Tennessee SocietySons of the American Revolution

January 2015 H Tennessee Patriot Newsletter

John Sevier Chapter members assisted the Chattanooga Coast Guard Auxiliary in placing Coast Guard flags on the 141 Coast Guard veterans graves in the Chattanooga National Cemetery on the Saturday before Veterans Day. The Coast Guard Flags Across America event started at Arlington National Cemetery 15 years ago, as a way to honor CG veterans for their service. This was the second event in Chattanooga. In the photo are John Sevier Chapter President Tim Adams, second from left; John Sevier Chapter Registrar Charles Dammann, third from the left; and John Sevier Chapter First Vice President and Coast Guard Auxiliary member Terry Siler, standing, second from the right.

TNSSAR honors veterans

Pearl Harbor survivor George Allen, 92, left photo, visits with Tennessee State Rep. Kevin Brooks, 24th District, during the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day ceremony at VFW Post 2598 in Cleveland. In the right photo, program moderator and former Korean War Prisoner of War Bill Norwood and Tennessee State Rep. Dan Howell wait for their parts in the program. Brooks and Howell are members of the Col. Benjamin Cleveland Chapter.

In praise of the common soldier

————By Rev. Dr. John C. Wakefield on the occasion of the official grave marking of the grave of Pvt. Henry Wakefield, Oct. 18, 2014, at Wakefield Cemetery in Willette, Tenn.

————Two statements warrant

our attention today in a country that is often deadlocked — Washington, D. C., and other halls of freedom and liberty throughout the land. Those two statements are connected, and they lead to the undeniable conclusion that we are called today to take an active role in the decisions that shape our country — today and for its future.

Here are those two statements, both from our great Revolution. First, the great American Revolution established a way of living and conducting our affairs that we need to cherish today: democracy in the modern world.

Second, common private soldiers of that great Continental Army were as responsible for establishing that great democracy as were the lieutenants and generals — common private soldiers such as Henry Wakefield.

Both statements, taken together, remind us that we are to take an active role in the political affairs of our country today.

The great American Revolution established democracy in the modern world. Certainly, democracy existed before

See PRAISE, Page 8

The Valentine Sevier Chapter Color Guard members Johnny Head, U.S. Flag bearer, Jim Thweatt, Tennessee Flag bearer and Donald Horton, SAR Flag bearer, march in the Veterans Day Parade in Clarksvile. The Daughters of the American Revolution and Children of the American Revolution also participated.

The Tennessee PatriotDavid Davis, EditorTennessee Society of the Sons of the American Revolution3403 Clearwater Drive N.E.Cleveland, TN 37312-5063

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett, second from left, was the guest speaker during the 2014 Wreaths Across America ceremony on Dec. 12, 2014 in Knoxville. His team raised more than $56,000 in sponsorships. The Stephen Holston Chapter led the effort to lay 6,489 wreaths in the three Knoxville veterans’ cemeteries.

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDNashville, TN

Permit No. 380

District 1 Kings Mountain, Johnson City

John C. WakefieldState of Franklin, Rogersville

J. Anthony ElmoreWatauga, Elizabethton

Ronnie L. Lail

District 2 Gen. Joseph Martin, Harrogate

G. Todd WilliamsStephen Holston, Knoxville

Paul E. JordenLt. William P. Quarles

Kenneth J. Whittaker

District 3Col. Benjamin Cleveland, Cleveland

Robert L. GeorgeHiwassee, Athens

Michael JaquishJohn Sevier, Chattanooga W. Terrell (Terry) Siler

District 4 Lt. Andrew Crockett, Franklin

James L. HobbsJoseph Greer, Lynchburg Mark Dewayne Cox

Stones River, Murfreesboro Glenn J. Taylor

Tombigbee, Columbia William S. Geshwiler

District 5 Andrew Jackson, Nashville

Sanford PaytonCol. Anthony Bledsoe, Gallatin

Fred RyanChristopher Strong, Charlotte

Robert E. MooreThomas Kilgore

Roger A. TenneyValentine Sevier, Clarksville

Reber Porter Kennedy, Jr.

District 6 Isaac Shelby, Memphis

Dr. Nicholas Gotten Jr.Jackson Purchase, Union City William (Bill) F. Dahnke

James Madison, Jackson William Bell Hickerson Jr.

PRESIDENT Claude T. Hardison Jr.

PRESIDENT-ELECTDarryl S. Addington

VICE PRESIDENTDavid L. Eagan

TREASURERDavid P. Hammett

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY John W. Kubenka

RECORDING SECRETARY John W. Kubenka

REGISTRARJames J. Thweatt

GENEALOGISTRichard T. Spencer Jr.

CHANCELLORCleo G. Hogan

HISTORIANWilliam B. Hickerson Jr.

CHAPLAIN EMERITUSRev. Dr. John W. Steen Jr.

CHAPLAINJohn C. Wakefield

SURGEONDr. Mark R. Russell

WEBMASTERRonald C. Whitson

NATIONAL TRUSTEE Colin C. Wakefield

NAT’L TRUSTEE ALTERNATE Claude T. Hardison Jr.

DISTRICT 1 DIRECTOR Richard C. Burdette III

DISTRICT 2 DIRECTOR David E. JohnstonDISTRICT 3 DIRECTOR Fred I. UnderdownDISTRICT 4 DIRECTOR

Alvin R. BrownDISTRICT 5 DIRECTOR John C. Head Jr.

DISTRICT 6 DIRECTOR B. Mott Jones

TNSSARBoard of Governors

Tennessee Society SAR Chapters

President General Lindsey C. Brock

Secretary GeneralThomas E. Lawrence

Treasurer General J. Michael Tomme Sr.

Chancellor General John L. Dodd

Genealogist General John D. Sinks

Registrar General Larry T. Guzy

Historian General Robert F. TownsLibrarian General

C. Bruce PicketteSurgeon General

Edward P. Rigel Sr. M.D.Chaplain General

Dr. Rev. Randy D. Moody

National Society Sons of the American RevolutionGeneral Officers

The Tennessee Patriot Newsletter is published quarterly after each of the TNSSAR Board of Governors’ meetings.

It is published for the pleasure of members of the Tennessee Society of the Sons of the American Revolution and for doc-umenting the activi-ties of each chapter.

Submissions from each chapter are encouraged.

Please submit typewrit-ten articles and photos in

electronic format via email to tnssarnewsletter@gmail.com; or mail CDs and scannable copy to David Davis, editor, 3403 Clearwater Dr., Cleveland, Tennessee 37312; or to Richard T. Spencer Jr., publisher, 376 Sims Lane, Franklin, Tennessee, 37067-1893 or email to DSPEN47@aol.com.

