WITHLACOOCHEE CHAPTER PHOTO ALBUM PICTURES from the September 11, 2010 Meeting - DAR NATIONAL MUSEUM & AWARDS PICTURES from the October 9, 2010 Meeting - Visits by FLSAR State Officers October 28, 2010 - Harley Greeted at Ocala Airport on His Return from Washington DC after "His Honor Flight" PICTURES from the November 6, 2010 Veteran's Day Display at the Crystal River Mall PICTURES from the November 11, 2010 Veteran's Day Parade in Inverness PICTURES from the November 13, 2010 Meeting in Inverness PICTURES from the November 20, 2010 BOM Meeting in Kissimmee PICTURES from the December 4, 2010 Eagle Scout Presentation PICTURES from the December 9, 2010 Visit to the Baldemero VA Nursing Home Thank You LETERS [pdf] from the Baldemero VA Nursing Home PICTURES from the December 11, 2010 Meeting PICTURES from the January 15, 2011 Meeting PICTURES from the January 29, 2011 B.O.M. Meeting PICTURES from the February 12, 2011 Meeting PICTURES from the Presidents Day Celebration at Lakes Region Library PICTURES from the 228th Anniversary Celebration of the Last Naval Battle PICTURES from the March 12, 2011 Meeting PICTURES from the Color Guard at Clover Leaf Farms Parade 031711 Teacher Wins SAR Outstanding Citizen Award Mrs. Robin Hindley, teacher at Inverness Primary School, was recently presented the Sons of the American Revolution "Outstanding Citizen Award" by Norman Freyer of the SAR Withlacoochee Chapter in recognition of her support and encouragement to 5th grade students at the school, in the SAR Americanism Poster Contest depicting the Battle of Cowpens as an important event in American Revolutionary History. PICTURES from the April 9, 2011 Meeting PICTURES Award to NSCC Petty Officer Second Class PICTURES from the May 13-14, 2011 BOM Meeting PICTURES from the May 21, 2011 Annual Meeting PICTURES from Brooksville Elementary School Awards Day - 2011 At the recent Homosassa Elementary School Awards Day, the Withlacoochee Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution honored Alison Walker, the third place winner of the SAR Americanism Poster Contest, with the Outstanding Citizen Award certificate and the third place prize of $25. Also honored were Homosassa school 5th grade teachers, Ben Barlow and Mike Baize, who received Outstanding Citizen Award certificates in recognition of their support and encouragement to students in the Americanism Poster Contest depicting the Battle of Cowpens as an important event in American Revolutionary History. Pictured from left to right are Mike Baize, Ben Barlow, Alison Walker, Harley Nelson and Norman Freyer. PICTURES from the September 10, 2011 Meeting PICTURES from the October 21/22, 2011 BOM Meeting PICTURES from the November 5, 2011 Veterans Day Fair PICTURES from the 2011 Veterans Day Parade PICTURES from the November 12, 2011 Meeting PICTURES from the December 10, 2011 Meeting PICTURES from the December 15, 2011 Visit to the Baldemero VA Nursing Home PICTURES from the BOM Meeting January 13-14, 2012 PICTURES From The Eagle's Nest, January 21, 2012 PICTURES from the February 11, 2012 Meeting PICTURES from March 3, 2012, Last Naval Battle. Rededication of Cannon PICTURES from the March 10, 2012 Meeting PICTURES from the April 14, 2012 Meeting Wal-Mart Personnel Director, Suzanna Green, holding the plaque we presented to the Wal-Mart Associates on April 11, 2012. Richard Sumner, Color Guard Commander of the Withlacoochee Chapter Sons of the American Revolution and Color Guard Associate member Larry Sturgeon were VIP Guests to present a Bronze ROTC Medal with Certificate and bar on May 19, 2012 at the 2011-2012 NJROTC Awards Ceremony at Central High School, Brooksville, Florida. The ceremony began with the Presentation of the Colors by the NJROTC Color Guard. During the ceremony Richard and I were astounded by the below video presentation showing the NJROTC's accomplishments as one of the best Program's in the Nation. Richard and I were proud to represent the Withlacoochee Chapter SAR as we listened to the numerous Cadets that were listed on the Honor Roll and 6 Cadets who received $1.9 million dollars in college scholarships. Richard and I look forward to next years NJROTC Awards ceremony and accomplishments for 2012-2013. Focused on the development of today's youth into tomorrow's leaders, Central High School's NJROTC Program is currently the #2 program in the nation! Located far from any military presence in small, semi-rural Brooksville Florida, Central's NJROTC program achieved unparalleled success by becoming the largest, most popular, and the overall best program in Area Seven. What is even more significant is the fact that Central's NJROTC Program didn't stop there. They have continued to lead and show improvement in all areas. In the words of Commander Dirk Hebert, Area Seven Manager, "Central High School has created the prototype of a program designed to instill the values of citizenship, service to the United States, personal responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment...They lead their high school - academically, athletically, socially..." For six of the past seven years Central's Program has been ranked as one of the top two programs in the nation. In 2005, 2008, 2009, and 2011 Central's NJROTC unit was recognized as the #2 program in the nation, and in 2006 and 2010 Central's unit was recognized as the #1 program in the nation. This is a feat that no other program has ever accomplished. This year the cadets have risen to a new level and clearly demonstrated they are in a class by themselves, and hope to once again receive national recognition. The Withlacoochee Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution recently recognized Brooksville Elementary School 5th grade student, Joshua Bradley, with the first place cash award of $75 in the SAR Elementary School Americanism Poster Contest, depicting "The Battle of Guilford Courthouse", and the SAR "Outstanding Citizen Award Certificate". Joshua's poster entry also placed 4th in the Florida SAR statewide judging. The contest is sponsored by the National