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.

Celebration of Freedom – Russellville, KY

Eight Compatriots of the Col. Stephen Trigg Chapter participated on Saturday, July 15, in the first-ever”Celebration of Freedom” in Russellville.  Color Guard Commander Bob Sholly led a combined Color Guard of SAR members, military service members and veterans, and men and women who serve as first responders in Logan County.  Eddie Price shared a brief talk on the Battle of Blue Licks.  Geoff Baggett, President-Elect of the Kentucky Society, served as Master of Ceremonies.

Several men in the local community expressed interest in joining the SAR.  Indeed, in addition to Logan County resident Pete Lehman, who is already a Col. Stephen Trigg Member, another five men have submitted applications for membership.  We hope to be able to launch a Logan County chapter in 2018!

We were unable to obtain any photos from this event.

Shollys Attend Commemoration of Wyoming Valley Massacre

While his fellow Compatriots celebrated Independence Day back in Cadiz, chapter member Boy Sholly and his wife, Kat, traveled to Wyoming, Pennsylvania, for the annual commemoration of the Wyoming Massacre of July 3, 1778.

Bob’s Revolutionary War Patriot ancestor, Lt. James Wells, perished in that massacre.  Each year, descendants of the men of the Wyoming Valley Independent Company (Connecticut Continental Line) visit the small town to honor their ancestors.

Bob presented a beautiful wreath on behalf of the Col. Stephen Trigg Chapter.

He received a rousing round of applause when he gave a traditional Colonial salute which, apparently, had never been seen before by attendees.

Both before and after the event, Bob and Kat enjoyed touring several historic sites in the area.

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.

Descendants of Valley Forge

Chapter President Steve Mallory and Chapter Past-President Geoff Baggett recently returned from a pilgrimage to Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.  Both are members of the Society of the Descendants of Washington’s Army at Valley Forge, and traveled to the park as part of the society’s annual Encampment.   Steve Mallory’s ancestor, Sgt. William Mallory of the Third Virginia Regiment of the Continental Line, served at Valley Forge.  Baggett’s ancestors, Pvt. Richard Priddy of the First Virginia Regiment and Richard Beasley of the Second Virginia State Regiment, also served in the winter encampment at Valley Forge.

Their wives, Debbie Mallory and Kim Baggett, also attended.  Kim is also a member of the society.  Her ancestors, both natives of Shepherdstown, Virginia (now WV), were Pvt. Michael Yeisley of the German Battalion and Dr. Nicholas Schell, Surgeon in Hartley’s Additional Regiment of the Continental Line.  Debbie and Kim managed to spend some time with none other than His Excellency, General Washington, himself!

During their time in Pennsylvania, in addition to taking part in society events, both couples visited the new Museum of the American Revolution, took a self-guided tour of Valley Forge, and toured the house that served as General Washington’s headquarters.

Interestingly, on the way home from Pennsylvania, the Baggetts made a side-trip to Shepherdstown and located the graves of both of Kim’s Valley Forge ancestors.  The men are buried in the same cemetery less than thirty feet from one another!

Kim Baggett between the graves of Valley Forge Patriots Dr. Nicholas Schell (far left) and Michael Yeisley (far right).

Both the Mallorys and Baggetts plan to return in 2018.  Geoff Baggett has been appointed as the Deputy Paymaster of the Society, as well as the Battalion Commander of the newly-formed Kentucky Battalion.

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.

2017 Memorial Day Program in Cadiz

Today the Col. Stephen Trigg Chapter hosted its annual “Roll Call of Patriots” Memorial Day program at the West End Cemetery.  The program gives attendees the opportunity to recognize their Patriot ancestors by having their names read.  As each name is read, attendees place a flower at the revolutionary War “Missing Soldier” monument.

Eleven Compatriots and two Col. Stephen Trigg Ladies’ Auxiliary members took part in the program.  New member Pete Lehman of Russellville was given his oath and received his SAR membership rosette.

You can follow this link to see the story and photos on WKDZ Radio’s website.

A Memorial Day commemoration is considered a National Color Guard Event in the SAR.  Each participant received credit for participation in this even which, in turn, counts toward their earning of the Silver Color Guard Medal.  We look forward to another wonderful Memorial Day event in 2018!