the trigg patriot - wordpress.com · 12/01/2014 · conversation over coffee, tea, and sweets. a...

NEWSLETTER OF THE COL. STEPHEN TRIGG CHAPTER - SAR JANUARY 2015

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The Trigg Patriot

JANUARY 2015 CHAPTER SERVICE AWARD HONOREE

JAMES SUMNER

James has been the treasurer of our chapter since its inception. December

was a particularly busy month for him, processing many contributions and payments. He has managed us

well, and our chapter is very much “in the black!”

Mr. Sumner, thank you for your service to our chapter!


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PRESIDENT’S DISPATCHES

• “50 in 2015!” - This is our membership goal, to break through the 50 barrier in chapter membership. We currently stand at 34 members. We will need to recruit 16 more by the end of 2015. Start now to reach out to family members and friends. (We already have one submitted and two more in process ... so we’re on our way!)

• “Valor on Display” - This is our veteran’s recognition initiative for 2015. It will be a multi-pronged effort to honor veterans throughout our area. Of particular importance will be our discover and recognition of World War II veterans (this generation is rapidly dwindling), as well as hosting two Vietnam War recognition events in 2015.

• Service to Veterans Reporting - We are keeping records for every Compatriot in pursuance of the Service to Veterans Medal. This is a very important and prestigious recognition in our organization. We need to keep better records and take credit for the service we are rendering. I need every single Compatriot to keep and submit records of their service to veterans on a monthly basis. A copy of the monthly report is included in this newsletter.

• Grave Markings - I anticipate that we will host at least six grave markings in 2015. I also want to encourage Compatriots to participate in the ceremonies hosted by other chapters throughout the Commonwealth. We should have AT LEAST six more compatriots who earn the Grave Marking Medal by the end of 2015!

These are our major goals for 2015. Let’s all work together to make this an even BIGGER year than the last!

Happy New Year, Compatriots!2014 was a “breakthrough” year for the Col. Stephen Trigg

Chapter. As we participated in our community in various ways, our reputation and respect for our organization have grown significantly in Trigg County and beyond. And all the while we continued to experience steady and significant numerical growth.

On January 1 I submitted our two main reports for the year to the Kentucky Society. These reports indicated that our chapter grew by an incredible 127% in 2014 (19 new members) and logged what I believe to be an SAR record 20,349 Americanism points! You have done well, indeed.

As we begin a new year, let me challenge you with the following chapter goals:

GOALS FOR 2015


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JANUARY SERVICE PROJECT

Patriots Absalom Humphries and Thomas Humphries are buried in the Humphries family cemetery at the end of Humphries Road, off of Kings Chapel Road. We are planning to mark both graves in the spring of 2015. However, the cemetery is severely overgrown. We must first clean up the cemetery and straighten the gravestones, at least in the portion where we will hold the ceremony.

Depending on inclement weather, we will be working on January 3 and 10 (consecutive Saturdays) to tackle this cold-weather project.

Please recruit all of the help that you can. We will try to engage the community in this project, as well. If you have connection with the local members of the Humphries family, please make contact and encourage their involvement.

HUMPHRIES CEMETERY CLEAN-UP


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POSTER CONTEST WINNERS - 2014

! Chapter President Geoff Baggett and Vice-President Steve Mallory visited Heritage Christian Academy in Hopkinsville to present the Col. Stephen Trigg Chapter’s “Revolutionary War in a Trunk” presentation. While there, they recognized three poster winners. Class winners were: Elle Heltsley (Ms. Hayes’ homeroom), Ryan Riggs and Emma Harris (tied – Mrs. Riggs’ homeroom). Each received a winner’s certificate and a book about George Rogers Clark. Posters were judged “blind” by the school’s teachers and administrators, who had no knowledge of the identity of the student who created each poster.! In addition to presenting certificates to each student contest participant, the Col. Stephen Trigg Chapter recognized Ms. Hayes for her dedicated efforts to teach American History to the children of the community by awarding her the “Bronze Good Citizenship Medal.”


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PATRIOT GRAVE MARKING MEDAL! All members of our chapter are pursuing the Patriot Grave Marking Medal by their participation in recognized ceremonies. Credit for participation can be earned through several methods. Primarily, Compatriots earn credit by taking part in the program and being listed on the program paper. However, you do not have to be present to earn credit for a grave. Two other methods involve labor and cash donations.

