NEWS

CAR and SAR celebrate Flag Day

CONCORD, NH: The N.H. Societies, Children and Sons of the American Revolution gathered Saturday on the State House lawn for the societies 59th annual Flag Day celebration. The NHSSAR raises the Bennington 76 flag each year. Members of the NHSS! AR colo nial color guard and the John Stark Society, C.A.R. paraded on the State House grounds to kick off the ceremony. Joseph Kehr carried the American Flag, Connor Jackson carried the New Hampshire Flag and Kaitlyn Laurendeau carried the CAR flag.

Benjamin H. Hampton, Jr., the NHSSAR Past President, spoke on the history of the “Stars and Stripes” and NHSSAR President Donald Hayes spoke about the American ideals that the flag symbolizes as written in the Declaration of Independence and evolved in the U.S. Constitution.

Since 1949 when the U.S. Congress designated June 14th as “Flag Day”, the SAR has raised the Bennington ’76 Flag (donated to the state by the NHSSAR) on the flagpole near the statue of General John Stark at the State House grounds. Former NH Governor Sherman Adams, a past NHSSAR president, arranged for the flagpole installation specifically for the purpose of displaying the flag.

Shannon Joyce, NHSCAR State President, read the 2008 Flag Day Proclamation signed by Governor John Lynch which highlighted the SAR’s historical involvement in the celebration of Flag Day in the state of New Hampshire. Honored guests included NHSSAR State President Donald P. Hayes, Jr., NSCAR Sr. National 2nd Vice President, Hans Jackson, and Trish Jackson, NSCAR National Vice President: New England Region. For information on membership in the SAR or CAR, please contact Hans Jackson at 432-6454 or hansejack@comcast.net.

The NH Societies of Children and Sons of the American Revolution celebrate Flag Day Saturday on the State House lawn. From left CAR members Erin Jackson, John Stark Society president; Shannon Joyce, state CAR president; Julia Kehr, second state vice president; and Benjamin H. Hampton Jr., past president of the NHSSAR and state senior CAR president, preside over the ceremony.

JOHN STARK DAY CELEBRATED

The NHSSAR Color Guard, led by Richard Wright portraying General John Stark, opened and closed the festivities.

President Hayes delivered Governor John Lynch's General John Star Day Proclamation. Memorial wreaths were provided by the Molly Stark Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution and the New Hampshire Society Sons of the American Revolution.

Mayor Frank Guinta read the City of Manchester General John Stark Day Proclamation.

Friends of Stark Park Co-President Pat Howard talked of the Friend's mission to develop, revitalize, maintain and protect historic Stark Park.

New Hampshire DAR Chaplain Madelyn Kazakis offered the invocation and benediction. - Mike Rounds

Mayor Frank Guinta reads the City of Manchester General John Stark Day Proclamation at Stark Park Monday , April 28. Mayor Guinta is accompanied by New Hampshire DAR Chaplain Madelyn Kazakis and NHSSAR President Donald P. Hayes.

General John Stark, a.k.a. Richard Wright of the NHSSAR, leads the color guard from the Stark family burial site.

Mayor Frank Guinta and General John Stark, portrayed by NHSSAR member Richard Wright, meet at Stark Park, Monday April 28.

NHSSAR HOLDS ANNUAL MEETING

The New Hampshire Society Sons of the American held their 119th annual meeting Saturday, April 26 at the Yard Restaurant in Manchester.

The highlight of the meeting was the presentation of the Harry E. Sherwin Award to Compatriot Benjamin Hampton Jr. of Goffstown. The award; which is presented only to New Hampshire SAR members, is named after long time NHSSAR Secretary Harry E. Sherwin. Mr. Sherwin's selfless and tireless efforts over many years during the 1940's and 1950's lead to the revitalization of the NHSSAR. Mr. Hampton's contributions mirror Mr. Sherwin's dedication.

A full slate of officers was elected to include the reelection of Donald P. Hayes as President and the election of Jim Witham as 1st Vice President.

