THE NAPLES CRIER Florida Society sons of the American revolution SINCE 1975 NAPLES CHAPTER NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2015 Dr. Teresa Valcarce wants to see Congress keep a promise it made in 1783. Back then, the year the Revolutionary War ended, Congress agreed to display a portrait of Bernardo de Gálvez in the Capitol to honor the Spanish statesman's efforts to aid the colonies in their struggle against Britain. A group out of Pensacola, Fla., meanwhile, wants to see Gálvez granted honorary citizenship, an honor bestowed Dr. Teresa Valcarce on such notables as Lafayette and Churchill. Never heard of Bernardo de Gálvez? Exactly. He is perhaps the Rodney Dangerfield of the American Revolution. But Valcarce, a Spanish immigrant who obtained her citizenship six years ago, and the Pensacola group hope to remedy that. Gálvez was governor of Louisiana during the reign of King Carlos III. He sent arms and supplies to the colonists and, after Spain's entry into the war in 1779, led attacks on British outposts in the Gulf Coast area. His actions, according to the U.S. Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad, "relieved British pressure on Washington's armies." In Pensacola, when Spanish ships were slow to attack the British capital of West Florida, Gálvez sailed into the harbor This fine event was held at the Country Club of Naples. The banquet room was decorated with typical Christmas decorations and some of the 90 attendees were dressed in period apparel. The festivities started at 5:30 PM with a social. We had a very talented string quartet of junior high age students who played classical selections from the 1700s. It was fun to talk with the parents accompanying the young people. There were snacks and mulled cider, a drink typical of the Revolutionary period to sustain the crowd until dinner. The dinner meeting started at 6 PM with the Posting of the Colors by the Bernardo de Gálvez Camp #13 SAR Color Guard commanded by Don Cahill. Participants included Mike Garey, Ron Benson, John Naples Color Guard (left to right) Compatriots Phil Ballou, Mike Gar- McCullough, ey, Roy Richardson, Ron Benson, Larry Fehrenbaker, Larry Fehrenbaker, and John Phil Ballou and McCullough. Commander Don Roy Richardson. Cahill not shown. Gálvez (Continued on page 4) In keeping with the Dinner (Continued on page 2 Minutes) THE N APLES C RIER - PAGE 1 - J ANUARY 2015 a great evening and I would encourage more of our SAR members to attend these affairs in the future, if past traditions of the Color Guard, we only had one the opportunity arises. Shirley Hoerle was the chair chandelier stabbed by a flag during the posting person for this affair. Excellent! ceremony. Sometimes we have even stabbed the door A Good Time Was Had By All! frames! Who knows what we are capable of doing in the future! - John McCullough, President The meeting progressed with the DAR opening ritual combined with parts of the SAR ritual. We then had welcoming remarks by Trudy Withey, DAR Regent and John McCullough, SAR President. The dinner was served buffet style which allowed the guests to choose their favorites. The menu was typical of the colonial period and some of the dishes were peanut soup, Virginia Ham, baked fish, mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, 2 asparagus dishes, green beans, chipped peanuts and a dessert of peach cobbler served with ice cream. Everyone seemed to be very pleased with the dinner and there was no shortage of food. Dinner (Continued from page 1) Left to Right Trudy Withey, Regent Big Cypress DAR and Larry Fehrenbaker, SVP FLSSAR Colonial re-enactors of the Big Cypress DAR and Naples SAR Color Guard portray their patriot ancestors in period clothing for their role during the American Revolution Our main entertainment for the evening was presented by Kay Yarbrough. She played the role of a wife of a revolutionary soldier who was writing a letter to her husband. It was a moving performance and it contained many of the anxieties that a military wife would have for her husband and her family. These emotions are as applicable today as they were then. In summary, I would say this was a very enjoyable evening and it was expecially heartening see that the attendees were circulating and making new aquaintances and renewing existing ones. There were several people attending that were perspective members of both the DAR and the SAR. The DAR ladies are to be congratulated on providing THE N APLES C RIER - PAGE Bernardo de Galvez Camp #13 Color Guard members and Big Cypress First Vice Regent Shirley Hoerle discussing the evening’s program. Past President Roy Richardson and his wife, Dory Richardson 2 - J ANUARY 2015 Other photos taken at December 12th DAR/SAR Colonial Christmas Dinner Wendy and Naples SAR Registrar Ed Lary Naples SAR Secretary Robert White and wife, Vicki. 