Please do not send newspaper clippings because they do not reproduce well.

ReminderPlease notify your

chapter secretary of any changes of ad-dress, telephone num-ber or email address.

The Chapter Secretary will forward that infor-mation to State Secretary John W. Kubenka.

Your addresses must be current in order for you to receive any or all Society mail, which is sent by “bulk mail,” and is not forwarded.

Tennessee Patriot Newsletter

The Tennessee Patriot January 2015Page 2

Visit TNSSAR website at

http://tnssar.org.Contact Webmaster

Ron Whitson by email at webmaster@tnssar.org.

Page 3The Tennessee PatriotJanuary 2015

Events Calendar

ON THE COVER: The background photo shows wreaths placed in the (Old) East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery in Knoxville. The Stephen Holston Chapter led the effort to place 6,489 wreaths in the three Knoxville veterans’ cemeteries in December for Wreaths Across America. The masthead photo, Signal Hill Sea Cadet Color Guard members bow their heads in prayer during the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day ceremonies at VFW Post 2598 in Cleveland.

TNSSAR Color Guard Grave Markings and Events schedule for 2015.

TNSSAR Highland Guard State Commander David Miles VaughnMountain Brigade Commander Ronnie Lail

Tanasi River Brigade John ClinesFrench Lick Company Commander Edward Phillips

Frontier Company Commander Bob Hughes 234th Anniversary of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse March 14, 2015 – 10 a.m. EST2332 New Garden Road, Greensboro, N.C. 27410Invitation by the North Carolina Society Sons of the American Revolution to this NSSAR National Color Guard event.The 234th Anniversary of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse is presented by the NCSSAR and begins at 10:00am at the Visitor’s Center at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse National Battleground Park. The activities begin at 10 a.m. with the Patriot March from the Visitor’s Center to the Nathanael Greene monument. The hotel head-quarters will be at The Days Inn - Greensboro East, 3114 Cedar Park Road, Greensboro, N.C. 27405. Call 336-697-4000 to obtain the $49 group rate. Please tell them you are with the SAR. Hotel reserva-tions must be made before Feb. 13, 2015. Download all of the event details at Event Flyer: http://www.ncssar.org. Email RSVP’s to Tim Berly: tberly@carolina.rr.com.

———Patriot James Brigham Grave Marking March 22 – 2 p.m. CSTMount Pleasant United Methodist Church Cemetery1331 Bud Road, Clarksville, TN 37042James Madison and Valentine Sevier TNSSAR Chapters. Contact John McCutchen at john.e.mccutchen@gmail.com or James Thweatt at james.thweatt@vanderbilt.edu for more information about this TNSSAR Color Guard event. (Note: The church is located

in the Dotsonville commu-nity of Clarksville, TN. The road and cemetery is off Gip Manning Road. In case of inclement weather, the cer-emony will be conducted in the Mt. Pleasant Church.)

———Massing of Colors and Memorial Ceremony honoring the memory of President General Harry T. Burn Sr. (1964-65) March 28 – 3 p.m. ESTNiota Cemetery at the corner of Burn Road and U.S. 11, Niota, TN 37826 (Burn Road is sometimes referred to as Lanetowne Road) A Dollar General store is close/next to the cemetery at 706 W Willson St, Niota, TN 37826)Tennessee Society Sons of the American Revolution, call Charles Dammann, 423-842-2826 or email dboiler61@comcast.net for more infor-mation about this NSSAR National Color Guard event.

———2015 Tennessee History Day April 11 – 8:30 a.m. CSTEither in the Legislative Plaza or Tennessee Performing Arts Center. Nashville, TN 37116Present the Colors for the opening ceremo-ny for this TNSSAR State Color Guard Event.

———Patriots Day 2015 Date and time to

be announced.Tennessee State

Capital, Nashville, TN Present the Colors for

the opening session of the Tennessee State Senate. This will be updated as information is provided.

We will need maximum of about eight guardsman

due to tight quarters for this TNSSAR Color Guard Event.

———Maj. John Nash Read

Grave Marking April 25 – Time TBATempleton Grove Cemetery Florence Road on Army

Corps of Engineers propertySmyrna, TN 37167This is a joint TNSSAR and

DAR Grave Marking by the TNSSAR Stones River Chapter and Stones River DAR

Contact Glenn Taylor at talltaylorduo@yahoo.com or 615-895-1812 for more information about this TNSSAR Color Guard Event

———The Raid at Martins StationMay 8 – 10th Wilderness Road State

Park, 8051 Wilderness Road, Ewing, VA 24248

NSSAR Color Guard presenting the Colors for the opening ceremony at 10 a.m. EST on May 9. Please bring/present your chapter wreath to get a National Streamer for this National Color Guard Event

———Reading of the Declaration

of Independence July 4th – 9 a.m. CSTMontgomery County

Courthouse, 2 Millennium Plaza, Clarksville, TN 37040

Please join us as we read the Declaration of Independence on the steps of the Montgomery County Courthouse located on North

Second Street in Clarksville. Our goal is to have some modern day patriots from the area join us to read parts of the Declaration. Anyone interested in reading a section, please contact david.brockman@gmail.com. This is a TNSSAR Color Guard Event.

———The Gathering at Sycamore ShoalsSept. 19 – 10 a.m. EST1651 W. Elk Avenue, Elizabethton, TNOn Saturday, Sept. 19, the Tennessee Society Sons of the American Revolution will cel-ebrate the 235th Gathering at Sycamore Shoals. This is a cel-ebration of the Overmountain Men coming together to march to King’s Mountain and defeat Loyalist forces under Col. Patrick Ferguson. We will have a Memorial Service and a wreath laying service. The public is invited to at-tend and to participate in the wreath laying. Please bring/present your Chapter Wreath to get National Streamer.For more information please contact Ronnie Lail, 423-914-8677 or email wataugatns-sar@gmail.com for more information on this NSSAR National Color Guard Event

———Wreaths Across America 12 p.m. Dec. 12 - 12 p.m. (noon) EST at various locations. This is a National Color Guard Event.

