July 20, 2019 - 239th Anniversary of Colson's Mill
Today, members of our Mecklenburg chapter participated in the 239th Anniversary of the Battle of Colson's Mill in Norwood, NC.
Chapter members Stephen McKee and Ray Maxson participated in the combined North Carolina SAR Color Guard and Ed Toney presented honors and the chapter wreath.
A Patriot militia under William Lee Davidson scattered a gathering of Loyalists at Colson's Mill, near the junction of the Rocky and Pee Dee Rivers in present-day Stanly County, North Carolina.
Davidson, the only man in uniform, was targeted by Loyalist marksmen, and was severely injured by a bullet to the gut. However, his men did not falter when he went down, as Col. Francis Locke took command and they dispersed the Loyalist troop, killing three, wounding several more, and taking ten prisoners. The escape of the Loyalists was helped by their familiarity with the local terrain.
July 6, 2019 - Memorial Service for Compatriot Jim Tatum
Today, members of the Sons of the American Revolution, Daughters of the American Revolution - friends and family - gathered to honor and pay tribute to our late Color Guard Commander and wonderful friend, Jim Tatum.
Jim was always there with a smile, words of advice - a man of honor and dedication who showed us the best of what we can be. We are all better people for having Jim as a friend, and each of us must now carry on his legacy of service and Patriotism.
Our thoughts are with Vivia and the entire family.
July 4, 2019 - New U.S. Citizen Naturalization Ceremony
Members of the Mecklenburg chapter provided the Color Guard for the annual New Citizen Naturalization Ceremony held at the Charlotte Museum of History.
47 new citizens took the oath from 27 different countries.
Participating in the ceremony were chapter members (L to R in photo below) Tom Phlegar, Ray Maxson, Ken Luckey, Neil Hohmann and our youngest member, Landon Knestrick.
June 22, 2019 - Patriot Grave Marking with South Carolina SAR
The Mecklenburg chapter conducted a Patriot grave marking ceremony today with the Godfrey Dreher SAR Chapter in South Carolina at the historic Steele Creek Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Charlotte.
The Patriot we honored was John Carothers (1755-1838). Patriot Carothers served with his brothers James (1750-1836) and Robert (1750-1837) in the Mecklenburg Militia under Colonel Robert Ervin during the American Revolution. They fought together in the Battle of Hanging Rock. The ceremony included a musket volley from chapter members Jim Tatum and Steve McKee.
Representing our chapter at the event were Russ McCullough and David Goforth (chairing our chapter's Grave Marking Committee), Jim Wood, Jim Tatum, Steve McKee, Neil Hohmann, Ray Maxson, John Allen and Gus Succop.
June 15, 2019 - Three Patriot Grave Markings with DAR
The Mecklenburg Chapter Color Guard participated at the Vesuvious Furnace DAR chapter grave marking ceremony for three (3) Revolutionary War Patriots beginning at the Bethel United Methodist Church, 7284 Campground Road, Denver, NC 28037. The three Patriots being honored are Pvt. Jeremiah Munday/Mundy, Capt. Spencer Shelton and Pvt. Edmond Waggoner.
In the photo below (left to right), members participating from the chapter included Jim Tatum, Jim Wood, Guy Chamberlain, Steve McKee and Neil Hohmann.
June 8, 2019 - 239th Anniversary of the Battle of Ramsour's Mill
Members of the Mecklenburg chapter participated in the SAR National Color Guard at the 239th Anniversary of the Battle of Ramsour's Mill in Lincolnton, NC. Chapter members Jim Tatum, Ray Maxson, Steve McKee and Jim Wood represented the chapter during the ceremonies. In the photo below, Mecklenburg chapter vice president Steven McKee's daughter, Peyton, dresses in Colonial attire for the ceremony.
(in the photo below, Jim Tatum commands the SAR Color Guard)
(below, chapter vice president Steve McKee in the Color Guard)
(below, chapter member Jim Woods delivers remarks)
May 25, 2019 - 239th Anniversary of Buford's Massacre
Mecklenburg chapter color guard commander Jim Tatum attended the commemoration ceremony today at Buford's Crossroads near Lancaster, SC.
The Battle of Waxhaws (also known as the Waxhaws or Waxhaw massacre, and Buford's massacre) took place on May 29, 1780, between a Continental Army force led by Abraham Buford and a mainly Loyalist force led by British officer Banastre Tarleton. Buford refused an initial demand to surrender, but when his men were attacked by Tarleton's cavalry, many threw down their arms to surrender. Buford apparently attempted to surrender. However, the British commanding officer Tarleton was shot at during the truce, causing his horse to fall and trap him. Loyalists and British troops were outraged at the breaking of the truce in this manner and proceeded to fall on the rebels.
