News

Memorial Day Message

We, descendants of the heroes of the American Revolution, who by their sacrifices, established the United States of America, reaffirm our faith in the principles of liberty and our Constitutional Republic, and solemnly pledge ourselves to defend them against every foe.

Compatriots,

As members of the Sons of the American Revolution, Memorial Day provides us an opportunity each year to reflect on the tremendous sacrifice that our ancestors made in the establishment of our nation, and in securing the freedoms we enjoy today.  We owe a tremendous debt to all of those who paid the ultimate price to establish this country.

An estimated 6,800 Americans were killed in action during the Revolutionary war, but historians believe that at least an additional 17,000 deaths were the result of disease, including about 8,000 – 12,000 who died while prisoners of war^[1].  While unreliable, the estimate for the casualties among British regular forces fighting in the Revolutionary was is around 24,000^[2] men.  This includes deaths on the battlefield, from injuries or disease, taken prisoner, or who remained missing.

Approximately 1,200 Hessian soldiers were also killed, 6,354 of disease, and another 5,500 deserted and settled in America afterwards (including my direct ancestor, Henry Hinzman, who after learning more about the great cause the Americans were engaged in, joined the Pennsylvania Artillery and fought with the continental forces until the end of the war).

When we joined the SAR, we made a conscious choice to become part of an organization committed to honoring the brave legacy of our forefathers in their quest for American independence.  I ask that you take time today to not only think about what a tremendous sacrifice these soldiers made while fighting for their independence, but you also share this with someone and talk about what this day, and the sacrifices so many have made during and since the revolution, mean to you and our nation.

“Until we meet again, let us remember our obligations to our forefathers, who gave us our Constitution, the Bill of Rights, an independent Supreme Court and a nation of free men.”

Joel Hinzman

President

^[1] Figures according to American Battlefields Trust - https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/american-revolution-faqs

^[2] Ibid

Our Newsletter can be found here.

131^st Annual Awards and Installation of Officers

By William O. Ritchie

DCSAR virtually held is 2021 Awards and Installation Banquet on Thursday, April 29, 2021 at 6:30 pm. The black-tie optional event was held via zoom. The first award presented was the 2021 NSSAR Emergency Medical Services Commendation Medal. 

DC Fire and EMS Lt. Keishea Jackson – Courtesy DCFEMS

Lt. Keishea Jackson was the recipient in recognition of her dedication to the preservation of life and health under emergency conditions and performing beyond the duties normally called for within the Emergency Medical Services profession. 

DCSAR S VP Bill Ritchie and Lt. Keishea Jackson

Assigned to the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Management Service (“DCFEMS”) Homeland Security Division, Lieutenant Jackson has been on the front lines of all the major events to take place and impact Washington, DC., during the last 12 months. She has been one of the officers from DCFEMS to help coordinate and schedule the several logistical parts and pieces connected to COVID-19 testing that has occurred at several firehouses across the city over the last year. Lt Jackson has also been instrumental in taking a public stance on taking the vaccine; opening up and sharing her personal journey and decision-making process on why she felt the need to protect herself, her co-workers and the community in which she serves.

During a press briefing on December 13, 2020 Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser recognized The First Five — the first five members of DC’s Bravest who would take the coronavirus vaccine that week. As frontline health care providers, the District of Columbia’s COVID-19 Vaccination Plan designates members of the DC Fire and EMS Department (FEMS) among the first to receive the vaccine in Washington, DC. Lt. Jackson was one of the First Five. 

“I’m getting vaccinated for my city,” Lt. Jackson said in a statement. “In the last nine months, I’ve seen COVID devastate my department. I’ve seen my brothers and sisters go into the hospital. I’ve seen them with severe symptoms — things we never thought we would see. My father is everything to me; he is my world. And if I don’t get it for any other reason, I have to get it for my daddy. I have to make sure he’s safe,” Her comments were featured in a story by NBC4 during December 2020. https://mayor.dc.gov/release/mayor-bowser-recognizes-first-five-responders-take-coronavirus-vaccine

DCSAR President Joel P. Hinzman, Sr VP Bill Ritchie and Secretary Paul M. Hays presented a host of awards and citations to DCSAR compatriots and our guest from DCDAR and D.C.C.A.R. Among the recipients were:

D.C. Society Honor in Service Medal Recipients:

  David Weston White 

  Andrew Martin Johnson 

  Sean P. Redmond 

             James Alan Richardson, Jr.

