The Illinois PatriotIllinois SocietySons of The

American Revolutionwww.illinois-sar.org

July 2017

If you did not attend the MayIllinois Society Annual Awards Dinnerfollowed by the Board of ManagersMeeting Saturday morning andCommunity and Youth AwardsLuncheon in Springfield, you missedout on three great meetings. TheLadies Auxiliary Friday night SilentAuction was a big hit with some furi-ous bidding and resulted in $1,000being donated to the Illinois Societyand $500 donated to the National

Society Center for Advancing American Heritage.Eleven of our 15 Illinois Society chapters were represented at the

Awards Dinner. Additionally, 13 chapters had members attend theBoard of Managers Meeting.

Awards presented included Class of 2016 Patriot Medals to MikeCampagnolo, Don Hyland, and Gary List. Gary Grugan was recog-nized as the Illinois Society 2016 Man of the Year. Compatriot GordonBidner received the State Distinguished Service medal. Chapter of theYear honors went to General J. Bartholomew. Twenty three IllinoisSociety Compatriots received either the National Society War Serviceor Military Service Medal bringing the seven year total to 95 medals.If you have a chapter member who served in the military but has notreceived the War Service or Military Service, please contact me at(saichamb@comcast.net), 217.483.6267 (home) or 217.299.1966 (cell).

Summer is community festival and parade time. This is great oppor-tunity for chapters to get out and show who we are and what we do.

The 4th of July is a great time to do that. Carrying that thought for-ward to 2018, Illinois will celebrate its 200th anniversary. State-widecelebrations will take place and ILSSAR can and should be involved.

So far in 2017, Sue and I have already traveled to several chapters toattend meetings and give the oath of office to new officers. If we havenot yet visited your chapter, please contact me and let me know whenwe can visit you.

As I write this, Sue and I are making preparations to join withseveral other Illinois Society members to attend this year’s NationalSociety Congress in Knoxville, IN in July. Future congresses are sched-ule for Houston, Texas (2018), Newport Bay, CA (2019) and eitherRichmond or Norfolk, VA (2020).

The President’s Messageby President Toby Chamberlain

Toby Chamberlain

Senior Vice-President Jim DeGroff’s CommentsAfter the BOM approval of the new

ILSSAR trifold as the model for the newNational Brochure, we now have lots ofmaterial to show people and organizationswhat we do. Take the brochures and handthem out and talk about SAR. Now that itis summer, many historic sites and organiza-tions are looking to have tables set up justfor the purpose of expanding knowledge oforganizations. I have passed out brochuresat Eagle Scout ceremonies and OutstandingCitizenship awards and gotten many newmembers that way.

At the last BOM, the board acknowledged we are one of the lastorganizations to fully embrace technology. Starting Jan 1, 2018 we willbe posting and emailing the BOM agenda and minutes package to theboard for the next board meeting and all Patriot newsletters can be

viewed the same way. Members will review and print what they needfor the BOM. If members want to print the newsletter and have it inhand to read they can print it on their own. Compatriots without emailwill be receiving theirs by snail mail. These efforts will save us as a min-imum $3000 per year. So it is imperative that you keep your emailaddresses current and notify Drew Robinson at once at:therobinsons_20@comcast.net with any changes.

We have many strong chapters that support all of our programs andwe hope each chapter supports some programs and have meetings evenif only for the few. If you only have a few members, consider going to anearby chapter to visit. You would be surprised at all you will learn.

Two programs dear to my heart are the Outstanding HistoryTeacher award and Outstanding Citizen awards. Without greatAmerican History teachers we would not have as many students inter-ested in history. The teachers make our history come alive and it rubsoff on the students. Additionally, the Outstanding Citizen award givesthe chapter great visibility in the community.

Jim DeGroff

President Chamberlain awards Presidential Citations to chapterrepresentatives for perfect chapter attendence at BOM meetings.