Color Guard FundWe have now $525 of our Color Guard Supplies Fund Goal of

$1,000. We need at least $313 more to order what I would like for us to have for our Tennessee Society Color Guard. As you all know the four flags I have now are being used at everything we do. They are showing wear. These new flagpoles and flags would be used for all of the outdoor

events we do. I have talked with national merchandise and have put together an order with them and the cost. I have

found a place in Alabama for six more flag stands also. Send Color Guard Fund donation payable to: Col. Anthony Bledsoe Chapter Carl Garrett, Treasurer, 4283 Hwy. 70 W

Dickson, TN 37055

The Tennessee Patriot January 2015Page 4 Page 5The Tennessee PatriotJanuary 2015

Board of GovernorsTNSSAR Board of Governors

held its 4th Quarter 2014 meeting Jan. 10 at Cool Springs Marriott in Franklin.

TNSSAR President Claude Hardison Jr. called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m. with 37 of the 72 BOG members present.

As 24 or more BOG members must to be present to have a quorum, a quorum existed to conduct BOG business.

TNSSAR Chaplain John C. Wakefield provided the Invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by TNSSAR President-Elect Dr. Darryl S. Addington. The SAR Pledge was led by TNSSAR Chancellor Cleo G. Horton.

TNSSAR Secretary John Kubenka reported that the minutes of the 3rd Quarter BOG meeting were distributed to the BOG members by e-mail. A motion to approve the minutes as written was made, seconded, and passed unanimously.

Secretary Kubenka made a presentation regarding the 2014 membership numbers.

The membership starting 2014 was 1,050 and the approximate ending number was 1,241 and the number, including dual membership, was 1266.

The final numbers are being reconciled with National. The dues process is still in progress until Jan. 15. After that date, the number of dropped members will be processed.

There was about a five percent growth for 2014.

Treasurer’s Report TNSSAR Treasurer David Hammett presented the Treasurer’s report.

For 2014, the revenue was $24,767.20 and the expenses were $24,824.87 for a net loss of $57.67. It was noted that the Thomas Kilgore Chapter and Valentine Sevier Chapter achieved 100 percent of their membership with dues paid.

Committee ReportsKnight Essay Contest

Committee: Committee

Chairman Dr. George Pesely stated three essays had been received to date.

SAR CAR Essay: Committee Chairman William Hickerson stated one essay had been submitted to date, but there were some inquires about the competition.

CAAH: President Hardison reported on behalf of Committee Chairman Charles N. Dammann that NSSAR had not yet provided the 2014 participation numbers for TNSSAR.

It was also noted that the CAAH campaign ended December 31, 2014 and it has been replaced with the 1776 campaign effective Jan. 1, 2015.

More information about the 1776 campaign will be available at a later date.

There will be a forthcoming amendment to the TNSSAR By-Laws to remove CAAH as a standing committee. The TNSSAR President will form a 1776 Committee as an ad-hoc committee.

Friends of the Library: President Hardison, on behalf of Committee Chairman John

Echerd, encouraged each chapter to make at least a $25 donation to the FOL.

Flag Committee: Committee Chairman James Briddell informed the BOG that 15 of 21 chapters and the TNSSAR had made flag certificate presentations in 2014.

Education Committee: President Hardison reported on behalf of Committee Chairman William Geshwiler that TNSSAR has two entrants in the TN History Teacher Award program.

Old Business: Gadsden License Plate: Compatriot Chambers stated it was decided by the Finance Committee to suspend this program and refund peoples’ money. To date, we have only had 177 requests for the license plate. Anyone within TNSSAR not wanting their money refunded should contact David Hammett and the non-refunded funds will

be place in the 2017 Congress Planning fund. A motion was made, seconded, and was approved to suspend the license plate program and refund the monies received.

TNSSAR President’s Pledge: President Hardison encouraged people to participate in the pledge program.

The goal is $10,000. To date, 13 pledges totaling $9,435 of which, $5,535 has already been collected.

TNSSAR Handbook Update: Compatriot John Clark provided an update on the TNSSAR Handbook update project.

The various sections of the handbook are available for review on the TNSSAR website.

Some documents are ready for approval and some are still being reviewed.

Constitution and By-Laws Change: A number of TNSSAR Constitution and By-Laws changes had been prepared.

As there was not the required number of BOG members present to approve changes, the proposed changes were only discussed.

Constitution and By-Laws Committee Chairman John Henderson made comments regarding the constitutionality of the vote to approve the chartering of the Gov. Archibald Roane Chapter.

Compatriot Henderson

stated the vote was legal. Later in the meeting, Compatriot Henderson stated he had incorrect information when he formulated the above opinion and that opinion was invalid based on the additional information that was presented in the meeting.

Some of the changes proposed is the elimination of the CAAH Committee and the refinement of the language of the By-Laws IX, X, and XI regarding handling of funds.

Another change would be to require a 10-day notification period regarding any proposed Constitution and By-Laws changes.

A few proposed changes were discussed and will be further reviewed.

These include the criteria for the establishment of a TNSSAR Emeritus member. It was recommended that the 2015-2016 Membership and Extension Committee review the need for a TNSSAR Emeritus status and bring forth any recommendations they make.

There is a conflict in the changes proposed with the Honorary Membership Fund and need to be reviewed and revised.

Compatriot James Hofstetter made a point of order stating the creation of the Gov. Archibald Roane Chapter at the Oct. 11, 2014 BOG meeting was based on the motion by one individual and the TNSSAR Constitution and By-Laws requires the written motion (petition) of 10 or more members, which had not happened. It was stated the action taken was a violation of the TNSSAR Constitution and should be null and void.

It was noted there is no time limit on bringing forth a point of order regarding an action that violates the Constitution and By-Laws. It was requested that the vote to create the Gov. Archibald Roane Chapter be declared null and void. President Hardison stated

Dr. Darryl Addington

See BOARD, Page 14

Tennessee Society 126th Annual State Meeting & 125th Anniversary Celebration

Annual State Meeting @ Museum Center at 5ive Points, Cleveland, Tennessee

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Friday, March 27, 2015 @ The Hampton Inn 4355 Frontage Road, Cleveland, TN 37312 Registration ..............................4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Reception & Silent Auction .....6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Saturday, March 28, 2015 @ The Museum Center @ 5ive Points, 200 Inman Street, Cleveland, TN 37311 Registration................................7:00 - until complete Southern District Meeting..........8:00 - 9:00 a.m. Board of Governors & Annual State Meeting ......9:00 - 11:30 a.m. Ladies Tour: Red Clay State Park..Bus leaves from The Hampton Inn @ 9:00 a.m. & returns @ 11:00 a.m. Youth Luncheon at the Museum at 5ive Points .........................12:30 - 2:00 p.m.

