Thousand Islands Chapter Minutes
Thousand Islands Chapter ESSSAR, Event MinutesFebruary 1, 2025 _____________________________________________________________Call to Order: 11:00 AM by President VanWieAttendance: Leon VanWie, Terry Evans, Jim Koch, David Powell, Mark Crandall, Kevin Leeson, Jon Aimonetti, Geoff French, and Chris Westphal. Milt Taylor and Melvin Taylor via ZoomInvocation: Chaplain, Rev. Leon VanWiePledge of Allegiance: Compatriot CrandallReading of the SAR Mission Statement: Vice President EvansPledge to the SAR: President VanWieThe American’s Creed by William Tyler Page: Compatriot Leeson
Approval of Minutes:November 30, 2024 (Regularly scheduled annual meeting)December 21, 2024 (Boston Tea Party remembrance)Moved to accept as written by Compatriot Leeson, seconded by Compatriot French, passed unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report:
Compatriot Melvin Taylor presented the Treasurer’s report for the period ending January 31, 2025. There is a one outstanding check. With no discussion the report was accepted by President VanWie for audit.
Unfinished Business:Patriot’s Chest - The project was placed on hold at the last meeting. The purpose is to have material to use at table events. The National Society provides a list of tems to be contained in the chest bot does not provide them. They are available for purchase from James Townsend (www.townsends.us). Approximately $350 of the estimated $500 cost of the items is reimbursed by National. President VanWie asked forsomeone to take this project on. Vice President Evans volunteered to lead the project. We anticipate using the chest at both the Martinsburg and Brownsville events this summer. Currently we have handout materials discussing eligibility for membership, general information on the society, and a list of contacts. The Patriot’s Chest would greatly augment these paper items and generate more interest in the Society. After discussion, Secretary Koch moved and Compatriot French seconded authorizing Vice President Evans to expend up to $600 in procuring the materials for the chest. The motion passed unanimously.
Reimbursement for Zoom Subscription - Vice President Evans obtained an annual Zoom subscription in the amount of $159.90. He noted that this was an annualsubscription for the Chapter and had no time limits on meetings (the free version is limited to 45 minutes). He suggested we make greater use of this asset as we move forward. The purchase was authorized at the last meeting and Vice President Evans will be reimbursed for his efforts in securing the license/subscription.
Present Firefighter Award to Chief Will Lipczynski – Chaumont FD - President VanWie will present the award on February 10 for Chief Lipczynski’s work in containing the battery fire last summer. He is looking for available members to accompany him to the presentation.
Present Heroism Award to Deputy Ryan J. Snyder – Deputy Snyder is being recognized for his lifesaving actions in conjunction with a fatal Amish buggy crash in 2023. Compatriot Crandall will arrange an appropriate time with Sheriff Barnett to make the award. He will notify the membership of the time and will be asking for available members to accompany him.
Present Heroism Award to David M. Lachenauer (posthumously) - Dave volunteered to work the WTC pile in 2001 after the attacks and died in 2018 of a related illness. President VanWie will check with his wife on how she would like to proceed with presenting the award. He will update the membership at a later time.
Committee Reports:Registrar’s Report – Compatriot Honeywell was not present. President VanWie reported that one application was submitted in December, with an expected 9 to 10 month turnaround time.Chapter’s Website – Vice President Evans indicated the shell is done and he expects a soft launch on February 5. The web address is www.thousandislandssar.org. He is looking for feedback as he wants it to be unique and welcoming, not simply a repetition of information on the state and national sites. Compatriot Crandall noted that when the site goes live the address should be provided to the State for publication on their website.
Pomeroy Dedications – Compatriot Milt Taylor noted that the Copenhagen Riverside cemetery has 5 or 6 patriots buried there, and the Brick Chapel cemetery in Canton has 4 or 5 patriots buried there. We believe all of these settled in the area some time after the Revolution. Compatriot French noted that the Legion in Copenhagen is active and may wish to take part in a dedication in the future. President VanWie notedthat the window for applications opens in the February through April timeframe and advised to check the Pomeroy website for details. Compatriot French mentioned that there is an overgrown cemetery (John Betts Cemetery) on the Deer River Road where one Patriot is buried. He noted that there are also native burial sites there so grounds care andbrush cleaning are difficult out of regard for native traditions. The markers are all laid flat. Compatriot Milt Taylor identified the Patriot as Louis Graves.
Awards – Compatriot Crandall asked that all award recommendations be forwarded to him for processing. The intent is to continue to present them at the annual awards luncheon in the fall.
250th Monument for Jefferson County – President VanWie reported that Compatriot LeClair is working with various contacts to pull together a list of Patriots who died in Jefferson County. He is looking for a monument dedication in 2026 or 2027.
