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St. Augustine Chapter

Sons of the American Revolution

Newsletter for May 2013

The Bill of Rights

On September 25, 1789, Congress transmitted to the state legislatures twelve

proposed amendments, two of which, having to do with Congressional

representation and Congressional pay, were not adopted. The first ten

Amendments (Bill of Rights) were ratified effective December 15, 1971.

“The concept that the Bill of Rights and other constitutional protections

against arbitrary government are inoperative when they become inconvenient

or when expediency dictates otherwise is a very dangerous doctrine and if

allowed to flourish would destroy the benefit of a written Constitution and

undermine the basis of our government.” U.S. Supreme Court Justice Hugh

Black, 2008

Preamble – The conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their

adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or

abuse of powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added:

And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best

ensure the beneficent ends of its institution.

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Amendment I. Congress shall make no laws respecting an establishment of

religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of

speech, or of the press; or of the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to

petition the Government for the redress of grievances.

Amendment II. A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free

State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment III. No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house,

without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be

prescribed by law.

Amendment IV. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses,

papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be

violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath

or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons

or things to be seized.

Amendment V. No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise

infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand July, except in

cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in

time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence

to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal

case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property,

without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use,

without just compensation.

Amendment VI. In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to

a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the

crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously

ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and causer of the accusation;

to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for

obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his

defense.

Amendment VII. In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall

exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried

by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than

according to the rules of common law.

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Amendment VIII. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines

imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment IX. The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not

be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment X. The powers not delegated to the United States by the

Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States

respectively, or to the people.

CHAPTER NEWS

New members inducted into SAR: Two Compatriots were inducted

into the St. Augustine Chapter during the regular meeting on May18.

They are Jerry Hanchett and Wilson McMullen.

Compatriot Hanchett’s patriot

ancestor is Ebenezer Hanchett Jr.

Compatriot McMullen’s patriot

ancestor is John McMullen.

With the addition of these two

compatriots, our chapter roll now

carries the names of 47

compatriots. L to R: Oscar Patterson, Jerry Hanchett, Wilson McMullen

Past Chapter Presidents

recognized: Compatriots George

E. McCabe, Jr., William A.

Roberts, John Tinny and Sydney

Spink were recently recognized for

their service as President of the St.

Augustine Chapter.

L to R: Syd Spink, Oscar Patterson, John Tinny

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FLSSAR President Philip Tarpley presented certificates to past Chapter

presidents during the BOM meeting in May. Compatriot Roberts

received his certificate at the BOM. Compatriot McCabe will receive

his certificate in the fall.

Flag Certificates: The St. Augustine

Chapter presented a Flag Certificate to

Mr. Larry Reider of Captain’s Pointe

in St. Augustine during the annual

meeting of the Captain’s Pointe

Homeowners Association on May 14,

2013. The presentation was made at

the Riverview Club in The Shores.

Flag Certificates are presented to

individuals, businesses, schools, L to R: Larry Reider, Oscar Patterson

government agencies and others who display the U.S. flag in the proper

manner and for patriotic purposes.

The new Chairman of the Flag Certificate committee is compatriot

David Simpson. It you would like to make a nomination for a Flag

Certificate, please send it to him.

JROTC Bronze Medals Presented: JROTC Bronze Medals were

presented to Outstanding Cadets at St. Augustine High School on

Friday, 3 May, 2013, at Nease High School on Thursday, 16 May, and at

Crescent City High School on Friday, April 26, during those units’

annual awards ceremonies. The presentation at St. Augustine High was

made by Compatriot John Tinny. The cadet honored was Tyler Joiner.

Compatriot William Roberts made the presentation at Nease High

School. The cadet honored at Nease was David Hernandez. The

presentation at Crescent City High School was made by Dr. Oscar

Patterson III St. Augustine High School’s JROTC and Crescent City

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High School’s JROTC unit are affiliated with the U.S. Army. The unit

at Nease High School is affiliated with the U.S. Navy.

Recipients are selected by the military instructor at the respective high

schools based on their high degree of merit with respect to leadership

qualities, military bearing and general excellence.

Cadet Tyler Joiner of St.

Augustine High School

JROTC was also presented

with a copy of The

Constitution of the United

States and the Declaration of

Independence. He was

reminded that, while he is a

JROTC cadet and a possible

future soldier, he is first and

foremost a citizen of the

United States. L to R: Tyler Joiner, John Tinny

Cadet Hernandez also received

a copy of the U.S. Constitution

and the Declaration of

Independence.