Massing of the Colors & Memorial Ceremony honoring the memory of President General Harry T. Burn Sr. (1964-65)

Niota Cemetery (see handout for map/directions)..3:00 - 4:00 p.m. President's Reception..(Cash Bar)... at the Museum at 5ive Points.......................7:00 - 7:45 p.m. President's Banquet......(Black Tie Optional) at the Museum at 5ive Points.........7:45 - 10:00 p.m.

Annual Meeting Registration: Please complete, detach and return this Registration Form with a check payable to TNSSAR. Please mail your Registration Form & Check to: William Hamilton, P.O. Box 4915, Cleveland, TN 37320: by March 1, 2015.

The Hampton Inn reservations at 423-458-1222. Special Group Rate for TNSSAR: $109.00 plus tax. At Registration mention you are with the SAR. (Includes free Breakfast & Wi-Fi) ----------------------------------------cut along this line and mail in form below with check--------------------------- Name:________________________________ Spouse/Guest:_________________________ Address:___________________________________________State:____________Zip:_____ E-Mail:________________________________Chapter:______________________________ EVENTS: FEE Number Attending Amount Enclosed Registration..(SAR Members only)....... $25.00 ____________ $_____________ Friday Evening Reception...................... $ 8.00 ____________ $_____________ Ladies Tour............................................ $15.00 ____________ $_____________ Youth Luncheon..................................... $28.00 ____________ $_____________ President's Reception & Banquet ........... $35.00 ____________ $_____________ Officer's Meeting Sunday Morning...................... ____________ Burn Memorial Ceremony.................................... ____________ TOTAL:......................................................................................................... $______________

The Tennessee Patriot Winter 2015Page 6

TNSSAR Color Guard

Tennessee Society Color Guard attnded the 234th Anniversary of the Battle of Cowpens in Cherokee County, S.C., on Jan. 17. President General Lindsey Brock brought greetings from the NSSAR. Tennesseans presented chapter wreaths during the ceremony. The Color Guard marched to the monument and onto the battlefield. Approximately 60 participated in the Color Guard with past National Commander Mike Tomme, commanding. In the bottom left photo, TNSSAR members in attendance Steve Gaines, Col. Anthony Bledsoe; James Hobbs, Lt. Andrew Crockett; Larry Pool, William P. Quarles; David Miles Vaughn, Col. Anthony Bledsoe; Bob Nash, Andrew Jackson; Sanford Payton, Andrew Jackson; Ronnie Lail and Mel McKay, Watauga Chapter.

The following is an ex-cerpt from the National Parks Service, Cowpens National Battlefield web site: http://www.nps.gov/cowp/historyculture/the-battle-of-cowpens.htm

———The Battle of Cowpens,

Jan. 17, 1781, took place in the latter part of the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution and of the Revolution itself. It became known as the turning point of the war in the South, part of a chain of events leading to Patriot vic-tory at Yorktown.

The Cowpens victory

was won over a crack British regular army and brought togeth-er strong armies and leaders who made their mark on history.

The Southern Campaign, especially in the backcountry, was essentially a civil war as the colonial population split between Patriot and Loyalist. Conflict came, often pitting neighbor against neighbor and re-igniting old feuds and animosities. Those of both sides organized militia, often engaging each other. The country-side was devastated, and

raids and reprisals were the order of the day.

Into this con-flict, General George Washington sent the very capable Nathanael Greene to take command of the Southern army. Against military custom, Greene, just two weeks into his command, split his army, sending Gen. Daniel Morgan southwest of the Catawba River to cut supply lines and hamper British opera-tions in the backcoun-try, and, in doing so “spirit up the people.”

Gen. Cornwallis, British commander in

the South, countered Greene’s move by sending Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton to block Morgan’s actions.

Tarleton was only 26, but he was an able com-mander, both feared and hated — hated especial-ly for his victory at the Waxhaws. There, Tarleton was said to have contin-ued the fight against rem-nants of the Continental Army trying to surrender.

His refusal, tradition says, of offering no quar-ter, led to the derisive term “Tarleton’s Quarter”.

These events set the stage for the Battle of Cowpens.

Tennessee Color Guard marches at Cowpens

Page 7The Tennessee PatriotWinter 2015

Tennessee Society Flag Certificate Presentation

The Tennessee Society of the Sons of the American Revolution President Claude Hardison Jr. presents a Flag Certificate to Allan Jones, owner of Hardwick Clothes in Cleveland. In the photo are, from left to right, Col. Benjamin Cleveland Chapter President Bob George, left, color guard members Sam Allen and Stan Evans, Hardwick Clothes owner Allen Jones, TNSSAR President Claude Hardison, Col. Benjamin Cleveland Chapter Secretary John Clines, member Phil Newman and Color Guard member James Stone.

TNSSAR chapters recognize proper flag displaysFlag Certificates were

recently presented to individuals, institutions, organizations or businesses in all parts of Tennessee that continuously displayed the United States Flag in a proper manner.

The program recognizes those who support American Patriotism in local communities.

According to the NSSAR Handbook, the Admiral William R. Furlong Memorial Award is presented annually at the SAR Congress to the state societies that have fulfilled the qualifications during the previous year.

To qualify each state society and the majority of its chapters must present, during the previous year, at least one NSSAR Flag Certificate to a person or organization that qualifies.

State societies are to advise the chairman of the Flag Committee of their qualifications by April 15 each year.

Societies that qualify will be selected and their names sent to the President General for awarding.

The first year, a certificate and streamer will be awarded to the state society. The streamer is 36 inches in length and one and 1 1/2 inches wide with parallel red, white and blue stripes of equal width with a grommet at the top.

Each succeeding year a society qualifies, it will receive a certificate and a white star one-inch in diameter to be placed at the top of the streamer.

The following is a list of Tennessee chapter that presented Flag Certificates in their communities.

Kings Mountain Chapter, Pal’s Kingsport Restaurants, Thorn Crosby, President/CEO, Johnson City

Stones River Chapter, Chick Fe Lay Restaurant, Stone River

Isaac Shelby Chapter, Woodland Presbyterian School, Memphis

Perkins Family Restaurant & Bakery, Germantown

Lt. Andrew Crockett Chapter, Grasslands Baptist Church, Franklin

Lt. William Quarles Chapter, East Tennessee Dodge, Crossville

John Sevier Chapter, Card-

Monroe Corporation, HixsonSun Trust Bank, HixsonCol. Benjamin Cleveland

Chapter, Life Care Centers of America, Corporate Headquarters, Cleveland

Stephen Holston Chapter, American National Bank, Lenoir City

Lenoir City Ford, Lenoir City

Col. Anthony Bledsoe Chapter, John S. Bastian, D.D.S., Hendersonville

Hiwassee Chapter, American Legion, Post 68, Athens

Tennessee State Society, Hardwick Clothing Company, Cleveland

James Madison Chapter, James Madison Chapter NSDAR

Jackson Purchase Chapter, Discovery Park of America, Union City

Christopher Strong Chapter, Mr. Leon Thomas Wall, former Dickson County Sheriff

Tombigbee Chapter, Core Physicians, Columbia Regional Medical Center, LLC., Columbia

Andrew Jackson Chapter, YMCA of Middle Tennessee, Bellevue

Guidelines for “Display of the Flag Public Law 94-344,” known as the Federal Flag Code, contains rules for handling and displaying the U.S. flag. While the federal code contains no penalties for misusing the flag, states have their own flag codes and may impose penalties.