NH Society Sons of the American Revolution President Donald P. Hayes(on left) presents the Harry E. Sherwin Award to Past President Benjamin H. Hampton Jr. at the annual meeting held April, 26.

Receiving the Meritorious Service Medal was Mike Rounds of Concord and Jim Witham of Essex, Massachusetts. The Meritorious Service Medal is awarded to SAR members for long, faithful, and meritorious service to the SAR.

Certificates of Appreciation were awarded to Carlton Rand and John Moore for outstanding support of the SAR.

Miss Shannon Joyce, President of the New Hampshire Children of the American Revolution, and Trish Jackson brought greetings on behalf of the John Stark Society, Children of the American Revolution.

Miss Joyce accepted NHSSAR praise and acknowledgment of the John Stark Society's recent receipt of the CAR Gold Merit Award. The John Stark Society is one of 500 local societies comprising the national CAR. The John Stark Society is well-known for its broad range of programs that encompass the goals for which the CAR was formed; tenets base on Patriotism, History, and Education. Faithful adherence to these tenets identified John Stark Society as the only New England chapter qualified for the Gold Merit Award.

Past President General Sons of the American Revolution Dr. Henry N. McCarl in center congratulates Jim Witham on left and Mike Rounds on right upon receipt of their Meritorious Service Medals at NHSSAR annual meeting.

The Essex Harmony Singers of Northeastern Massachusetts supplied the after lunch entertainment. The Essex Harmony Singers is a vocal group performing the a capella "singing school" style choral music that existed in late 18th century and early 19th century New England. The group is lead by Glenn Mario, music historian and conductor.

Membership in the SAR is open to men who can demonstrate that their ancestor provided active service in the cause of the American independence either by serving in the military or in some other significant role.

Attendees at the NHSSAR annual meeting Saturday April 26 are left to right: Donald P. Hayes, President of the New Hampshire Society Sons of the American Revolution, Dr. Henry P. McCarl, Past President General Sons of the American Revolution, Shannon Joyce, President of the New Hampshire Children of the American Revolution, and Benjamin H. Hampton, Past President of the New Hampshire Society of Sons the American Revolution.

Goals of the 118-old patriotic organization include promoting patriotism, and building respect for American history and the founding fathers. The SAR also supports veterans in VA hospitals, the Boy Scouts and ROTC cadets. Awards and scholarships are also given to students who win oration, essay, and poster contests on patriotic topics. - Mike Rounds [view additional photos]

CELEBRATE JOHN STARK DAY

Mike Rounds, Publicist

Monday April 28 marks the fourth celebration of General John Stark Day. In 2003 the New Hampshire Senate and the House of Representatives in General Court enacted the establishment of General John Stark Day. Annually the Governor proclaims that observances are to be held on the fourth Monday in April.

10:00AM Monday the 28th a commemoration will be held at Stark Park in Manchester on River Road. The New Hampshire Society Sons of the American Revolution color guard will present the colors. A bagpipe tribute will be played to the General. The Governor's proclamation will be read. Mayor Guinta will read the City of Manchester General John Stark Day proclamation. Invited special guests include Daughters of the American Revolution, The Children of the Revolution, and students of John Stark Regional High School. Richard Wright, past President New Hampshire Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, will portray General Stark.

John Stark was born in Londonderry, New Hampshire August 28, 1728. His Scotch-Irish parents immigrated from northern Ireland to Boston in the summer of 1720.

John Stark was already a man of renown by the Battle of Bunker Hill. His service as an officer in Rogers Rangers during the last French and Indian War earned the awe and respect of New Hampshire citizens. At the January 21, 1757 Battle of La Barbue Creek near Fort Ticonderoga Robert Rogers' 75 man Ranger detachment was ambushed by 250 French and Indians. After Captain Robert Rogers was wounded in the head and shot through the wrist; and Captain Spikeman and Lieutenant Kennedy were killed Lieutenant John Stark assumed command. He led the 50 surviving rangers through the dark to the shore of Lake George. Arriving at dawn the wounded were unable to travel farther so John Stark pushed through 32 miles of four foot deep snows to Fort William Henry. He reached the fort that evening and had sleds and supplies sent back to the waiting survivors.