May 20, 2019 - 244th Anniversary of the "Meck Dec" in Charlotte
Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah!
The Mecklenburg Chapter had 12 Compatriots in attendance for the 244th Anniversary of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence festivities at Trade and Tryon in Uptown Charlotte, including 8 in full dress for Color Guard duties.
New Bern Chapter President Jay DeLoach also joined the Color Guard. Thank you to all those in attendance, and please make plans to come out to next year's 245th observance on May 20th, 2020.
(in the photo above, Mecklenburg chapter president Tony Zeiss marches in parade)
(in the photo above, left to right, Jim Tatum, Jim Wood, Neil Hohmann,
Jay DeLoach, Ray Maxson and Greg Catledge)
(in
the photo above, Mecklenburg chapter vice president Stephen McKee fires!)
(in the photo above, Mecklenburg chapter registrar Greg Catledge)
May 16, 2019 - A Wonderful May Dinner & Presentation!
57 Mecklenburg chapter members, wives, prospective new members and guests enjoyed a beautiful evening, dinner and presentation during our May chapter dinner meeting.
We inducted two new members during the evening, met our chapter's Americanism Poster Art winner, enjoyed socializing and dinner, and then listened to NC Rep. Craig Horn (in the photo below) deliver an interesting story on the ties between George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill. Rep. Horn told us about incredible facts and details about how these three men were connected forward from George Washington.
April 27, 2019 - Mecklenburg Attends DAR State Conference
Mecklenburg chapter members Guy Chamberlain and Jim Tatum attended the 119th Annual North Carolina Society Daughters of the American Revolution's State Meeting in Raleigh.
DAR/SAR Vivia Tatum (seen in the photo with Guy Chamberlain) coordinated table space for the SAR to provide information about joining the organization.
February 21, 2019 - Mark Twain Visits Charlotte for President's Day
America's most beloved author and humorist, Mark Twain, visited our chapter's annual President's Day Community Dinner this evening in Charlotte.
229 guests enjoyed a wonderful social dinner and the humorous presentation from Mr. Twain, who was portrayed by Curtis Odell from Hodgenville, KY (the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln). Next year's guest is President Theodore Roosevelt.
January 26, 2019 - 238th Anniversary of the Battle of Cowan's Ford
The Mecklenburg chapter hosted the Annual Battle of Cowan's Ford commemoration ceremony today with a crowd in excess of 150 people at Hopewell Presbyterian Church in Huntersville, NC.
Our guest presenter was Jeremiah DeGennaro, site manager for the Alamance Battleground State Historic Site. His presentation was "Why They Fought: Prelude to Revolution in the North Carolina Backcountry - 1765 to 1771." (pictured below)
Chapter members in attendance included Steve McKee, Ray Maxson, Tony Zeiss, Jim Tatum, Greg Catledge, Jim Wood and others. Program chairman Steve McKee (pictured below) calls the ceremony an "outstanding success!"
January 19, 2019 - 238th Anniversary of the Battle of Cowpens
Ray Maxson from our chapter represented Mecklenburg at the 238th Anniversary of the Battle of Cowpens today.
About 100 people were in attendance, many from the DAR with many SAR members from around the region.
The ceremony was moved from Cowpens National Park to an auditorium in nearby Gaffney, SC. In the photo below, Ray and Helen Maxson visit the Cowpens monument inside the Cowpens National Battlefield Park.
December 15, 2018 - Wreaths Across America
Members of our Mecklenburg chapter participated in the annual Wreaths Across America event held today in our area at East Forest Lawn Cemetery in Matthews, NC.
In attendance at the event were Jim Tatum, Ed Tomey, Steve McKee, Jay Joyce and Neil Hohmann. This year the cemetery received over 750 wreaths to lay on Veteran's graves.
November 18, 2018 - New CAR Chapter Chartering Ceremony
Members of our Mecklenburg chapter Color Guard provided the Colors for the chartering ceremony of the newest CAR (Children of the American Revolution) chapter in Stanfield, NC. The new CAR chapter name is the COL Adam Alexander chapter, CAR. The ceremony was held at the Berea Baptist Church in Stanfield, NC. Members of the Mecklenburg chapter in attendance included Jim Tatum, Jim Wood, John Allen and Steve McKee.
November 15, 2018 - Annual Chapter Meeting & Elections
Our chapter held our annual chapter meeting this evening to present awards to outstanding members, to elect new chapter leadership and to enjoy some fine bluegrass music.