The language of the federal code makes clear that the flag is a living symbol.

In response to a Supreme Court decision, which held that a state law prohibiting flag burning was unconstitutional, Congress enacted the Flag Protection Act in 1989. It provides that anyone who knowingly desecrates the flag may be fined and/or imprisoned for up to one year. However, this law was challenged by the Supreme Court in a 1990 decision that the Flag Protection Act violates the First Amendment free speech protections.

Important Things to Remember

Traditional guidelines

Flag Etiquette

See ETIQUETTE, Page 13

Page 9The Tennessee PatriotJanuary 2015The Tennessee Patriot January 2015Page 8

‘In Praise of Common Soldiers’ is fitting for Wreaths Across America

the Revolution, but the Revolution established it forever in the modern world.

Listen to these words of Thomas Jefferson, and believe them. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams did not always agree politically, but they loved what they had accomplished together.

Thomas Jefferson, who lived just down the road from Henry Wakefield near Charlottesville, Virginia, wrote to his fellow patriot, John Adams:“I shall not die without a hope that light and liberty are on steady advance . . . And even should the cloud of barbarism and despotism again obscure the science and liberties of Europe, this country remains to preserve and restore light and liberty to them . . . The flames kindled on the 4th of July, 1776, have spread over too much of the globe to be extinguished by the feeble engines of despotism; on the contrary, they will consume these engines and all who work for them.”The great American Revolution established democracy in the modern world. Do you hear echoes of Thomas Jefferson’s words? They echo in the words of Abraham Lincoln, as he stood on one of the bloodiest battlefields in the world and said: “Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. . . . We here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

The great American Revolution established democracy in the modern world. Do you hear echoes of those words of Thomas Jefferson? They echo in the words of Dwight Eisenhower, as he spoke to soldiers who were about to land on the shores of Normandy, in the greatest single battle in the history of the world: “You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade . . . . you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.”The great American Revolution established democracy in the modern world. Do you hear echoes of those words of Thomas Jefferson? They reverberate in the words of Ronald Reagan, as he stood at the Berlin Wall. He said, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down that wall,” and it happened, because freedom and democracy had been established in the modern world by the American Revolution.That great democracy was established by common private soldiers such as Henry Wakefield. Oh yes, we needed the great generals, but we also needed the common soldier. We needed thousands of them. They had to work together, to cooperate, to advance in their love of this country. And the great American Revolution would not have been won without them.In the Continental Army were generals, colonels, majors, captains, lieutenants, and sergeants. And all of those officers probably comprised not one-fourth of the entire army. All the rest were privates. And they were essential to the success of the Continental Army. Henry Wakefield was essential to the success of the Continental Army.Listen to how one writer describes the common foot

soldier of the American Revolution. “. . . as the Continental Congress, Washington, and all his generals knew, the war could not be won,” he wrote, “without long-term soldiers marching in a regular army. . . .” That great democracy was established by common private soldiers such as Henry Wakefield.Henry Wakefield was as important a private citizen as he was a private in the army. He had been a part of a group that petitioned for, and won the beginning of Burke County in North Carolina. He was part of a family that owned and farmed most of the land in the Linn Valley of North Carolina. After the Revolution, he served on a court committee to identify all who had been Tories — British sympathizers — during the war.He was wounded at the Battle of Kings Mountain, but he healed and went on to fight again in the Revolution. He was only a private, but he was a patriot. And this great American democracy was established by common private soldiers such as Henry Wakefield.What is the lesson for us today? We cannot expect the first proposition — democracy in the modern world — without the second proposition — private soldiers and private citizens fighting the fight. We are called to

preserve the democracy that the great American Revolution established by our votes, by our participation in government, by our fighting if we must, by caring about what happens in government at all levels. A few of us are called to lead. Most of us are called to follow, and follow with convictions about the value and workings of our great democracy. We must know the issues, champion the causes, fight the fight, and work together for the country we love. In an age with many political leaders in strife and gridlock, we‚ the private citizens‚ are essential to the fight. Most of us are the common soldiers of our time. Henry Wakefield shows us that we are important to the present and the future. Democracy cannot happen without us.

PraiseContinued from Front

About 800 wreaths were laid on graves of veterans and their spouses on Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Chattanooga National Cemetery as part of the 9th annual Wreaths Across America program.

Lt. Col. Jack E. Mullinax II, Civil Air Patrol commander, Group II, welcomed several hundred people to the event.

Speakers were Claude Hardison, president, Tennessee Society, Sons of the American Revolution; Maj. Gen. William B. Raines Jr., U.S. Army retired, former deputy commanding general, 125th U.S. Army Reserve Command; and District 24 Tennessee State Representative Kevin Brooks, past commander and current member Tennessee Legislative Squadron, Civil Air Patrol and member of the Col. Benjamin Cleveland Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution.

Following the speakers’ remarks, seven representatives of the armed services placed wreaths honoring the various branches of service. They included, U.S. Army, Col. Jon K. Holland, U.S. Army Reserve, Afghanistan War

veteran; U.S. Marine Corps, Cpl. Jack D. Murphy, World War II veteran; U.S. Navy, Robert “Bob” George; U.S. Air Force, Lt. Col. Gary Hart, U.S. Air Force retired, veteran of operations in Grenada, Lebanon, Afghanistan and Kuwait; U.S. Coast Guard, Chief Warrant Officer Terry Siler, U.S. Coast Guard retired; U.S. Merchant Marines, Lt. Cdr. Charles Dammann, U.S. Navy Reserves; and American POW/MIA, Cpl. William K. “Bill” Norwood, Korean War POW.

The Tennessee Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, Col. Benjamin Cleveland Chapter Color Guard posted the U.S. and Tennessee flags.

Compatriots John Clines, Staff Sgt. Sam H. Allen, Army National Guard; Chief Petty Officer Stan Evans, U.S. Navy retired; and Command Master Sgt. James Stone, Air National Guard; were the color guard members.

