Central Coast Chapter Minutes for December 17, 2016

Central Coast Chapter Minutes for December 17, 2016

Meeting to Order:  1:07 PM

Invocation by Nate Maas

Pledges of Allegiance & SAR

Sunshine Report: Earl Rader is still convalescing.

Secretary’s Report: Accepted as read.

Old Business: None

New Business: 2017 Chapter Officer Selection. Nominated slate is Russell Haynes, President, Chris Scrimiger, Secretary, Brian Mummert, Vice President & Steven Scully, Treasurer. Motion to elect (Tissue), seconded ( J. Siler). Motion passed with one obligatory nay.

Treasurer’s Report: Account balance per last statement is $2,531.39.

There are also two pending applications.

Guest Speaker: None. A general discussion ensued about SAR chapter activities, other lineage organizations i.e. Sons of the American Colonists (R. Haynes is a member), Descendants of the Loyalists and  the General Society of the Sons of the Revolution which is older than SAR. Also discussed, was Ancestry.com and DNA matches.

Guests in attendance were Jerry Allen of Grover Beach, a former banker in CA, NV & AZ and Bill Harris a former geophysicist for Unocal who is married with two daughters.

Closing Pledge

Benediction by Nate Maas

Adjournment: 1:20 PM

Respectfully Submitted,

Chris Scrimiger

Chapter Secretary

Central Coast Chapter Minutes for November 19, 2016

Central Coast Chapter Minutes for November 19, 2016

Meeting to Order: 1:05 PM

Invocation

Pledges of Allegiance and SAR

Sunshine Report:  Earl Rader still not able to attend.

Secretary’s Report:  October Minutes accepted as read.

Treasurer’s Report:  Current account balance $2,531.39

Old Business: Dues are needed by Dec 15.

New Business: Our Chapter received the Col. Richard Locke Jr. Membership Award for membership retention by a small chapter.

The following is our tribute to Bill Siler, thanks in large part to John Siler and Nate Maas. William Wallace Siler was born 23 Jun 1916 to Arthur and Ethyl Siler in Macon Co., North Carolina and he died 3 Oct 2016. While Bill would never admit it, what transpired over that 100 years was rather remarkable.

Following the death of his father, Bill’s family moved to Mexico, MO. In 1937, a barnstormer pilot came to Mexico and gave rides for $3.00. Bill was hooked. Bill obtained his civilian pilot’s license. Bill later attended Westminster College in Fulton MO and it was there that he met his wife to be, Ruth Louisa Beard.

Bill always interested in politics and political science was concerned by the rise of Fascism in Europe and he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force prior to Pearl Harbor. Bill was eventually commissioned as a navigator, his legs too short to be a pilot.

John shared the most ironic of anecdotes where Bill returned to MO on leave after Pearl Harbor to marry Ruth and was arrested for draft evasion all while in RCAF dress uniform. After all was sorted, Bill found himself in the US Army Air Corps as a navigator and stationed at Glatton near Peterborough, England. Bill’s B-17  crew, part of the 457th heavy bomber group, flew 37 missions over Germany. Bill then volunteered for a Mosquito Squadron stationed at Watton and flew reconnaissance until war’s end.

After WWII, Bill re-enlisted several times and found himself with Air Transport Command  and  was involved in the Berlin Airlift, while stationed in Guam Bill helped aerial photograph much of the South Pacific, and during the Korean War crewed on C54 transports.

During the Cold War, Bill found employment with the Aeronautical Chart and Information Center. Bill served our country for 32 years and he attained the rank of Lt. Colonel. After retirement, he and Ruth first settled in Lompoc but Ruth’s health required a move to Las Cruses, NM and then Dallas, TX. She passed away in 2001. Bill also had a home built in Morro Bay, CA where he resided until his passing.

Bill is remembered for being tenacious, patriotic, humorous, giving and gentle. Bill’s interests were bridge, history, political science and Latin. Bill’s keen appreciation for country and family led him to attend events like the 165^th Siler Descendants reunion, the last after his 100^th birthday, and many military reunions. Bill drove 8000 miles after his 98^th birthday to attend reunions in Texas and in Canada. Bill also served as SAR Central Coast Chapter Vice President. Bill is survived by his son

Bill Siler and Sect'y Chris Scrimiger

 John and sisters Ruth and  Reisa.

Personally, I’ve never known anyone who could recite Emerson’s “Concord Hymn” but Bill could. Every stanza.

Closing Pledge

Benediction by Nate Maas

Adjournment: 2:10 PM

Respectfully Submitted,

Chris Scrimiger
Chapter Secretary

               The award is for the largest retained membership growth for a chapter in the small chapter group for 2015.

Central Coast Chapter Minutes for October 15, 2016

New Members, Steven Scully (l) and Brian Mummert, (r)

and President Russ Haynes (c)

Central Coast Chapter Minutes for October 15, 2016

Meeting to Order: 1:07 PM

Invocation by Gary Cooper

Sunshine Report: The Chapter lost its most beloved centenarian with the passing of Bill Siler a couple of weeks ago. There remains the possibility of a November remembrance according to Nate Maas.

Dave Tissue is recovering from neck surgery and Earl Rader is progressing. Our best to both.

Guest: Bill Harris, a former geophysicist with Unocal in Orcutt was welcomed.

Secretary’s Report: September Minutes were read and accepted.

Treasurer’s Report: $2,409.78 account balance. Motion to pay for the purchase of dues cards (Scrimiger), seconded (Maas), carried.

Guest Speaker: Our own resident historian, Nate Maas addressed the group. Firstly, Nate spoke about visiting his friend Bill Siler and that Bill wanted us to know how much the SAR and the Chapter meant to him. Farewell to a true patriot.

