Volume 13, Issue 1 page 1 COLLINS DISPATCH

Dates to Remember

Dates to Remember 1

Annual Banquet 1

President’s Message 2

Awards Banquet 3

Battle of Cowpens 4

Thank You Letter 5

Kettle Creek Photos 5

Charles Switzer Honored 6

December Meeting 4

First Flag Certificate 4

Westside Elementary 5

John Jones Remembered 6

The Chapter meeting starts at 7PM the third Tuesday every month. We gather at the Golden Corral on Barrett Parkway about 6 for dinner and fellowship before the meeting. Family and friends are welcome. February 19, 2013 – Monthly Meeting speaker Willie R. Johnson, historian Kennesaw Mountain Na-tional Battlefield, who will discuss the 150th anniversary of the Battle. February 28-March 2, 2013—Leadership Meeting Louisville, KY

March 1 Declaration of Independ-ence Poster Contest Presentation to Sope Creek Elementary School 4th Graders

Saturday March 9 Andrew Howser DAR Patriotism Presentation

March 16 Guilford Courthouse Greensboro, NC

March 19 Collins Monthly Meeting

April 16 Collins Monthly Meeting

April 20 Ft. Frederica Naval Battle

February 2013

Members are encouraged to submit articles and photos to Larry Guzy for inclusion in the next edition of the Collins Dispatch. Deadline April 4th

The Collins Dispatch

Inside...

Captain John Col l ins Chapter Georgia Society Sons of the American Revolution

Winner of the Carl F. Bessent Newsletter Award 2011

2013 Collins Leaders Inducted The annual meeting also provides an opportunity for the chapter to honor those who have served during the previous year. Before relinquishing his office, President Wayne Brown distributed awards that had been earned by a variety of members.

Three men were recognized for long and dedicated service with the Meritorious Service Award: Rodney Pritchett, Curtis McWaters, and Bert Christy (oak leaf)

The Bronze Good Citizenship Award was presented to four men for their unfail-ing support to the Chapter during the year: Terry Gibbs, Earl Cagle, John Mattingly and David Ludley

Gretchen Gunning was awarded the Martha Washington Medal for her contin-ued recruitment of members for the Chap-ter, Bill and Patrick Reese being the most recent and her four sons in 2003

Charles (The Hair) and Linda Rhyne were presented with the Outstanding Citi-zen Awards for their dedication to the chapter.

(Continued on page 3)

In ceremonies held at the Marietta Con-ference Center on January 22nd, new offi-cers were installed to serve the chapter in 2013.

Past GASSAR State President Terry Man-ning performed the installation ceremony.

New officers were sworn in by past GASSAR President Terry Manning

Past president Wayne Brown passes on President’s neck ribbon to Terry Gibbs.

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Dick Roberts and his son Russell, as well as Jerry Slate, have applications at National awaiting review.

Other applications are being completed. They include Guy Wells and his son, Lee Hulsey, Denton Hammond, W. C. Pickens, Don Buchanon, Justin Ove, Will Johnson, David Stone, Mi-chael Aiken, Jim Smith, Jon Holland, Paul Bennecke, Thad Brummett, Josh Cooper, Chris Moody, Greg Settle, Doug Talley, Jonathan Shepperd, Chris Hinkle, William (Bill) Forrester, Frederick (Wade) Sherwood and Ben Weinberg. Apologies are due to all awaiting assistance, but should rest assured that help is on the way.

Registrar Van Blackwell is being assisted by Earl Cagle and Larry Guzy. The backlog, due to holidays and work, should begin to see progress.

President’s Message President Terry Gibbs

Vice President David Ludley

Secretary Bert Christy

Treasurer James Castle

Registrar Van Blackwell

Chancellor Larry Lines

Chaplain TBD

Sergeant-at-Arms Rodney Pritchett

Historian Vann Beasley

Editor Larry Guzy

Americanism Wayne Brown

Cemetery Leland Lee Hulsey

Law/Fire/JROTC Curtis McWaters

Eagle Scouts Earl Cagle

Veterans/Flags Lamon Smith

Membership Bill Coffeen

Patriot Grave Leland Lee Hulsey

Public Relations Lamar Cheatham & Rich Morrison

Schools David Martin

Asst Registrar Earl Cagle

DAR Liaison Bert Christy

Welcome/Education John Mattingly

The Collins Dispatch is published every other month. February 4th will be the next deadline for articles. Send articles, photos, or your bio to Larry Guzy at larry@adjustmentservices.com or regular mail at 4531 Paper Mill Rd SE, Mari-etta, GA 30067-4025.

If you have new member leads, contact Registrar Van Blackwell.