Wreaths Across America takes place each December at Arlington National Cemetery, national cemeteries in all 50 states and at 24 national cemeteries on foreign soil.

State Society places wreaths at Chattanooga National Cemetery

For the first time, as the Wreaths Across America trucks rolled toward Knox County, through Jefferson County, Tennessee, they were met and escorted by law enforcement and many bikers under the lead of Rolling Thunder Tennessee Chapter 3. As they pulled off of Interstate 40 into Farragut, many people lined the streets in patriotic attire and waiving flags.

A host of dignitaries, media

Stephen Holston takes the lead in Knoxvilleoutlets and others anxiously awaited the arrival of the wreaths at the Perceptics Co., where the wreaths were to be stored. The trucks backed into the warehouse where a crew helped unload 6,489 wreaths to be laid in the three Knoxville veterans’ cemeteries. At 7 a.m. Saturday morning, the day began as the team loaded the last two U-Hauls of the three that were donated. All of the logistics

for WAA were provided by Deb McKay. Donny Fitzpatrick recruited two truck drivers to transport the wreaths to the three cemeteries in time to be staged for the ceremonies

After unloading 3,537 wreaths at the Lyon’s View location, the 16 specific requests were fulfilled by the SAR and DAR, then set up the ceremonial room for the event. Many media outlets were present at the request of Knox

County Mayor Tim Burchett.The Stephen Holston

Chapter provided the Color Guard, which included Wayne Croley, Paul Jorden, Ron Jones and David Johnston.

Mayor Burchett was the guest speaker. His team raised more than $56,000 in sponsorships.

The attention that the media outlets gave the arrival of the wreaths to town brought out 200-plus people to the event

to help lay the wreaths. The event went well. There was a record number of wreaths for all three cemeteries and a record number of people who turned out for the event.

Knox County completely covered one of three cemeteries. With planning, beginning in June, and the hopeful commitment of other surrounding counties, the goal is to cover two of cemeteries this December.

Stephen Holston Chapter Color Guard

The Tennessee Patriot Page 11January 2015

Chapter Flag Certificate Presentations

Isaac Shelby Chapter Jackson Purchase Chapter

Lt. William P. Quarles Chapter

P. Z. Horton, left, Isaac Shelby Chapter, presents a Flag Certificate to Perkins General Manager Randy Smith in Germantown.

Jim Briddell, left, Kings Mountain Chapter, presents a Flag Certificate to Pal’s Quick Stop Restaurant CEO Thom Crosby. Dr. John Wakefield and Dr. Darryl Addington helped make the presentation.

Jackson Purchase Vice President Marty Corum presents a Flag Certificate to Discovery Park of America CEO Jim Rippy Jr., on Dec. 23, 2014.

Gordon Brown and Richard Skeels, Lt. William P. Quarles Chapter, present a framed Flag Certificate to East Tennessee Dodge Manager Brandon Letner on Nov. 24, 2014, commending Crossville delership for flying a huge American flag.

Kings Mountain Chapter

January 2015The Tennessee PatriotPage 10

Andrew Jackson Chapter Col. Anthony Bledsoe

Christopher Strong Chapter

Hiwassee Chapter

Chapter Flag Presentations

The Andrew Jackson Chapter presents a Flag Certificate to YMCA of Middle Tennessee on Dec. 30, 2014. In the photo are, left to right, Dr. Robert “Bob” T. Nash, past president Andrew Jackson Chapter; Scott Clinton, director, Bellevue, TN YMCA; Sanford Payton, chapter president; and Maurice Kellogg, past chapter president. Photo by Mercie Evans

The Col. Anthony Bledsoe Chapter presents a Flag Certificate recently to Dr. John S. Bastian, DDS. In the photo are, left to right, Clarence Watson, Steve Gaines, Dr. Bastian, DDS and Fred R. Ryan.

Christopher Strong Chapter President Robert Moore, left, presents a Flag Certificate to Tom Wall on Dec. 26, 2014.

The City of Madisonville was recently recognized for the 1,800 sq-ft. Old Glory American Flag flown on U.S. Highway 411. In the photo are, left to right, Hiwassee Chapter President Randy Ayres, Historian Don Edmands Jr., Mayor Glenn Moser and Aldermen Linda Hensley, Susan Saunders, and Gus Davis. The Madisonville flag is thought to be the tallest in Tennessee.

DENSO Manufacturing of Athens was recognized by the Hiwassee Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution for its exemplary display of the American Flag. In the photo are, left to right, SAR member Randy Ayres, Carol Holmes, Denso; SAR Vice President Tony Underdown, and Wendy Young, Rhea Burns and Daryl Colloms, of DENSO.

State of Franklin Chapter

State of Franklin Chapter President Anthony Elmore, left, presents Holston Electric Cooperative General Manager Larry Elkins a certificate in recognition of the Cooperative’s exemplary patriotic display of the American Flag. Chapter Secretary Richard “Dick” Burdette and Vice-President Rexford “Rex” Ennis observe the presentation.

Page 13The Tennessee PatriotJanuary 2015The Tennessee Patriot January 2015

call for displaying the flag in public only from sunrise to sunset.

However, the flag may be displayed at all times if it’s illuminated during darkness.

The flag should not be subject to weather damage, so it should not be displayed during rain, snow and wind storms unless it is an all-weather flag.

It should be displayed often, but especially on national and state holidays and special occasions.

The flag should be displayed on or near the main building of public institutions, schools during school days, and polling places on election days. It should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.

The flag should never be draped or drawn back in folds. Draped red, white and blue bunting should be used for decoration, with the blue at the top and red at the bottom.

The flag may be flown at

half-staff to honor a newly deceased federal or state government official by order of the president or the governor, respectively.

On Memorial Day, the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon.

Other Things Not to Do with the Flag

Out of respect for the U.S. flag, never:

• dip it for any person or thing, even though state flags, regimental colors and other flags may be dipped as a mark of honor.

• display it with the union down, except as a signal of distress.

• let the flag touch anything beneath it: ground, floor, water, merchandise.

• carry it horizontally, but always aloft.

• fasten or display it in a way that will permit it to be damaged or soiled.

• place anything on the flag, including letters, insignia, or designs of any kind.

• use it for holding anything.• use it as wearing apparel,

bedding or drapery. It should not be used on a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be attached to the uniform of patriotic organizations, military personnel, police officers and firefighters.

• use the flag for advertising or promotion

purposes or print it on paper napkins, boxes or anything else intended for temporary use and discard.