Name Graves Marked # RemainingTony Dothsuk 13 2Ken Oakley 11 4Jerry Burlingame 9 6James Sumner 7 8Glenn Greenfield 5 10Bobby Skinner 5 10Ron Drennan 5 10Randle Cruse 5 10John Humphries 5 10Travis McCloud 2 13Billy Redd 2 13

! You can receive credit by researching and preparing the location of a grave (including cemetery clean-up and preparation), or performing labor in placing the Patriot marker. For instance, Geoff Baggett and Tony Dothsuk received credit for six graves marked in 2014 by helping order and deliver six markers to the Gov. Isaac Shelby Chapter. Additionally, if you are circumstantially hindered from attending a ceremony, you can make a final donation toward the cost of the granite marker. In our chapter, the amount required for credit is $20.

GRAVE MARKING MEDAL PROGRESS


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CALLOWAY NORTH ELEMENTARY SCHOOLDECEMBER 5, 2014

Geoff Baggett made a solo appearance at the Calloway North Elementary School in Murray on Friday, December 5. He made three consecutive “Revolutionary War in a Trunk” presentations to all three of 5th grade social studies teacher Keri Simmons’ classes. The students really enjoyed the morning, especially when the volunteers who dressed in period clothing were surprised with a blonde pony-tail wig!


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PEARL HARBOR DAY AT BARKLEY PLANTATIONOn Sunday, December 7, compatriots from the Col. Stephen Trigg Chapter visited

Barkley Plantation, an assisted living home in Cadiz, to honor veterans in residence who serve in World War II and the Korean War. Chapter President Geoff Baggett noted that it was the seventy-third anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor and America’s entry into the Second World War. He personally thanked the men of the “Greatest Generation” for their heroism and service.

In honor of the sacrifice of the men and women of World War II, the chapter presented its Veteran’s Appreciation Medal and accompanying certificate to World War II and Korean War veterans in residence at Barkley Plantation. Honorees included: **Carlos Lynch – United States Marine Corps, Wade Groves – United States Navy, Kenneth Ingram – United States Army, Don Cloud – United States Army, and Merritt Sutherland – United States Army Air Corps/Air Force.

After the brief ceremony, Col. Stephen Trigg Compatriots and their families, family members of the honorees, residents of Barkley Plantation, and some members of Crossroads Fellowship who provided snacks for the event, enjoyed a time fellowship and conversation over coffee, tea, and sweets. A “Big Band” CD played music from the World War II era and posters from World War II decorated each table.

The presentation of the Veteran’s Service Medal to World War II servicemen is a priority for the Col. Stephen Trigg Chapter in 2015. If you have a World War II veteran in your family you would like to have recognized, please email [email protected].

mailto:[email protected]



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PEARL HARBOR DAY PICS


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WREATHS ACROSS AMERICASATURDAY, DECEMBER 13

Compatriots from the Col. Stephen Trigg Chapter attended the Wreaths Across America ceremony today at the Kentucky Veteran’s Cemetery West in Hopkinsville. They posed for LOTS of photographs and had many opportunities to explain their uniforms and tell people about the SAR.

The highlight of the experience was the placing of a wreath at the Revolutionary War Soldier’s Monument.


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MORE WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA PICS


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2014 ANNUAL CHAPTER AWARDS DINNERDECEMBER 13

On Saturday, December 13, after the annual Wreaths Across America event, the Col. Stephen Trigg Chapter hosted over forty compatriots, spouses, and guests at their second annual Chapter Awards Dinner. The event was hosted at Crossroads Fellowship in Cadiz. Kim Baggett and Debbie Mallory, wives of the President and Vice-President, provided the decor and atmosphere. After enjoying a dinner of pork barbecue and all the “fixins,” the chapter presented several awards to guests and Compatriots. The culmination of the night was a thirty-minute “year in review” video that chronicled the life and growth of the chapter in 2014.

The setting for our lovely chapter dinner.


