Compatriots and Friends:
It’s been a while since I’ve prepared and sent out a newsletter, but I hope you have checked the Chapter website. VP Elijah Shalis has done a great job of posting information and keeping it up to date. Much of the information that you will see here in the Patriot Press is on the website https://hvcmissar.wordpress.com/ I hope your summer has been enjoyable. It seems to have gone by very fast. While we don’t have regular Chapter meetings during the summer, the Chapter has been active.
A major event for us this year was the Grave Dedication for Pvt. James Robinson at the Elmwood Cemetery in Detroit. Pvt. Robinson was a slave who served in both the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. He settled in Detroit and died in 1868 at the age of 115. More information about him is posted on the Chapter website.
The event was well attended with representatives from the DAR, C.A.R., Michigan Society of the War of 1812, the Daughters of the War of 1812, the American Legion and military and elected officials, including a member of Congress. The MISSAR Color Guard and the American Legion Honor Guard provided military honors. There are photos from the event later in the newsletter. Vice President Elijah Shalis deserves a lot of credit for the work to organize the event. He worked for many months to make the event a success.
We also had a Summer Social Dinner which was well attended. State President Ken Goodson joined us for the evening. It was good to get together for some fun. In July, I attended the SAR National Congress in
California. This was my third Congress, but first trip to California. At one of the banquets, the speaker was
Captain Charlie Plumb, a retired Naval Aviator who was shot down over North Vietnam and spent nearly six years a prisoner of war. An inspiring presentation. There were the usual Trustee meetings and general business sessions. New National officers were elected. Huron Valley is probably very unique in that two Chapter members were elected and installed as Vice Presidents General for the same year. Bill Sharp, who has his primary membership in Indiana, is the Central District VPG while I am now the VPG for the Great Lakes District which include Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin. Congress is not all business as there are group tours which are interesting and enjoyable. Sue and I also spent some time before and after Congress doing touristy things including a trip to Disneyland. An upcoming SAR Magazine will have much more information about events at Congress. Next year, it will be in Richmond, Virginia. Consider attending. Michigan usually has more delegate positions than attendees. Having Chapter members active at the State and National levels can create some problems. Our usual third Saturday meeting date coincides with the SAR Leadership meeting in Louisville. With three Chapter members, including two officers, expected to be there, we’ve changed our meeting date and place. It will be at 10:00 a.m. September 14th at the Ypsilanti District
Library.
Michigan is hosting the Great Lakes District this year. It will be in Ann Arbor on October 18 and 19. The events will include a tour of the Clements Library, a color guard ceremony and a banquet on Friday, then meetings on Saturday. Please consider attending and meeting members from the District.
I hope to see many of you at these meetings. Jim Petres, President Huron Valley Chapter
NEW MEMBER
Paul Graham was inducted as a new member of the
Chapter. President Jim Petres presented him with
his membership certificate and Past President Tom
Pleuss, who was his sponsor, pinned the rosette.
PROGRAM
Louis Miller, from the Clements Library at the
University of Michigan, spoke about the life of
American Expeditionary Force soldiers in France
during World War I.
.
NEW MEMBER
John Morrison was inducted as a new member of
the Chapter. Since his application was approved
earlier in the month, his certificate had not yet
arrived for presentation, however, his sponsor,
Past President Tom Pleuss, pinned the rosette.
PROGRAM
The program was a video of the Texas Society Color
Guard presentation of the flags of the Revolution.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
Mike Pohlman was presented with a Certificate of
Appreciation for his service as a MISSAR Trustee
representing the Chapter during 2017-2018.
PROGRAM
Emiko Hastings and Cheney Schopieray, from the
Clements Library at the University of Michigan,
spoke about the digitization of records at the
Library.
State President Ken Goodson visited the Chapter.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
Compatriot Clarence “Mike” Harper was presented
the War Medal for his service in the United States
Marine Corps during World War II. He served in
the Pacific Theater.