1st. VP Mike Garey and wife, Victoria Toter Compatriot W. James McBath, III and Big Cypress DAR Registrar Patricia Schaar Past Registrar Ronald Benson Naples SAR President John L. McCullough addressing the group. Photos courtesy of Larry and Jeanne Fehrenbaker THE N APLES C RIER - PAGE 3 - J ANUARY 2015 Gálvez (Continued from page 1) alone, according to the Defense Department's "Hispanics in A merica's Defense." "Shamed and inspired by his example of personal leadership and bravery, the remaining ships followed," the report says. Gálvez's coat of arms later included a ship with a flying pennant that says, "Yo Solo," or "I alone." "As Lafayette was the symbolic representative of France, Bernardo de Gálvez should be the symbolic representative of Spain," says a report sent to Congress by Pensacola residents backing honorary citizenship. "Both countries provided vital support to the continental government, yet Spain's influence often has been overlooked." It's not as if Gálvez has been entirely forgotten. Galveston, Texas, is named after him. A 15-cent postage stamp was issued in his honor in 1980. He is lesser known than other Revolutionary War heroes, such as the Marquis de Lafayette, whose portrait hangs in the House chamber, and Thaddeus Kosciuszko, who has a bust in the Capitol and a street named after him in downtown Los Angeles, albeit a very short one. Washington has a statue of the Spaniard astride a horse, a 1976 bicentennial gift from Spain, but it often draws the same response from passersby: Who? "I gave a talk to 200 people in Galveston, Texas, and three people raised their hands when I asked if they knew where the town's name came from," said Thomas E. Chavez, author of "Spain and the Independence of the United States: An Intrinsic Gift." Recognition of Gálvez, he said, "will open up a whole new world of information about the birth of our nation and will take an already beautiful story and make it better." Valcarce was unaware of Gálvez's role in the revolution until she visited Mobile, Ala., site of one of his battles. "We were just walking around the city," she said. "Suddenly, I saw the symbol of Malaga." It was a statue of a fisherman carrying baskets on his shoulders — identical to one in the Spanish province where Gálvez was born. At the time, Valcarce was living in Malaga (then a sister city of Mobile). Then she spotted a plaque describing Gálvez's exploits. That was 16 years ago. Recently, Valcarce read an article in a Spanish newspaper saying the Continental Congress had accepted a portrait of Gálvez. That launched the 45-year-old mother of three from the Washington area on a mission to get a newly commissioned portrait of Gálvez hung in the Capitol. "I am only asking my country to keep its word," she said. The Continental Congress in 1783 voted to accept New Orleans merchant Oliver Pollock's offer of a portrait of Gálvez "to be placed in the room in which Congress meet[s]," according to the Journals of the Continental Congress. But whether a portrait was ever put on display is unclear. Valcarce, who works as an administrative assistant, has pored through historic records, visited congressional offices and raised the matter with the Spanish prime minister during a recent gathering at the Washington home of Spain's ambassador to the U.S. "The guy who picks up the phone at the Historical Office of the Senate calls me 'the Lady of the Portrait,'" she said. Valcarce has lined up support for her cause, and a group is ready to donate a new portrait. "If we make a promise to hang a portrait of the Spanish hero of the American Revolution in the U.S. Capitol building, and we can honor that promise without spending a nickel, why don't we?" said Joseph W. Gálvez (Continued on page 5) THE N APLES C RIER - PAGE 4 - J ANUARY 2015 Gálvez (Continued from page 4) Dooley, president general of the 33,000-member National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. The case of honorary citizenship was floated in the past, but gained new impetus after Gálvez was named a Great Floridian by the state in 2012. "Almost everyone in Pensacola knows about this magnificent Spaniard," said Nancy Fetterman, a volunteer historian. Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla.,1st congressional district), who represents the area, introduced the citizenship legislation, lining up the support of the Florida House delegation. But it won't be easy. The last time Congress awarded honorary citizenship was in 2009 to another Revolutionary War general, the Polish-born Casimir Pulaski. Rep. Jeff Miller Others conferred the honor were Lafayette; Winston Churchill; Mother Teresa; Pennsylvania founder William Penn and his wife, Hannah; and Raoul Wallenberg, the Swedish diplomat who rescued thousands of Jews from Nazi death camps. Honorary citizenship has been proposed for others, including Anne Frank, Alexander Solzhenitsyn and Anwar Sadat. None got it. By Richard Simon of the Los Angeles Times (February 2014) [email protected] Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times 113TH 2D Conferring honorary citizenship of the United States on Bernardo de count of Galveston and Count of y Madrid, Vis- IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED 4, Mr. (for himself and Mr. introduced the twice and referred to the Committee on the Judici joint resolution; which was read Conferring honorary citizenship of the United States on Bernardo de y Madrid, Viscount of Galveston Count of Whereas the United States has conferred honorary citizenship on 7 other occa sions during its history, and honorary citizenship is and should remain an ext raordinary honor not lightly conferred nor frequently Whereas Bernardo de y Madrid, Viscount of Galveston and Count of was a hero of the Revolutionary who risked his life for the freedom of the United people and provided supplies, intelligence, and strong support to the war effort; Whereas Bernardo de recruited an army of 7,500 men made up of SpanResolution (Continued on page 6) THE N APLES C RIER - PAGE 5 - J ANUARY 2015 Resolution (Continued from page 5) ish, French, African-American, Mexican, Cuban, and Anglo-American forces and led the effort of Spain to aid the United States colonists against Whereas during the Revolutionary War, Bernardo de and his troops seized the Port of New and successfully defeated the British at battles Rouge, Louisiana, Natchez, Mississippi, Alabama; Whereas Bernardo de led the successful 2-month Siege of Pensacola, Florida, where his captured the capital of British West Florida and left British with no naval bases in the Gulf of Mexico; Whereas Bernardo de strating bravery was wounded during Siege of Pensacola, demon endeared him to the United States soldiers; Whereas Bernardo de George Washington as Whereas Bernardo de tionary War; victories against British were recognized by deciding factor in the outcome of the Revolutionary War; helped draft the terms of treaty that ended the Revolu- Whereas the United States Continental declared, on October 31, 1778, their gratitude favorable sentiments to Bernardo de for his conduct towards the United Whereas after the war, Bernardo de served of New Spain and led the effort to chart the Gulf of ico, including Galveston Bay, the largest bay on the Texas coast; Whereas several geographic locations, including Galveston Bay, Galveston, Texas, Galveston County, Texas, Louisiana, and St. Bernard Louisiana, are named after Bernardo de 38 38 Whereas the State of Florida has honored Bernardo de with the designation of Great Floridian; Whereas Bernardo de played an integral role in Revolutionary War and helped secure the independence of United States: Now, therefore, be Resolution (Continued on page 7) THE N APLES C RIER - PAGE 6 - J ANUARY 2015 Resolution (Continued from page 6) 1 2 by the Senate and House the United States 3 That Bernardo de 4 and Count of Representatives America in Congress assembled, y Madrid, Viscount of Galveston is proclaimed posthumously to be 5 an honorary citizen of the United Dr. Teresa Valcarce THE N APLES C RIER - PAGE 7 - J ANUARY 2015 Thursday, January 15, 2015, Luncheon Meeting Annual Rumbaugh Oration Contest, Reservation form is on last page Friday-Saturday, January 30 to 31, 2015 2015 Winter Florida Society SAR Board of Manager Meeting (all compatriots welcomed) THE FLORIDA HOTEL AND CONFERENCE CENTER at the Florida Mall 1500 SAND LAKE ROAD, ORLANDO, FL GPS ADDRESS: 8001 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL 32809 See the Winter issue of The Florida Patriot for a registration form: (http://www.flssar.org/FLSSAR/Tabs.asp) From: Ed Butler Date: December 18, 