This month’s program was wonderfully presented by Rev. Gary Beard as George Washington and Jordan Meier as Young George. Interesting talk on history and anecdotes of our utmost Patriot, Revolutionary General and first President including a variety of artifacts from Mount Vernon.
Rev. Gary Beard, Jordan Meier and Chapter President Scott Whitman
Our
chapter had its first board meeting of the 2019 term prior to last month’s
meeting at our new location, Mimi’s in Lake Forest. Thanks to all of our
volunteer board members who help make our chapter successful. One of my objectives for this term is to
reinstate our Color Guard. Please let me
know if any of you are interested in participating in this important
activity. This is a great way for our
chapter to promote and encourage patriotism in our community.
History
is fascinating. In looking at the
significant events of the American Revolution that occurred during the month of
March we find the Stamp Act passed by the British Parliament on March 22, 1765. The objective of the tax was to help pay for
the French and Indian war. The new tax
was imposed on all American colonists and required them to pay a tax on every
piece of printed paper including playing cards.
The British felt the tax was justified as the colonies were receiving
the benefit of the British troops. The
Stamp Act was the first internal tax levied directly by the British government
on the American colonists. The Stamp Act
tax prompted the issue of taxation without representation which led to the
armed rebellion against the British 10 years later. There was a secret
organization, The Sons of Liberty, which was founded to champion the rights of
the American colonists and played a major role in fighting taxation and the
Stamp Act. Some of the more famous members
of the Sons of Liberty include Samuel Adams, John Adams, Benedict Arnold, John
Hancock, Patrick Henry, Joseph Warren, and Paul Revere.
Also
of note is the month of March was named for the Roman god of war, Mars. And somewhat ironic the month of March was
when military campaigns were typically resumed after the troops hunkered down
for the winter.
In
patriotism,
R. Scott Whitman
Chapter Activities
Our speaker, Doug Westfall, at our February meeting gave an interesting talk on the flight of Amelia Earhart and the search for her missing plane. Per Doug Westfall, recently a team of divers has recovered what they believe to be pieces of Earhart’s E-10 Electra off the Coast of Buka Island in Papua New Guinea, 100 feet below the surface. The divers discovered a wreckage that “share some consistencies” with Amelia Earhart’s unique E-10 Electra aircraft. The divers are planning an expedition back to Buka Island this spring to farther research the crash site. Books on Amelia Earhart can be found on the website: http://www.specialbooks.com/aeflight.htm. Our chapter presented to Doug a Certificate of Appreciation. Doug Westfall is shown below with Compatriots Steve Steinberg and Scott Whitman.
L to R: Steve Steinberg, Doug Westfall, Scott Whitman
Dinner Meeting Program:
No name or date better
symbolizes the spirit of America than “Washington 1776.” In the 21st century,
we are slowly losing a sense of the dynamic behind the man who inspired and won
the battle for independence and the date that separated tyranny from freedom.
For 39 years, the Rev. Gary Beard has portrayed George Washington in hundreds of classrooms, assemblies and churches. He has appeared at the Nixon Presidential Library each Presidents Day and Fourth of July for the past 17 years and was the official George Washington in all San Bernardino bicentennial events.