PLEASE NOTE THE DATE and LOCATION
The next meeting will be Saturday, September 14,
2019 at 10:00 a.m. at the Ypsilanti District Library,
located at 5577 Whittaker Road, Ypsilanti.
The meeting was changed from the usual 3
rdSaturday due to a conflict with NSSAR Leadership
Meeting in Louisville. The Plymouth Library was
not available on the 14
th.
Saturday November 16, 2019 – Plymouth Library
Saturday January 18, 2020 – Plymouth Library
Saturday March 21, 2020 – Plymouth Library
Saturday May 9, 2020 – Plymouth Library
About 25 members and guests attended the Summer Social Dinner at Karl’s Cabin on July 24th. State
President Ken Goodson joined the HVC group for the evening.
At the Summer Social, Compatriot Mike Harper was given a special dessert in recognition of his 95th
birthday, which he celebrated the prior week.
May Meeting Highlights
HVC Summer Social
Next Chapter Meeting – September 14
Eagle Scout Ceremony
Past President John Critchett presented a certificate to his nephew, Eagle Scout Marc Lane at the Court of Honor on May 18, 2019.
JROTC Silver Medal
Vice President Elijah Shalis presented the Bronze ROTC Medal to Cadet Daniel Angulo on May 2nd. Cadet
Angulo is a student at River Rouge High School where he is a member of the Marine Corp JROTC program.
Naval Sea Cadet Corps Ceremony
President Jim Petres presented the Bronze Good Citizenship Medal to Naval Sea Cadet Corp Chief Petty Officer Alyssa Vossen at the Wolverine Division ceremony in Monroe.
Other Awards
The Huron Valley Chapter also participated in other ceremonies and presented awards for which no photographs are available.
Vice President Elijah Shalis presented Silver ROTC Medals to U. S. Army ROTC Cadet Gavin Harvey at Eastern Michigan University in March.
In April, Vice President Shalis attended the ceremony at the University of Michigan and presented Silver ROTC Medal to U.S. Air Force Cadet Colin Boeger, U.S. Army Cadet Nathaniel Pastano and U.S. Navy Midshipman Elijah Dobos.
In June, Vice President Shalis presented a certificate and a $100 check to the Chapter Eagle Scholarship winner, John Jasinski of Troop 185.
Memorial Day
Chaplain Sam Laswell and his wife Judy attended the Memorial Day ceremony at the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly. Chaplain Laswell presented a wreath on behalf of SAR.
Color Guard at DAR Grave Dedication
The Michigan Society Color Guard participated at a DAR Grave Dedication at the Glenwood Cemetery in Flint to honor Pvt. Charles Stewart on May 11th. The Huron Valley Chapter was represented by President Jim Petres.
SAR National Congress
The Michigan Society contingent at the National Congress in Costa Mesa, California included two Huron Valley Chapter members.
Back row: State President Ken Goodson (WMC), Paul Callanan (NMC), Jim Petres (HVC), Joe Conger (NMC) and Bill Sharp (HVC)
Front row: Keitha Callanan, Sue Petres and Mary Conger.
Huron Valley Chapter members Jim Petres and Bill Sharp were installed as Vice Presidents General.
SAR and 1812 Markers at Grave
MISSAR Color Guard
American Legion Honor Guard
DAR Ladies at Grave Dedication
Speakers and Dignitaries
Member of Congress Rashida Tlaib presents a Congressional Resolution to Vice President Elijah Shalis
Madden Brady, Past President Michigan Society Children of the American Revolution
Speakers and Dignitaries
Dr. Grace Bliss Smith, President Michigan Society U. S. Daughters of 1812
HVC Member, Al Treppa, President Michigan Society War of 1812 with HVC VP Elijah Shalis
Speakers and Dignitaries
VP Elijah Shalis with Major General Leonard Isabelle, Asst. Adjutant General and
Commander of the Michigan Air National Guard
American Legion Past Michigan State Commander Dick Chatman with VP Elijah Shalis.
Mr. Chatman helped with the planning and logistics of the event and arranging for American Legion Honor
Guard participation.