His fame made recruiting one thousand New Hampshire men to serve under him at Bunker Hill an easy task. His leadership and experience made the British victory costly.

John Stark served with distinction under General Washington at the Battles of Trenton and the Battle of Princeton. His most remembered war contribution and the genesis of "Live Free or Die" was the Battle of Bennington. His brilliant command of New Hampshire troops lead to the defeat and capture of more than 800 British and Hessian troops on August 16, 1777. The loss was a serious set back for British General John Burgoyne and contributed to his army's difficulties and eventual surrender at Saratoga. The American victory was significant because it brought France, Spain, and the Netherlands to the cause of our liberty and forced England to fight an expensive and domestically unpopular world war.

NHSSAR PRESENTS SILVER GOOD CITIZENSHIP

MEDAL TO MAJ. GENERAL KENNETH R. CLARK

Text of remarks given by Secretary Patrick Arnold honoring Adjutant General Kenneth Clark:

The Sons of the American Revolution exists to preserve the memory of those who fought in the American Revolution and to promote the ideals for which our ancestors took up arms. We do this, in part, by recognizing outstanding public service, good citizenship and patriotism. We do this by pointing to individuals who personify these ideals and recognize them as role models for others. With that in mind, it is an honor to introduce today’s award recipient of the SAR Silver Good Citizenship Medal.

The Silver Good Citizenship Medal is the highest award the SAR can present to an individual for service and patriotism at the State level.

A graduate of Laconia High School, General Clark earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at the University of New Hampshire. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force in February 1969 – 39 years ago.

For most of his career, he served in various capacities at Pease Air Force Base, and later Pease Air National Guard Base here in New Hampshire. His service has earned him numerous awards and decorations including a Legion of Merit, a meritorious service medal, the Air Force commendation medal, and the National Guard Commendation Medal.

On December 12, 2004, he assumed duties as the Adjutant General of the State of New Hampshire. That means he serves as the Military Chief of Staff to the Governor, oversees the Army and Air National Guard, as well as the New Hampshire Veterans’ Cemetery.

He formerly served as President of the Pease Chapter Air Force Association of New Hampshire, past chairman of the Air Guard KC-135 Operations and Commander’s Council, and past President of the Sunrise Rotary Club of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Daniel Webster Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

My brief remarks about his career of service hardly do him justice. At any rate, he exemplifies the ideals of patriotism and public service that we, as an organization, aim to promote. So please join me in recognizing the most recent recipient of the SAR Silver Good Citizenship Medal, Major General Kenneth Clark.

THE BRISTISH POINT OF VIEW HIGHLIGHTS WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY LUNCHEON

The British came to our Washington’s Birthday celebration in February. Lt. Col. Paul O’Shaughnessy of His Majesty’s 10th Regiment of Foot, American Contingent was our speaker. Many members of the NHSSAR Color Guard are particularly encouraged to attended in colonial clothing and provided toasts at the beginning of the luncheon.
The 10th Regiment of Foot is an historically re-created unit formed to portray the service of the British Army in America during the American War for Independence. Composed of three types of soldier: Grenadiers, Light Infantrymen and Battalion soldiers. The members of the 10th are accurately uniformed and equipped, and are trained in 18th century military drill so that it appears in public exactly as a British soldier was seen over 225 years ago.
Organized in 1971 in preparation for the Nation’s Bicentennial, the 10th has set the standard for historical accuracy in reenacting the events of the American Revolution.
Lt. Col. O’Shaughnessy joined the 10th as a raw and possibly unreliable recruit in 1972, over thirty years ago. Working as a guide on Lexington Battle Green he wished to come closer the the truths which caused Crown forces to clash with the local militia. Joining a reenacting group seemed one way to help him do that.
Sticking with the Tenth all these years has not always been easy, he reports, but it has been worth it. He can think of few other activities so thoroughly different, so wonderfully educational, and so completely worthwhile. Preserving our history is essential he believes and that If we lose it, we risk losing the foundation upon which our country is built.
The Tenth Regiment today continues to be the best and largest British reenactment unit in New England.