D.C. Society Patriotic Service Medal Recipients

 

  James Bowles Pender III

  John D. Stonesifer

             Frederick Chandler Humphreys

NSSAR Lydia Darragh Medal Recipient: Jennifer Anne Cetta-Hinzman

Martha Washington Medal Recipient: Rachel Norman, Regent, Emily Nelson Chapter, DCDAR 

NSSAR Medal of Appreciation: Rachel Hicks

NSSAR CAR Bronze Medal of Appreciation Recipients:

  Mia & Miah Malur

  Rachel Hicks

  Dylan Zimmer

  Hillary Fisk

  Maddie McAnulty

 Carol Leon

Silver SAR / CAR Silver Medal of Appreciation Recipients:

 Chip Nordlinger

 Sarah Nordlinger

 Lorraine Nordlinger

 Kathryn Orta

NSSAR Silver Good Citizenship Medal: Charles Hart Nalls

Silver Roger Sherman Medal: Geoffrey L. Newman, 3^rd VP DCSAR

State Medal of Distinguished Service: William O. Ritchie Jr., Sr. VP DCSAR

Patriot Medal: Lane Douglas Brooks, Immediate Past President DCSAR

Daughters of Liberty Medal: Cindy Shelton Hays, DCDAR State Regent (oak leaf cluster)

The Honorable Mark S. Norris, Judge, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee and Immediate Past President, Tennessee Sons of the American Revolution, gave the oath of office during the installation of the 2021-2022 DC Society Officers. Principal officers included President Joel P. Hinzman, Senior Vice President William O. Ritchie Jr., 2^nd Vice President Thomas A. Readmond, 3^rd Vice President Geoffrey L. Newman, Secretary Paul M. Hays, Treasurer James B. Pender III and Registrar William L. Miller. 

After leading a toast to the newly elected officers, President Hinzman presented the DC Society Honor in Service Medal to Judge Norris. 

The invocation and benediction were offered by Rev. John Stonesifer, Chaplain. 

The 278th anniversary of the birth of Thomas Jefferson was celebrated on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at his Memorial in the Nation Capital. In every year but two since the dedication of the Jefferson Memorial in 1943 on the 200th anniversary of his birth, the District of Columbia Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (“DCSAR”), in cooperation with the National Park Service of the U.S. Department of the Interior and the Military District of Washington, has sponsored a commemorative ceremony at the Jefferson Memorial. It was cancelled in 1945 because of Franklin Roosevelt’s death, and during 2020 because of the pandemic.

This year DCSAR resumed the tradition but - because of continuing limits on in-person participation - with none of the normal pomp and circumstance. Wreaths were presented without ceremony on behalf of: the Secretary of the Interior by Park Ranger Samuel Yancho; the University of Virginia by alumnus Mark Tonacci (class of ’79); the Sons of the American Revolution by D.C. Society President Joel Hinzman; the Daughters of the American Revolution by D.C. State Regent Cindy Hays; the Children of the American Revolution by D.C. Senior State President Lorraine Nordlinger; and the Society of Descendants of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence by President General Lucy Duke Tonacci. Videographer: Rachel Hicks.

Video of the event can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/DCSSAR/

The 2021 Annual Membership Meeting was held virtually on February 21, 2021. DCSAR President Joel P. Hinzman called the meeting to order and welcomed all including the SAR Atlantic Middle States Association (“AMSA”) Vice President General Ernest L. Sutton. The invocation was offered by Rev. John D. Stonesifer who also provided the benediction when the meeting concluded. The slate of SAR Officers for the 2021-2022 period was presented by the nominating committee. The list was approved by the membership and the election meeting is scheduled for March 18, 2021.  

Upon concluding the discussion of normal business reports, VPG Sutton offered words of appreciation to DCSAR on the virtual presentation of the AMSA conference last August. He also advised that the 2021 conference is tentatively scheduled to be held in Annapolis during August. It will be determined later if this conference will be live or virtual.

VPG Sutton administered the oath during the induction of two new compatriots. Rev. Dr. Alyn Errick Waller, a resident of Penn Valley, PA is Senior Pastor, Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in Philadelphia, PA. Compatriot Waller’s patriot is his 6^th great grandfather, William Parks, who was shot, killed and scalped by the Indians working for the British during May 1776 while defending the frontier. His sponsor is William Ritchie.