Dignitaries and Attendees
Piper Ron Barnard, DAR member Laura Barnard, Drummer David Moore and Michigan Society of the War
of 1812 Vice President Fred Barnard.
Drummer David Moore, HVC Chaplain Sam Laswell and Piper Ron Barnard.
Attendees
HVC Vice President Mickey McGuire and member Bill Sharp talk with attendees.
DAR Member Sue Petres and HVC President Jim Petres
Color Guard Sword Salute
Attendees
After the ceremony for Pvt. Robinson, the Color Guard walked a short distance for a short ceremony at the grave of Adjutant James Witherell who also fought in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. During the
War of 1812, he was in command of the troops at Detroit until captured the by British. He also served in Congress and was a justice of the Supreme Court for the
Territory of Michigan and for a short time. His grave was previously marked, but the original
marker is missing.
September 2 — Labor Day – Fly the Flag
September 11 — Patriot Day – Fly the Flag
September 14 — Huron Valley Chapter meeting
September 17 — Constitution Day – Fly the Flag
September 19-21 — NSSAR Leadership Meeting
September 27 — Native American Day – Fly the Flag
October 14 — Columbus Day – Fly the Flag October 18–19 — SAR Great Lakes District Meeting
and MISSAR Board of Managers meeting. Ann Arbor October 19 — Sweetest Day
November 11 — Veterans Day – Fly the Flag
November 16 — Huron Valley Chapter meeting January 18 — Huron Valley Chapter meeting
January 20 — Martin Luther King Day – Fly the Flag
February 21–23 — M.S.C.A.R. State Conference
February 27-29 — NSSAR Leadership Meeting
March 21 — Huron Valley Chapter meeting
April 3 — MISSAR Annual Gala Banquet – Ann Arbor – All members and guests are welcome!
April 4 — MISSAR Board of Managers and Annual Membership meetings – Youth Awards Presentations April 17-19 — N.S.C.A.R. National Conference
May 9 — Huron Valley Chapter meeting
July 9-16 — NSSAR Congress in Virginia
Upcoming Events
For past, present and future information about the Huron Valley Chapter, please visit our website at
https://hvcmissar.wordpress.com.
Michigan Society SAR: http://missar.org/default.html
National Society SAR: https://www.sar.org/
The Patriot Press is the Chapter Newsletter of the Huron Valley Chapter. We are looking for an editor. If you are interested or have an article or information to contribute, contact President Jim Petres at [email protected]
Kroger Community Rewards
President: James Petres 1st Vice President: Mickey McGuire
2nd Vice President: Elijah Shalis
Treasurer: Jack Hamm Secretary: Jack Underwood Chaplin: Samuel Laswell Genealogist: Thomas Pleuss Registrar: Allan Treppa Historian: Open
Marshal: Joseph Capece HVC Directors: Thomas Fountain
Michael Pohlman DAR/CAR Liaison: Open
MISSAR Trustees: Vacant Vacant Past President John Critchett
Our Chapter participates in the Kroger Community Rewards program. We receive a percentage of the purchases made by program members. It helps fund our activities.
If you haven’t enrolled, please consider it. Here’s how: 1. Get a Kroger Plus Shopper’s Card at your local
Kroger store.
2. Register your card and create an account at Kroger.com.
3. Select “Huron Valley Chapter NSSAR #48121” as the organization you want to support.
4. Shop at Kroger and use your Kroger Plus Shopper’s Card when you check out.
5. Your selected organization must be renewed once a year. An email reminder will be sent.
Please take advantage of this easy way to raise money for the Chapter. Share this information with your family and friends so that they can help us raise funds.
2018-2020 Committee Chairmen
The Patriot Press
Membership: Mickey McGuire (1st VP)
Program: Elijah Shalis (2nd VP)
Finance & Audit: Open (Director) Public Relations: Elijah Shalis Medals & Awards: Mike Pohlman
Barry Puckett Elijah Shalis DAR/C.A.R. Liaison: Open Veterans Affairs: Open Flag: Sam Laswell