NHSSAR MEMBER REACHES 107

The November 14th edition of the Concord Monitor featured a front page photo which included NHSSAR member Yardley Chittick. Yardly turned age 107 on October 22nd. A staple of NHSSAR meetings for many years, treating all with stories and song, he now resides in Concord at the Pleasant View Retirement Center.

NHSSAR ENJOYS VETERAN'S DAY LUNCHEON

Members of the NHSSAR met for a business meeting, program and luncheon at the Red Blazer in Concord, NH on November 10. The business meeting began shortly after 10:00 am, and the noon luncheon was followed by presentations and certificates to member veterans in attendance. The certificates were presented by members of the John Stark Society, CAR. James L. Veach received his certificates and was sworn as a new member.

The speaker for the program was James Nelson, a native of Maine and a former professional sailor, is committed to bringing to life, through fiction and nonfiction, America's historical connection with the sea. His writing covers a wide range of America's maritime heritage, from piracy in Colonial Virginia to the naval action of the Civil War.
As a youth Nelson’s life long interest in the sea surfaced as he built models and then his first boat while in high school. Later he served on the replica of Sir Frances Drake’s Golden Hinde, the Lady Washington, and the H.M.S. Rose. Swallowing the anchor and staying ashore, he began writing fiction. His first book, The Guardship, earned him praise by the great sea author Patrick O’Brian who said, “A master of his period and of the English language.” Bernard Cornwell describes Glory in the Name, “It is, by far, the best Civil War novel I've read; reeking of battle, duty, heroism and tragedy. It's a triumph of imagination and good, taut writing...”
Turning to non-fiction, Nelson has published his second in that area, Benedict Arnold's Navy: The Ragtag Fleet that Lost the Battle of Valcour Island but Won the American Revolution. It was selected as a Notable Naval Book for 2006 by Naval Institute Proceedings. Both the Wall Street Journal and the Association Press gave glowing reviews of the book.
His next work is on George Washington's Secret Navy. The most valuable resource for writing about the naval action of the American Revolution is the venerable Naval Documents of the American Revolution, currently being compiled and edited by Dr. Michael Crawford at the Naval Historical Center. Dr. Crawford has been a great help to him in this project.
His website is www.jameslnelson.com. Be sure to read his biography to experience his wonderful sense of humor. Following the presentation, Mr. Nelson sold and signed copies of his book.

EAGLE SCOUT TROPHY AWARDED

(Sept. 2007) Eagle Scout Andrew Street and his mother Delores attended our September meeting to receive the annual Eagle Scout Award. The competition is for a college scholarship awarded by the National SAR in the amounts of $8000 for first place, $4000 for second and $2000 for third. The Scout must include a four generation chart and a five hundred word essay on a topic concerning the American Revolution. Points are awarded on the application for merit badges earned, public service, activities in Scouting, the community, religion and scholastic achievement.
While our business meeting was in session, Andrew was in another room being interviewed by the Air Force Academy for acceptance. His older brother attends there and was also the NHSSAR Eagle Scout winner, too.
To date, no New Hampshire winner has been able to compete as well on the National level as we would like. In particular, there are three merit badges that National gives great weight to: American Heritage, Genealogy, and Law. When asked why none of these merit badges were included on his application Andrew responded that there was no one in New Hampshire who acted as an advisor to the Daniel Webster Council for them. That sounds like a responsibility the NH Society should undertake. [READ ESSAY]

2008 Membership Renewal

It is time to renew your membership in the Sons of the American Revolution.

Please send your dues in before December 31, 2007. We must report our total membership to the National SAR on December 31 and then pay them $25.00 for each member for National dues.

Annual Dues NH Society $35.00 plus National Dues $25.00 for total $65.00*

*Dual memberships for New Hampshire Society are $25.00

Mail to:

Mike Stark
Treasurer NHSSAR
7 Stirling Ave.
Hooksett, NH 03106