Christmas in Col. Trigg Country

Bob Sholly, President of the Col. Stephen Trigg Chapter, has installed our annual display for the Cadiz “Festival of Lights” in the city park. It is part of a drive-through display where residents can enjoy displays provided by the various businesses, clubs, and organizations in our county. Our display has been a “favorite” of the locals for years. Now, thanks to a brand-new George Washington painting by Kentucky artist Kat Sholly (Bob’s sweet wife), it will be even better than ever! Drive down to Cadiz, Kentucky, and check it out!

Compatriots Install Mallory Headstone

Four Compatriots from the Kentucky Society ‘invaded” Tennessee on Tuesday to install a memorial headstone for Sgt. William Mallory of the 3rd Virginia Regiment.

(l to r) Geoff Baggett, Steve Mallory, Jim Mallory, David Mallory

William Mallory lived out his final days on his farm in rural Wilson County, Tennessee.  His exact burial site has been lost to time.  However, SAR Compatriot and descendant Jim Mallory recently succeeded in securing a Veteran’s Administration Memorial Headstone in his memory.  He, along with Steve Mallory and David Mallory, also descended from William Mallory, secured a location for the stone on the Talley Cemetery, a very old cemetery that borders the property of William Mallory.  Indeed, if the Patriot soldier is buried in an organized cemetery, rather than a simple family plot, in all likelihood he rests within the borders of this particular graveyard.

Aided by Col. Stephen Trigg Chapter member and Kentucky State President Geoff Baggett, on Tuesday the Mallory descendants installed the headstone on a preselected spot in the oldest part of the Talley Cemetery.  Jim Mallory led the engineering on the project, while the other men provided the “muscle.”

Here are close-ups of the lovely stone.  The SAR logo is displayed prominently on the back of the headstone.

Compatriots from Tennessee and Kentucky are planning to hold a Patriot Grave marking Ceremony at the site on Sunday, August 12, at 4:00 PM.

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.

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!

Col. Stephen Trigg Chapter Honors Memory of David Miles Vaughn

David Miles Vaughn made a new friend in November 2015 at a Col Stephen Trigg Chapter Grave Marking in Caldwell County.

David Miles Vaughn, Compatriot from Tennessee and former Commander of the Tennessee Color Guard, passed away on Friday, June 23, at his home.  He died after a year-long battle with cancer.

David was a great friend of the Col. Stephen Trigg Chapter.  He visited Trigg County and Western Kentucky often, taking part in several of our Grave Marking ceremonies and events.

SAR Color Guard with the family of David Miles Vaughn

Compatriots Steve Mallory, Bob Sholly, Jim Johnson, and Geoff Baggett were honored to take part and represent the Kentucky Society SAR in the Color Guard at his funeral.  Baggett played his regimental drum for the presentation of the guard.  Mallory and Sholly fired in the black powder salute.  Johnson fired his cannon in the artillery salute.

Our friend’s final resting place.  Until we muster once again on the other side.

Veteran’s Appreciation Medal Presented

Col. Stephen Trigg Chapter President Steve Mallory recently presented the Veteran’s Appreciation Medal and Certificate to retired U.S. Army Captain Jimmy Jones.

Join us in giving a huge “Huzzah!” and word of thanks to the Captain.  We are most grateful for his service to our nation.

Steve Mallory Represents Chapter at Kentucky Grave Marking

Chapter President Steve Mallory attended a recent grave marking hosted by the Gov. Isaac Shelby Chapter.  The Compatriots honored Reuben Boston, a soldier in the Virginia Continental Line.

Steve presented the Col. Stephen Trigg Chapter wreath and took part in the musket / long rifle salute.

Speaker’s Bureau at Trigg County Intermediate School!

Four Col. Stephen Trigg Chapter Compatriots joined forces today to bring Speaker’s Bureau presentations to all four of Mr. Kendell Finley’s 5th grade Social Studies classes at Trigg County Intermediate.  In all, the men spoke to almost one hundred students.  They presented four hour-long programs that covered a vast range of Colonial period topics, including food, weapons, and a soldier’s equipment.   The “Grand Finale” in each class was dressing up two students in militia attire.

The students seemed to have a fantastic time.

(Back Row) – Compatriots Mark Lacy, Geoff Baggett, Bob Sholly, and Jim Johnson

George Washington’s Birthday Display In Place!

Col. Stephen Trigg Chapter President Steve Mallory and new chapter member Jim Johnson visited the John L. Street Library in Cadiz today to set up the chapter’s annual “George Washington’s Birthday” display.  The simple display is part of the chapter’s effort to educate the public about the real nature of the National Holiday known as George Washington’s Birthday.

Though the legal holiday remains on the record as George Washington’s Birthday, annual acknowledgement has been culturally “morphed” into a holiday amalgam that highlights George Washington and Abraham Lincoln and is now casually referred to as “President’s Day.  The holiday is celebrated annually on the Monday closest to February 22, which is the actual date of our Founding President’s birthday (February 22, 1732).

We humbly encourage you to stop by and check out the display and grab one of the informational flyers.

Compatriots Jim Johnson (left) and Steve Mallory (right)

Baggett Represents Col. Stephen Trigg Chapter and Kentucky State Society at Georgia Events

Compatriot Geoff Baggett, Col. Stephen Trigg Chapter Past-President and current Vice-President/Chaplain of the Kentucky Society, made a long journey with his wife, Kim, to Wilkes County, Georgia, over the weekend.  The location is the former home of one of his Patriot ancestors, Robert Hammock, and the setting of his novel, Partisans and Refugees.  The weekend was part of a whirlwind book marketing tour.  He timed the visit to coincide with two important SAR events.  While there he represented both the chapter and Kentucky Society at two incredible events in northeast Georgia.

On Friday, February 10, he was honored to represent at the grave marking of General Elijah Clarke, infamous Revolutionary War officer in Georgia and “Hero of the Hornet’s Nest.”  Baggett and his wife, Kimberly, took part in the historical interpretation at the historic site during the morning and then attended the grave marking in the afternoon.

Baggett wore his chaplain’s “uniform” proudly carried the Kentucky flag in the color guard and presented the Kentucky wreath on behalf of the chapter and state.  He was given a surprise honor during the ceremony.  Since there were no descendants of the Patriot present, the Master of Ceremonies invited descendants of Patriots who served with Elijah Clarke to come forward and uncover the grave marker.  Baggett, whose ancestor Robert Hammock fought alongside Elijah Clarke, joined two other Compatriots in this honor.

On Saturday, February 11, Geoff and Kim attended Revolutionary War days in Washington, Georgia.  They manned a book booth on the city square during the morning hours.  In the afternoon they attended the Battle of Kettle Creek Commemoration, a National SAR Color Guard Event.  Once again, Geoff carried the Kentucky flag in the color guard and presented a wreath on behalf of the chapter and state society.