Dear Compatriots of the Connecticut Line CTSSAR,
For the 13th year now, members have participated in the annual ceremonies commemorating the First Major Battle of the American Revolution, Bunker Hill. Wreaths were placed, and once again the Connecticut Line fired the three volley musket salute in honor of the Heroes of Bunker Hill. HUZZAH!!!
I would like to thank the following members for participating:
Wayne Bickley
Geoffrey Colby
Dan Dudley
Lee Gerlander
Todd Gerlander
Randy Gerlander
Bob Lasprogato
Russell Wirtalla
Jim Witham
Richard Wright
This past weekend we set up a small camp, including the Liberty Pole, and day tripped the Norwich 350th Anniversary Encampment, because of the wet weather. I would like to thank the following members for participating:
George Crede
Bruce Cunard
Lee Gerlander
Todd Gerlander
Randy Gerlander
Mike Juhase
Tom Smith
Russell Wirtalla
Our next events are the Independence Day Parade in Columbia, CT on the 4th of July; and then the 230th Anniversary Battle of Norwalk encampment/reenactment on July 10-12, and Bruce will command a Detachment on the 10th at Fort Griswold during Riverfest.
More details soon,
Put your faith in God and keep your powder dry,
Todd L. Gerlander
Colonel Commanding
Organizational Background:
The Connecticut Society of the Sons of the American Revolution
Formed in 1889, The Connecticut Society of the Sons of the American Revolution is dedicated to remembering the lives and sacrifices of the patriots of the American Revolution. Its 600 members from throughout the United States have traced their ancestry to Connecticut patriots who gave service for American Independence.
Three Museums Associated with Connecticut’s Revolutionary War History
The Society owns and manages The War Office in Lebanon, Connecticut, and the two schoolhouses (in East Haddam and New London) in which Nathan Hale, Connecticut’s State Hero, taught school before enlisting in the revolutionary cause.
Nathan Hale: Spy and Hero
The son of a deacon, Nathan Hale was born in Coventry, Connecticut, in 1755, one of 12 children. He entered Yale College at 14 and, upon graduation in 1773, secured a teaching position in East Haddam. He taught in East Haddam for six months and then New London, at its Union Grammar School, for 16 months.
Click here to read the entire press release
Dear Compatriots,
A great dedication to signer Lyman Hall was made possible by the restoration of the site of Hall's birthplace and childhood home by Boy Scout Troop 4 Chris Farrell for his Eagle Scout project.
CTSSAR Wadsworth Branch members William Bone, his Uncle Charles Lewis and Damien Cregeau were joined by Bill's wife, Kathy (DAR), and Damien's wife, Pamela Hall, at the Lyman Hall Monument Dedication. Also in attendance were several ladies from the DAR, the president of the CTSCAR, Wallingford's Mayor Dickinson, the Wallingford Historical Society, a member of the Wallingford Town Council, and other residents and Boy Scouts .
The dedication, which took place on Saturday, May 23rd at the site of Lyman Hall's birthplace and childhood home in Wallingford, CT, celebrated the life of Hall, who as a representative of Georgia, was a signer of The Declaration of Independence. I believe it was Mayor Dickinson who made the excellent point that Lyman's roots as a New Englander formed the basis for his willingness to risk his reputation and life in signing The Declaration.
Patriotically, Damien Cregeau
President, Col. Jeremiah Wadsworth Branch, CTSSAR
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The Town of Wallingford held a rededication ceremony of the Lyman Hall Monument on May 23, 2009. Boy Scout Troop 4 (St . Paul's Church) recently landscaped the existing monument area. Some of the new improvements include a brick walkway, sign, shrubs and a bench. They also painted the flagpole and wrought iron fence. This project was part of Chris Farrell’s Eagle Project. The monument is located directly across from Pat Wall Field (next to 355 South Elm Street) in Wallingford.
More information about the event.
Photo by a member of the Nathan Hale branch Photos from the ceremony organized by the Capt. Nathan Hale Branch of the Connecticut Society of the Sons of the American Revolution were published in The New London Day's May 24, 2009 edition by Tim Cook: See the photos
Chairman, Revolutionary War Graves Committee:
With thanks to Mr. Peter Marteka of the Hartford Courant, the following information and attached article are submitted for addition to the SAR Graves Register.
Patriot: ROLLO, John Nolton
Died: 20 Mar 1777, age 26
Buried: Hebron, Tolland Co., CT
Directions: Route 66 to Jennifer Drive, about 1.5 miles from the Hebron-Marlborough line. Follow Jennifer Drive until you reach a stop sign. Take a left at the stop sign. Follow Blackman Road until it curves north. At the start of the curve is a dirt parking area. Follow the path from the parking area for about a quarter mile. The grave is on the left.