Compatriot Gregory Ronald Switzer lives in Arlington, VA. He’s a 6th great grandson of Abraham Kendrick, who served as a Private 1^st Class, 4^th Battalion, Lancaster County Pennsylvania Militia. His sponsor is Fred Humphreys. Both were virtually welcomed to DCSAR.

Today, while COVID may have kept us from holding our annual George Washington Birthday luncheon, we could not allow the 289th birthday of George Washington to pass by without marking the occasion. Joel P. Hinzman, President, DCSAR, accompanied by Cindy Hays, Regent, DCDAR and Chip Nordlinger, President DC C.A.R. laid a wreath at the Washington Monument that was erected in his honor. The video of the brief ceremony held in near freezing temperature, can be found on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DCSSAR/. Videographer DCDAR Rachel Hicks.

DCSAR held its annual Holiday Dinner on December 3, 2020 at 6:30 PM. The virtual dinner was highlighted with a presentation by Dr. Jim Ambuske on the Richard H. Brown Revolutionary War Map Collection which was recently donated to the Library. Featuring over 1,000 individual objects that date between 1740 and 1799 – including manuscript and print maps, bound atlases, watercolor views sheds, and other documents – the collection will offer new opportunities for researching and teaching the history of the American Revolution, Early Republic, and eighteenth-century cartography.

The maps, some of them one-of-kind, drawn in pen, ink and watercolor, come from the collection of Richard H. Brown, a businessman, author and expert on Revolutionary War-era maps and images.

The Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington’s recent acquisition of the Richard H. Brown Revolutionary War Map Collection positions the Library as one of the world’s leading centers for the study of cartography in the era of the American Revolution.

Dr. Ambuske is the Digital Historian at the Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington at Mount Vernon.  He leads the Center for Digital History at the Washington Library, and directs a number of projects, including the Digital Encyclopedia of George Washington.

Dr. Ambuske discussed the watercolor collection of Charlestown, MA by British officer Richard Williams, done shortly after the Battle of Bunker Hill in June 1775. He focused on the ink and watercolor manuscript panoramic view depicting the area around Boston during the siege after the Battle of Bunker Hill, as seen from across the river at Beacon Hill. The maps are useful to communicate events of the early Revolutionary War period since we do not have any photographs.

Dear Compatriots,  As descendants of the Patriots who won the American Revolution and secured the freedoms with which we’re blessed, one of our foremost duties is to remember and honor our nation’s first veterans and their service. I hope you have had the chance today to pause for a moment and consider the sacrifices and risks your ancestors took to create a new nation.   The SAR was conceived as a fraternal and civic society composed of lineal descendants of the patriots who wintered at Valley Forge, signed the Declaration of Independence, fought in the battles of the American Revolution, served in the Continental Congress, or otherwise supported the cause of American Independence. As members of the SAR we strive to maintain and extend the institutions of American freedom. We should continually remember what Nick Lampson said, “There is nothing nobler than risking your life for your country,” and share the importance of honoring our nation’s veterans this and every day.   So on behalf of the DCSAR, I’m honored to express my sincere thanks to all of our veterans. “America’s Veterans have served their country with the belief that democracy and freedom are ideals to be upheld around the world (John Doolittle).” As members of the DCSAR, and descendants of the first American Veterans, let us work diligently to preserve the freedom our veterans secured for us, and continue to honor them with gratitude for their sacrifice.

Sincerely,

President

A scenic area within Fort Ward Museum and Park located in Alexandria, VA was the location of the 1^st Yorktown Victory Celebration Picnic sponsored by DCSAR. The picnic commenced at 11:00 am on October 18, 2020 where all guests wore mask and practiced social distancing. The event celebrated the 238th anniversary of the American Victory at Yorktown and the major contributions to its success by France and French Heroes to the Revolution. Guests either brought their own lunch or were served a picnic box.

DCSAR President Joel P. Hinzman provided the following overview: “On September 28, 1781, General George Washington, commanding a force of 17,000 French and Continental troops, began the siege known as the Battle of Yorktown against British General Lord Charles Cornwallis and a contingent of 9,000 British troops at Yorktown, Virginia, in the most important battle of the Revolutionary War. With the opening of forty-one Allied guns on October 9, 1781, Cornwallis' position, already tenuous, was made so indefensible that surrender negotiations started less than a week later on October 17.