Chapter president Dave Alls honored all of our chapter members who have served our country through military service. Each member received their official SAR military service medal and certificate.
Several chapter members were then honored with SAR and Chapter awards, including Jim Tatum, John Allen and Stephen McKee (in photo above). Compatriot McKee was awarded the chapter's Outstanding Member of the Year for his work at the Cowan's Ford program and throughout the year. Tony also mentioned that our monthly chapter lunches will be commencing again in 2019...but this time they will be held at The Waldhorn German Restaurant!
Our chapter elections were held where Tony Zeiss (in photo above) was elected as our new chapter president. Tony delivered some remarks following his installation focused on growing our chapter toward the 200 member mark over the next two years and providing more transparency to chapter members on chapter finances.
The evening then concluded with an outstanding performance by the incredible musical talent from the members of The Little Big String Band. They put on a tremendous performance for the group!
November 10, 2018 - Charlotte Veterans Day Parade
The Mecklenburg Chapter Color Guard led the Charlotte Veterans Day Parade again this year through the streets of Uptown Charlotte. This year we had two very special young people join us for the parade. Landon Knestrick, our chapter's youngest member, and Peyton McKee, chapter vice president Steve McKee's daughter.
Other SAR members in attendance included Ray Maxson, Greg Catledge, Neil Hohmann, Steve McKee, Bill McCown, Tom Phlegar, Ken Luckey and Jay Joyce.
November 3, 2018 - 33 Patriots Monument Unveiling
Our chapter staged the unveiling ceremony for the 33 Patriots Monument to conclude the year's fundraising campaign to purchase and install the new monument at Centre Presbyterian Church in Mooresville, NC.
Several hundred SAR, DAR, CAR, community organizations and the general public attended the indoor service to hear new chapter president Tony Zeiss deliver a presentation on some of the Patriot's stories who are buried in the cemetery.
Everybody then moved outdoors for the official unveiling ceremony of the monument, which is located inside the church cemetery under a grove of trees. In the photo above, Jenny Tolson, regent of the Mecklenburg Chapter, NSDAR, officially unveils the Monument as Mecklenburg SAR chapter members Stephen McKee, at left, and Jim Tatum, at right, handle the Honor Guard duties.
We thank the SAR, DAR and CAR for your generous support during the fundraising and also at the event. These wonderful chapters include the Mecklenburg Chapter, NSDAR, Alexandriana Chapter, NSDAR, the Battle of Shallow Ford Chapter, NSDAR, the Blue Ridge Chapter, SAR, the Capt. George Dickey Chapter, SAR, the Col. Alexander Erwin Chapter, SAR, the George Washington Endowment Fund, SAR, the Mary Slocumb Chapter, NSDAR, the Nathanael Greene chapter, NSDAR, the Otway Burns chapter, NSDAR, the Peter Smith Chapter, NSDAR, the Stamp Defiance Chapter, NSDAR, and the Susanna Coutanch Evans Chapter, NSDAR. Also a special thanks to our chapter president Dave Alls for coordinating and managing the event. Thank you for your generosity and your support. The Monument could never have been purchased or installed without your contributions.
October 7, 2018 - 238th Anniversary of the Battle of Kings Mountain
Mecklenburg chapter members Jim Wood, Jim Tatum and Ray Maxson participated in the SAR National event during the 238th Anniversary of the Battle of Kings Mountain today. SAR, DAR, CAR and other patriotic organizations gathered on top of Kings Mountain to honor the Patriots who bravely fought at this battle. In the photo below, left to right, Ray Maxson, Jim Wood, Jack Bowman (president, Catawba Valley SAR chapter), George Strunk (NCSSAR State President) and Jim Tatum pose for a photo during the ceremony.
September 28, 2018 - Chapter Members Attend River Crossing
Mecklenburg chapter members John Allen and Jim Tatum had the opportunity to participate in the Overmountain Men Militia crossing of the Catawba River at Greenlee Ford near Morganton, NC. When the British invaded the back country of the South during 1780, the local Patriot militia took a stand. At Sycamore Shoals, TN, a militia unit assembled from the VA and TN area.
The 1100 men began their journey to cross the Appalachian Mountains to defeat the British. Along their route through NC communities today known as Wilkes County, Spruce Pines, Marion, Morganton, Gilbertown, Cowpens, SC, and Gaffney, SC, joined the force.
Each year members of the Overmountain Victory Trail Association walk this trail in honor of this historic event; and 21 Patriots who made the crossing of the river were killed during the battle at Kings Mountain. A huge crowd attended from the local communities and throughout the state. Catawba Valley SAR chapter president Jack Bowman attended and was instrumental in getting the SAR involved for this first year.