February 2017 Volume 56, Issue 2

The Minuteman

Central Florida

SAR Chapter

Chartered on

May 8, 1961

Meeting Location:

The Mayflower

1720 Mayflower

Court Winter Park, FL

32792

Chapter Meeting February 11, 2017

At this meeting, we will have a dramatic presentation of President John Adams and First Lady Abigail Adams. This presentation will be done by William and Sue Wills. This meeting will be held in the Duxbury Room of the Mayflower Re-tirement Community Center located at 1620 Mayflower Court in Winter Park, Florida. A time of socializing will

begin at 11:30 am with lunch being served at noon. The cost of the lunch is $16.00. The en-

trée choices will

be (a) Honey

Glazed Ham (b)

Romano Crusted Chicken, (c) Frank-

lin’s Mystery Fish of the Day, or (d)

Large Salad Plate. Note that each meal

comes with an assortment of vegetables,

starch, salad or soup, and a dessert.

Coffee and tea is also served with the

meal.

Please make your reservation to

attend this meeting by 2/8/2017 by con-

tacting Compatriot Dan Stebbins via

phone at 407-830-6946 or via e-mail at

catears@centurylink.net. Your partici-

pation is greatly appreciated in respond-

ing with your RSVP before the deadline

date. Please plan to attend.

Dates to Remember!

March Chapter Meeting: Our speaker will be Compatriot Jeff Sizemore who will give a presentation titled: John Paul Jones - An Amer-ican Patriot. April Chapter Meeting: Our speaker will be Compatriot John Stewart who will do an in-character presentation of Thomas Jefferson. May Chapter Meeting: This meeting will be dedicated to the installation of our new chapter officers and to present various awards to our membership.

Upcoming Local Events VA Art Show – Fri, Feb 17 – Veterans pro-vide their hand work in a variety of Fine Arts, Applied Arts and Crafts in a competi-tion. Items can be seen from 12noon to 3pm in the Orlando VA Medical Center at Lake Nona, Auditorium A on the 4th flr. Items are: paint-ings, drawings, leather drafting, woodworking, metalwork, pottery, etc. Info: Jenny Danieli at 407-631-7110 jenny.danieli@ va. gov (Contact her about entering your hand work next year!) Commander’s Call at the Museum - Black History Month Recognition – Sat. Feb 18 – Museum of Military History 10am – 2pm. 5210 West Irlo Bronson Hwy, Kis-simmee, 34746. Commander’s Call on Sat. Feb 18 - Listen first hand as living history treasure, Tuskegee Airman Daniel Keel, shares his expe-riences of serving in the Army Air Corps dur-ing World War Two. He also describes his love of flying as a B-25 Mitchell Bomber pilot dur-ing the war. Another living history treasure, LCOL (ret.) and Tuskegee Airman George Har-

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dy speaks about his 28 year military service, 21 combat missions over Germany in a P-51 Mustang, 45 combat missions as a co-pilot B-29 Superfortress in the Korean War and 70 missions in an AC-119 Stinger during the Vi-etnam War. The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African American unit consisting of aviators, navigators and bom-bardiers. Finally, speak with members of the Buffalo Soldiers Mo-torcycle Club as they showcase their educational presenta-tion. Their mission is to remember the legacy of the first African American military units following the Civil War, the 9th and 10th Cavalry and 24th and 25th Infantry Regi-ments. These African American units were named Buffalo Soldiers by the Native American who saw the fierce brave fighting style of these soldiers and reminded them of the way wild buffalo fought. Children 5 and under and all active members of the armed forces will receive free ad-mission for this event. Children 10 and under can soar through the air in our F-16 A flight stimulator. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Office: 407-507-3894 The Singing Sergeants concerts – Tues – Fri Feb 21 - 24 - The Singing Sergeants take Central Florida with con-certs of choral music, including traditional, contemporary, and Americana selections. They are the official chorus of the United States Air Force, based in Washington DC. These concerts are FREE and open to the pub-lic. Reserved tickets are available at: usaf-band.eventbrite .com. Tues. Feb 21 – 7-8:30pm - North Lake Presbyterian Church, 975 Rolling Acres Rd, Lady Lake, 32159 Wed. Feb 22 – 3-4:30pm - Eisenhower Regional Recrea-tional Center, 3560 Buena Vista Blvd, The Villages, FL 321631 - SOLD OUT. (inquire about ‘no-show’ people) Wed. Feb 22 – 7-8:30pm - Eisenhower Regional Recrea-tional Center, 3560 Buena Vista Blvd, The Villages, FL 321631 - SOLD OUT. (inquire about ‘no-show’ people) Thurs. Feb 23 and Fri Feb 24 –- Universal CityWalk, 6000 Universal Blvd, Orlando, 32819. Each night has three performances: 5pm, 6pm, 7pm of 40s, 50s, and patriotic music at the Universal CityWalk Lagoon Stage! All concerts are FREE and tickets are not required. Entry to CityWalk is FREE (pay-to-park). Parking is free for Florida residents after 6 pm. Retiree Appreciation Day (RAD) – Sat. Feb 25 – Mili-tary retirees can enjoy a variety of speakers from the De-partment of the Army, Veterans Affairs, MOAA (Military Officers Association of America) and others. Special guest will be Army SMA Kenneth O. Preston (ret.) LOTS of Information provided, including DFAS, Tricare, Navy Exchange, etc. All service branch retirees and their fami-lies are invited. Registration starts at 8am; Event hours: 9am – 3pm at The Venue at UCF (University of Central