Read the full article from the May 24, 2009 edition of The Hartford Courant
Bruce C. Lyon, LtCol, USMC (Ret)
CTSSAR Treasurer
NSSAR #148842
Willington, CT
Dear Compatriots of the Connecticut Line CTSSAR,
Last night, members of the Connecticut Line CTSSAR attended the St.
Patrick's Day Parade Awards Dinner in New Haven, CT.
As you know, we, the SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, won FIRST PLACE, BEST REENACTMENT UNIT, in the 2009 New Haven St. Patrick's Day Parade.
I have attached a photo of the Award. Hopefully, someday we can appropriately display the award along with our other awards, etc.
I would like to thank the following members for attending the Dinner (in
uniform): (We received a lot of nice comments about the uniforms.)
Lee Gerlander
Todd Gerlander
Randy Gerlander
Michael Juhase
Tom Smith
John Towle
Russell Wirtalla
Bonnie Burke
I would also like to congratulate the following members of the 11th Regiment of Connecticut Militia (Detachment) of the Connecticut Line CTSSAR. At today's General Israel Putnam Branch #4 - CTSSAR Annual Meeting the following members were presented SAR Bronze Color Guard medals for their service to the Branch and State Color Guard:
Wayne Bickley
George Crede
Michael Juhase
Stephen Marshall
Travis Marshall
Congratulations and HUZZAH!!!
Dear Compatriots of the Connecticut Line CTSSAR,
I would like to thank the 19 members who came out and marched with the
Connecticut Line CTSSAR in the parades yesterday commemorating PATRIOT'S DAY
in Concord and Lexington.
I would also like to give a HUZZAH!!! to all the members, particularly those
who were on the road as early as 3:30 AM in order to make these parades
yesterday.
We looked sharp! Well Done!!!
It is GREAT to see the SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION active marching in
BOTH parades commemorating the start of the AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
Although no Connecticut militia actually took park in the skirmishes at
Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775. In the days immediately following,
Four Thousand Connecticut Militia did respond to the LEXINGTON ALARM, and
"marched for the relief of Boston".
It was in one of these eyewitness accounts, a letter written in
Wethersfield, Connecticut on April 23, 1775 that reads,
"We are all in motion here, and equipt from the Town yesterday, one hundred
young men, who cheerfully offered their service, twenty-days provision and
sixty-four rounds per man. They are well armed and in high spirits. My
brother has gone with them and others of the first property. Our neighboring
towns are all arming and moving. Men of the first character shoulder their
arms and march off for the field of action. We shall by night have several
thousands from this Colony on their march . . . . . We fix on our Standards
and Drums the Colony Arms, with the motto "Qui Transtulit Sustinet", round
it in letters of gold, which we construe thus; 'God, who transplanted us
hither, will support us.'"
Once again . . . Connecticut answered the call and helped to commemorate
those men who "Nob'ly Dared to be Free".
Huzzah!!!
Wayne Bickley
Geoffrey Colby
Dan Dudley
Lee Gerlander
Todd Gerlander
Randy Gerlander
Howard Greene
Dylan Greene
Bob Lasprogato
Harry Orcutt
Bob Rivard
Fred Rivard
John Towle
Allan Van Wert
Russell Wirtalla
Richard Wright
Bonnie Burke
Liisa Colby
Gina Gerhard
Put your faith in God and keep your powder dry,
Todd L. Gerlander
Colonel Commanding
Dear Compatriot Members of the Connecticut Line CTSSAR,
I would like to thank the following members for participating in the BIG
3(2) last Saturday. The weather was terrible! The Bedford Parade was fine,
but we marched the Meriam's Corner parade in the rain, wind and cold. I made
the decision not to march in the 3rd parade in Lincoln because I did not
want everyone getting sick, and missing the upcoming Patriot's Day Parades
in Concord and Lexington next Monday.
Wayne Bickley - Putnam
Geoffrey Colby - Putnam
Dan Dudley - Putnam
Lee Gerlander - Putnam
Todd Gerlander - Putnam
Randy Gerlander - Putnam
Bob Rivard - Huntington
Fred Rivard - Huntington
John Towle - Putnam
Russell Wirtalla - Putnam
Richard Wright - Putnam
Bonnie Burke - Camp-Follower
Gina Gerhard - Camp-Follower
Huzzah!!!