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MORE CHAPTER AWARDS DINNER PHOTOS

Dalton HendricksEagle Scout Scholarship Winner

Mason SheltonEssay Contest / Scholarship Winner


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MORE CHAPTER AWARDS DINNER PHOTOS

Virginia Alexander Receives the Lydia Darragh Medal For Three Years of Service to

Our Chapter

New Compatriot Herbert Segler Receives the War Service Medal with WWII Device for

His Service in the 2nd Armored Division

Steve Mallory Receives Our Highest Decoration - The Chapter Distinguished Service Medal


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AWARDS TO GUESTSChapter Essay Medal – Mason Shelton

Eagle Scout Medal – Dalton Hendricks

Certificate of Appreciation – Sharon McCloud (Service and Support)

Certificate of Appreciation – Mitzi McNichols (Service and Support)

Veteran’s Appreciation Medal – Charles Carpenter (Posthumous) – Awarded to Alecia Dothsuk

Medal of Appreciation – Margery Sumner (DAR Service and Support)

Medal of Appreciation – Martha Maxfield (DAR Service and Support)

Martha Washington Medal Sue Burlingame (Exceptional Service and Support)

Martha Washington Medal – Debbie Mallory (Exceptional Service and Support)

Martha Washington Medal – Kim Baggett (President’s Wife, Exceptional Service and Support)

Lydia Darragh Medal – Virginia Alexander (Three Years of Service to Chapter)

CHAPTER COMPATRIOT AWARDSCERTIFICATE AWARDS

Colonel’s Muster Award – Given to the Year’s Top 5 Color Guard Participants

Geoff Baggett

Steve Mallory

Jerry Burlingame

Ken Oakley

Tony Dothsuk

Col. Stephen Trigg Service to Veterans Award – Dennis Adams

Col. Stephen Trigg Grave Marking Service Award – Steve Mallory

MEDALS

Bronze Roger Sherman Medal Gary Thompson (Officer – 3 Years)

Bronze Roger Sherman Medal James Sumner (Officer – 3 Years)

Bronze Roger Sherman Medal Bobby Skinner (Officer – 3 Years)

Bronze Roger Sherman Medal Steve Mallory (Officer – 3 Years)

Bronze Roger Sherman Medal Billy Redd (Officer – 3 Years)

Military Service Medal – Randle Cruse

War Service Medal (With World War II Device) – Herbert Segler

New Member of the Year Award & George Washington Medal – Ron Drennan

New Member of the Year Award & George Washington Medal – Jerry Burlingame

Chapter Distinguished Service Medal – Steve Mallory

2014 CHAPTER AWARD RECIPIENTS


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Patriot BiographiesAncestors of Our Compatriots

John DrennanAncestor of Ron Drennan

John Drennan was born around 1765 in the upper part of the Ninety-Six District in colonial South Carolina, very close to the Cherokee Indian wilderness.

Details about his life are few. He married twice, first to a woman named Eliza Boyd, and after her death to a woman named Unity Boyd. There is some argument among genealogical researchers about the dates of the marriages and the exact identity of the mother of each of his children.

Likewise, information about his service during the Revolutionary War is also somewhat limited. He served in the Upper Ninety-Six District Regiment of the South Carolina Militia from 1780 through 1783. His captain was a man named John Pickens. He is mentioned in the pension record of William Gabriel Pickens, a younger brother of the captain, who served alongside Private Drennan. During that span of time he was likely involved in several actions, including skirmishes with tories and the Siege of Ninety-Six.

Some time after 1800 he relocated his family to Caldwell County, Kentucky, where he died in some time in 1839. Supposedly, his grave has a stone marking, but its location is presently unknown. Ron Drennan in researching and seeking the location of his patriot ancestor’s grave.

John Drennan was literate, as evidenced by this beautiful signature from his will.


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Arundelby Kenneth Roberts

Originally Published in 1930 Down East BooksCamden, Maine

486 Pages

Available at Amazon.com $15.13 New

As little as 49 Cents Used

This book is a Revolutionary War classic! It was the first novel written by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Kenneth Roberts. It is a historical fiction novel written through the eyes of Steven Nason, an innkeeper from the coastal town of Arundel, Maine, who served as a scout on Benedict Arnold’s doomed march and siege on Quebec in 1775.

The novel tells the account of the torturous journey over the mountains of Maine, the suffering of the American army, and the ill-fated assault on Quebec City on New Year’s Eve 1775. It also gives a very vivid portrayal of life on the Maine coast, as well as the culture of French Canada during the Revolution.

