On Sunday, November 1, 2020 at 2 PM the Cincinnati Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (CCSAR) Honored Joseph Catterline (1741-1822) a Revolutionary War Patriot by marking his grave located at Miami Chapel Cemetery, 6210 River Road in Fairfield, Liberty Twp., Butler County, OH. Rain was predicted for the morning and disappeared with a gift of bright sun, but with a brisk wind by noon with gusts of 30 mph, as we set up the 8 flags and the podium behind Joseph’s Gravesite.

This was a Social Distancing Event, due to the existing 2020 Pandemic and protective masks re-quired as additional assurance of a safe event during the ceremony expected to be an hour in length. Our agreement with the City of Fairfield Parks and Recreation Officials and common sense both dictated such. Fairfield also required we reach out to Joseph’s descendants, which we’d already done as one of our CCSAR Compatriots, Charles Rogers had informed us of the interest to mark this grave by Descendant Thomas Foster Stander, CCSAR Member # 963392. We initially planned to honor this ancestor in late 2018. Unfortunately, Compatriot Stander died in 2019 and didn’t get an opportunity to be here and participate personally.

Before we began the ceremony, a few minutes was spent to acquaint our only guests, the Officials of the City of Fairfield, with who the CCSAR is and what we do. Some of them took advantage of our Web Site cincinnatisar.org and viewed videos of earlier Ceremonies for Grave Marking Patriots. The flags, uniforms, weapons and process preparing for the event being better understood, as the EMCEE gave direction to the Commander of the Nolan Carson Memorial Color Guard (NCMCG) to post the Colors, then Compatriot Robert Sturm led us all in the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag, followed by voicing the pledge to the SAR led by John Bredenfoerder, then the rousing Invocation expertly administered by OHSSAR Chaplain Dr. Ralph E. Bonniwell.

An introduction and welcome of Guests and Presenters began with City of Fairfield Officials: Mayor Steve Miller, City Manager Mark Wendling, Council Member & Park Board member, Leslie Besl, Park Board member, Gwen Richie, Director of Parks & Recreation, Tiphanie How-ard and Robert Schappacher with the Parks Department. We then identified those in the SAR and roles we have during our tribute to Joseph Catterline, concluding with Turner Lee Wilkerson, President of the Ohio Society SAR and the Cincinnati Chapter.

President Wilkerson began with Greetings from the 2000 + SAR members in Ohio and himself, then said:

“Today we are celebrating a man’s patriotism and a remembrance of his willingness to defend a land in which he believed. As you enjoy fellowship and conversation with one another this day—I would encourage you to reflect on our rich heritage as Americans. Speak together, of the history of our great land and its people—and the fact that we are “one people” richly blessed by a Divine Providence.

Recognize that the rights and privileges we enjoy as American citizens are blessings that were earned by a WILLINGNESS to make the great personal sacrifices necessary to secure the liberties that we frequently take for granted today. Appreciate that our diverse origins and ethnicity produces an alloy that strengthens our culture and society.

On behalf of our Society, I want to thank the City of Fairfield for the care they are giving to the graves of our first military veterans. Mayor Miller, we are especially proud of the manner in which you and your team have expressed their passion and reverence for our Patriot Heritage and the preservation of our National Story for future generations.
All of us gathered here are the living legacy of the many Patriots like this brave soul we celebrate and remember today!”

At this point in the Ceremony Compatriot Larry W. Collins unveiled the grey granite SAR Marker and the Dedication: “We, the members of the Cincinnati Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution reveal and dedicate this marked Memorial to the glory of God and in the recognition of the memory of this honorable Patriot of the American Revolution.” Was made by our Emcee.

Compatriot Gregg Ballman presented a short biography of Patriot Catterlin, accompanied by a reverent chime: Joseph Catterlin (1741 – 1822) is an ancestor of Thomas Foster Standish, Cincinnati SAR Member. Joseph served as a 1st Lieutenant in the in the 1st Regiment Somerset County, New Jersey Militia in the Revolutionary War, they were known as the Jersey Blues due to their blue coats and Pants. The records of the Adjutant General indicate his unit was active before November 1777. He was also a recruiting officer in New Jersey for the Continental Army. He was buried here in 1822 and his name is also on Panel #9 of the Butler County, Soldiers & Sailors and Pioneers Monument in Hamilton, OH.

Nine Wreaths were presented:
Ohio Society SAR by President, Turner Lee Wilkerson
Indiana Society SAR, by Michael Gunn.
Germany Society SAR by John H. Bredenfoerder
Cincinnati Chapter SAR by Robert E.R. Bowers
Hocking Valley Chapter SAR by OHSSAR Color Guard Commander Bob Hill & Al Gummere
Highlanders Chapter SAR, by Pres. Gary Duffield
Ohio Society Ladies Aux. by Shari Wilkerson & Carol Gunn
City of Fairfield by Mayor Steve Miller

To conclude the ceremony, three rounds of musket fire was ordered by NCMCG Commander Jarard for each of 12 SAR members (Ballman, Bowers, Crandall, Stewart, Hill, Gummere, Bredenfoerder, Schmitz, Rogers, Bonniwell, Duffield, Crandall, and Adjutant Blum with Colors.

Taps were played by Robert Sturm. Then a SAR Recessional by George Stewart “Until we meet again, let us remember our obligations to our forefathers, who gave us our Constitution, the Bill of Rights, an independent Supreme Court, and a Nation of Free Men.”

And a Benediction by Chaplain Dr. Ralph E. Bonniwell ended the program.

Again, Mayor Miller, we are especially proud of the manner in which you and your team have expressed their passion and reverence for our Patriot Heritage and the preservation of our National Story for future generations. All of us gathered here today are the living legacy of the many Patriots like the brave soul we celebrate and remember today!