The surrender of over 7,000 British troops on October 19, 1781 did not end the war. The end came in 1783 after Washington moved back to New York City, with the Peace of Paris signed by a British government installed largely as a result of Washington's victory.

In truth, Washington commanded an allied army, in which the French component was very important. A French army expeditionary force had been stationed in New England since 1780, and soldiers from this French contingent (when combined with others brought up from the West Indies) comprised nearly half of Washington’s forces. Cornwallis refused to attend the surrender ceremony, citing “illness” so his second in command, Brigadier General Charles O’Hara led the British army on to the field.  In a symbolically important gesture, O’Hara had tried to surrender to the Comte de Rochambeau, the French commander, only for Rochambeau diplomatically to insist that he was merely an American auxiliary. The reluctant O’Hara therefore offered his sword to Washington, who in turn insisted that his second-in-command should take the British surrender. Rochambeau followed military etiquette to the letter, but by doing so created a misleading impression of the French contribution. 

Not only did French heavy artillery relentlessly pound Cornwallis’s defensive works, but French troops played a key part in capturing an important British redoubt. But before this moment, the French navy had sealed Cornwallis’s fate by leaving him trapped and without realistic hope of help.

So today, the day before the 238^th anniversary of the American and French forces victory at Yorktown, we celebrate the triumph of the alliance that is still strong to this day, that of the United States and France.”

Two new members were inducted during the celebration. Timothy Maurice Reardon of Alexandria, VA is the 3^rd great grandson of Jared Ingersoll, who served as a member of the Continental Congress in 1780 and 1781 and also an aide-de-camp to the Governor of Pennsylvania. Douglas Bunton Tomb of Falls Church, VA is the 4^th great grandson of Private Josiah Moody, who served in Col. John Stark’s New Hampshire Regiment. They are pictured below with DCSAR President Hinzman, DCSAR Secretary Paul Hays and Mrs. Beverly Tomb, a member of the Eleanor Wilson Chapter, DCDAR. Masks were temporarily removed during the photo shoot.

The posthumous memorial inductee was Daniel Pierson Redmond (d. July 2018) who was the 4th great grandson of Moses Felt, a private in two different companies of the Massachusetts militia. Compatriot Sean Redmond was presented with his father’s certificate. 

Compatriot Tom Readmond was presented with certificates representing seven approved supplemental applications bringing his total proven Patriot Ancestors to fifteen.

Concluding, guests joined President Hinzman in raising a glass in a toast to France, General Rochambeau, the Marquis de Lafayette and the French Forces, General George Washington, and to the United States.

Press Release

During a socially distancing program held at the Tactical Training Center, the Metropolitan Police Department held its Annual Awards Ceremony on September 22, 2020 commencing at 4:00 pm. DCSAR Senior Vice President William Ritchie was invited to present the SAR Law Enforcement Commendation and Medal to Third District Officers Kfir Gamliel and Joseph Young. Chief of Police Peter Newshum accepted the award on behalf of the two officers who were unable to attend. The event was originally scheduled for March 17, 2020 but was postponed until today associated with the Covid-19 Pandemic.

On July 14, 2019, at approximately 2:57 AM, officers responded to an accident in the rear of 1301 U Street, NW.  Upon arriving on scene, they observed a pedestrian unconscious, under the vehicle.  The officers called for DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services (“DCFEMS”).  While awaiting their arrival, Officer Young used the jack in the vehicle to lift the vehicle.  When the vehicle was high enough, Officer Young pulled the pedestrian out from underneath the vehicle. 

Officer Gamliel arrived shortly after and realized the pedestrian was not breathing. He inserted an issued nasal device, as well as applied the issued mouth cover before administering CPR.  He was able to resuscitate the victim and keep him breathing until DCFEMS arrived on the scene and took over the medical needs of the victim. Based on their dedication and quick action, Officers Young and Gamliel were able to remove a victim from harm, and keep him alive for further medical attention.

The MPD Tactical Village is a pre-engineered, metal building that houses four one- and two-story masonry structures intended to replicate an urban neighborhood setting and streetscapes for use in police training. The facility was constructed for training new cadets and re-certification for officers on duty. The streetscapes includes an entry street, a main street, a cross street and two alleyways on which five training modules have been constructed. It is an impressive training facility.