Runner-Up Kentucky Poster Contest

Chapter President Bob Sholly and Vice-President Jim Johnson visited Southwest Elementary near Murray, Kentucky, today to recognize a very special young man.

5th-grader Tommy Gomez received his second place award in the state-wide Elementary Poster Contest.  In addition to a certificate from the Kentucky Society, he also received a monetary award of $100.

The Col. Stephen Trigg Chapter is proud of its four-year partnership with the Southwest Elementary.  Skylar Nunley is the new 5th grade Social Studies teacher.  He continued the cooperative effort begun by former teacher Andy Davenport.

George Washington’s Birthday

Compatriots of the Col. Stephen Trigg Chapter held their annual George Washington’s Birthday commemoration today.  They presented Pam Metts, Director of the John L. Street Library in Cadiz, with yet another title for its “George Washington Library.”  This year, the chapter purchased a copy of Brian Kilmeade’s, George Washington’s Secret Six (Young Readers Adaptation).

In addition to the annual book presentation, the chapter also enjoys a “display partnership” with the library.  Mrs. Metts allows the SAR to place a George Washington display near the library’s front entrance throughout the entire week of George Washington’s Birthday.

Baggett Opens Lecture Series in Logan County

Kentucky SAR President and Col. Stephen Trigg Chapter member Geoff Baggett helped compatriots of the Col. Benjamin Logan Chapter launch a new spring lecture series in Russellville on January 10.  Pres. Baggett shared a lecture on Western Kentucky’s only know Revolutionary War site, Fort Jefferson in Ballard County.  The event was well attended, with over sixty learners present.  Baggett provided his talk following the presentation of colors by the Col. Benjamin Logan Color Guard.  Afterwards he sold and signed copies of is Rev War period novels and books.

A Token of Our Appreciation

Col. Stephen Trigg Chapter President Steve Mallory made a trip to Princeton, Kentucky, today to offer the heartfelt thanks of the chapter to Luke Carneyhan of West Kentucky Memorials.  Luke and his crew produced the granite headstones for our “Lost Patriots” monument that we dedicated last weekend.  In addition, he donated one stone … the dedication stone … free of charge.  It was a generous gift, indeed.  In return, Steve presented a Certificate of Appreciation.

Luke and his company have been producing SAR Patriot stones for the chapter for several years now.  Their work is superb, and they are truly great supporters of our chapter.

Pictured (l to r). Bruce Harper, Steve Mallory, Luke Carneyhan and Brad Moore

One Amazing Veteran!

Bernard Rubien enlisted in the U.S Army Air Corps in September, 1940.  One year later, he was stationed at one of the army’s most exotic locations … Oahu, Hawaii.  He was an enlisted man assigned to Hickam Army Airfield at Pearl Harbor.  Two months later, he was awakened from a lazy Sunday morning’s sleep by the Japanese bombing Pearl Harbor.

Thankfully, he survived that attack and went on to a stellar career in the Army Air Corps, which later became the U.S. Air Force.  He served in both World War II and the Korean War, retiring as a Lt. Colonel in 1966.

Here is an amazing photo of his service decorations, complete with a photo from his youth.

Bernard is now 99 years old, and living in California.  Today, thanks to Col. Stephen Trigg Compatriot Glenn Greenfield, he proudly received the chapter’s Veteran’s Appreciation Medal.

Just look at that smile!

Huzzah!  And thank you for your service, Col. Rubien!

Chapter Honors First Responders on 9/11

Two Trigg County first responders were recognized Monday night at an annual 9-11 commemoration ceremony at the Cadiz Renaissance Stage. The two longtime public servants were presented with the Emergency Medical Service Commendation Medal on the 16th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

Chapter members then honored Trigg EMS Director Matt Oliver and Cadiz City Council Member Frankie Phillips with the Emergency Medical Service Commendation Medal, which is reserved those who have served with distinction and devotion in the field of emergency medical services. Both are either current or former firefighters.  They also received the keys to the city from Cadiz Mayor Todd King.

At the close of the ceremony, chapter members tolled a bell in memory of those who have served and continue to serve in our communities. The bell sounded in honor of firefighters, police officers, emergency medical personnel, elected officials and volunteers.

 

Compatriots Attend Blue Licks

Chapter Compatriots Steve Mallory and Geoff Baggett represented the Col. Stephen Trigg Chapter at this year’s commemoration of the Battle of Blue Licks.  Geoff fulfilled his role as the state society Chaplain, marched in the Color Guard, and presented the chapter wreath.  Steve fired in the gun salute.  Their spouses attended the event, as well.

This is the fourth year in a row that these two men have participated in this National Color Guard Event.

Veterans Honored at Annual Thomas-Bridges Association Meeting

Compatriots of the Col Stephen Trigg Chapter honored three U.S. military veterans at the annual family reunion in Cadiz.

Dr. Brad Rankin and his son, Chad, presented the Veteran’s Appreciation Medal and Certificate to World War II Veteran Gilmer Haydon Thomas.

Col. Stephen Trigg Chapter charter member James Sumner presented medals and certificates to his “cousins,” Korean War Navy Veteran Olen Ray Thomas and World War II Veteran James Arvin Cunningham.

We are grateful for their selfless service to our nation.

Annual Reading of the Declaration!

The Col. Stephen Trigg Chapter gathered on a cloudy, rainy Independence Day in Cadiz to celebrate its annual Reading of the Declaration.  About forty citizens braved the rain to take part in the event.  Geoff Baggett read the Declaration of Independence in its entirety, just like messengers and representatives did in July and August, 1776, in cities and towns throughout the thirteen newly-formed states of the United States of America.  The attendees responded with jeers and boos at all things British, and cheers for all things patriotic.

Before the reading, President Steve Mallory administered the oath of membership to new Compatriot Mark Lacy, formerly of Georgia.  Geoff Baggett pinned him with his rosette.

After the reading, Compatriot Chad Rankin tolled the bell thirteen times … once for each of the original thirteen states.

Despite the rain, it was a wonderful annual event.  We look forward to clear skies and sunshine in 2018!

Patriot Balaam Ezell Grave Marking

Today the Col. Stephen Trigg Chapter hosted a grave marking ceremony in honor of Revolutionary War Patriot Balaam Ezell.  The Patriot served in the Virginia militia in what would later become Kentucky.  Later in life, her was a Primitive Baptist pastor in Trigg County.  He rests in the Thomas Cemetery near the community of Cerulean.

Two Compatriots from Tennessee, along with three Colonial-clad ladies in the Col. Stephen Trigg Auxiliary, took part in the event, which included a flag folding and a musket/cannon salute.  Approximately people from the local community attended the grave marking.

You can visit this link to view a Facebook album of the pictures from the event.