President's Page - Tim Berly
Welcome to the website of the Mecklenburg Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution! Our organization seeks to maintain patriotism, to respect our national symbols and the value of American citizenship, and to perpetuate the unique ideals that were developed during the period of the American Revolution.
Some of the many activities our Mecklenburg Chapter participates in include:
- Annual commemoration of Revolutionary War battles and events. Our Color Guard,
who
appear in the uniform of the Continental Army, "America’s first standing army," participates
in Charlotte’s Veteran’s Day Parade, U.S. Flag retirement ceremonies, and many other
patriotic celebrations. We also have presented the Colors at Carolina Panthers and
Charlotte Bobcats games.
- Youth Programs. We recognize our youth through programs for Eagle Scouts, JROTC Cadets, and the Knight Essay and Rumbaugh Oratory contests for secondary school students. Our Chapter provides scholarship awards to the winners of these programs. Winners of these awards are eligible to also participate in similar programs at the State and National level. We also sponsor a patriotic-theme Americanism Poster Contest for fifth grade students each year.
- Participation in patriotic programs, and in historical presentations on the American Revolution to schools and civic organizations.
- An annual recognition program to commend those who have shown outstanding dedication to their work, serving our community through our local law enforcement, fire and EMS agencies; and also through civic organizations.
- Perpetuation and celebration of the landmarks of America’s freedom. We believe in keeping alive the principles that led our ancestors to struggle for their independence, and the symbols that represent that struggle: The Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, our Nation’s flag, and our system of representative government and participatory democracy.
- One of our least known, but most important programs, is the placement of grave markers to identify the final resting place of our nation’s patriot ancestors. We have embarked on a program to dedicate two or more of these each year in and around Mecklenburg County. If you are aware of a patriot’s grave site in Mecklenburg County that has not been marked, please let us know and we will consider so honoring that patriot’s service.
We welcome you to apply for membership if you have an ancestor who fought in the American Revolution or supported the patriot cause in other ways, such as providing supplies to the Continental Army or civil service during the period of the Revolution.
Contact any of our Officers, who will be happy to explain our membership requirements
and help you get started with your application. They will also provide direction to you in completing and submitting it.
While the process may seem somewhat daunting, you will find that you realize many rewards as you trace your family’s history back to the period of the American Revolution, and discover your ties to a patriot who was active in the founding of this great nation.
I invite you to join with us in keeping alive the memory of those founding fathers and patriots who struggled to win the freedoms we enjoy today as citizens of the
United States of America!
Tim Berly,
President
Email Tim
Mecklenburg Chapter, North Carolina Society
Sons of the American Revolution
2012 Chapter Meeting Dates
(All meetings held at the Hilton Executive Park Hotel, 5624 Westpark Drive in Charlotte, NC 704-529-5963. Click here for directions to the hotel.)
16 FEBRUARY, 6:00pm - Mecklenburg Chapter winter membership dinner and meeting! Our own Tony Zeiss will be appearing as "Captain Jack" and deliver his humorous and anecdotal presentation on the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence and the famous ride of Captain Jack! Also, the installation of our new Chapter officers. Dinner menu is Plum-stuffed Pork Loin with Marcella Jus! RSVP here.
10 MAY, 6:00PM - Join special guest actress Patty Proctor as she portrays a "Daughter of the Regiment," a woman who dressed in a man's Revolutionary War and Civil War uniform to fight alongside the men! RSVP available soon.
20 SEPTEMBER, 6:00PM - Mecklenburg Chapter membership dinner and meeting.
15 NOVEMBER, 6:00PM - Mecklenburg Chapter membership dinner and meeting.
2012 Event Calendar
11-12 February Anniversary of the Battle of Kettle Creek, Washington, GA.
18 February Anniversary of The Crossing of the Dan, South Boston, VA.
25 February Anniversary of the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge, Currie, NC.
2-3 March NSSAR Leadership/Trustees Meeting, Louisville, KY.
17 March Anniversary of the Battle of Guilford's Courthouse, Greensboro, NC.
30-31 March NCSSAR Annual State Convention, Courtyard by Marriott, beachside in Carolina Beach, NC. The room rate is $119 per night. To reserve your hotel room, please call the hotel at 910-458-2617 and be sure to tell them you are a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. Download the RSVP Form here. Directions to the Hotel are here. For questions, please call John Thornhill at 910-284-0232 thornhill@embarqmail.com or William Holt at costlbks@coastalnet.com.
23 June The Catawba Valley Chapter invites you to participate in the 232nd Anniversary of the Battle of Ramsour's Mill in Lincolnton, NC. Wreath Laying Ceremony begins at 10:00am. Download the full Event Flyer & Wreath Laying RSVP here. Please contact David Kilby for more information at 828-459-2314 or email docnj@charter.net.
18 August The General James Williams Chapter, SCSSAR, will hold the annual Musgrove Mill Battle Commemorative on Saturday, August 18th at 10:30am. Contact Norm Pigeon at nbpigeon@yahoo.com.