General Andrew Pickens 266th Birthday
Saturday, September 10, 2005
The testimonial period of our program is open to DAR, SAR and CAR persons whose ancestral bloodline goes back to an individual who aided the cause of America. (We have 3 minutes each.)
This is where we Chapter Regents and Presidents can raise the expectations of our members and offer encouragement. Ours is a challenging time and our participation is the secret to our success, much like the early 1900’s when our organizations were getting their start. Their hope kept them steadfast through their difficult experience in the beginning. They grew and so can we!
As I write this letter, these are my thoughts: My 18th Century granddads, Lt. Robert Stewart, Adjutant James Lusk and Lt. Henry Lusk were Revolutionary War heroes our Nation could count on.
As stated, "Their committed hearts made them heroes". They met their challenges with loyalty and devotion. They were men of courage and valor; persons our Nation could trust.
"A hero is someone we can count on." Along with Gen. Andrew Pickens and Col. Robert Anderson, these men and many others are my heroes because they were persons you could believe in.
This is how our Societies got their start……… The Daughters of the American Revolution and the Sons of the American Revolution are corporations (citizens committies) created by special act of the Congress of the United States to foster the memory, etc. of the American Revolution and its heroes.
The objects of these Societies are to be patriotic, historical and educational, and designed to perpetuate the memory of those patriots who, by their services or sacrifices during the war of the American Revolution, achieved the independence of the American people; to unite and promote fellowship among their descendants; to inspire them and the community-at-large with a more profound reverence for the principles of the government founded by our forefathers. Also, to preserve the records of the individual services of the patriots of the war…to mark the scenes of the Revolution by appropriate memorials.
For example, one of the most important and long-standing projects was the memorial to Adm. John Paul Jones, whose famous reply "I have not yet begun to fight!" characterizes American determination to win in the face of apparent defeat. At the turn of the century, Horace Porter served as American Ambassador to France. For six years, he searched the cemeteries of Paris looking for the grave of John Paul Jones (who had died in Paris). In 1905 he finally found it. A US Naval squadron was dispatched to carry the remains to the US Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. The SAR joined the crusade to obtain funds to create an appropriate final resting spot for this naval hero. Again persistence and patience were necessary, but in 1913, the crypt was completed and dedicated.
This effort led our local DAR/SAR Chapters to dot our landscape with memorials in recognition of our heroes, and the hallowed ground we hold so sacred. We too want to foster the memory of the American Revolution and its heroes!
Always remember, participation is the secret to success. Our jobs are not completed and we need helpers in our undertaking…preserving our history.
"The difficult we do immediately…..the impossible takes a little longer." You see, I’m a former US Navy "Seabee". "Cando" is our motto!. We have a glorious legacy bequeathed by our Patriot ancestors.
Leroy
H. Leroy Stewart, Chapalin, SCSAR; President & Chaplain, Andrew Pickens Chapter, SAR