Sons Of The American Revolution The Illinois Patriot July 2017 Page 2

ILLINOIS SOCIETY SONS OF

THE AMERICAN REVOLUTIONOFFICERS 2016-2018

President ——–––——–——Toby ChamberlainSr. Vice Pres. ——–––––––––––— Jim DeGroffVice Pres. N.Region —–––– Mike CampagnoloVice Pres. C. Region ——— Louis (Lou) MyersVice Pres. S. Region ————– Dan CraftonSecretary ————––––––––– Drew RobinsonTreasurer ———————–— Dick ChamblinRecording Secretary ——–——–—— Gary ListRegistrar ————–––––––––— Garry GruganGenealogist ———–——––––––––– Ron PeckChancellor ——————–—––— Kevin BabbHistorian ————––––– Michael CampagnoloChaplain ————–——– David K. AshbrookSgt.-at-Arms —–———————– Ken GriffinNSSAR Natl. Trustee –––––– Thomas D. AshbyNSSAR Alt. Trustee ––– Martinus (John) Dyrud

ILSSAR Patriot Newsletter Editor:Scott Sanders

(Send articles to w9run1776@gmail.com)

ILSSAR Registrar – Garry GruganEffective immediately, my e-mail address is

gagrugansar@gmail.com. Please update your contact information accordingly.

I apologize for the inconvenience.

Drew Robinson

TheRobinsons_@comcast.net

SAR 2017 Calendar of Upcoming EventsJuly 7–12, 2017

National SAR 127th Congress, Knoxville,TN. The Holiday Inn Knoxville is the primarysite and is full up so overflow reservations arebeing taken at the Hilton Hotel, the only oneavailable within walking distance of theConvention Center. Call 865.523.2300 for theSAR rate of $129 per night.

August 10, 11 – 12, 2017Illinois SAR Board of Managers meeting

dates are August 10 Thursday for the StateFair. The BOM dinner is August 11 Fridaynight at the Wyndham, Springfield, IL.

We have rooms at $110 each night at theSAR rate, with free breakfast and free parkingand for those staying Saturday August 12.Wyndham Springfield City Centre 700 EAdams Street, Springfield, IL 62701 Phone:217.789.1530.

Our speaker is Clarence Warfield whose

wife’s ancestor was a member of GeorgeRogers Clark’s militia that took Kaskaskia,Cahokia and Vincennes.

September 28 – 30 2017National SAR Fall Leadership Meeting,

Louisville, KY, Brown Hotel. Call 888888.5252 and ask for the Sons of theAmerican Revolution rate.

October 27 – 29, 2017Great Lakes District Meeting. There is no

other info at this time.November 3 – 4, 2017

Board of Managers meeting at theWyndham, Springfield. Rooms at $119 eachnight for the SAR rate with free breakfast andfree parking. Wyndham Springfield CityCentre 700 E Adams Street, Springfield, IL62701 Ph: 217.789.1530.

After the evening dinner, our speaker willbe Geoff Baggett from Cadiz, KY, author of

three Revolutionary War novels. His talk willbe ”Revolutionary War in a Trunk” aboutfrontier life in KY with his wife explainingwomens clothing and issues. Geoff will alsohave his excellent books for sale.

Feb 2 – 3, 2018Board of Managers meeting at the

Wyndham, Springfield. Rooms at $110 eachnight for the SAR rate with free breakfast andfree parking. Wyndham Springfield CityCentre 700 E Adams Street, Springfield, IL62701 Ph: 217.789.1530 .

Our dinner speaker will be Joy Upton,speaking on DNA testing and Genealogy.

March 1 – 3, 2018SAR Spring Leadership Meeting,

Louisville, KY, Brown Hotel. Call 888 888-5252 and ask for the Sons of the AmericanRevolution rate.

The atmosphere surrounding the 2017 Illinois Ladies Auxiliary Sons ofthe American Revolution silent auction was anything but silent. When thelast bid was made and the results were announced, the auxiliary had raised$1,380 thanks to the generosity of attendees and those who donated. At theauxiliary meeting the next morning, it was voted to donate $1,000 to theIllinois SAR, $500 to the Center for Advancing American Heritage, $100 toMs. Cilla Tomme’s shoe project; and $100 to the National Ladies Auxiliaryin lieu of providing an auction basket. Following the meeting, many of theladies toured the Dana Thomas House.

It only costs $5.00 a year to belong to the Illinois Ladies Auxiliary. Eachtime the state board of management meets, the auxiliary meets too. Oftenwe have a program or take a tour. Other times we just enjoy each other’scompany. Membership is open to wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts,nieces and other women relatives of members of the Sons of the AmericanRevolution who are in good standing.