Officers and Committees I am honored that you have selected me to serve as your President of the Captain John Collins Chapter, SAR for the year 2013.

I follow in a line of chap-ter presidents that have set a hallmark of dedication, honor, skill, determination, and success. I have some very big shoes to fill. Com-mittee Chairmen and com-mittee members have con-tributed greatly to our past successes. We have had many accomplishments in the past and we continued to excel in the last year. Thanks to the efforts of our members in 2012,

• our chapter was awarded a Distin-guished Chapter Certificate and flag streamer by the Georgia State Soci-ety at the annual meeting in January of this year

• our chapter awarded more Flag Cer-tificates than any other chapter in the Georgia State Society

• our Eagle Scout, Kyle Mercer, won the Georgia Society Scholarship and now goes on to compete at National

We’ve had many successes, both large and small. Our goals in 2013 are to con-tinue to succeed in all of our aspirations and endeavors, however large or small. I am asking all of our members to contrib-ute wherever and whenever possible. No contribution is too small.

Calling Post The chapter takes advan-tage of an automated calling service to remind members of meetings and notify them of important news. If you want your name added or deleted from this list, call or email

Bert Christy 770-640-7617

christyb@bellsouth.net

In addition to contributing to our local chapter’s success in 2012 several of our John Collins Compatriots have also served at the Georgia State Society level.

Bill Coffeen serves as the State Chairman for Eagle Scouts and Curtis McWaters served as North-west Region Vice Presi-dent from 2010 through 2012. Captain John Collins Past-president, Wayne Brown, was elected on January 26, 2013, to serve as Northwest Region Vice President.

Many members of our chapter have served in many ways. Captain John

Collins Chapter Charter member, John R. Jones, contributed much and served as our Chaplain since 2004. John served with joy and dedication. Compatriot Jones passed away February 3, 2013. Our prayers are offered for John and his fam-ily. Thank you for your service, John.

With a team approach, we can make 2013 a successful year for the Captain John Collins Chapter. I’m asking for your help and guidance in continuing the suc-cesses of the previous years. We begin this year with a record number of 83 members and 5 applications for member-ship pending at the National and State Societies. I look forward to seeing old friends and making new acquaintances with those members that I have not met at our monthly meetings and chapter func-

(Continued on page 3)

Collins Member News & Happenings

Volume 13, Issue 1 page 3 COLLINS DISPATCH

tions and celebrations during the next year. I ask that each member make an effort to attend the monthly meetings and, if possible, bring a guest or potential member to our meetings and participate any way you are able in our chapter’s meetings, functions, and commit-tees. The strength of our chapter is in our growth and our commitment to the ideals of the Sons of the American Revolution.

Our Patriot Ancestors made sac-rifices that are unimaginable to many of us today. Let us honor their memory and sacrifices by continuing the Captain John Collins Chapter’s goals of promot-ing patriotism, recognizing service, commemorating the people, events and goals of the American Revolu-tion, informing and educating our community, honoring, respecting and supporting our veterans, and helping to carry out the promises in the U.S. Constitution.

Terry A. Gibbs, President

(Continued from page 2) President’s Message Annual Awards Banquet

Charlie “The Hair” Rhyne and his wife Linda accepted Outstanding Citizen awards for Chapter Support, having hosted BOM’s in their home throughout the year.

Wayne Brown was just happy to turn over the gavel to Terry Gibbs, but he was awarded the Past Presi-dent’s Pin, Neck Ribbon and Mem-ber Medal

And last but certainly not least, Certificates of Appreciation were given to all Officers who served in 2012

(Continued from page 1)

Former Congressman Bob Barr was the speaker for this year’s banquet. He was ac-companied by his wife, Jeri, who is also ac-tive in the community.

John Mattingly greeted members and guests at the door. Shown also is Registrar Van Blackwell.

The award-winning Georgia So-ciety SAR Color Guard forming up at the hilltop site of the Battle of Kettle Creek, outside Wash-ington, GA. An impressive array of wreaths were presented.

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Battle of Cowpens Remembered

The Color Guard marched to the Washington Light In-fantry Monument, after wreath laying ceremonies, led by President General Steve Leishman. Also in the march were South Atlantic District VP General Steve Pittard, Secretary General Joe Dooley, Treasurer General Lindsey Brock, Registrar General Mike Tomme, and Historian General Bobby Towns, an incredible six Na-tional General Officers, a record for this event

Collins members in attendance were David Martin, Charles Switzer and Larry Guzy.

Our December meeting was the usual musical af-fair with Christmas carols presented by trombonists

Harry Hagan and Rodney Pritchett. This year, the mem-bers were also entertained by the singing talents of Nancy Pritch-ett. This mu-sical meeting has become a tradition for the chapter.