Florida) at 12777 Gemini Blvd N., Orlando, 32816 located behind the CFE Arena. Sponsored by Fort Stewart, Retirement Services Office, but ALL branches are welcome to attend! Non-profit organi-zations: To reserve a table for sharing awareness, contact 912-767-3326 julie.k.lovelady.civ@ mail .mil. Dedication of Afghanistan Memorial – Sat. Feb 25 - Marine Families announces the completion of the Afghanistan Memorial at the Veterans Park in Tampa. It is joining the Iraq Memorial that was erected in 2013. 3602 U.S. 301 N, Tampa, 33619. While founded by Marine Families, all branches, veterans and patriotic supporters are in-cluded providing support, networking and camara-derie; Donations appreciated. Marine Fami-lies Info@ MarineFamilies .org P.O. Box 7915, Tampa, FL 33673 813-965-2682 Marine Sgt. Kirstie Ennis fundraiser – Sat. Feb 25 - Orlando Rocks Benefit, Inc., Booyah Bus Pro-ject and the City of Kissimmee host this beginning at 1pm. Sgt. Ennis Arrives abt 1:30, Booyah Bus Project will have its ribbon cutting at abt. 1:45, and entertainment and dinner event at abt. 3:30pm. Tickets are $25. Kissimmee Civic Cen-ter, 201 E. Dakin Ave., Kissimmee, 34741. (Sgt. Kirstie Ennis, USMC, originally from Pensacola and now living in San Diego, served 6 years until her second deployment when she lost her left leg following a 2012 helicopter crash in Afghanistan, had more than 40 surgeries and a battle with MRSA. She was the “cover girl” and a highlighted story in “PTSD Journal” for Fall/Winter 2016 and is prepping for the 2018 Paralympics.) Sponsors and donations welcomed. Info: orlandorocksbene-fit@ gmail .com Mary at 407-607-9527, or Vic at 407-901-0685. Jerry Dugan Memorial Charity Golf Tourna-ment – Mon. Feb 27 - 3rd Annual Paralyzed Vet-erans of America (PVA) Central Florida at The Legacy Club at Alaqua Lakes, 1700 Alaqua Lakes Blvd, Longwood, 32779. Registration: $125 per golfer, Veterans: $100, Foursomes: $400. Club will allow special golf carts for disabled players on the course. Registration 9am, Shot Gun Start 10am. Buffet Dinner, unlimited drinks before & during play (beer, soda & water), Goody Bag and Special Gift for each player. Various Sponsor-ships available but must be received no later than Feb. 15 (Flyer available) info: 407-328-7041 or email joannep@ pvacf .org (PVA assists vets with spinal injury and neurological diseases like

Page 3 Volume 56, Issue 2

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and ALS also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. There are 27 known veterans with ALS in Central FL. They receive and distribute unwant-ed medical equipment to vets and civilians.) Rebuilding For Heroes Golf Tournament – Fri. Mar 3

- 2nd Annual Charity Golf Tournament to benefit veter-

ans and our "Every Day" Heroes. 8:30 start time at

Dubsdread Golf Course & Taproom, 549 W. Par St, Or-

lando, 32804. Proceeds to benefit the renovation and re-

pairs needed to the homes of very-low income families,

seniors and veterans. www. rtorlando .org Info: Alaina

at 407-898-3777 ext. 3 or alaina@ rtorlando .org.