Contact State President Sue Chamberlain for more information.

Tom Ashby and Sue Chamberlain view the items at the silent auction.

Ladies Auxilliary silent auction is big success

Sons Of The American Revolution The Illinois Patriot July 2017 Page 3

The Illinois Society Sons of the American RevolutionIllinois Society Annual Meeting August 10, 11, & 12, 2017

Wyndham Hotel, 700 E. Adams, Springfield, Illinois

The Wyndham’s room discount rate is $110.00 plus tax and includes free parking andbreakfast. The cut-off date for discount reservations is July 20, 2017. Call 217.789.1530and ask for the Sons of the American Revolution group rate. Or, go to https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/groups/sons-of-the-american-revolution-quarterly-board-meetingDress is black tie, business dress or uniform. Aug 10 is the Springfield parade and some

rooms are available at our rate for that night too.

The Friday, August 11 dinner begins at 7 p.m. in the Rendezvous Room. We will have acash bar and social hour from 6 to 7 p.m. Following dinner, our speaker is ClarenceWarfield “His Wife’s ancestor with George Rogers Clark”.

Saturday August 12 Board Meeting will start at 8:30 a.m. in Conference Center 4.Ladies Auxiliary begins at 8:30 in the Conference Center 3 and Lunch begins at 12 noonin the Plaza One. We have had requests for a lighter lunch so we will have soup and sandwiches for lunch.

I will attend the BOM meeting but not any meal events: ___________________Please fill the above out for BOM seating arrangements.

Friday and Saturday Meal Requests

Friday Dinner: Pork Loin, Asiago Potatoes, Deep Dish Dutch Apple Pie: $40 eachSaturday Luncheon: Broccoli Cheese soup and Salads and Deli Meat with assorted

Breads $25 eachMember name: __________________________________ Friday _____ Saturday ____Spouse name: ___________________________________ Friday _____ Saturday ____Guest name: ____________________________________ Friday _____ Saturday ____Special Dietary Needs: ____________________________________________________

NOTE: Meal payment is due no later than July 20, 2017. Meal requests received afterthat will cost $45.00 for Friday dinner and $30.00 for Saturday lunch.

Mail personal check payable to “ILSSAR” for meal total to:Compatriot Jim DeGroff Phone: (H) 618.667.8660 6 Ridgefield Drive e-mail: jimdegroff@charter.netTroy, IL 62294-1925

Sons Of The American Revolution The Illinois Patriot July 2017 Page 4

ILSSAR Hero awardParamedic risks his lifeto save drowning infant

Many compatriots honored at annual ceremony

By Lola DeGroffHighland, Illinois EMS paramedic Todd

Zobrist was awarded the Illinois Society Sonsof the American Revolution’s Hero awardduring the Youth and Community Awardsceremony held at theAbraham LincolnHotel in Springfieldon May 13.

Zobrist was one ofa team of HighlandEMS personnel whoresponded to a call ofa car in the water atnearby Silver Lake.What was found wasan SUV almost com-pletely submerged inwater. The watertemperature was about 46 degrees on thatearly March morning.

Zobrist removed his clothing and went outin the water to the vehicle, “swimming,” hesaid, “in order to get there faster.”

Reaching into the SUV, Zobrist touchedwhat he initially thought was a toy. Instead, itwas a three-month old boy who although hewasn’t breathing, had color indicating life.Zobrist placed the child on the vehicle’s roofand began CPR. The child began breathingand Zobrist swam back to the shore carryingthe baby so that both could receive furthermedical treatment.

Zobrist did not like to be singled out for hisefforts, instead humbly insisting that the wholeteam be recognized. However, it was Zobristalone who literally risked his life to save thelife of the infant. The child was treated andreleased from a hospital a few days later.Zobrist was treated for hypothermia. Thedriver of the vehicle, the child’s mother, didnot survive.

Zobrist was nominated for the award bythe General George Rogers Clark Chapter.

Todd Zobrist

The 2017award programbegan with theLadiesAuxiliaryreceivingrecognition forthe thousandsof dollars theyhave raisedover the pastdecade for theLouisvilleCenter and theCemeteryMarkingProgram.

