This years Wreaths Across America was well attended by many in the community. The Camp Charlotte SAR members as well as members of the Pickaway Plains DAR hosted the event with some members of the Hocking Valley Chapter in attendance with State Color Guard Commander Bob Hill. Over 2000 wreaths were place on veterans graves sites throughout Forest Cemetery out of the 4000 that are buried there, hopefully next year will be even better.
Photos courtesy of Brooklyn Dunn
This past Tuesday for the final meeting for this year, Camp Charlotte handed out a couple of awards for some very special people. And added another new member to the Camp Charlotte chapter roster. First both Becky and Jenny Mathes who handle Search and Rescue operations here in Pickaway county took their own personal time and their fury team mates to travel down to the flood stricken Carolina’s to search and rescue missing victims and help those who hit the hardest. For this effort they were given the Emergency Medical Services Award by the Camp Charlotte Chapter SAR. Next was Kenny Fisher was sworn in Monday October 28th as the official Police Chief of the Circleville Police department after more than a year of upheaval at the department . He is a U.S. Marine Corps and Army Reserve veteran and previously worked as a sergeant at the Circleville Police Department for this effort he was given the Law Enforcement Award by the chapter. Following next was Deputy Joey Collins was awarded the Metal for Heroism this was for his effort in trying to save a family in a house fire that he had come up on before fire services could arrive. His effort caused him a lengthy stay in the local hospital through injuries received, unfortunately all lives were lost in the blaze do to the intense heat of the fire none the less he was instrumental in telling the Firefighters were the people were located in the house. The last action was the addition of Camp Charlotte’s newest member Kevin T. Donahue who was sworn in by our Camp President Kevin Driesbach. For this past Circleville Pumpkin Show assistance with the display booth and parade float, the liaison to Camp Charlotte SAR was DAR representative Christine Lallier presenting members of Camp Charlotte with a Certificate of Appreciation for their hard work in making the overall event a success.
This year we returned to Licking Heights Elementary for their Veterans day program on the 8th of November and in addition were invited to participate in a Veterans Day program at Mars Hill Academy on November 11th. Both were very enjoyable with the Mars Hill Academy allowing the SAR members to demonstrate how period arms were used during the American Revolution with the firing of a musket salute out in their sports complex and taking a Q&A moment afterwards.
Members of the Camp Charlotte Chapter of the SAR were honored in being present at the grave marking ceremonies took place at the small towns of Coolville and Hockingport down near the Ohio River on November 9th. The ceremonies were organized by the Captain James Neal Chapter of the West Virginia Society SAR. But several Ohio SAR Chapters participated Hocking Valley, Marietta and others as well as DAR Chapters. West Virginia Compatriot Mark LaFrance led the Color Guard. OHSSAR Color Guard Commander Bob Hill was present to handle the group of musket men in attendance.
This years Pumpkin Show was a busy one. 6 out of 7 parades the Camp Charlotte Color Guard unit handled the responsibilities quite well. This year we again had our booth for both the DAR & SAR with the DAR providing a float in which to ride. All and all it was extremely successful many inquiries and requests for applications for both SAR & DAR membership.
Saturday 12, 2024 the Camp Charlotte held their event honoring those that were part of the treaty of Camp Charlotte. The Key not speaker Mrs. Dorene Soiret 6th great granddaughter of Chief Cornstock gave a presentation of the history of how and why Chief Cornstock and Chief Logan the involvement in to the treaty of Camp Charlotte. The follow day on Sunday a bus tour took attendees through the various location in which all the activties took place with the special stop at Logan Elm park where Chief Logan gave his speech to the various local Indian tribes.
The 2024 ceremonies for the Battle of Point Pleasant was huge success. Many were in attendance in the various clothing for the period. We 6 members of the Camp Charlotte SAR arriving to be part of the wreath presentation and/or Color Guard unit.
Saturday September 28th members of Camp Charlotte attended 2 of the grave marking Ceremonies host by the Hocking Valley SAR. Turn out was surprising large considering the wet weather, Even General George Washington was in attendance. The first ceremony took place at St. Michaels Cemetery in Baltimore Ohio where 4 patriots were honored for their service in the American revolution the keynote speaker for both events was Pastor Ed Bonniewell which did a fantastic job of presenting both “Thomas Jefferson and the Barbary Pirates” & “Samuel Adams, The Much misunderstood Patriot” .
St. Michaels Church – Baltimore Ohio
Fletcher Chapel Church – Millersport, Ohio
The September 2024 chapter meeting of Camp Charlotte on Tuesday the 25th at 7:00 pm. We had a number of members in attendance as this meeting had a couple special events.
President Kevin Driesbach was presented with the Bronze Hanna White Arnette Award from the Local chapter of the Pickaway Plain DAR. The medal is one of DAR’s newest recognition’s and It may be awarded to a member in good standing of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) or Sons of the Revolution (S.R.) for unselfish devotion, tireless efforts, and assistance to the DAR; and who has dedicated his time, energy, talents, and/or resources to the organization in support and furtherance of the DAR mission of historic preservation, education and patriotism. Another event was the induction of Camp Charlotte’s newest member Robert Sellars.
September 11 we had a pleasant evening attending the program at the Ohio Christian University campus. The Color Guard unit of the Camp Charlotte SAR had the distinct honor to present the Colors for the opening event. With the Circleville barber shop chorus and the Pumpkin Show band all performing various Patriotic musical pieces during the presentation. Speakers included the invocation given by Ohio Treasure Robert Sprague and a welcome statement by the Mayor of Circleville Miss Blanton. The Pledge of Allegiance was given by Ohio State Representative Brian Stewart. The main speaker was former Secret Service Agent Tim Miller.
Camp Charlotte Chapter #41-Sons of the American Revolution 