The JROTC Bronze Medal

endeavors to recognize and

foster the principles of the

“citizen soldier” exemplified by

the Minutemen. The medal

depicts a Minuteman holding a

rifle, with a plow and the

Liberty Bell. L to R: William Roberts, David Hernandez, Mrs. Priscilla Hernandez

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Cadet Michael Hess received the

JOTC Bronze Medal at Crescent

City High School.

The Bronze JROTC Medal,

authorized in 1965, is presented

only to students in secondary

school JROTC units. A silver

version of the medal is presented

to students enrolled in a university

ROTC unit.

L to R: Oscar Patterson, Cadet Hess.

Public Safety/Heroism: The Chapter’s Public Safety and Heroism

Committee had a most active month. Presentations were made in

Palatka on 23 April then two presentations were made in St. Johns

County and one in Putnam County on 24 April.

On Tuesday, 23 April 2013, Compatriot William Roberts presented the

Emergency Medical Services Medal to EMT/Paramedic Joseph G.

Hannan of the Putnam County Fire & EMS Department. Hannan was

recognized for his high degree of motivation and dedication. The letter

from Fire Chief Michael Patterson noted that Hannan “has strived to

improve himself by taking numerous extra work related classes and

courses. . . [and] has demonstrated respect and loyality when interacting

with his superiors. He has demonstrated his determination to succeed

and advance himself as a member of our department.”

At 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, 24 April 2013, Compatriots William

Roberts and Oscar Patterson presented the SAR Emergency Medical

Services Medal to Firefighter/Paramedic Casey Lane and the Fire Safety

Commendation Medal to Engineer Matthew Hooker of the St. Johns

County Fire and Rescue Department.

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In his letter nominating Lane,

Joel Sneed, Deputy Chief for

Operations, noted that Lane

“has continued to show

excellence in the practice of

medicine and above average

decision making skills with

regards to rescue and its crew

. . . It is an honor to work

with Casey.” L to R: Oscar Patterson, Casey Lane, William Roberts, Matthew Hooker

Sneed noted in his letter recommending Hooker that “Engineer Hooker

spent a great deal of time this year furthering his education” earning six

different certifications. He also volunteered to reorganize and lead the

St. Johns County “Fill the Boot” campaign. “Engineer Hooker,” Sneed

notes, “is a man who truly takes initiative . . . working (volunteering) as

the lead paramedic for the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office SWAT

Team.”

At 11:00 a.m. on the same morning, Wednesday, 24 April, Compatriots

Roberts and Patterson along

with Compatriot Vernon Myers

presented the SAR’s Law

Enforcement Commendation

Medal to Ms. Kim Revers of

the Putnam County Sheriff’s

Office. Revers was nominated

to receive the award by Capt.

Dominic Piscitello, Chief of

Investigations for the PCSO. L to R: William Roberts, Vernon Myers, Kim Revers, Oscar

Patterson

Revers began her career with PCSO as a Sexual Offender and Predator

clerk. She currently tracks 200 offenders. In addition, she is the

Criminal Investigative clerk and case management coordinator. After

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“normal” working hours, Revers assist with crime scene processing and

the recovery of evidence. She is very reliable, notes Piscitello. No task

is too big for her, and she is always looking for new ways to expand her

knowledge.

To complete a busy day, Compatriots Roberts and Patterson returned to

St. Johns County where they presented six (6) Law Enforcement

Commendation Medals to members of the St. Johns County Sheriff’s

Office during the Department’s General Staff Meeting at the county’s

administrative building.

Medals were presented to CPL Vinnie Russo, Ms. Melissa Farris, Dep.

Nathan Datsko, Dep. Steven Lay, CPL Dominic Giordano and SGT

David Tarbert.

L to R: William Roberts, CPL Vinnie Russo, Ms. Melissa Farris, Dep. Nathan Datsko, Dep. Steven Lay, CPL

Dominic Giordano, Oscar Patterson. Not pictured, SGT. David Tarbert.

CPL Russo supervises the Intelligence-Led Policing (ILP) section and

has diligently and conscientiously performed his duties in an outstand

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manner. He drew upon his many innovative and creative talents to build

the ILP section and has led the SJSO into using a more pro-active

approaching to impacting crime. In addition to his intellectual

background, Russo has an infectious personality and the uncanny ability

to generate positive working relationships with various groups of people.