Individual AwardsMan of the Year

Garry GruganPatriot Medals

Winning Patriot medals were MikeCampagnolo, Gary List, and Don Hylandwho was not able to attend . The PatriotMedal is the highest award given tocompatriots in Illinois.

Color GuardBronze

Color Guard:Kent Dixon,Long Knives;James Whitt,Long Knives

Silver ColorGuard: JohnCramer, Jr.Long Knives;Jon Fixmer, FoxValley; Drew Robinson, Springfield

Color Guardsman of the Year: Jon Fixmer,Fox Valley Chapter

Bronze Roger Sherman Medal- From GJB: Dave Ashbrook, J. Cummins,

Kelly Gray, Don Hyland, Virgil Short,William White, William Hammitt, AlvinAbbott, Jeffrey Kretlow, David Dougall

And also the following: Drew Robinson,Springfield, Robert Ridenaur, GJRC, DaleBottom, Fox Valley, Ron Peck, Lewis & Clark,Garry Grugan, Zeally Moss, Michael Murray,ABC, Medal & Certificate Bill Wheeler, Ft.Dearborn, Kevin Babb, GGRC

Silver Roger Sherman MedalFranz Herder, Ft. Dearborn; Toby

Chamberlain, Springfield; Jim DeGroff,GGRC

National Service RecognitionCompatriots who regularly and actively

participate in Spring and Fall Leadershipmeetings in Louisville and the NSSAR annualCongress: Tom Ashby, Allan Campbell, JohnDyrud, Toby Chamberlain, Dick Chamblin,Dave Ashbrook

Distinguished Service Chapter President J. Marinus Dyrud, Ft. Dearborn Chapter

Meritorious Service Medal & CertificateKarl Reed, Springfield; Sid Welles, ElijahSmith; Dan Crafton, Lewis & Clark; JoeHarris, Ewington; Dick Chamblin,Springfield; Tom Ashby, Zeally Moss; ScottSanders, Fox Valley.

... Continued on next page

Compatriots Mike Campagnolo, above, and Gary List, below, received standing ovationswhen President Toby Chamberlain announced them as Patriot Medal winners.

President Toby Chamberlain receives a check from the Ladies Auxiliary forthe proceeds from the previous night’s silent auction.

Sons Of The American Revolution The Illinois Patriot July 2017 Page 5

State Medal of Distinguished ServiceThis medal is the highest

medal that can be awarded by aState Society President duringthe President’s administration:

Compatriot Gordon Bidner Military and War Service Medals

Richard Hall, Kenneth Hall,Brett Hall, Warren White, allLong Knives

War Service MedalsShay Elliott, Stephen Burke,

and David Lee Foster - ZeallyMoss; Larry Burgett -Springfield; John W. Cramer -Long Knives (WWII); ThomasEdmundson, Robert Holmes,Brian Lee Corder - Long Knives;Jerome H. Smith, Ft. Dearborn;Gene Links, Sean C. Robinson,Michael Allen, Richard Mantz,David Conant, Arthur Graemes,John Kelly, Stan Durbin, BillEmery - GGRCLife Membership Awards

to VeteransKenneth Hall, Robert

Holmes, John Cremer, Jr.,Carroll Links, Edward Proctor,Michael Allen, Robert Cullen, Walter Harris,Paul Kelso, Sean Robinson

SAR Founders CircleThomas Carelton Bussin

Cemetery Marking ProgramThe Illinois Society continues its Cemetery

Marking Program to indicate those cemeteriesin our state that are the final resting places ofPatriots of the American Revolution. I ampleased to announce that we are in our fourthyear of this extraordinary program. To datewe have marked 30 cemeteries!!!

Volunteer Boy Scout AwardRichard Ruedin Recipient of the Robert E.

Burt Boy Scout Volunteer Award Medal

Silver Good CitizanshipMartha Washington Medal

Anne Peck Lydia Barragh Award Medal

Sue ChamberlainChapter Awards

Chapter of the Year AwardOne chapter’s scores stood out from three

great nominees: General Joseph BartholomewChapter, Gordon Bidner, President.

