify the key personnel at those facili-

ties and ensure that the facilities have adequate meet-

ing space and computer facilities.

6

More happenings...

FAIRFAX RESOLVES - ARMED FORCES DAY

World War II Veterans (L to R): Earl Anderson, Jim McCullough, Paul Peak, Dante Macario, Bob Ballantyne,

Don Fenton, Percy Floyd, and Bill Schneider

The Fairfax Resolves Chapter celebrated Armed Forces Day on 18 May with a chapter meeting featuring

guest speaker, World War II veteran, Dante ―Dan‖ Macario. Recipient of four Air Medals, Macario flew

30 missions over Europe as a B-24 Liberator nose gunner while assigned to the 8th Air Force, 448th Bomb

Group.

One of his first assignments was to fly into France on D-day as the allies stormed the beach at Nor-

mandy. Macario, the last remaining member of his ten man crew, reflected on how he entered the ser-

vice, his training to become a nose gunner, and his experiences flying over Europe.

A video of Macario’s presentation is available on the chapter website at -

http://www.fairfaxresolvessar.org/ffx_chapter_presentations.html

so that others can also see and hear his story. Following the meeting, all World War II veteran chapter

members that were present were honored in a group photo with Macario.

7

More happenings...

NORFOLK CHAPTER FINDS A GOOD SAMARITAN - SUBMITTED BY TOM WHETSTONE

Selection of this year’s heroism medal is a slam dunk for Norfolk Chapter. Our hero is our own Registrar,

Christian Sean Kendall, son of his rightly proud parents, Vice President Robert Bruce Kendall and Regent

Vicki Kendall of Lynnhaven Chapter N.S.D.A.R.

On June 3, 2013, Christian was driving on I-264 near the Witchduck exit in Virginia Beach. Suddenly, a mid-

sized SUV in front of Kendall was hit by a third vehicle. When hit, the SUV went out of control and flew in a

football-like spiral, hit the jersey wall after turning over 14 times, then fell 25-30 feet below, landing on its

wheels at the railroad

tracks at Greenwich

Road. Christian stopped

his car and slid down the

embankment to help. He

saw that Jamal Strayhorn

Sr. & 15-year-old Jamal

Jr. were choking on their

seat belts due to the nu-

merous spirals, so he cut

the seatbelts from around

their necks. Jamal Sr.

had numerous broken

bones. Jamal Jr. had pro-

truding brain matter from

being hit in the head by

flying bowling balls

loose in the car. Chris-

tian cut a piece of styro-

foam out of the bag in the

car, and applied a com-

press to Jamal Jr.'s head,

as he was bleeding pro-

fusely. In about 10 min-

utes the EMT arrived, and told Christian but for his action, Jamal Jr. would have bled out and died.

After the two victims (surviving only due to his quick and decisive actions) had been airlifted to a hospital by

Nightingale, Christian rather calmly explained to WTKR-TV news, ―The driver was cognoscente enough to

scream—because he was screaming. I cut his seat belt off of him because his neck was wrapped around. They

spun so much that his neck was under the seat belt the other way.‖ The online videos at both WTKR.com and

WVEC.com (put ―Christian Kendall‖ in the 'search' box on those websites) confirm that he, like any true hero,

remained calm and unassuming after his lifesaving acts.

WTKR’s story describes Kendall as a ―Good Samaritan,‖ giving him its People Taking Action Award. Vicki

and Bob Kendall also must be congratulated for raising their heroic son. His virtue speaks highly of his genet-

ics and their parenting efforts. Christian Kendall makes Norfolk Chapter, the Virginia Society, and NSSAR

rightly proud.

WTKR News

8

9

In 2010, the Colonel George Waller Chapter located in the Martinsville area, formed a Historical Interpreters

Group. The organization first began by researching the history of the Henry County and Pittsylvania County

Militias during the American War for Independence.

The group found that both of the militia units were involved in guarding the lead mines along the New River,

garrisoning Ft Chiswell (Wytheville, VA) and Ft. Patrick Henry (Kingsport, TN), were engaged in multiple

missions against the Indians in east Tennessee and southwest Virginia, they garrisoned Flowers Gap in Carroll

County, VA against Tory activity, and were involved in multiple missions and mounted patrols against Tories

throughout southwest Virginia and western North Carolina. They also were called up to reinforce the Conti-

nental Army operating in the South many times during the war and members of the two militia organizations

were present at Stono Ferry, South Carolina, Camden, SC, Guilford Courthouse, NC, the Siege of Ninety-Six,

SC, Eutaw Springs, SC, and at Yorktown, VA among other battlefields.

Among other assignments, they escorted prisoners of war captured in the south along the "Great Road" toward

prisoner of war camps in Charlottesville and Winchester, as well as providing armed escorts for supply trains

heading south to Greene's Army.

The Historical Interpreters Group, which represents the two militias, is beginning to plan its activities for 2013

and has bookings already in place for the Spencer-Penn Centre in Spencer, VA, the Fieldale (VA) Heritage

Festival, and the Callands (VA) Fair. The group provides demonstrations of military and civilian camp life

during the Revolution as well as delivering historical information about the era.

Children are introduced to colonial era games with hands on experience provided by Gail Vogler a member of

the General Joseph Martin Chapter -Daughters of the American Revolution.

Other members include Chapter Compatriots Andy Doss, Mike Bass, Gary Hollandsworth, & Bob Vogler.

Friends of the Chapter who participate are:

Jeff Briggs, an active reenactor and an applicant to join the SAR, Lori Doss, Dave Clark of the Virginia Muz-

zle Loading Rife Association, Henry Bryant of the Fort Vause Outfitters, Jordyn Patrick, and Callie Doss.