During the hoisting or lowering of the flag or when it passes in parade or review, Americans should stand at attention facing the flag and place their right hand over the heart. Uniformed military members render the military salute.

Men not in uniform should remove any headdress and hold it with their right hand at their left shoulder, the hand resting over the heart.

Those who are not U.S. citizens should stand at attention.

When the flag is worn out or otherwise no longer a fitting emblem for display, it should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.

Page 12

John Sevier Chapter Annual George Washington Dinner will be Thursday, Feb. 5. The social hour begins at 6 p.m. with dinner at 6:30 p.m., in Holiday Inn-Hamilton Place, 2232 Center St., Chattanooga.

Speaker is TNSSAR President Claude T. Hardison Jr.

Menu choices are chicken parmesan w/noodles or prime rib w/baked potatoes. Both dinners include tossed mixed greens w/dressing, asparagus and bread. Dinner cost is $28.00 per person.

Reservations with food

choices and payment are due by Jan. 29.

Contact Jim Cooke by emailing jimcooke1660@bledsoe.net or call 423-881-3152.

Stephen Holston Chapter is hosting a dinner Saturday, Feb. 21, in the East Tennessee Historical Society Museum, 601 South Gay St., Knoxville, TN 37902. Enjoy a museum tour, social hour and a silent auction at 5 p.m., followed by a period dinner at 6 p.m. Cost is $30.

Guest speaker is storyteller Elizabeth Rose. Dinner music will performed by the Knoxville Dulcimer Club. Toast the first president with muscadine juice. RSVP by Friday, Feb. 13. For information, please contact David Johnston via email to

dtjohnston@knology.net. Attire is period dress, black tie, formal or business casual.

The annual Joseph Greer Chapter’s George Washington Dinner will be held Sunday, Feb. 22, at 3 p.m. at the Manchester/Coffee County Conference Center. This is the feature event in the chapter’s annual schedule and is hopeful everyone attends. Guest speaker is Dr. Michael Bradley, a retired history professor from Motlow State Community College and is widely recognized as a leading historian in our area.

Chapters to celebrate Washington’s birthday

Etiquette

Watauga Chapter

On October 25, 2014, a contingent of the Watauga Color Guard assisted the Tennessee Daughter of the America Revolution in placing a marker on the Daniel Boone Trail at Trade, Tenn.

The trail is part of the Great Wilderness Trail, which is credited to Daniel Boone. Descendants of Daniel Boone unveiled the marker.

Watauga Color Guard members Michael Mankin, Tom Vaughn and John Hawthorn of the Watauga chapter TNSSAR posted the colors and presented a final salute with musket fire.

The DAR expressed appreciation for the service.

The Daniel Boone Trail began with Lucy Bramlette Patterson, a native of Tazewell, Tenn. She lived her adult life in Winston-Salem, N.C., and initiated the Interstate Boone Trail Committee, 1912 - 1915 of

North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Kentucky.

Daughters of each state placed markers to commemorate Daniel Boone and the brave pioneers who walked through those four states in search of westward expansion.

The Tennessee DAR placed nine Daniel Boone Trail markers in 1914. The 10th marker, placed in 1915, was placed at the pyramid shape monument at Cumberland Gap.

DAR officers attending the ceremony were Susan Rogers Thomas, TSDAR Regent, 2013-2016

Carol Reynolds Teeters, TSDAR Historian, 2013-2016

Nancy Ganison Hemmrich, TSDAR Regent, 2011- 2013

Dixie Gill Hickey, TSDAR Historian, 2010-2013

Gloria Malley Beauchamp, Project Coordinator, TSDAR Daniel Boone Trail Project, 2012 - 2015.

The State of Tennessee observed its patriotic role with the recent reinstatement of the Powder Branch State Historical Marker.

The marker is at the corner of Milligan Highway and Powder Branch Road, in Carter County.

An earlier and identical marker had been placed nearby, but was uprooted when U. S. Highway 321 was constructed. Kings Mountain Chapter also spearheaded this event.

The Powder Branch marker commemorates the work of Mary Patton before the Battle of Kings Mountain.

She lived near the site of the marker, on what has come to be known as Powder Branch Road. While a woman fighting in the battle would have been considered inappropriate, Mary Patton “did her part” for the success of the battle.

Mary Patton had learned from her father how to make gunpowder. So she made the gunpowder that the Continental Army troops used at the Battle of Kings

Mountain. Those troops, the Overmountain Men, gathered in Fort Watauga at Sycamore Shoals, near modern day Elizabethton, loaded up their gunpowder and other supplies, and marched to Kings Mountain, in South Carolina.

After the Continental troops won the battle, it came to be considered one of the turning points of the entire American Revolution.

Mary Patton was not at the battle, but her gunpowder made a great deal of difference in the outcome of the battle.

The former Powder Branch

marker had been broken, and it was kept in a Tennessee Department of Transportation warehouse in Johnson City.

Joe Chambers and Bob Wetzel, both of the Kings Mountain SAR chapter, corresponded with Linda Wynn, of the Nashville offices of the Tennessee State Historical Commission

about the possibility of the marker being reinstated, or of a new one being installed.

Linda Wynn determined that repair of the former marker would cost almost as much as a new one.

She approved making a new marker; Michael Bare, TDOT, oversaw installation of the new marker and men of Kings Mountain chapter gathered to celebrate the marker.

Watauga Color Guard helps DAR mark Daniel Boone Trail

Kings Mountain Chapter

Continued From Page 3

Powder

In the photo are, left to right, are Kings Mountain chapter members John Wakefield, president; Bob Wetzel, who conducted most of the negotiations regarding the marker; Gordon Edwards; John Kubenka, chapter secretary and TNSSAR state secretary; Ron Whitson, local member and TNSSAR Webmaster; and Joe Chambers. In the center is Lois Wetzel, whose late husband, Fred, initiated the project.

See POWDER, Page 13

“I shall make it the most agreeable part of my duty to study merit and reward the brave and deserving. I assure you, gentleman, that partiality shall never bias my conduct, nor shall prejudice injure any. ... I shall endeavor, as far as I am able, to reward and punish without the least diminution.”

— George Washington

Kings Mountain celebrates new Powder Branch marker

The Tennessee Patriot January 2015Page 14

Joseph Greer Chapter

Page 15The Tennessee PatriotJanuary 2015

You are cordially invited to attend the

Tennessee Society Sonsof the American Revolution

126th Annual Meetingand the

125th Anniversary Celebration of the TNSSAR

including the

Southern District Meeting for members of the

Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee Societies

to the

ReceptionFriday, March 27, 2015

followed by the

Youth Luncheon and

President’s Banqueton

Saturday, March 28, 2015Please RSVP by March 1, 2015

that the written petition had not been presented at the time of the vote.