Joel Willis Newsletter AwardFor Chapters that published four or more

newsletters in a calendar year: Fox Valley,George Rogers Clark, Springfield, Ft.Dearborn, and General Joseph Bartholomew-

-- Flag AwardsFlag Chairman Mike Campagnolo reports

that this year ILSSAR qualified for theAdmiral Furlong Award with 64 flag awardsdistributed and that nine of our Chapters metthis goal: Fox Valley, Gen JosephBartholomew, Lewis & Clark, Ft. Dearborn,Long Knives, Zeally Moss, Springfield, ElijahSmith, and Steven Decatur.

Chapter Presidential CitationsCertificates for Perfect Attendance at all 4

BOMs: Gen Joseph Bartholomew, Fox Valley,Springfield, Long Knives, Ft. Dearborn,Zeally Moss, Gen George Rogers Clark,Lewis & Clark

Many compatriots honored at awards dinner ... Continued from previous page

President Toby Chamberlain, left, congratulates Compatriot Gordon Bidner for GJB’s Chapter of the Yearaward and being awarded The State Medal of Distinguished Service given by President Chamberlain.

American Bicentennial ChapterThe 1787 Constitutional Conventionhighlights chapter’s meeting

The May 2017 meeting of the American Bicentennial Chapter included apresentation by Sarah Sullivan, pictured at right, an instructor at McHenryCounty College, on the 1787 Constitutional Convention and the events leading upto it. Ms. Sullivan’s talk included a variety of anecdotes and insights, as well as thepositions taken by the founding fathers including George Washington, JohnAdams, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and Aaron Burr.

,

Sons Of The American Revolution The Illinois Patriot July 2017 Page 6

Captain Elijah Smith

ChapterThe Capt. Elijah Smith Chapter of SAR

presented an award to High School Seniorand Eagle Scout, Noah Stull, for his efforts inerecting a monument and flagpole to com-memorate Revolutionary War Veterans at theQuincy, Illinois Veterans Home.

Noah also was instrumental in getting awide array of colorful f lowers planted in andaround his stone structure to further glorifythe garden and the brave souls who gave theirlives during the Revolutionary War.

Benches were installed in the garden sur-rounding Noahís monument for veterans fromthe Quincy Vets Home to relax and reflect.

Captain Zeally Moss Chapter

Zeally Moss is off to a great start for 2017. It has manynew committees and new members. State PresidentToby Chamberlin came to install the new officers for2017. At left, from left, new member John Bellis, TomAshby, Registrar and John Foster, President. Above, 2017-18 President John Foster presents pastpresidents’ pin to Gary List 2015-16 president.

Chapter activities abound

Elijah Smith Chapter President Sid Welles, center, presented a plaqueand certificate to Eagle Scout NoahStull for his excellent work at theQuincy Veterans Home’s monumentand flagpole. Longtime SAR memberFrank Turnbull assisted in thepresentation ceremony.

Sons Of The American Revolution The Illinois Patriot July 2017 Page 7

Fort Dearborn Chapter

Fort Armstrong Chapter

Ft. Dearborn learnsof the five myths ofGeorge Washington

Decatur Chapter

At left, Dave Miller (in jacket) and Larry Burgett (in uniform) lay a wreath at Korean Memorial inGraceland Cemetery in Decatur, IL on Memorial Day.Above, David Miller, Larry Burgett, Dick Chamblin,Drew Robinson plan for a Memorial Day wreath layingin Fairview Park in Decatur.

Laying wreaths on Memorial Day

Professor Bruce Allardice took center stageat the Union League Club Chicago where hepresented “5 Myths of George Washington”.Professor Allardice presented his topic to agroup of 30 Fort Dearborn SAR membersand supporters. H is a professor of history atSouth Suburban College, past president of theNorthern Illinois Civil War Round Table andpast president of the Civil War Round Tableof Chicago.

Fort Dearborn Supports ISCARThe Fort Dearborn Chapter has

announced support of the Heart of a MarineFoundation (http://www.heartofamarine.org/)through the Illinois Society of the Children ofthe American Revolution (ISCAR). The FortDearborn Chapter was inspired by this year’sISCAR president, Julia Hauenstein. Julia islooking to raise $5,000 for the Heart of aMarine Foundation.