Dear Compatriots of the Connecticut Line CTSSAR,
I would like to thank the members who participated in the 235th Anniversary Boston Tea Party reenactment yesterday in Boston. We had a good turnout of members. I have attached several photos below, and I will post more on our website. I would like to thank the following members for attending:
Geoffrey Colby
Lee Gerlander
Todd Gerlander
Randy Gerlander
Bill Hayes
Michael Juhase
Bob Lasprogato
John Towle
Allan Van Wert
Russell Wirtalla
Jim Witham
Bonnie Burke
Lisa Colby
I would also like to welcome 2 past members of the defunct NE Contingent into the Connecticut Line CTSSAR, Compatriots Allan Van Wert and James Witham. HUZZAH!!!
It is now time to say goodbye to the 2008 Campaign. It was a great year! I am very pleased to report that Members of the Connecticut Line took part in 30 events this year! You all helped keep the History and the ideals of the American Revolution ALIVE!!! HUZZAH!!!
I would also ask that Detachment Commanders e-mail me their final 2008 event calendars, and the names of the members who participated in the events.
(Only if you have not already done so. Many of you e-mail me event reports, which are great!) Only events that cleared CT Line Command, prior to the event, (as per our insurance) will be considered and counted.
It looks like another good year, and a lot of Detachment points were earned.
There are also 5 Detachments now, so we will see at our annual luncheon next year who will be the 2008 CTSSAR Color Guard Detachment of the Year. What I will say is one Detachment earned over 100 participation points this year, and I think it will be a close race for second place between two Detachments.
For new members, Detachments earn 1 point for each member that participates in an event.
Connecticut Line command has also been discussing a few new awards such as, Detachment Captain of the Year, etc.
I will be throwing around a few dates for our annual luncheon after the 1st of the year so watch your e-mails. At the luncheon, we will hold our annual election of CT Line Command Officers, discuss and vote on the 2009 calender.
(we have some interesting events to consider including the 230th Battle of Norwalk reenactment, and the Battle of West Haven Commemoration, just to name a few)
In closing I would like to say, it has been an honor commanding an SAR Color Guard/Living History Unit for the past fourteen years. Whether it has been a Branch (11th Regt. Conn. Militia), District (NE Contingent), or State (Connecticut Line) it has given me the opportunity to meet a lot of people, and to make a lot of friends. Together we have participated in a lot of great events, and 2009 looks to be another great year!
I would also like to recognize CT Line Command. I think we should all thank Lieutenant-Colonel Russell Wirtalla and Major Michael Juhase for a job well done!!! HUZZAH!!!
I would like to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!
And let us make 2009 the best Campaign year yet.
Put your faith in God and keep your powder dry,
Todd L. Gerlander, Colonel Commanding
The Connecticut Line
Dear Compatriot Members of the Connecticut Line CTSSAR,
I received a phone call this morning from Major Mike Juhase that WE, the
SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION won FIRST PLACE as BEST reenactment unit in
the St. Patrick's Day Parade yesterday. HUZZAH!!! Everyone knows that their
are a lot of units in this parade, and it is Connecticut's largest St.
Patrick's Day Parade. The news was posted in this morning's New Haven
Register.
The Connecticut Line had a GREAT day marching in the St. Patrick's Day
Parade in New Haven, Connecticut yesterday. 20 members came out to march! I
would like to thank the following members for attending:
Wayne Bickley - Putnam
Mike Chuckta - Putnam
Geoffrey Colby - Putnam
Damien Cregeau - Wadsworth
Bruce Cunard - Hale
Lee Gerlander - Putnam
Todd Gerlander - Putnam
Randy Gerlander - Putnam
Mike Juhase - Putnam
Jim Klaneski - Wolcott
Bob Lasprogato - Sherman
Bob Rivard - Huntington
Jim Rothgeb - Hale
Tom Smith - Hale
John Towle - Putnam
Russell Wirtalla - Putnam
Bonnie Burke - Camp-Follower
Liisa Colby - Camp-Follower
Christine Coutant - Camp-Follower
Pam Hall - Camp-Follower
GREAT Show!!! A lot of compliments from the public. HUZZAH!!!
Upcoming Events:
Saturday, March 28, 2009 - Musket Safety Course (contact me to sign up)
Saturday, April 4, 2009 - Reenactor Tag Sale, Lebanon, CT.
Saturday, April 11, 2009 - The BIG 3 - Parades at Bedford, Concord, Lincoln,
MA.
Saturday, April 18, 2009 - CTSSAR Patriot's Day Meeting, Hamden, CT.
Monday, April 20, 2009 - (2)Patriot's Day Parades, Concord & Lexington, MA.
MORE details to follow . . .
Put your faith in God and keep your powder dry,
Todd L. Gerlander
Colonel Commanding
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