A Call for Volunteers for Chap-ter Committees and Chapter

Officers for the 2017-2019 Term

The success of the chapter is always dependent

on its membership. We urge every member to consider

attending chapter meetings, being involved on a commit-

tee and lastly to service as a chapter officer. There are

many opportunities to make a difference, will you consid-

er getting involved in the Central Florida SAR Chapter?

As seen on page one of this newsletter the vari-

ous chapter officer positions and the various active com-

mittees that the chapter currently participates in. Yet,

there are other NSSAR committee that the chapter could

activate if someone is willing to serve. Just let us know.

Once you think about it and see one of interest to you,

please let Compatriot Jeff Sizemore know by emailing

him at swampfoxeditor@yahoo.com.

For officer positions for the next term, a nominat-

ing committee will be working to compile a new slate of

officers with the election taking place in the Spring with

the new officers installed at the May 2017 meeting.

Various committees that you might want to con-

sider serving as chairman or assistant chairman of are as

follows: (a) Americanism Poster Contest Committee, (b)

Archive/Records Committee, (c) Habitat for Humanity

Flag Presentation Committee at House Dedications, (d)

Good Citizenship Committee, (e Flag Certificate Com-

mittee in which businesses and individuals are

recognized for flying the U.S. flag properly, (f)

Knight Essay Contest Committee, (g) Liberty Tree

Committee, (h) Membership Retention & Mentor-

ing Committee, (i) Patriotic Activities Committee,

(j) Publicity Committee, (k) Rumbaugh Oration

Committee in which high school students give a

speech on a patriotic topic, and (l) Veterans Activ-

ities and Recognitions Committee. Note that there

is also the Public Service and Heroism Commit-

tee; as well as, the ROTC/JROTC that will also

welcome any chapter members that are willing to

assist.

Flag Award Certificate The Flag Award Certificate, authorized in 1987, is presented to individuals, companies and government agencies that fly the United States flag for patriotic purposes only. It is not to be giv-en to any commercial enterprise that obviously flies it for advertising purposes. If you know of an individual or company whom you think the Central Florida SAR chapter should consider for this Flag Award Certificate, please inform Compatriot Randall Allen.

Birthday Announcements

On behalf of the Central Florida SAR Chapter, we would like to wish the following individual a Hap-py and Enjoyable Birthday: FEBRUARY

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5 Brownell, Patricia 12 McElroy, Thomas 17 Worsham, Raleigh 20 Roe, Celina 22 Stebbins, Daniel 26 Daniel, Meredith 26 Lane, Richard 28 Little, John

CHAPLAIN’S CORNER By The Rev. Dr. W. Maynard Pittendreigh

In 1630 eleven ships carrying a thousand Pu-ritans left England to immigrate to Massachu-setts. The Arebella was one of these ships and among its passengers was John Winthrop, their future gover-nor. During the passage he preached a sermon based on the text from Matthew 5:14, “you are a city set on a hill.” Winthrop applied that phrase to the colonies in America and said that the eyes of all people were upon them. President Reagan loved to refer to America as a city on a hill. In 1989, he said, “I’ve spoken of the shining city all my political life, but I don’t know if I ever quite communicated what I saw when I said it. But in my mind it was a tall, proud city built on rocks stronger than oceans, wind-swept, God blessed, and teeming with people of all kinds living in harmo-ny and peace; a city that hummed with commerce and creativity. And if there had to be city walls, the walls had doors and the doors were open to anyone with the will and the heart to get there.” President John Kennedy also evoked this verse in a speech. He not only affirmed this belief that America was a “city on a hill,” but also spoke of how this brought what he called a great trust and re-sponsibility we have in being an example to others. I have a friend in Australia who follows American politics with a passion. I asked her why she had such deep interest in a nation she had never visited. She said it was because whatever America did would always influence the rest of the world. So true. We are indeed a city on a hill. The question for us today is “what kind of city on a hill will our country continue to be?” We must continue to live up to what Kennedy called a “great trust and responsibility” that comes with being a city on a hill. It is incumbent on those of us who remember the great history of our nation to continue the work for our nation’s future so that we may al-ways be that “city on a hill.”

Our new chapter chaplain is the Senior Pastor at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church.