As the ILSSAR Chair of the C.A.R./DAR relations committee, Allan Campbell, right,presented a $500 check from the ILSSAR to Julia Hauenstein, left, the current President ofthe ILCAR in support of her project, special canes for the Heart of A Marine Foundation.She is president of the CAR until March, 2018. Julia graduated from Wheaton WarrenvilleSouth High School in 2016 and has finished her freshman year at Central MichiganUniversity in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. She has been active in ILCAR since 2009. For moreinformation, call The Heart Of A Marine Foundation at 847.621.1731 or go to its website atwww.heartofamarine.org. Donations can be made at that website if you are interested.

At a recent Fort Armstrong Chapter MeetingTom Ashby presented SAR Vietnam WarService medals to Compatriots LarrySkelton, Shay Elliott, David Foster &Stephen Burke which had been authorizedat the May 12 member’s awards banquet byPresident Chamberlain.

Sons Of The American Revolution The Illinois Patriot July 2017 Page 8

Fox Valley Chapter

Fox Valley President Harry Reinecke IV fastens AbigailSutter’s JROTC medal at Fox Valley’s awards luncheon.Abigail, from New Lenox, is the Fox Valley Chapter andIllinois State Winner. She received the bronze medallion fromour chapter with a $500 check. She received the silver medal-lion, $1000 check, and the honorary sword from the statesociety. Mike Campagnolo presented the state awards to herat the Lincoln Way Central awards night May 19.

Fox Valley Vice President Mike Campagnolo presents theColor Guardsman of the Year award to Fox Valley ColorGuard Commander Jon Fixmer, of Batavia. He was recog-nized for his outstanding organizing and leadership work.He excelled at organizing the color guard activities at sev-eral grave dedications, parades, and ‘Drill and Grill’ events.

Alexander J. Shura, a senior atNeuqua Valley High School inNaperville gives his speech entitled“The Huddy-Asgill Incident of 1782”at the state award luncheon inSpringfield. He plans to major ineconomics, political science, orhistory in college.

Fox Valley EssayChairman Kevin Alcottpresents HeatherGathman, a senior atGenoa-Kingston HighSchool located inGenoa, Illinois, with theFox Valley Chapter levelaward for her essay enti-tled “With a Little Help,”which analyzed theassistance provided to the United States by France and Spain during theAmerican Revolution. Her essay also won at the state level. That award waspresented at the awards luncheon in Springfield.

Photos tell the storyfor Fox Valley

Chapter andState JROTCWinner

State Color Guardsman of the Year

State Oration Winner

At left, Color Guard Commander Jon Fixmergoes over marching instructions before theWheaton Memorial Day Parade. Above, afterthe parade, Compatriot Ted Miller is inter-viewed by a junior high school student abouthis experience with his dad on an Honor Flight

Memorial Day Parade

Knight Essay Chapterand State Winner

Sons Of The American Revolution The Illinois Patriot July 2017 Page 9

Philip Bailey, Robert Kilzer, Jim DeGroff, Anthony Robison, and Richard Mantz led theMemorial Day in Troy, Illinois, above.

The General George Rogers ClarkChapter was pleased to participate in twoparades this past Memorial Day. The GGRCchapter members were honored to be chosento lead the inaugural Memorial Day parade inTroy, Illinois. Compatriots participating inTroy were: Philip Bailey, Bob Kilzer, AnthonyRobison, Richard Mantz, and Jim DeGroff.

This year marked the 150th year for theAlton parade. This parade is considered to bethe longest running Memorial Day parade inthe country. Four GGRC members participat-ed in the Alton Memorial Day parade:Richard Ruedin, Robert Ridenour, Al Olesonand Jerry Oglesby. It was a great tribute toremember those who gave their all, that wehave the freedoms we enjoy today.

Above, the GGRC Chapter held its SAR Outstanding Citizenship Awards ceremonyrecently. Additionally, Emily Klaas from Brussels High School received the chapter’s $500scholarship, right, from Chapter President Charles Dobias. The scholarship was presentedin honor of long-time member Charles Burgess who passed away in 2016. The studentswere nominated by their schools based on their dependability, cooperative spirit, leader-ship, service to their school and community, evidence of personal values and patriotism.

Memorial Dayparades highlightchapter activities

General George Rogers Clark Chapter

The General George RogersClark Chapter welcomed itsnewest chapter members Danand Isaac Williams. Theyreceived their membershipcertificates from ChapterPresident Charles Dobias atan evening meeting of thechapter April 20.