2014 at 11:39:23 AM EST To: Compatriots Subject: Gálvez becomes a U.S. Citizen Dear fellow compatriots, The President signed House Resolution 105 into law on December 16, 2014, conferring honorary U.S. citizenship to Bernardo de Gálvez, making him only the eighth person in our country's history to receive this honor. Thursday, February 12, 2015, Luncheon Meeting Annual JROTC Recognition Program Naples Chapter SAR Officer Nominations for 2015-2016 Thursday, March 12, 2015, Luncheon Meeting Naples Chapter 42nd Charter Day and 2015-2016 Officer Election and Installation Review of Collier County Schools Social Studies Program with Wendy Hodgson Thursday, April 9, 2015, Luncheon Meeting Poster Contest Judging Collier County JROTC Program Course Work, Teams and Community Service Presented by one of the Senior Instructors Just one week ago a portrait of Gálvez was hung in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee meeting room. Thus, there were two national-level actions recognizing this Spanish hero of the American Revolution in one week! We are witnessing a surge in interest for this Spanish hero who helped us become the United States of America. All members of the SAR should be proud to know that our efforts are contributing to this surge in interest. Friday-Sunday, May 1 to May 3, 2015 Spring & Annual Flor ida Society SAR Board of Manager Meeting (all compatriots welcomed) THE FLORIDA HOTEL AND CONFERENCE CENTER at the Florida Mall 1500 SAND LAKE ROAD, ORLANDO, FL GPS ADDRESS: 8001 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL 32809 Thursday, May 7, 2015, Luncheon Meeting Program: TBA THE N APLES C RIER - Thanks for the assistance of PGs Brock and Dooley and DAR President General, Lynn Forney Young. Merry Christmas to all. Ed Butler President General 2009-2010 PAGE 8 - J ANUARY 2015 Minutes BOD Meeting 12-11-14 Treasurer's Report- Dick Hazen reported we are in good shape financially. Total Assets $17,165, Total Liabilities $4,095 as of Dec 10th. Secretary's Report- Our initial Chapter Annual Report has been submitted to the FLSSAR by Rich Wright. We have several members who have not paid their dues and we will be providing reminders. Registrar's Report- Ed Lary was unable to attend, but has since provided his report showing one approved member application. He has 4 applications in the approval process and 5 applications in work. This is more good news for the Chapter. Education Report- The final approval of our programs in the Collier District schools was received on Nov. 19th. This delayed approval adversely affected the Rumbaugh Oration Contest, yet we have one home schooled student planning to enter and another contestant from the public schools considering! Planning for the Rumbaugh Contest is in work with the selection of judges. Bernardo de Gálvez Camp #13 Color Guard-Don Cahill gave an update of the revised requirements for the awarding of medals to Color Guard members. Nominating Committee-We have selected nominating committee members consisting of John McCullough, Mike Garey and Ed Lary. With the increase in new members, we are trying to work them into the officer ranks and committee chairmanships to provide new thought and to give our old members a rest. We are asking that our present officers, committee chairmen and others to provide the names of candidates for our new leadership. Welcoming Letter-Mike Garey is putting together an informative letter or memo for new members that will provide them more details on our Chapter to aid in their understanding of our purpose, organization and outreach programs. Item of Interest- Bernardo de Galvez for whom our Color Guard is named was the Spanish governor of the Gulf Coast region during the Revolution. He led the attacks on the British forts in that region thus aiding the American Colonies in gaining their independence from Britain. Congress has approved legislation to make him an honorary citizen of the USA. Our Chapter has received funding from the FLSSAR Endowment Trust Fund as reimbursement for some of our program expenditures. Discussions concerning our membership directory are in work! John McCullough, President HELP Photos are fun and add to the news and memories of fellow compatriots; BUT, we need someone to take and forward photos to your editor at [email protected]. All photos are welcome! Please bring your digital camera or smartphone to the next SAR event or luncheon meeting. THE N APLES C RIER - PAGE 9 - J ANUARY 2015 Naples Chapter of the FLSSAR Officers (2014-2015) President: John L. McCullough* email: [email protected] Immediate Past President: Lawrence G. Fehrenbaker, Sr., MD * email: [email protected] 1st Vice President: Michael E. Garey* Email: [email protected] 2nd Vice President: E. Richard Wright* email: [email protected] Secretary: Robert M. White, Sr., Ph.D.