THE COLONEL GEORGE WALLER CHAPTER HISTORICAL INTERPRETERS

It’s LIVE

A brand new website for VASSAR!

Features include:

Document library...

Facebook interactivity...

Google Events Calender…

Latest News Section…

And More!!!

10

MARTIN’S STATION - REPORT BY BOB VOGLER

On May 11, 2013, the Martin’s Station

and Overmountain Men Chapters spon-

sored the thirteenth Anniversary of the

―Raid at Martin’s Station‖ held at the

Virginia Wilderness Road State Park

near Ewing, Virginia.

The event saw participation by SAR,

DAR, and CAR chapters from Virginia,

Tennessee, and Kentucky. The program

included officials from the Wilderness

Road State Park, the Cumberland Gap

National Historical Park, and the dep-

uty director of the Virginia Department

of Conservation and Recreation. The

main speaker for the anniversary event

was Dr. Reverdy Wright, VASSAR Sec-

ond Vice President.

After the formal program, participants

marched to the SAR

monument dedicated to

memory of the pioneers

of Martin’s Station and

the 200,000 settlers who

passed by its palisades.

Wreaths were presented

at the monument.

Joseph Martin first estab-

lished the fort in 1769

and it was the last safe

refuge for explorers and

settlers pushing westward

toward the Cumberland

Gap and Kentucky.

The VASSAR Color Guard Contingent with other Participants

Martin’s Station Memorial Marker

11

Jack Sweeney wanted to alert all chapter registrars and their assistants that the Application

Preparation manual has significantly changed. Due to the many changes, the only way to accu-

rately utilize it will be to discard the old manual and adopt the new one immediately. Compa-

triot Sweeney hopes to raise some flags with National about the importance of printing a

―changes‖ document to help guide users on new or replaced procedures in the future.

BRUTON PARISH CHURCH PATRIOT COMMEMORATION—WILLIAMSBURG CHAPTER

On Saturday May 4th, the Williamsburg Chapter hosted the dedication of a Sons of the American

Revolution plaque placed

inside historic Bruton Par-

ish Church in Williams-

burg, Virginia.

The plaque was dedicated

to those patriots buried at

Bruton Parish Church

namely Captain David

Mead Randolph, Edmund

Pendleton and John

Blair. David Meade

Randolph was a captain in

the 1st Virginia Regiment.

Edmund Pendleton,

among many other things,

was a member of the Con-

tinental Congress and

President of the 1788 Vir-

ginia Ratification Convention.

John Blair was a Virginia delegate to

the Constitutional Convention and is

one of three Virginia Signers of the

U.S. Constitution.

The dedication participants included

NSSAR Secretary General Joseph Doo-

ley, NSSAR Trustees Mark Brennan

and Henry P. "Phil" Williams, VAS-

SAR President Kent Webber, VASSAR

officers as well as various VASSAR,

DAR and C.A.R. chapter representa-

tives.

CHAPTER REGISTRARS

Attendees of the Commemoration

Photo of the Plaque that was Placed

12

ABRAHAM SAVILLE MONUMENT DEDICATED

On April 28, Dennis Fritts

attended a dedication of a

monument in memory of

Abraham Saville, in Rock-

bridge County. Saville was

a soldier from Pennsylvania,

and was even excommuni-

cated from the Quakers as a

result.

He relocated to Rockbridge

County in 1796. Many de-

scendants attended the

event, ranging from Mar-

tinsville to Seattle, WA. Attendees of the Commemoration of the Abraham Saville Monument

A historical interpreters group organized by the Col. George Waller Chapter attended the Fieldale Festival in May.

From L-R were Jeff Briggs, Dave McKissack, Andy Doss, Gary Hollandsworth, Mike Bass, Bob Vogler,

Gail Vogler, and Jordyn Patrick.

13

Virginia Society

Sons of the American Revolution

CHAPTER DIRECTORY

Clinch Mountain Militia Tazewell area

Colonel Fielding Lewis Virginia’s Eastern Piedmont Region

Colonel George Waller Martinsville area

Colonel James Wood, Jr. Northwest Virginia

Colonel William Grayson Prince William County area

Culpeper Minute Men Virginia’s Central Piedmont area

Dan River Danville area

Fairfax Resolves Fairfax County

Fincastle Resolutions Roanoke Valley area Fort Harrison Harrisonburg area

General Daniel Morgan Staunton area

General William Campbell Abingdon area

George Mason Arlington County George Washington Alexandria

James Monroe Upper Northern Neck

Lieutenant David Cox Galax/Independence

Martin’s Station Cumberland Gap New River Valley New River Valley area

Norfolk Norfolk/Virginia Beach area

Overmountain Men Gate City

Richmond Richmond/Petersburg Rockbridge Volunteers Lexington

Richard Henry Lee Lower Northern Neck

Thomas Jefferson Charlottesville

Thomas Nelson, Jr. Newport News/Hampton/Yorktown Williamsburg Williamsburg

(L-R) Ken Wood, Thomas Nelson, Jr. President, Ed Truslow,

VASSAR 3rd VP, and Walt Neville, Chairman of the VASSAR

Yorktown Day Observance Committee with the Cornerstone to be

placed on the American Revolution Museum in Yorktown

On Friday May 10th, three VASSAR members

attended the cornerstone laying of the new

$50,000,000 American Revolution Museum in

Yorktown. When completed in 2016, it will re-

place the current Yorktown Victory Center.

VASSAR MEMBERS AT CORNERSTONE LAYING

YORKTOWN CORNERSTONE