Society of the SAR to create interest and enthusiasm in the 5th grade curriculum on American Revolutionary History. The presentation took place at the Brooksville Elementary School 5th grade graduation Awards Ceremony. Joshua is the son of Daniel and Cathie Bradley of Brooksville, FL. Pictured L to R, are Richard Sumner, SAR Chapter Past-President, Joshua Bradley, poster contest winner, and Norman Freyer, SAR Poster Contest Chairman. Teachers at the Homosassa Elementary School were recently honored by the Withlacoochee Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, for supporting the Elementary School Americanism Poster Contest. Each year the National Society of the SAR sponsors a poster theme contest to help teachers generate interest and enthusiasm in the fifth grade curriculum on Revolutionary American History. The theme for the year 2012 was "The Battle of Guilford Courthouse". Four teachers were presented with the SAR "Outstanding Citizen Award" certificate. Pictured L to R, are SAR Compatriot Harley Nelson, Exceptional Education teacher Ben Barlow, SAR Compatriot Norman Freyer, and 5th grade teachers Angela Bennett, Michael Baize, and Susan McDonald. PICTURES from the State Annual Meeting , May 4&5, 2012 PICTURES from the Annual Meeting , May 19th, 2012 PICTURES from the BOM Meeting , July 27th, 2012 PICTURES from the September 15, 2012 Meeting PICTURES from the DAR/SAR at Gulf Coast Academy, Sping Hill PICTURES from the October 19, 2012 BOM Meeting PICTURES from the November 3, 2012 Veteran's Fair PICTURES from the November 10, 2012 Veteran's Day Parade PICTURES from the November 10, 2012 Meeting The Withlacoochee Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution in cooperation with the Homosassa Elementary School, participated in the schools "We the People" program on November 15, 2012. During the program the Homosassa School announced the two winners of the SAR Elementary School Americanism Poster Contest, Ashlynn Name and Amara Piliouris. During poster development, students learn about the history of our country, the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. From the left, Harley Nelson, Richard Sumner, Jack Townsend, Charlie Day, teacher Shana Florio, Norm Freyer and Larry Sturgeon. Photo courtesy of Rochelle Kaiser, the Homosassa Beacon. Norm Freyer PICTURES from the December 1, 2012 Meeting On December 6, 2012, SAR Compatriots Norm Freyer, Jack Townsend and Harley Nelson, presented an educational program to Inverness Primary School 4th and 5th grade students in preparation for the SAR Poster Contest. Items discussed included: Why we are called the Sons of the American Revolution; The American War for Independence; The Declaration of Independence and the U. S. Constitution; Uniforms of the Continental Army; Stories of interest by Jack Townsend; and the SAR Elementary School Americanism Poster Contest. PICTURES from the Baldemero VA Nursing Home Visit December 14, 2012 PICTURES from the Wreaths Across America, Florida National Cemetry At Bushnell, December 15, 2012 PICTURES from the Board of Management Meeting, January 11, 2013 PICTURES from the January 12, 2013 Meeting PICTURES from the Eagle Court of Honor, Thomas W. Daugherty, Feb. 2, 2013 PICTURES from the Februry 9, 2013 Meeting The occasion of this photo was the presentation of the Sons of the American Revolution Good Citizenship Bronze Medal to elementary school teacher Mr. Ben Barlow, recipient of the award. The award was presented by Mr. Chris Bosse, Principal of the Homosassa Elementary School in the presence of some of Mr. Barlow's elementary school students. The Bronze Good Citizenship Medal was authorized in 1895 and recognizes persons whose achievements are noteworthy in their school, community or state. The Withlacoochee Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution recognizes efforts to educate elementary school students on that portion of American history, namely the Revolutionary War, which forged the writing of the Declaration of Independence and the establishment U. S. Constitution. In a time when these significant events have a tendency to disappear from the educational curriculum, those efforts are indeed worthy of such recognition. Floral City Library Withlacoochee Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution Memorial Book Dedication honoring William Neal Colbath LR Ed Gingrich, Jim Echlin, Norm Freyer, Charlie Day - Chapter President, Harley Nelson, Richard Sumner, Larry Sturgeon and Duane Finch. Front row - LR Bernice Colbath holding the book with Librarian TerriAnne Caraluzzo and Jack Townsend. February 12, 2013, members of The Withlacoochee Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution, gathered at the Laurel City Library to dedicate a Memorial Library Book to Compatriot William Neal Colbath of Floral City, who died on November 13, 2012. Compatriot Jack Townsend, who purchased the book, "Why America is Free: A History of the Founding of the American Republic" by Kenneth Earl Hamburger, was on hand to explain a little about the book. This book is written for youth which is meaningful because Neal spent many hours of his adult years working with the Boy Scouts and youth in his area. Scouting had honored him with the highly prized "Wood Badge Beads" and Silver Beaver Award during his life time. Today, February 12, 2013 we met with Neal's Widow, Bernice, and the Librarian, TerriAnne Caraluzzo to share our Chapter Resolution issued to honor the life of our Compatriot William NEAL Colbath, and to present the above book in his memory. PICTURES from the Last Naval Battle 230 Anniversary March 9, 2013 PICTURES from the visit to the Sea Cadet Corps, March 10, 2013 PICTURES from the SAR Poster Contest - Inverness Primary School PICTURES from the March 16, 2013 Regular Meeting Color Guard photo by Richard Sumner Back Row-LR Jack Townsend, Larry Sturgeon, Charlie Day, Ron Irons, John Pardee and Jim Echlin Front Row on Banner LR Julia Pardee and Miranda Pardee PICTURES from the March 26, 2013 Spring Hill Library Book Dedication for Roy Finney