Compatriots,

The ship Explorer of the Seas visited New London on Friday with a full load of 3,100 passengers and 1,200 crew.

The Nathan Hale Schoolhouse had over 650 visitors with good donations and great sales. So many people now can read the new exhibit panels and learn so much more.

The schoolhouse was on both Fox 61 News and WTNH Channel 8 last night. You can still watch to video on their web sites.

Thank you very much to the docents who helped for the day:

Bob Herel
Bob Lasprogato - Color Guard
Matt McDonald
Stephen Shaw - Color Guard

We have six more ship visits this year with the next ones in September.

Patriotically,

Stephen P. Shaw

Compatriots of the Connecticut Line CTSSAR,

The Regiment just returned from the encampment, and I wanted to say that it was a GREAT success. The weather was great, and we had a great turnout. From what I was told, it was a very successful 2nd Saturday. We have been asked if we would like to return again next year, and from everyones comments, it looks like a done deal.

22 Members showed up in uniform this weekend to support the CONNECTICUT LINE CTSSAR's 2008 Second Annual Grand Encampment at the Governor Jonathan Trumbull, Sr. House/Wadsworth Stable in Historic Lebanon, Connecticut. I believe I have everyone listed, but, if I forgot someone please let me know ASAP.

I would like to thank the following members for participating. THREE HUZZAHS!!!

Wayne Bickley - Putnam
George Crede - Putnam
Damien Cregeau - Wadsworth
Bruce Cunard - Hale
Dan Dudley - Putnam
Lee Gerlander - Putnam
Todd Gerlander - Putnam
Randy Gerlander - Putnam
Mike Juhase - At Large
William Lang - Huntington
Stephen Marshall - Putnam
Travis Marshall - Putnam
Stephen Messier - Putnam
Robert Rivard - Huntington
Frederick Rivard - Huntington
Jim Rothgeb - Hale
John Towle - Putnam
Russell Wirtalla - Putnam

Bonnie Burke - Camp-Follower
Barbara Crede - Camp-Follower
Pam Hall - Camp-Follower
Cece Messier - Camp-Follower

I have started to post photos at:

www.ConnecticutLine.org

Then click "Annual Grand Encampment". If you have great photos from the weekend, e-mail me.

Again, Great Show! and it was the largest encampment of Connecticut SAR members, 22.

Put your faith in God and keep your powder dry,

Todd Gerlander
Colonel Commanding

Dear Compatriots of the Connecticut Line CTSSAR,

Today the CONNECTICUT LINE participated in the annual Bunker Hill Day Ceremonies commemorating the 233rd Anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill, First Major Battle of the American Revolution (June 17, 1775).
This was our 12th year participating in the Bunker Hill Day Ceremonies, and again this year, we were the largest Colonial unit present. HUZZAH!!!

The Connecticut Line CTSSAR, along with the Charlestown Militia Company, fired the musket volley to the Heroes of Bunker Hill. We also placed a wreath at the Connecticut Gate on behalf of the Connecticut Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.

Following the ceremonies, we walked into Boston and had lunch at the Green Dragon Taverne.

Attached are 2 photos, one from the ceremonies, the other from the Green Dragon. Note: we found a new recruit at the Dragon.

Our next event will be at the Nathan Hale Schoolhouse in New London on Saturday.

Put your faith in God and keep your powder dry,

Todd Gerlander
Colonel Commanding

Compatriots,

Despite the rain on Friday the students had a great time at the School Day in East Haddam. We had just over 100 3rd grade students from the town with a dozen or so chaperons.

Many thanks to everyone who helped:
Sue Beecher
Jerry Carroon
Mike Juhase
Fred Rivard
Bob Rivard
Dana Rusconi
Stephen Shaw
Russ Wirtalla

A belated report for the Spring Food Stroll in New London. It was a perfect evening with about a 1,000 people on the stroll. The schoolhouse set a record for the stroll with almost 80 visitors.

Our Color Guard members were doing musket firing demonstrations on the Parade and ended up on Fox 61 News as part of their segment on tourism.

Thanks to:
Bruce Cunard
Fred Rivard
Stephen Shaw

Upcoming Events:

June 14th - CT Open House Day at museums around the state and our three.
The Color Guard will have a Flag Display at the War Office and Mike Nigro of the SAR will have his historic flag collection at the Schoolhouse in New London.