250th Chapter Committee (Boston and Lexington/Concord) – President VanWie is looking to do something small in our area on the weekend of April 19 to commemorate “The Shot Heard ‘Round the World.” Events are planned for Boston, Lexington, and Concord that weekend and both Empire State President Powell and Secretary Koch reported that they plan to attend some or all of the events inMassachusetts. Compatriot Westphal will work with President VanWie on an appropriate local recognition event.
ROTC and JROTC – Compatriot Koch had no new information to report. This becomes active in the late February to early March timeframe with presentations in May.
New Business:
Promotional Materials – Compatriot VanWie provided copies of the contacts for the TI Chapter, a SAR promotional brochure for the chapter, and a document detailing the eligibility requirements for membership. These are the handouts mentioned earlier.Fort de La Preséntation (August 9-10, 2025) – Annually Ogdensburg celebrates the establishment of the fort in 1749 as a trading outpost. It was torn down around 1760 but moves to rebuild the fort were immediately undertaken. George Washington sent scout forces to Ogdensburg to observe and report on shipping along the St. Lawrence. President VanWie is hoping to have a presentation on this event at the April meeting but notes that it runs concurrent with Martinsburg Days and may present a conflict.
Constitution and By-Laws Committee – The constitution and by-laws were last reviewed and amended about three years ago. Best practices would dictate that another review be undertaken in the near term as this should be accomplished every three or four years. One such item to be considered might be the date of the annual meeting. Instead of dictating that it be in the late summer or early fall, perhaps it should be left open. President VanWie is looking for volunteers to undertake a review and may recommendations to the membership.
Swearing In – Empire State President, assisted by Immediate Past President Crandall, administered the oath of office to newly elected and re-elected officers. Sworn in were:Leon VanWie – PresidentTerry Evans – Vice PresidentMelvin Taylor – TreasurerJames Koch – Secretary
President VanWie presented a certificate to commemorate Compatriot Crandall’s serviceas President. He presented 250th anniversary pins to Compatriots French and Westphal.He presented SAR lapel rosettes to Compatriots French, Westphal, and Aimonetti.
Upcoming Events:
Board of Managers Meeting – The ESS-SAR Board of Managers will meet in Coxsacki on March 8. Empire State President Powell noted that he expects a presentation on a program to reinter some 44 patriots discovered during construction at Lake George. They will be discussing a monument to commemorate the new grave site. The Patriots were all believed to have died from smallpox while stationed at Lake Georgeduring the Revolution. The event is being considered for 2026 and we are looking for national level news coverage.Saratoga 2027 – Empire State President Powell noted that planning for commemoration of the battle of Saratoga is in its early stages. We can expect more detailin the future.Annual Heritage Luncheon – The Syracuse Chapter’s 121st Annual Heritage Luncheon will be April 5, 2025 at the Drumlins Country Club in Dewitt. The RSVP with meal choice is due by March 17. The program will include a presentation by Norm Bollen, Fort Plain Museum and Historical Park entitled, “Revolutionary Fort Plain, Past, Present & Future.” All are invited to attend.July visit to Compatriot Hough – In July President VanWie is looking to have a short visit with Compatriot Hough in Potsdam. He is a founding member of the chapter and handled ROTC and JROTC. President VanWie is considering a certificate of appreciation or the bronze Roger Sherman medal to mark this event in gratitude for Compatriot Hough’s service to the chapter.Memorial Day – Compatriot French noted that Memorial Day is approaching and there are a number of parades. He proposes that, over time, we work with other service organizations to have marchers in period uniform ranging from the Revolution to present day uniforms. Initially it would be with the Copenhagen parade. He is working with Compatriot Crandall on this activity and will provide an update on this in April.A separate listing of events was provided with the agenda.
There being no other new business, President VanWie called for a short recess at 12:15PM.
The meeting reconvened at 12:18 PM. Empire State President provided a fascinating, in- depth presentation on the use of DNA in tracing your past. He covered four types of DNA testing and their strengths and weaknesses, the sizes of the data base samples for comparison, how some traits can become lost over time, and the accuracy of some types of tests over others. This provided a fascinating overview of the potential as well as the pitfalls of DNA testing.
Next Meeting: Tentatively scheduled for April 26, 2025
SAR Recessional: Compatriot KochBenediction and Adjournment: President VanWie offered a benediction as we closedthe meeting. He adjourned the meeting at 1:37 PM.
SAR Recessional: Compatriot KochBenediction and Adjournment: President VanWie offered a benediction as we closedthe meeting. He adjourned the meeting at 1:37 PM.