Sons Of The American Revolution The Illinois Patriot July 2017 Page 10

Teacher of theyear hails fromPope County

By Lola DeGroffThe winner of this year’s prestigious

Charles & Eleanor Schweizer History TeacherAward is Pope County teacher Krysta Graves.This award was one of several given duringthe state SAR’s annual Youth and CommunityAwards Luncheon at the Abraham LincolnHotel in Springfield, Illinois, on Saturday,May 13.

Nominees for this award must write a 500-word essay discussing the importance of teach-ing the American Revolution-era and describ-ing the innovative techniques or projects theyuse. Additionally, they must furnish an autobi-ography and a letter of recommendation.

Krysta is a social studies teacher at PopeCounty High School. In his letter of recom-mendation, Principal Ryan Fritch, describedKrysta as ‘having an uncanny ability to bringhistory to life.” He added, “She teaches with apride and passion seldom seen.”

In her essay, Krysta stated that she consid-ers the American Revolution so important, sheincorporates perspective on this era into all

her World History and American Governmentcourses through what she calls ‘American gog-gles’. She added that to be a successful teacher,you must also be a successful student.  She iscontinually looking for innovative ways to teach.

In recognizing Krysta with the award, JimDeGroff, state chairman of the HistoryTeacher Award Committee presented her a

plaque in the shape of the state of Illinois anda check for $1,000.

Krysta’s nomination was submitted by theLong Knives SAR Chapter which covers thefifteen southern-most Illinois counties. Hernomination will be forwarded for considera-tion of a national SAR award.

Long Knives Chapter

General Joseph Bartholemew Chapter

Compatriot Jim DeGroff, left, congratulates Pope County High School social studies teacherKrysta Graves, center, as Jim Wallace, right, watches. He is president of the Long KnivesSAR Chapter which sponsored Mrs. Graves.

Since the year 2000 theGeneral Joseph BartholomewChapter of the Sons of theAmerican Revolution has spon-sored an annual OutstandingGood Citizenship/ ScholarshipBanquet in which deserving indi-viduals from the community arerecognized for their efforts anddeeds in the preservation of ourAmerican Heritage of personal,economic, political, and religiousfreedom. Additionally an out-standing senior from each of the20 high schools in McLean andWoodford Counties, selected bythe faculty of their schools, areawarded SAR Outstanding GoodCitizenship/ Scholarship Certificates, SAR Pins, and Pocket USConstitution with two of them receiving $1,000 scholarships based ontheir participation in activities demonstrating their dependability, coop-eration, leadership, patriotism, and scholarship. Since the inception ofthis program through 2017, 341 high school seniors have been present-ed with Good Citizenship Certificates, pocket Constitutions, SAR pinsand $15,800 in scholarships have been awarded.

The banquet this year was held at the Bloomington Country Clubon Apr. 13, 2017 with 110 attendants. The keynote speaker was Dr. Eric

Jensen, the 19th President ofIllinois Wesleyan University, whospoke on “IWU 20/20” and fund-ing of higher education since2008. Nineteen of a total possibleof 20 high schools were presentwith their student nominees, highschool representatives, and par-ents in attendance.

In addition, SAR OutstandingGood Citizenship Certificateswere presented to Joanne Claussfor her support of the IroquoisCounty DAR-SAR OutstandingGood Citizenship/Scholarshipprogram and inviting the GJBSAR Chapter to participate thesepast 9 years. She is a Wach-e-kee

DAR Chapter member in Watseka. Also recognized were Dr. AlanChapman, retired Educator and Supt. of Unit 5 School District, for hissupport of organizations such as the United Way and the fund raiser heinitiated in 2016 for GFPD (Global Foundation for PeroxisomalDisorders); and Jeffrey A Schwartz, former mayor of Downs,IL, who in2002 initiated the McLean County Diversity Project for Middle Schoolstudents, their mission being to foster a functional, rational acceptanceof the differences that reside in each of us.

All participating students and members of the Color Guard who actedas hosts gather for a group photo at a banquet in Bloomington.

Sons Of The American Revolution The Illinois Patriot July 2017 Page 11

By George B. Graham Jr., President-Kishwaukee ChapterThis year has been one of many successes.

