The Iowa Patriot
The Journal of the Iowa Society Sons of the American Revolution
Volume 2009 Number 2 Spring 2009
As to the history of the revolution, my ideas may be peculiar, perhaps singular.
What do we mean by the Revolution? The War? That was no part of the revolution;
it was only an effect and consequence of it.
The revolution was in the minds of the people, and this was affected from 1760 – 1775 in the course of fifteen years, before a drop of blood was shed at Lexington.
John Adams, letter to Thomas Jefferson Aug. 24, 1815
The 116th Annual Meeting of the Iowa Society Sons of the American Revolution will be held on Saturday April 25, 2009.
The meeting will be held at the Clive Special Events building located at 1801 NW 114th St, Clive. Next to the Clive Aquatics Center.
Schedule of Events
The Events building will open at 11:00 AM for a social gathering of Compatriots and families.
Sign in with a quill pen
Come to say hello – stay to make new friends. See the Color Guard uniforms and equipment
Come see this -- a 1777 Charlesville flintlock rifle
Find your name in “The Book” The official Iowa Society SAR membership book
A potluck lunch will begin about 11:30 A.M. and the Annual business meeting will open at 12:30 PM
A meat dish, soft drinks, coffee and tea will be furnished
Bring your favorite dish, salad or desert to share and your own table service.
President Rowley has a presentation, “Perceptions of George Washington Then and Now”
See a power point story about SAR
The Iowa Children of the American Revolution is a strong and growing organization with six active Chapters
Come hear their report from Betsy Ehmcke, CAR State President
Annual Business Meeting
Business on the agenda include the reports from officers for the past year. The Report of the Nominations Committee and election of state officers. All state offices will be open for nominations. Elected officer’s terms are for two years and each may be re-elected to a second term. The Webmaster, ROTC Chairman, Eagle Scout Chairman and the Editor are appointed by the Board of Managers.
There will be a proposal to amend the Constitution and Bylaws to divide the Secretary’s duties into two jobs.
The Secretary will do the usual duties of secretary and the Membership Secretary, becomes responsible for membership records, dues notices and receiving all dues money.
The Awards Committee will honor those nominated for their service to IASSAR
1
For All Veterans of Any
U.S. Military Service.
Now you may give the hand salute legally!
A new law, part of FY09 National Defense Authorization Act and FY08 NDAA, permits veterans who are not in uniform to render the military hand salute during the playing of the National Anthem, and the raising, lowering or passing of the U. S. flag.
Dr. James M Peak, Secretary of Veterans Affairs said, “The military salute is a unique gesture of respect that marks those who have served in our nation’s armed forces. This provision allows the application of that honor in all events involving our national flag”
From the “Echoes”, the bulletin for retired soldiers and families.
Issue 1, Volume 53 Jan 2009.
Previous to this change the military hand salute was permitted by federal regulation only if the veteran was in a military uniform.
The State Awards Committee, inactive for the past two years, is rebuilding and looking for compatriots to help. The eyes and ears of IASSAR are in almost every county in Iowa.
One award, The Flag Certificate is presented to persons, businesses, and government agencies that fly the United States flag according to the US Flag code, for patriotic purposes only. There can be no hint of a commercial or advertising gain.
Any member of the Iowa Society may nominate someone for this award.
The Awards Committee is searching for and wants to honor citizens who display the American Flag in this manner. Look around your town.
Who has their flag displayed. If they meet the standards above, nominate them. Please send the name and contact information of the nominee with a brief description of the flag display to Ray Prusia, Chairman of the Flag Committee at 712-256-7555 or or to Francis Keith, . If you have a suitable photograph it may be used
Honor your neighbors, who honor our flag.
*************
The Iowa Patriot is issued four times each year for the information and use of Compatriots of the Iowa Society Sons of the American Revolution. Stories and news items should be sent to the Editor, The Iowa Patriot, 1565 – Castlegar Court, Pleasant Hill, Iowa 50327 or to
File SAR 2009 Spring Patriot
Wreaths Across America –
December 12, 2009
The Board of Managers has voted to support the Wreaths Across America program again in 2009. This worthy project requires two things to be successful – willing volunteers to help with the Wreath laying ceremony and money to buy the wreaths. The main cemetery serviced by the Central Iowa chapter is Woodland Cemetery in Des Moines, but wherever you live in Iowa where there are veterans buried, we will get a wreath to you.
See the report of the 2008 WAA project in the January 2009 Patriot. Contact the Editor to volunteer.
Election of Officers
On Saturday April 25, 2009 officers of the Iowa Society SAR will be elected for the new term. A nominating committee is working now – All Compatriots are urged to consider volunteering.
The following officers will be elected:
President Membership Secretary
1st Vice President Registrar
2nd Vice President Historian
Treasurer Chaplain
Secretary Chancellor
Terms of office are for two years with an option to serve a second term.
Iowa SAR needs you to make IASSAR a strong and viable society. Contact Mike Rowley, our retiring president, at
515-975-0498 or or Francis Keith at or 515-265-6230
Call us and say, “I’ll Serve !”
Eagle Scout Award - 2008
President Mike Rowley and Dave Shannon, Eagle Scout Chairman presented the 2008 Eagle Scout Award to Ian
James Michel of Troop 235, in Riverside Iowa at a Court of Honor held on March 1, 2009.
Ian received the Bronze Eagle Trophy, Scholarship Medal, a certificate and a cash award. This was Ian’s third time to win this distinguished award
As the state winner, Ian was entered in the national competition, but did not place in that contest. The second place Eagle Scout, Jacob Thomas Stonesifer of Troop 188, LeMars, received a certificate and medal
Eagle Scouts may enter this contest beginning in the year they receive their Eagle Award and until they are age 18.
1