June 21st, 1pm - Grand Opening of the new Nathan Hale exhibit in New London.

June 28th, 1pm - Grand Opening of the new Nathan Hale exhibit in East Haddam.

Patriotically,

Stephen P. Shaw

Dear Compatriots of the Connecticut Line CTSSAR,

2 Reports:

1) 5-26-2008 - Memorial Day Parade, Westport, CT

2) 5-24-2008 - Flag Placing Ceremony, New London, CT

First, I would like to report that the CT LINE CTSSAR marched today in the Memorial Day Parade in Westport, CT. It was a nice parade followed by patriotic ceremonies on the Town Common. We then walked/drove to the local VFW for a GREAT lunch!

We had a lot of nice comments from the event organizers, Town, and the public. Special Thanks to Compatriot Bob Lasprogato for arranging the invitation.

Three Huzzahs to:

Lee Gerlander - Putnam
Todd Gerlander - Putnam
Randy Gerlander - Putnam
Norman Gilman - Putnam
Michael Juhase - at Large
Robert Rivard - Huntington
Frederick Rivard - Huntington
John Towle - Putnam
Russell Wirtalla - Putnam

Bonnie Burke - Camp-Follower
---------------------------------------------

(Second)

Colonel,

It is my honor to report that the 7th Connecticut and Huntington's Regiments participated in a Flag Placement Ceremony in Cedar Grove Cemetery, New London, in honor of our Patriots. It was a great ceremony on a beautiful morning with about 40 people from the SAR, DAR, Girl Scouts and general public in attendance.

We honorably placed flags at the graves of our patriots followed by a short ceremony where all 72 names were read allowed. A prayer was lead by the branch Chaplain and a Musket Salute.

Those mustered were as follows.

Harry Clarke Pvt. 7th CT
Bruce Cunard Capt. 7th CT
Daniel Davis Sgt. 7th CT
Gregory Peck Lt. 7th CT
Frederick Rivard Capt. Huntington

Christine Coutant - Camp-Follower

Respectfully submitted,

Capt. Bruce Cunard

------------------------------------------------

Put your faith in God and keep your powder dry,

Todd L. Gerlander
Colonel Commanding

Compatriots,

Thanks to so many people the painting of the first floor in New London is complete.

On Sunday, April 27th, we had ten volunteers including three more Cadets from the Coast Guard Academy. We put the final coats of paint on the baseboard, mantel and doors, scraped all the windows, washed all windows on the inside and some on the outside with the help of a tall Cadet and touched up the paint here and there. We even had enough extra hands to remove the hardware from the windows on the second floor.

Many thanks to:

Bruce Cunard
Robert Herel
Tim Jacobs
Cadet Luke Mayotte
Cadet Gregory Ostrov
Frederick Rivard
Donna Samulenas
Stephen Shaw
Thomas Smith
Cadet Cameron Welicka

I am so impressed with some many members and non-members who have helped to make this happen. The schoolhouse looks so good and is ready for the new exhibits which will be installed in June.

Patriotically,

Stephen P. Shaw
Property Steward
Connecticut, Sons of the American Revolution

Compatriots of the Connecticut Line CTSSAR,

Another year of Patriot's Day Parades is over, and once again the Connecticut SAR marched in ALL 5 Parades commemorating the start of the American
Revolution:

Liberty Pole Capping Parade/Ceremony, Bedford, MA.

Meriam's Corner Parade/Ceremony, Concord, MA.

Paul Revere Capture Parade/Ceremony, Lincoln, MA.

Patriot's Day Parade, Concord, MA.

Patriot's Day Parade, Lexington, MA.

I think that deserves FIVE HUZZAHS!!!!!

This was my 11th year marching in Concord, 4th or 5th in Lexington (I will have to look back to check that), and I can honestly say that this was our BEST year yet. I thought we really looked GREAT yesterday! The crowds were large, particularly in Lexington. I heard so many comments from the public as we marched, "GO CONNECTICUT", "Those are the Sons of the American Revolution", "They look Great!", just to name a few.
GREAT job everyone!!!