GEORGE WASHINGTON of Virginia

Among the Founding Fathers, the man who pre-sided over the Con-stitutional Conven-tion most clearly embodies the clas-sic concept of the soldier-statesman. Just as George Washington was the architect of vic-tory in the Revolu-tion, so too, as the first President, he

was the key figure in establishing essential political precedents to ensure the success of the new republic. Even to his contemporaries, Washington seemed larger than life. Possessed of an extraordinary strength of char-acter and a wealth of public virtues, he exhibited an in-tegrity, self-discipline, and devotion to duty that made him the natural leader in the task of nation building. Rising above the interests of class and section, Washington made a strong, viable union his goal. In a very real sense, he personified the emerging spirit of nationhood in the newly independent colonies. His sup-port for a strong central government undoubtedly re-flected his military experience, both as an officer in the Virginia militia and as the commanding general of the Continental Army. Indeed, the thirteen years that Wash-ington spent on active service-more than a quarter of his adult life-were a singular devotion to public duty by a prosperous, eighteenth-century landowner. The practical experiences provided by this lengthy military career furnished Washington with a sure grasp of the political, economic, and military advantages to be gained from an effective central government. His unwavering support of this concept, and his understanding of the importance of political compromise, was essential to the success of the Constitutional Convention.

The Patriot

A younger son in a family of the landed gentry, Washington appeared destined by birth and education to

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a career as farmer and land surveyor. But the death of his older brother in 1752 ab-ruptly changed his life. It opened the way to his obtaining Mount Vernon, a large plantation on the Potomac, and to his suc-ceeding his brother as one of Virginia's four adjutants responsible for militia train-ing. Sworn in as a major of militia in Feb-ruary 1753, at the age of 21, he volun-teered for active duty some ten months later. Washington entered military ser-vice just as the lengthy rivalry for empire between England and France was reaching its climax in America. If the colonists had appeared indifferent to some of the larger aspects of this conflict between traditional European enemies, their desire for expansion and their fear of alliances between the French and the Indians made them increas-ingly opposed to a continued French presence in North America. Virginia in particular was incensed when the French established a series of forts in the west. React-ing to this threat, Lieutenant Governor Robert Dinwid-die sent the young Washington to deliver an ultimatum to the intruders. When diplomacy failed, Dinwiddie ordered out a force of 300 colonials; under Washington to defend English claims to the "Forks of the Ohio," where the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers join to form the Ohio (now Pittsburgh). Washington promptly led his men into what would become the first engage-ment of the French and Indian War. He won a prelimi-nary skirmish before being captured by superior French forces some 50 miles south of his objective. Widespread criticism, especially among the English after his release, only seemed to strengthen Washing-ton's resolve. He served as a volunteer aide in 1755 to Major General Edward Braddock when the British sent a large force of regulars to capture Fort Duquesne, the French stronghold recently erected at the Forks of the Ohio. Although the Braddock expedition met defeat on the banks of the Monongahela, Washington's display of courage and tactical skills in battle caused his personal reputation to soar. A grateful Dinwiddie subsequently placed him in charge of Virginia's frontier defenses. He commanded the colony's regiments and separate ranger companies (both perpetuated in today's 116th Infantry, Virginia Army National Guard), as well as its mobi-lized militiamen. In 1758 Washington became a bri-gade commander, the only American to achieve that rank during the war. The French and Indian War served as a train-ing ground for the leaders of the American Revolution. From his experiences in the field Washington came to understand the key role played by discipline, "the soul of an army," as he later called it. He also learned that

tactics and formations had to be adapted to terrain. Perhaps most im-portant for his future, he came to real-ize that the able leader pays close at-tention to administrative detail, learns how to make do with limited re-sources, and seeks to foster the welfare of his men. Resigning his commission in 1758, Washington devoted the next fifteen years to his expanding agricul-tural enterprises. He also began to ac-quire political skills, emerging as a moderate leader of the opposition to English colonial policy. By 1774,

however, Virginia's opposition to the mother coun-try had hardened, and Washington, always loyal to his colony, joined in supporting the revolutionaries. He accepted the leadership of the volunteer militia and represented Virginia in the Continental Con-gress.

The Soldier The Continental Congress quickly took ad-vantage of Washington's military experience. Fol-lowing the fighting at Lexington and Concord, it appointed him to various committees handling mili-tary matters, and on 15 June 1775 his fellow dele-gates unanimously elected him "General and Com-mander in Chief" of all Continental forces. Wash-ington accepted the assignment only out of a pro-found sense of duty, refusing any salary. For eight years, the longest American war before Vietnam, he led the main elements of the Continental Army in combat while also carrying out the broader responsi-bilities of the Revolution's senior military officer. The two sides adopted different strategies in the war. The English concentrated on occupying urban centers and seeking set battles. Washington put his emphasis on preserving his forces, believing the Revolution could succeed only if he kept his Army intact. He therefore bided his time, avoiding major defeats and acting decisively when the chance for surprise arose. Trenton and Princeton, in the winter of 1776, were memorable victories in a bleak campaign. In 1777 General Horatio Gates won the battle of Saratoga, and France entered the war on the American side, thus offering Washington the pro-spect of an allied offensive. In the interim, he em-ployed his main force to neutralize the English army in New York, while nibbling away at the enemy's strength and resolve in other areas, principally in the south. When French naval superiority off the Vir-