He is also active in the ACE program, the Haunted House and to

preparing composite drawings.

Mrs. Melissa Farris is a civilian employee of the SJSO who is a diligent

and conscientious worker and, above all, is consistent in her

performance and is motivated to strive for exceptionally higher

standards. She is resourceful, creative and a solution-oriented person

who frequently brings new and innovative approaches to her assigned

duties. She also attends Flagler College during her off hours and is

raising three small children while her husband is deployed.

SGT David Tarbert, CPL Domenic Giordano, Dep. Nate Datsko and

Dep. Steven Lay were recognized for their efforts in rescuing a family of

five (5) trapped in an apartment fire in Ponte Vedra Beach. The mother,

father and three small children were trapped on the second floor of the

unit. Fire blocked all exits from the unit and was breaking through the

roof when the deputies arrived.

After an unsuccessful attempt to locate a ladder, the deputies, under the

supervision of SGT Tarbert, made the decision to remove the family by

encouraging them to jump from the second floor. The parents then

lowered the three children to the deputies on the ground who moved

them to safety. The father then assisted the mother out the same 2nd

floor window dropping her to the deputies waiting below. Finally, the

father lowered himself out of the window and dropped to the ground.

His fall was broken by Dep. Lay who received a minor injury to his leg.

The fire quickly spread to the whole building and the roof collapsed. The

building was declared a total loss. The deputies worked with Sawgrass

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Security and the St. Johns County Fire and Rescue department to

remove the family to safety and protect surrounding buildings.

Good Citizenship presentation: Compatriots William Roberts and

Jerry Hanchett presented Bronze Good Citizenship Medals and

Certificates to Mr. Lester Chatley and Mrs. Shirley Chatley, volunteers

for the Betty Griffin House in St. Augustine, during ceremonies on 22

May 2013.

Mr. and Mrs. Chatley have volunteered over the past several years and

have made a significant effort and contribution to providing for the

wellbeing and recovery of the families that are in the care of the Betty

Griffin House.

Bronze Good Citizenship Medals and Certificates are presented to

persons who have made a

noteworthy achievement in

their school, community or

state. It is presented by the

chapter, state society or

National Society.

The Betty Griffin House

offers protection and quality

services for victims of

Domestic Violence and their

minor children and/or victims

of Sexual Assault and their

families of St. Johns County,

FL, through operation of a

shelter offering assistance,

counseling, and transitional

support. L to R: Front Row, Shirley Chatley, Lester Chatley

Back Row, William Roberts, Jerry Hanchett

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Its mission is to educate the community about services provided and

raise awareness of the problems of Domestic Violence and Sexual

Assault in order to break cycles of abuse.

MAY 2013 CHAPTER MEETING

The Chapter assembled at 11:00 A. M. for the business meeting at Le

Pavillon Restaurant. President Patterson called the meeting to order

at11:10 A. M.

Members present: William Griffith; Jerry Hanchett; Stephen Luckau;

Edward Neely Sr.; Wilson McMullan; Oscar Patterson; William

Roberts; David Simpson; Dean Smith; James Smith; Syd Spink; Bob

Tarrant; John Tinny.

Guests: John Brown; Noah Budkoski.

Speaker: Chuck Meide The Lamp Director at the lighthouse.

Total: 16

Invocation: Given by President Patterson.

Pledge of Allegiance: Led by President Patterson.

SAR Pledge: Led by Compatriot John Tinny

President Patterson presented to Compatriots John Tinny and Sydney

Spink FLSSAR Certificates for having served as the President of the St.

Augustine Chapter SAR. Photos were taken (page 3 above).

President Patterson performed the Chapter induction ceremony for the

two new members. These were Jerry Hanchett and Wilson McMullan.

William Roberts pinned the rosette on the lapel of each new member

the two new members were welcomed into the Chapter. Pictures were

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taken (pages 3 & 4 above).

President Patterson introduced the

speaker Chuck Meide the Lamp

Director at the lighthouse. St.