* email: [email protected] Treasurer: W. Richard Hazen * email: [email protected] Asst. Treasurer: Donald B. Cahill 1 email: [email protected] Chancellor: James M. McGarity, Esq. * email: [email protected] Chaplain: Charles E. Cortright email: [email protected] Registrar: J. Edward Lary 1 email: [email protected] Historian: Donald B. Cahill Bernardo de Gálvez Camp #13: Color Guard Commander Donald B. Cahill Sergeants-at-Arms: 1) Donald B. Cahill, 2) John L. McCullough Naples Crier Editor and Webmaster: I. Harris Tucker Email: [email protected] * Board of Directors for (2014-2015) 1 At-Large Member Board of Directors for (2014-2015) THE N APLES C RIER - PAGE 10 - J ANUARY 2015 Thursday, January 15, 2015, Luncheon Meeting The Annual Rumbaugh Oration Contest will be held at our January Luncheon Meeting at The Club at Longshore Lake The reservation form is on page 12. All Naples Chapter members are welcome at Florida Society SAR Board of Manager Meetings. The next meeting (2015 Winter Florida Society SAR Board of Manager Meeting) will be held FridaySaturday (morning), January 30 to 31, 2015, at THE FLORIDA HOTEL AND CONFERENCE CENTER at the Florida Mall 1500 SAND LAKE ROAD, ORLANDO, FL GPS ADDRESS: 8001 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL 32809 Florida State meetings provide an excellent setting for acquainting chapter members with fellow compatriots and learning more about the activities of other state chapters. A business session is usually scheduled Friday morning and afternoon with a banquet dinner in the evening. The Color Guard is composed of Color Guard members from various state chapters and presents a colorful introduction to the banquet. This year offers a unique opportunity to meet NSSAR officers. Florida compatriot Lindsey Cook Brock (Jacksonville Chapter) is President General and Rev. Dr. Randy D. Moody (Caloosa Chapter FLSSAR) is Chaplain General. Registration form: See the Winter Issue of The Florida Patriot for a registration form: (http://www.flssar.org/FLSSAR/Tabs.asp) Naples Chapter Color Guard, Donald B Cahill, Commander Members: Jim Applegate Phil Ballou Ron Benson Don Cahill Ron Cormier Larry Fehrenbaker Mike Garey Jay Jewett John McCullough Jim McBath Jim McGarity Roy Richardson Chuck Sweeney Rob Withey All Compatriots are encouraged to join in the fun. On occasion some have donned a tricorn with white shirt and blazer and participated. Commander Donald B. Cahill email: [email protected] Commander Donald B. Cahill FLSSAR Trivia Current membership is at 2,016 members -May 2, 2014. Largest Chapter is Palm Beach; Smallest chapter is Panama City The oldest Chapter is Miami accredited in 1898 and the newest Chapter is South Shore accredited in 2013. The largest Chapters are Palm Beach (148), Saramana (147), Clearwater (135) and Jacksonville (134). The smallest is Panama City (18). THE N APLES C RIER - PAGE 11 - J ANUARY 2015 The Naples Crier c/o I. Harris Tucker 8919 Park Road, Apt 4015 Charlotte, North Carolina 28210-7612 January 2015 LUNCHEON MEETING RESERVATIONS for THURSDAY January 15, 2015 The Club at Longshore Lake is very accommodating and will provide special diet meals, if advised a week in advance. To enable the Club at Longshore Lake to better accommodate us for both room size and meal quantities, we are asked to provide them with the number of reservations a few days before each meeting. Accordingly, compatriots and others planning to attend the luncheons are asked to let us know by telephone, email or by completing the reservation form below and mailing your check payable to Naples Chapter SAR: c/o Donald B. Cahill, Assistant Treasurer, 700 110th Avenue North, Naples, Florida 34108-1820 Tel: (239) 597-8896; Email: [email protected] ________ Luncheon (s) @ $23. = _____________ Your name (Print) ________________________________________Non-Sugar dessert__________ Guest names (Print) ______________________________________ Non-Sugar dessert__________ Additional names may be printed on reverse side. Send your reservation & payment to be received by Thursday, January 8, 2015 THE N APLES C RIER - PAGE 12 - J ANUARY 2015
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