Nate’s presentation was about the year 1776 and how bad it truly was. The year began with the rout of Washington’s army at Long Island, an unlikely escape and then tactical retreat. In those years, rivers were a geographical impediment and strong swimmers uncommon. As a result, the British were content to pursue and contain until surrender.

Washington blocked the British by commandeering all of the boats in his army’s wake and leaving none behind. Wintertime was not a time for warfare and hence an opportunity for surprise. The Delaware River is fairly shallow for a major artery. Washington appropriated all of the ferries and Durham boasts to make the crossing near Trenton on Christmas Eve. Christmas was not widely observed during this period in history but it was by the Roman Catholic Hessians and they were celebrating. Washington’s army surprised then easily overwhelmed the Hessians. Enlistments went up in 1777.

Nate has been to Trenton and he recommends the Old Barracks Museum. Princeton also has many historical sites including its oldest building which was hit by cannon fire and has a large star to designate the location.

Washington eventually camped at Valley Forge and it is now a national monument. There is only one grave at Valley Forge to honor all of those who died of disease and privation. Washington missed an opportunity at Monmouth due to the cowardice of General Charles Lee and it would be years before the decisive Yorktown victory.

Nate closing thought was “never give up liberty for safety” and he recommended the book 1776 by David McCullough. Nate’s lecture was much appreciated.

Old Business: None

New Business: Dues are due in November. Officer elections are also in November

New Members in attendance: Steven Scully and Brian Mummert.

Closing Pledge

Benediction

Adjournment: 2:35PM

Respectfully Submitted,

Chris Scrimiger

Chapter Secretary

Central Coast Chapter Minutes for June 18, 2016

                                    Central Coast Chapter Minutes for June 18, 2016

Meeting to Order: 1:20 PM

Invocation by Nate Maas

Pledges of Allegiance & SAR

Guest: Dave Evers

Sunshine Report: Earl Rader’s treatment will be done by October and the prognosis is good.

Secretary’s Report: May Minutes accepted as read.

Treasurer’s Report: Account balance is $2,379.78.

Guest Speaker: Our own Nate Maas was introduced as the guest speaker for June. Nate is a former history teacher and is now a school principal in north SLO County. Nate is also an Asst. Scout Master after being the Scout Master for Troop #308. Nate extolled the benefits of travel and outdoor adventures for our youth and remembered trips to the Sierras and Santa Catalina Island.

Nate’s topic was the Battle of Long Island in August 1776 and the fallout (Nate provided handouts). George Washington was able to escape Long Island with his army still intact and spent the next few months avoiding the army of Lord Cornwallis. At years’ end Washington was able to surprise the Hessians at Trenton NJ which was followed by a victory at Princeton.

Having had POW ancestor (Freeman), Nate is particularly animated about the forgotten history of our POW patriots. Those captured by the British were subjected to the inhumane treatment, first in Sugar Houses where Provost Marshal William Cunningham routinely tortured his captives. Later, POW’s were incarcerated on prison ships in Wallabout Bay. The HMS  Jersey is particularly notorious. It is estimated that some 11,000 prison ship POW’s died while in British custody. Buried in shallow graves, the bones of the dead washed ashore for many years following the Revolution. The remains were collected and kept in a crypt at the Brooklyn Navy Yard and then at the Prison Ship Martyrs Monument at Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn. The Monument was first dedicated in 1908.

Nate’s presentation was much appreciated.

Old Business: None

New Business: No meeting until next October.

Closing Pledge

Benediction by Nate Maas

Adjournment: 2:42 PM

Respectfully Submitted,

Chris Scrimiger

Chapter Secretary

Central Coast Chapter Minutes for May 21, 2016

Central Coast Chapter Minutes for May 21, 2016

Meeting to Order:  1:02 PM

Invocation by Gary Cooper

Pledges of Allegiance & SAR

Sunshine Report: Earl Rader is still receiving treatment and we hope to see him soon.

Guest: Rise Siler

Secretary’s Report: Minutes accepted as read.

Treasurer’s Report:  Current account balance $2429.78.

No guest speaker but Nate Maas is anticipated to be the speaker for the June meeting.

John Siler presided over a discussion of the procedures for selecting convention delegates. Caucases and primaries select most convention delegates, however, super delegates are party insiders and appointed. Also, what constitutes a natural born citizen, requirements for the presidency and other issues were discussed.

Old Business: None

New Business: None

A supplemental certificate was awarded to James Shea.

Closing Pledge

Benediction by Gary Cooper

Adjournment: 2:12 PM

Respectfully Submitted,

Chris Scrimiger

Chapter Secretary

Meeting Minutes 16 Apr 2016

Central Coast Chapter Minutes for April 16, 2016
Meeting to order: 1:11 PM
Invocation
Pledges Allegiance & SAR
New Business: Two new members, Kelly Richard Davis’s app approved & Ernest Miller’s certificate was issued.
Secretary’s Report: Minutes approved as read.
Treasurer’s Report: Current balance is $2,431.67.
In the absence of a speaker, Kelly Davis was kind enough to speak about is revolutionary ancestor, Col. William Crawford. Crawford was a veteran of the French & Indians War and a close friend to George Washington. At War’s end, Crawford led an expedition of PA & VA militia to Sandusky, OH in an effort to stop Indian depredation on the frontier. The militia army was routed by a superior force made up of English troops and Indian tribes still loyal to the crown.
The retreat of militia forces proved chaotic with Crawford captured and tortured to death. Kelly’s presentation was warmly received.
Old Business: The chapter will be dark (no meeting) for July, August & September.
Closing Pledge
Adjournment: 2:00 PM
Respectfully Submitted,
Chris Scrimiger
Chapter Secretary

                                    Russ Haynes and New Member Ernest Miller

                                    Russ Haynes and New Member Kelley Davis