Augustine has had the most

dangerous

sandbars in the days around the late

17 hundreds. It also has had the

most shipwrecks and at the end of

the Revolution there were 16

refugee ships wrecked on these sandbars. This makes the area a great

area for marine archeologists to study the wrecks. They have in the past

year found a ship which dates to the evacuation of the Loyalists from

Charleston S. C. In order to locate these wrecks they use metal detectors

and sonar. These ships are covered in sand. This latest ship they are

working with has been dated to the time of the evacuation after the

revolution. The population of St. Augustine after these evacuations

reached nearly 30,000 when the normal population was around 1,000.

There are four archeologists at the lighthouse.

President Patterson presented Chuck Meide a Certificate for Outstanding

Citizenship and the pin for the Outstanding Citizen.

Minutes: A motion was made and seconded to approve the April 2013

minutes as corrected. The motion was approved.

Treasurer: The balance was $2342.29 and was accepted for record.

Vice President: It would be to the Chapters benefit if we could get

some radio recognition.

President: At the BOM there was discussion about the revisions to the

by-laws. We received a red ribbon for the Chapter Challenge and also

an honorable mention for the Earl Marlin Contest and a check for $50.

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Registrar/Genealogist: All the membership applications at National

have been approved and finalized. Currently working on two potential

new membership applications. There are two new prospects to interview

this month.

Public Safety/Heroism: A presentation to EMS at Putnam Co. was

made April 23,2013. On April 24th presented two awards to

Firefighter/EMS at St. Johns Fire Rescue Headquarters. A Law

Enforcement Commendation Award was presented at the Putnam Co.

Sheriff's Office Awards Ceremony. Six Law Enforcement

Commendation Awards were presented at the St. Johns Co. Sheriff's

Office quarterly management meeting held at the St. Johns County,

County Commissioners Building, St. Augustine.

Chaplain: No report

Historian: See JROTC

Boy Scouts: No report.

JROTC: May 6th the Bronze medal was presented at Nease High

School. Compatriot Tinny presented the Bronze JROTC Medal to

Cadet Tyler Joyner at the St. Augustine High School.

Good Citizenship Certificate: Six Good Citizenship Certificates were

presented at Hickory Creek School. Two Good Citizenship Medals

are to be presented at Betty Griffin House in the near future.

Old Business: None.

New Business: Memorial Day there will be Massing of the Colors at

the St. Augustine National Cemetery . Members should be there at 9:30

AM. Cadets from St. Augustine JROTC will hold the flags during the

ceremony.

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The Past Presidents may present a Distinguished Service Medal to one

member for each term they served. A motion was made and seconded

that the Past President will pay for the Medal they present to a Chapter

Member. The motion was passed.

Benediction: Given by President Patterson

Recessional: Led by Compatriot Tinny

The next meeting is 11:00 A.M.at the Le Pavillon Restaurant on

Sept.21, 2013.

The meeting adjourned at 1:30 P.M.

The speaker for the next meeting is Cheryl Strickland Clerk of Court for

St. Johns County.

Speakers for 2013:

September 21, 2013 Cheryl Strickland, Clerk of Court, St. Johns

County

October 19, 2013 Rev. David Baker, Religion and the Revolution

November 16, 2013 Election of Officers for 2014, speaker TBA

December 21, 2013 Installation of Officers, speaker TBA

President: Vice President: Secretary: Treasurer:

Dr. Oscar Patterson III Dean Smith Sydney Spink Robert Tarrant

904-280-1067 904-797-4459 904-940-1077 904-797-3865

opatters@comcast.net deano54@bellsouth.net linsyd@bellsouth.net kaynbobtar@bellsouth.net

Registrar/Genealogist: Historian: Chaplain: Sergeant-At-Arms:

William R. Roberts John Tinny David Hoffman Drew Upchurch

904-825-1594 904-285-8145 904-797-5673 904-540-1866

Roberts237@be;llsouth.net overlook3@comcast.net rdavidhoffman@bellsouth.net dsupchurch@gmail.com

Past Presidents 1981-82 Michael H. Charles 1988 George L. Houghtalling 1998 George I. Knowles 2006-07 Syd Spink 1983 John L. Mikel 1989-90 Charles A. Tingley 1999 John D. Tinny 2008-10 William A. Roberts 1984-85 Alan R. Edwards 1991 Harry A. Stowell III 2000 Richard E. Welty 1986 Charles A. Tingley 1992-93 Donald R. Fisher* 2001-2003 George E. McCabe Jr. 1987 James A. Keamey 1994-97 John D. Tinny 2004-05 Norman L. Antle

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