Our chapter awarded 18 OutstandingCitizenship Awards, 150 Eagle Scout Awards,and 1 ROTC Award. I had the pleasure ofawarding the SAR Certificate of Appreciationalong with the SAR Medal of Appreciation toRoseanne Kaletka-Johnson for all of the workshe has done for the chapter over the past years.

Looking to the future of the chapter, wehave inducted two new members this year,with a third set to be inducted at our nextmeeting. Kudos go out to our Registrar,Norman Dickey for all of the time and efforthe has put into getting the applicants throughthe process required. His knowledge has beeninvaluable.

Very exciting is the fact we have, at thistime, raised enough money to move forward

Kishwaukee ChapterChapter presents GoodCitizens

Ewington Chapter

Localareahighschool seniorsreceiveawardsfromchapter

Ewington Vice President and OC ChairLarry Smith, along with Chapter PresidentJoe Harris, presided over the presentation ofthe Outstanding Citizenship Award to 16 localhigh school seniors who were present for theceremony on April 18, 2017.

An additional eight seniors received theaward but were unable to attend. A receptionwas held following the ceremony.

Lola DeGroff, a member of the Silver

Creek Chapter Daughters of the AmericanRevolution, was the evening’s speaker. Shereminded students that “each of us has thepower to make a difference – the power ofone.”  She congratulated them on service theyhave provided in their communities andencouraged them to continue to find somesort of project – no matter how small – tocontinue making a difference.

Chapter President George Graham Jr.awards the SAR Certificate ofAppreciation along with the SARMedal of Appreciation to RoseanneKaletka-Johnson.

with our efforts to install, at the BelvidereCemetery in Belvidere Illinois, a CemeteryMarker Plaque honoring, Patriot TimothyLewis, as well as Patriot Thomas Hart.

Thanks goes out to the members of thechapter for their generosity as well as a very

generous donation made by the Boone CountyVeterans Club.

Franz Herder has been a great source ofadvice as we have worked our way throughthis project. A big Thank You to Franz.

Compatriot Allan Johnson, right, presents theJROTC Award to Hunter Dean.

SpringfieldChapter

In addition to having a new chapter presi-dent, Drew Robinson, the SpringfieldChapter presented 23 area high school seniorswith National Society Good CitizenshipAwards at a lunchon on March 18. Also, stu-dent award reccipients, school administrors,teachers, students family members andSpringfield Chapter compatriots attended.

In other news, at its March 24 SpringfieldChapter Board of Managers planning meet-ing, a plan to mark the MechanicsburgCemetery near Dawson was approved. TheMechanicsburg Cemetery is the final restingplace of Revolutionary War Patriot LuannMcDaniel.

McDaniel, who served as a nurse at ValleyForge, was born on October 19, 1759 anddied January 11, 1850. Her grave was markedby the Daughters of the American Revolutionin 1975.

Springfield Chapter members spent abusy spring handing out youth awards. OnFebruary 27, 62 Eagle Scouts from theAbraham Lincoln Council were presentedNational Society Eagle scout certificates fol-lowing a dinner held at the Illinois StateCapital Building. After dinner, the ceremony

moved to the Senate chambers where theawards presentation was held.

The Springfield Chapter is looking for

‘A Few Good Compatriots’. Make it your goalto recruit a new member this year.

Illinois Society Sons Of The American Revolutionc/o Scott Sanders1177 Leicester Rd.Elk Grove Village, IL 60007

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDFox Valley, ILPermit No. 119

Past and present Patriot Award winners

Past recipients of the Illinois state Patriot Award joined new recipients Gary List and Mike Campagnolo at May’s awards dinner inSpringfield. From left are Lou Meyers (Springfield), Thomas Ashby (CZM), Gordon Bidner (GJB), Dick Chamblin (Decatur), John Dyrud (Ft.Dearborn), Toby Chamberlain (Springfield), Franz Herder (Ft. Dearborn), Gary List (CZM), Dale Bottom (Fox Valley), Mike Campagnolo (FoxValley), Stephen Bradley (Springfield), Jim DeGroff (GGRC), Dave Ashbrook (GJB), and Dr. Allan Campbell (CZM). Not pictured is currentPatriot recipient Don Hyland (GJB), who was not able to attend the award dinner.