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ginia Capes offered the opportunity for victory, Wash-ington struck swiftly, defeating the British at Yorktown in 1781. Washington had overcome massive obstacles in pursuing this strategy. After organizing and training the Army, he had met the challenge of holding it together as a professional fighting force during the dark days of de-feat. At the same time, he had to placate a demanding Congress and jealous state governments, improvise to offset shortages in material support, curb his sometimes impulsive subordinate commanders, and deal with allies. Only a soldier endowed with extraordinary foresight, personal integrity, and self-discipline could have provid-ed the necessary leadership. The claim can be made that without Washington the Revolution would not have suc-ceeded. At war's end, Washington promptly dismantled his victorious Army and once again became a private citizen. These actions astounded European observers, who fully expected the victorious general to seize power in the independent but unorganized colonies. Such as-sessments overlooked Washington's strong belief in the subordination of the military to civilian authority. He had made his position clear in March 1783 when a peti-tion urging the Army to force Congress to restore back pay had circulated among the officers at Newburgh, New York. Washington recalled his own sacrifices in the service of his country and reminded his officers that their loyalty should be to their country, not to the Army. To dramatize the point, he fumbled through the first par-agraph of his prepared remarks, donned glasses, and commented that not only had he grown gray in the ser-vice of his country but now he was also going blind. He then proceeded to denounce the petition as treason. The chastised officers meekly dispersed.

The Statesman Washington, his personal finances in shambles, returned to Mount Vernon in 1783 to resume his agricul-tural and business interests. But his absence from public life proved brief the course of government under the Articles of Confederation convinced him that a stronger central authority was essential if the political and eco-nomic promises of independence were to be realized. His active participation in the drive for a stronger union of the thirteen states sprang in part from his fascination with the potential of the west, an interest born during his youthful days as a surveyor in the Shenandoah Valley and as an officer in the French and Indian War. To pro-mote the development of the Potomac River Valley, he hosted a conference between officials from Virginia and Maryland at Mount Vernon in 1785. This meeting led to a convention in Annapolis the next year and, finally, to

the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. The delegates unanimously elected Wash-ington president of the Constitutional Convention. He proved uniquely suited to the task, his presence lending prestige and dignity to the proceedings. He also served as an important unifying force in the de-liberations. Under his judicious guidance the Con-vention reached the many compromises necessary to achieve a more perfect union and wrote the provi-sions that would provide for a strong central govern-ment. Ratification of the Constitution led in time to Washington's inauguration as President in New York City in April 1789. Once in office, Washington tried to trans-form the promises of the Revolution and the Consti-tution into realities. Applying experiences gained in commanding the Continental Army, he set about the task of organizing and molding a new central gov-ernment. With quiet authority, he balanced the com-peting factions coalescing around two of his subordi-nates, Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. He dealt with the demands of the Congress with typ-ical restraint, respecting its legislative prerogatives but never hesitating to exercise his presidential pow-ers. In foreign affairs he insisted on strict neutrality in the continuing Anglo-French conflict; in econom-ic matters he supported measures to strengthen the stability of the new nation. He secured the west through military actions and international treaties. He also jealously defended the authority of the fed-eral government, quickly calling forth state militia forces to suppress the Whiskey Rebellion, a flouting of the excise tax laws by farmers in western Penn-sylvania. Always a precedent-setting leader, he es-tablished a critical final one when he refused to ac-cept a third term. Washington's stirring Farewell Address to the country not only cautioned against sectional dif-ferences and foreign entanglements but also encap-sulated his philosophy of government. In relinquish-ing the reins of power for the last time, he reminded his fellow citizens that "the Unity of Government which constitutes you one people is also now dear to you. It is justly so; for it is a main Pillar in the Edi-fice of your real independence, the support of your tranquility at home; your peace abroad; of your safe-ty; of your prosperity; of that very Liberty which you so highly prize." Source: http://www.history.army.mil/books/RevWar/ss/washington.htm

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Pictorial Caption of our February Chapter Meeting

New member induction of Maynard Pittendreigh, and Ryan Pittendreigh.