Michael B. Gunn, Ph.D.
Past President, Patriot Graves Chair CCSAR
Photos by Compatriot Gary Duffield
http://local.cincinnati.com/share/story/261472
The Cincinnati Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (CCSAR) celebrated Flag Day at their annual Flag Day luncheon held at the RSVP Event Center on Saturday, June 9.
Dr. John K. Alexander, Distinguished Teaching Professor (Emeritus) The University of Cincinnati presented a moving program about George Washington’s measured and respectful management of the absolute military powers he was given the Continental Congress.
Select flags of the Captain Howard Miller Memorial Flag Collection that represented the evolution of our current National Colors were displayed. The full historical collection of 65 flags was assembled by vexillologist Captain Howard Miller.
He and his wife traveled thousands of miles giving talks to many organizations throughout the U.S. When age became a handicap, he presented the collection to the Cincinnati Chapter with the stipulation that the collection must be displayed at least once a year.
In 1986, an agreement was signed wherein the Cincinnati Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution was loaned this historic display.
The Cincinnati Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution gratefully acknowledges this patriotic and personal donation which represents a lifetime of work and untiring research by Captain Miller.
The continuing presentations of the collection permit the history of our American past to be shared and remembered from generation to generation. Flags serve many purposes. They symbolize a people and represent national pride. Flags convey a shared history.
Through the centuries, military units have carried flags and colors. Colors and flags affirm group identity. They build pride and morale, and represent the group’s honor. In battle, flags served as a rallying point when a formation was broken.
Troops gathered around the flag to regroup, attack or retreat. Flags marked specific individuals, locations and functions such as hospitals and ambulances. Infantry regiments regularly held trooping ceremonies. Colors were paraded up and down the line of assembled soldiers to music to make sure the men remembered the colors.
A guard of noncommissioned officers usually protected flags and colors. Held in great reverence, a regiment’s honor was embodied in its colors. The entire regiment was humiliated if its colors were lost in battle.
In addition to Dr. Alexander’s presentation, Cincinnati SAR President Jack Bredenfoerder inducted Compatriot Sammy Malicote into the Cincinnati Chapter. It was also revealed at the luncheon that Sammy and his wife were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary on that same day. President Bredenfoerder presented the couple with two Howard Miller Flag Collection coffee mugs to mark the occasion.
Fifteen supplemental memberships were awarded by Cincinnati SAR President Jack Bredenfoerder: one to Compatriot Bob Bowers, two to Compatriot Len Slovensky, six to Compatriot Shaun Smith and six to Compatriot Connor Smith.
President Bredenfoerder also awarded the Silver Roger Sherman Medal to Compatriot Mike Blum on behalf of Past Ohio Society SAR President Donald C. McGraw.
A beautiful cross-stitch of the Betsy Ross Flag by Carole Gunn was raffled off and raised $89 for the Cincinnati SAR Youth Awards. The winner was Compatriot Kenny Burck.