It was also confirmed by President-Elect Dr. Darryl S. Addington that the Membership and Extension Committee was not involved in the recommendation to create this chapter as required by the By-Laws. President Hardison declared null and void the Oct. 11, 2014, vote for the creation of the Gov. Archibald Roane Chapter.

New Business2015 – 2016 TNSSAR Officers

Nominations: Nominations Committee Chairman Colin Wakefield presented a list of individuals that will be presented as the recommended 2015 – 2016 TNSSAR Officers at the TNSSAR Annual Meeting in March.

Those individuals are: President: Dr. Darryl S. AddingtonPresident Elect: David L. EaganVice President: David E. JohnstonTreasurer: David P. HammettMembership Secretary:

John W. KubenkaRecording Secretary: John W. KubenkaRegistrar: James J. ThweattGenealogist: Richard T. Spencer Jr.Chancellor: Cleo G. Hogan, Esq.Historian: William B. HickersonChaplain Emeritus: Rev.

Dr. John W. Steen Jr.Chaplain: John C. WakefieldSurgeon: Dr. Mark R. RussellWebmaster: Ronald C. WhitsonNational Trustee: Claude

T. Hardison, Jr.Alternate National Trustee:

Dr. Darryl S. Addington.Gen. Joseph Martin Chapter Changes

Membership and Extension CommitteeChairman Darryl Addington stated that the Gen. Joseph Martin Chapter wants to change its name to the Cumberland Gap Chapter. The Membership and Extension Committee concurred with that change. The Gen. Joseph Martin Chapter is now the Cumberland Gap Chapter.

TNSSAR 2015 BudgetFinance Committee Chairman

Joe Chambers reported that the Finance Committee has met and is working on the 2015 budget.

Several of the proposed changes to the budget were discussed. The final budget will be presented at the TNSSAR Annual meeting in March.

Discussion TopicsDistrict Directors: President Hardison

discussed the effectiveness of the District Directors in the three years those positions have existed. Overall it was felt that the District Director positions were needed, but that a check list of duties be developed in addition of general duties outlined in the By-Laws. President Hardisonwill form an ad-hoc committee to make recommendations regarding District Directors.

Other BusinessTN History Day: Compatriot John

McCutchen stated judges and support volunteers are needed to support the various Tennessee History

Day events across the state.Announcements: District 2 Director

David Johnston highlighted the excellent work of Stephen Holston member and Wreaths Across America Committee chairman Lee Johnson with regard to the Wreaths Across America program in the Knoxville area.

More than 6,400 wreaths were placed in the Knoxville area in 2014. A recommendation was made that the TNSSAR society place at least one wreath at every National Cemetery in Tenn. that participates in Wreaths Across America.

Veterans Recognition Committee Chairman Stan Evans discussed the various war campaigns that the Veterans Recognition program recognizes. He stated we need more involvement with the Vietnam 50 Anniversary Commemoration and encouraged the chapters to become more involved in this area.

Constitution and By-Laws Chairman John Henderson stated he was working under the wrong information when he offered an opinion regarding the Gov. Archibald Roane Chapter earlier in the meeting.

Americanism Committee Chairman Lee Johnson reminded the chapters that the Americanism reports needed to be sent in to him by Feb. 14.

The 2015 TNSSAR Annual Meeting will be March 27 and 28. The event hotel will be the Hampton Inn in Cleveland, Tenn., and the meetings and meals will be at the Museum Center at Five Points.

Continued From Page 3Board

Patriot James Lewis honored with grave marking ceremonyThe Joseph Greer Chapter

of the Sons of the American Revolution conducted a grave marking ceremony Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014, for Patriot James Lewis at the Lewis Family Cemetery near the intersection of U.S. 64 and Blue Springs Road in Franklin County, Tennessee.

Patriot Lewis served with distinction in the American Revolutionary War through his participation in the battles of White Plains, Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown and Yorktown.

He was also with Gen. George Washington when he crossed the Delaware River.

Following the war, Patriot

Lewis was given a Land Grant in Franklin County where he erected the first brick house in the area and remained there for the rest of his life. He served as a commissioner for the erection of the first Franklin County jail and courthouse.

The principal speaker for the occasion was Dr. Michael Bradley of Tullahoma, who gave an inspirational talk on events during the American Revolution, highlighting the battles in which Patriot Lewis participated.

Dr. Bradley is retired from 36 years service as a professor of United States history at Motlow State

Community College and is the author of several books and numerous magazine and reference book articles on the Civil War period.

A highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of colors and a three-round musket volley by the Color Guards of the Tennessee and Alabama Societies of the Sons of the American Revolution.

The ceremony was closed by the playing of Taps by Bugler David Eagan of the Tennessee Color Guard.

The dedication and unveiling of markers was led by Dr. Mark Russell, past president of the Joseph Greer Chapter.

Dr. Russell was assisted by James and John Parkes of Fayetteville, who are direct descendants of Patriot James Lewis. The markers consist of a large monument identifying all Lewis Family members buried at the site and highlighting Patriot James Lewis, and the Sons of the American Revolution Patriot Marker.

Other participants in the ceremony were Colin Wakefield, National SAR trustee, Master of Ceremonies; Bill Comer, JGC president, Welcome and recognition of DAR members present;

See LEWIS, Page 15

Jim Armitage, JGC chaplain, Invocation and Benediction; Jim Van Cleave, JGC member, Pledge of Allegiance; James Phillip Parkes, James Lewis descendent, SAR Pledge; Robert Hickey, JGC treasurer, SAR Recessional.

The Joseph Greer Chapter sincerely appreciates the support by the Moore-Cortner Funeral Home of Winchester which included installation of the Lewis Family Cemetery Monument and furnishing and setup of tents and chairs for the event. Also, the Joseph Greer Chapter is indebted to

Mr. Billy Ray Williams, owner of the property on which the Lewis Family Cemetery is located, for his cooperation and for his allowing access to the property for the ceremony.

Continued From Page 14

Lewis

Color Guard with James Lewis descendents, front row left to right, are Rebecca Parkes Pyron, James Parkes, John Parkes, James “Skippy” Parkes, Martha Parkes, Jarrod Parkes and Erin Pyron Patterson.

In the center photo, Patriot James Lewis descendants, John Parkes and James Parkes, unveil Lewis Family Monument.

In the bottom photo is the Patriot Marker.