At this holiday meeting, the chap-ter was also able to award membership pins to a father-son duo—the Hanlons.

Harry Hagan and Rodney Pritchett

December Chapter Meeting

Nancy Pritchett

The first flag certificate of the new year was pre-sented to the Center for Family Resources by Past President Wayne Brown on Tuesday January 29th. Pam Brems, Director of the Family Resources is shown as receiving the certificate.

During 2012, the chapter presented more flag certifi-cates than any other chapter in the state and was rec-ognized at the State Annual Meeting for the effort. This effort will continue under the guidance of Wayne, Terry Gibbs, and Curtis McWaters.

Flag Certificate

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Westside Elementary School

First Graders Visited

Wayne Brown, Larry Guzy, Bryan Black, and Earl Cagle

Harry Hagan’s daugh-ter, Ginny Coalson, teaches first grade at Westside Elementary School in Marietta and asked the chapter to make a presentation on February 4 about the Revolutionary War. This was challeng-ing since members gener-ally present to fourth grad-ers.

Bryan Black joined the group for the first time in his new militia uniform. He was a big hit with the kids playing the penny whistle and showing toys from the traveling trunk. As one of the students wrote, in thank you notes received after the presentation, “Thank you for telling us about stuff. That was nice of all of y’all. The guy that played the thing was really 4 times good. It sounded grate (sic).”

Members showed the children toys that would have been appropriate to the time period and asked them what they knew about their ancestors.

Bryan performed on the penny whistle.

Battle of Kettle Creek Commemorated

The annual remembrance of the Battle of Kettle Creek was held on a beautiful day in Washington, GA, February 9, where SAR Color Guard and others paraded into the town square for ceremo-

nies and later proceeded to the hilltop monument site for wreath presentations.

Members David Martin and Bryan Black were in attendance.

Bryan Black’s daughter, Margaret, visited the newly installed Black Patriot’s monument in the Washington, GA Square.

Former GASSAR President Terry Manning and Piedmont Chapter member Robert McClesky joined other SARs in commemo-rating the Battle of Kettle Creek

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Phone: 678-860-4477 Fax: 1-866-860-4403 E-mail: larry@adjustmentservices.com

Editor: Larry T. Guzy 4531 Paper Mill Rd. Marietta, GA 30067-4025

Publisher: Terry Gibb 3721 Hickory Ridge Ct. Marietta, GA 30066

Toiletries (but not small bar soap), magazines, blankets and books are needed at Veteran care facilities. Bring items to be donated to the chapter meetings and

report your visits to Vets and other activities.

Veteran & Americanism points can add up fast!

Chapter Website http://www.captainjohncollins.org

CAPTAIN JOHN COLLINS CHAPTER GEORGIA SOCIETY SONS OF THE

AMERICAN REVOLUTION

The Chapter’s namesake, Captain John Collins’ headstone is at the Mars Hill cemetery in Acworth.

Just the headlines...

Compatriot Charles Switzer has served the Cobb Library System’s Board of Trustees for 30 years, and has chaired the board since 1999. He decided the time had come to leave the board. Switzer received a proclamation recognizing his service at the Cobb County Commissioners meeting November 27th.

As noted in the Marietta Daily Journal of that date, “Highlights of Switzer’s service include helping persuade the public to approve a bond refer-endum in 1986 to build a new central library on Roswell Street, three new branch libraries and expand two oth-ers. His years on the board also saw the opening of the Central Library in 1989 and the opening of re-gional libraries in east Cobb (1990), west Cobb (2002, and south Cobb (2005).”

Switzer Leaves Library Board

Longtime Chaplain John Jones Remembered the South Cherokee Baptist church and vari-ous civic organizations. He served as a member and the Chaplain of North Cobb County Civitan Club, where he was a member for over 60 years.

John also was a member and Chaplain of AARP

Woodstock chapter #5173. He was recently honored by the DAR for his service in World War II, 1943 – 1945, as Corporal in the U.S. Army, in the Asiatic theater with the 88th Chemi-cal Battalion, Company B.

Charter member John Jones, who served as the chapter’s Chaplain since we began, passed on February 2nd at the age of 89.

John is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Glenn and Verena Jones, his grandson, David W. Carter, and his sister, Mrs. Sue Blankenship. Many of us remember his wife, Addie Jones, and his daughter, Judy Jones Smith, both of whom preceded him in death.

John was dedicated to working with

Celebrations of events are not just for adults. To carry on the knowledge and traditions, the Children of the American Revolution, C.A.R., have many active chapters in Georgia. Bryan Black’s daughter, Margaret, enjoyed meeting the GA State President C.A.R., Lily Garnett, and an-other friend at the Kettle Creek Monument.