I would like to thank the Compatriots who marched in Concord and Lexington yesterday:

Wayne Bickley
Geoffrey Colby
Lee Gerlander
Todd Gerlander
Randy Gerlander
Howard Greene
Fred Rivard
Russell Wirtalla
Richard Wright

Camp-Followers:
Liisa Colby
Gina Gerhard

and I would like to thank everyone who marched in the
5 Parades, keeping the name of the SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION ALIVE!!! at these important historic commemorations. Once again CONNECTICUT has answered the LEXINGTON ALARM:

Wayne Bickley
Geoffrey Colby
Lee Gerlander
Todd Gerlander
Randy Gerlander
Howard Greene
Bob Lasprogato
Fred Rivard
Bob Rivard
Allan Van Wert
Russell Wirtalla
Richard Wright

Camp-Followers:
Liisa Colby
Gina Gerhard

I will try to e-mail some photos tonight.

On to BUNKER HILL in remembrance of the 200 CONNECTICUT men who fought under the Command of General Israel Putnam and Captain Thomas Knowlton . .
. .

Put your faith in God and keep your powder dry,

Todd L. Gerlander
Colonel Commanding

Compatriots,

The Nathan Hale Schoolhouse is getting so close. The restoration of the first floor is almost complete and will be ready to be opened on April 26th when 700 Coast Guard Cadets parade up State Street.

Twelve of us did more and more detail work. It's amazing how many little items can take a chunk of time; such as filling in the holes where the pulleys had been for the old rope and weight windows (eleven of them) and the trim work on the new mantel which needed to be scribed into the stone fireplace. Tom Smith is a tremendous painter.

We touched up the ceiling and wall paint, put a second coat of the paint on the windows and chair rails and corner casements, a primer coat on the baseboard and mantel, a final coat on the walls and stairs of the stairwell, cleaned out the basement, swept and vacuumed the first floor, moved the larger furniture from the second floor to the first, sanded the stair rail and table top and much more. It's amazing how much you can get done with the help of six Coast Guard Cadets. And we found out that Cadet Higbie and Cadet Schwartz are both SAR members in other state societies.

I wish to thank the following for all the help:

Bruce Cunard
Daniel Davis
Cadet Mike Gordon
Cadet Mike Higbie
Tim Jacobs
Stephen Marshall
Cadet Shae Quinn
Cadet Kaelon Russell
Cadet John Schwartz
Stephen Shaw
Thomas Smith
Cadet Adam Tanner

We will be at the schoolhouse again on April 27th at 9am to finish things off. If you can help, please let me know.

Patriotically,

Stephen P. Shaw
Property Steward

Compatriots of the Connecticut Line CTSSAR,

We had a GREAT day in Bedford, Concord, and Lincoln, Massachusetts yesterday. We were dry in Bedford and Concord, and it was not until we were ending the parade in Lincoln that it started to POUR!

Three Great Events honoring Patriot's Day, and the SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION were announced at each of them.

THREE HUZZAHS FOR THE CONNECTICUT LINE!!!

I would like to thank the following members for marching with the Connecticut Line CTSSAR:

Wayne Bickley
Geoffrey Colby
Gina Gerhard
Lee Gerlander
Todd Gerlander
Randy Gerlander
Bob Lasprogato
Fred Rivard
Bob Rivard
Russell Wirtalla
Richard Wright

Allan Van Wert (becoming a dual member w/CT)

THREE HUZZAHS!!!

Our NEXT event will be the PATRIOT'S DAY PARADES at Concord and Lexington, Massachusetts on MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2008. I will e-mail details tomorrow.

Put your Faith in God and keep your powder dry,

Todd L. Gerlander
Colonel Commanding

Compatriots,

The painting is looking wonderful at the Nathan Hale Schoolhouse in New London. With everything all cleaned up the room just seems so much bigger.

With the help of nine volunteers, we put a final coat on the ceiling and the walls and put a primer coat on the windows and trim.

The paint colors are now historically correct. The multiple paint samples which were sent out for analysis resulted in an off white color for the walls and a light grey on the trim.

Thank you so much to our members and the Coast Guard Cadets who helped:

Cadet Katie Colella
Bruce Cunard
Daniel Davis
Tim Jacobs
Cadet Mike Haas
Steve Marshall
Cadet Lauren Power
Stephen Shaw
Thomas Smith

Sunday April 20th will be our last day of major painting. We will likely have a minor day of fine tuning and cleanup on April 27th.

Patriotically,

Stephen P. Shaw