A curator from Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia has collaborated with a Charlestown historian to determine the site where one or two dozen British soldiers were buried. They wish to use ground-penetrating radar to inspect a number of sites stretching down Concord Street from Monument Square. Families living over the sites, however, are conflicted about the discovery, and the possible problems further research will create for them.

You can read more details in the Boston Globe at www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/03/08/bunker_hill_dead_may_lie_under_gardens/?s_campaign=8315.

A quick thank you goes out to everyone for attending the February 7th meeting. We had 35 in attendance, good show! Please see the photo above. For those of you who could not attend, the 2009 Connecticut Line Field Officers are:

Colonel: Todd Gerlander
Lieutenant-Colonel: Russell Wirtalla
Major: Michael Juhase
Aide-de-Camp: Bruce Cunard

THE CONNECTICUT LINE
Living History/Color Guard Unit of the Connecticut Society
of the Sons of the American Revolution

2009 Annual Meeting/Luncheon

J. Timothy's Tavern, Plainville, Connecticut

Saturday, February 7, 2009

In Honor of General George Washington's Birthday

Members Attending: 35

Russ Wirtalla - (Putnam)
Stephen Messier - (Putnam)
Cece Messier - (Camp-Follower)
George Crede - (Putnam)
Barbara Crede - (Camp-Follower)
Lee Gerlander - (Putnam)
Todd Gerlander - (Putnam)
Randy Gerlander - (Putnam)
Mike Juhase - (Putnam)
John Towle - (Putnam)
Bonnie Burke - (Camp-Follower)
Stephen Shaw - (Wadsworth)
Geoffrey Colby - (Putnam)
Robert Carroon - (Wadsworth)
Wayne Bickley - (Putnam)
Robert Rivard - (Huntington)
Frederick Rivard - (Huntington)
James Rothgeb - (Hale)
Bob Lasprogato - (Sherman)
Dan Dudley - (Putnam)
Tina Clegg - (Camp-Follower)
Paul Everett - (Wolcott)
Richard Wright - (Putnam)
Gina Gerhard - (Camp-Follower)
Bruce Cunard - (Hale)
Dan Davis - (Hale)
James Klaneski - (Wolcott)
Clark Selnau - (Wolcott)
Damien Cregeau - (Wadsworth)
Pamela Hall - (Camp-Follower)
Howard Greene - (Putnam)
Russell Cashman - (Wolcott)
Allan Van Wert - (Putnam)
Thomas Smith - (Hale)
Michael Chuckta - (Putnam)

Meeting Called to Order at 11:05 AM.

Invocation: Rev. Robert G. Carroon

Pledge of Allegience: Major Michael A. Juhase

Introductions and opinions, review, etc., on events of the 2008 Campaign.

News: Colonel Gerlander mentioned the upcoming Musket Safety class in
Wilmington, MA. ALL firing Connecticut Line members MUST take a Musket
Safety Class.

12:00 PM - Lunch

Rev. Paul Everett discussed Wolcott's involvement in a Living History Museum
in New York.

Stephen Shaw gave a report on activities at the CTSSAR properties, and the
upcoming opportunities for Color Guard participation.

Awards: Connecticut Line certificates were presented for the following:

Camp-Follower of the Year Award:
Bonnie Burke

Quiet Man of the Year Award:
George J. Crede
11th Regiment Connecticut Militia -
General Israel Putnam Branch #4 - CTSSAR

Traveler of the Year Award:
Robert F. Lasprogato
9th Regiment Connecticut Militia -
Roger Sherman Branch #5 - CTSSAR

Detachment Membership Award:
Webb's Seventh Connecticut Regiment -
Captain Nathan Hale Branch #6 - CTSSAR

Detachment Captain of the Year Award:
Captain Bruce T. Cunard,
Webb's Seventh Connecticut Regiment -
Captain Nathan Hale Branch #6 - CTSSAR

Detachment of the Year Award:
11th Regiment Connecticut Militia -
General Israel Putnam Branch #4 - CTSSAR

2009 Campaign Calender:
The following events were discussed and approved by the membership.

Saturday, February 7, 2009 - Connecticut Line Annual Meeting, Plainville,
CT.

Sunday, March 15, 2009 - St. Patrick's Day Parade, New Haven, CT.

Saturday, March 28, 2009 - MA Council Musket Safety Course, Wilmington, MA.

Saturday, April 4, 2009 - Reenactor Tag Sale, Lebanon, CT.

Saturday, April 11, 2009 - The BIG 3, Parades @ Bedford, Concord, Lincoln,
MA.

Monday, April 20, 2009 - Patriot's Day Parades @ Concord & Lexington, MA.

Friday, June 5, 2009 - School Day at the Schoolhouse, East Haddam, CT.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009 - 234th Anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill
(June 17, 1775), Bunker Hill Day, Bunker Hill Monument, Charlestown, MA.

June 18-21, 2009 - Norwich 350th Anniversary Encampment, Norwichtown Green,
Norwich, CT.

Saturday, July 4, 2009 - Independence Day Parade, Columbia, CT.

Sunday, July 5, 2009 ? - 230th Anniversary of the Battle of West River (July
5, 1779), Defender's Monument, West Haven, CT (tentative date)

Saturday, July 11-12, 2009 - 230th Anniversary of the Battle of Norwalk,
Norwalk, CT.

Saturday, July 11, 2009 - Thames River Fireworks, Fort Griswold, Groton, CT.

Sunday, September 6, 2009 - 228th Anniversary of the Battle of Groton
Heights, Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park, Groton, CT.

September 12-13, 2009 - 3rd Annual Connecticut Line Grand Encampment (2nd
Saturday), Wadsworth Stables, Lebanon, CT.

October 3-4, 2009 - Stark's Muster, Fort at No. 4, Charlestown, NH.

Sunday, November 8, 2009 - Salute to Veterans, Veterans Day Parade,
Hartford, CT.

Sunday, December 13, 2009 - 236th Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party,
Boston, MA.

Additional 2009 events at CTSSAR Properties; War Office, Lebanon, CT. (LE) -
Nathan Hale Schoolhouse, East Haddam, CT. (EH) - Nathan Hale Schoolhouse,
New London, CT. (NL).

Wednesday, May 13, 2009 - Spring Food Stroll, NL Schoolhouse.

Saturday, June 13, 2009 - EH, LE, NL - CT Open House Day & 2nd Saturday.

Saturday, July 11, 2009 - LE 2nd Saturday.

Saturday, September 12, 2009 - LE 2nd Saturday.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009 - Fall Food Stroll, NL Schoolhouse.

Saturday, December 5, 2009 - Lights in Song, Santa in the Schoolhouse, NL

Sunday, December 6, 2009 - Tree Lighting, LE.

Colonel Gerlander called on Sergeant Michael Chuckta to talk about the
Battle of West River in West Haven, Connecticut (July 5, 1779).

Election of 2009 Field Officers: The following officers were unanimously
elected:

Colonel: Todd L. Gerlander

Lieutenant-Colonel: Russell W. Wirtalla

Major: Michael A. Juhase

* Captain Bruce T. Cunard by General Order will serve as Aide-de-Camp at
Connecticut Line events during the 2009 Campaign.

Benediction: Rev. Robert G. Carroon

Meeting Adjourned: 2:20 PM

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

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