It is an amazing narrative with colorful characters and vivid detail. Readers are easily drawn into the experience of the journey.

The sequel of this book, Rabble in Arms, tells of the ongoing wartime adventures of Steven Nason and other citizens of Arundel.

The book is available at amazon.com. Geoff Baggett has a used copy that any Compatriot is free to borrow and enjoy.


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AN AWESOME BOOK BY A CST COMPATRIOT!

Eddie Price, one of our newest Compatriot applicants, has written an incredible book about life on the Kentucky frontier during the time of the War of 1812. ”Widder’s Landing” is available on amazon.com. And we’re sure that Eddie will be happy to autograph it for you at one of our future events! You can read all about his book here: http://www.acclaimpress.com/store.aspx?panel=3&productid=156&categoryid=4

RECRUIT A RELATIVE!Compatriots! All male relatives in your bloodline are

eligible for SAR membership! This includes your sons, grandsons, brothers, nephews ... even your uncles! If they share your patriot blood, they are eligible!

The most responsive recruits will be the young boys. They have an interest in history, uniforms, and many of the things that we are doing. Capture their attention early! Invite them to join. Pay their fees! The fees for Junior Members are minimal on a Patriot line that is already proven. Recruit a relative in June!

Please remember to report ALL services that you render to veterans! This includes:

• Items or cash donated for veteran’s causes.

• Visits with veterans.

• Attendance / involvement in veterans’ funerals or memorials.

E-mail reports on ALL service to veterans to [email protected].

http://www.acclaimpress.com/store.aspx?panel=3&productid=156&categoryid=4







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JANUARY EVENT SCHEDULE• 3rd (Saturday) - 9:00 AM - Humphries Cemetery Clean-

Up• 10th (Saturday) - 9:00 AM - Humphries Cemetery

Clean-Up• 20th (Tuesday) - Regular Chapter Meeting - 6:30 PM

Col. Stephen Trigg Chapter Display in“Cadiz Christmas in the Park”


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HELP SPREAD THE WORD!

We have created a public fundraising site at gofundme.com to enable public gifts and contributions to our Scholarship Fund. Specifically, thisis a much needed effort to provide tuition and material assistance to the men at the Pennyroyal Veterans Center. Gifts to their “SAR Scholarship Fund” may be used to pay for tuition, fees, materials, work training uniforms, safety equipment, even computers ... any expenses related to education and/or job training or re-training. Please share this link with everyone you can, using all social media and everyone in your email list:

http://www.gofundme.com/jh69xs




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VETERAN’S APPRECIATION MEDAL RECIPIENTS IN DECEMBER

Jason WalkerU.S. Army - Afghanistan

Leonard JewellU.S. Army

Michael BallU.S. Air Force

R.J. KemU.S. Army World War II


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Jack E. Poland III - U.S. Air Force, Ronald W. Luttrull - U.S. Army, Virginia Luttrull Poland - U.S. Air Force

Jerry Burlingame (far left) and Tony Dothsuk (far right) present to David Smith - U.S. Army / 25th Infantry Division - Vietnam War


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*** POSTHUMOUS AWARDS ***

SFC Charles CarpenterU.S. Army 5th Special Forces Group

Served 1959-1969Killed in Action - Kontum Province,

Republic of VietnamFather-in-Law of Compatriot Tony Dothsuk

SFC Frank Wallen, Sr.U.S. Army, Retired

World War II & Vietnam War1st Infantry Division - D-Day

(Omaha Beach) & Battle of the BulgeDied in 2005

Father-in-Law of Compatriot Glenn Greenfield


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HELP RAISE FUNDS FOR CONGRESS 2015IN LOUISVILLE!

Items for sale now:

2015 Congress Lapel Pins$5

20 Available

Challenge Coin: $10

Flintlock Fowler Chances: $5

NEWSLETTER OF THE COL. STEPHEN TRIGG CHAPTER - SAR DECEMBER 2014

Col. Stephen Trigg Chapter1969 Kings Chapel Rd.Cadiz, KY 42211

CADIZ CHRISTMAS PARADE - DECEMBER 6

the trigg patriot - wordpress.com · 12/01/2014 · conversation over coffee, tea, and sweets. a...

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