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Patriotically,
Stephen Shaw

Compatriots,

Four of us made some great progress last Saturday on the riverside of the Nathan Hale Schoolhouse property. We cut down the underbrush and tree saplings, so they won't block the river over time.

Helping for the day were:

Cliff Van Dyke
Bradley Gehan
Daniel Gehan
Stephen Shaw

We have a long way to go. If you would like to help this Saturday the 14th, we will be starting at 9am again. Plan to bring lopers, hand saws, pruners and some good boots for the steep hill.

Patriotically,

Stephen P. Shaw

Dear Compatriots of the Connecticut Line CTSSAR,

I would first like to thank the 10 CTSSAR members who came out and marched in the BIG 3 last Saturday.
Besides 1 member from VTSSAR (Geoff Colby) and 1 member from NHSSAR (Roger Floyd) we were the ONLY SAR representation at these 3 important commemorations in Massachusetts.

1) Pole Capping & Ceremony, Bedford, MA.
2) Meriam's Corner Parade/Ceremony, Concord, MA.
3) Paul Revere Capture Site Parade/Ceremony, Lincoln, MA.

Peter Benton (11th CT Regt)
Wayne Bickley (11th CT Regt)
Lee Gerlander (11th CT Regt)
Todd Gerlander (11th CT Regt)
Randy Gerlander (11th CT Regt)
Norman Gilman (11th CT Regt)
Harry Orcutt (11th CT Regt)
Robert Rivard (Huntington's Regt)
Frederick Rivard (Huntington's Regt)
Russell Wirtalla (11th CT Regt)

Geoffrey Colby (VTSSAR)
Roger Floyd (NHSSAR)
---------------------------------------

Our next event will be:

Monday, April 16, 2007

1)Patriot's Day Parade, Concord, MA.
Parade Form Up: 8:00 AM Parade Step Off: 9:00 AM

2)Patriot's Day Parade, Lexington, MA.
Parade Form Up: 1:00 PM Parade Step Off: 2:00 PM

We are planning to arrive in Concord around 7:30 AM at the Alcott School Parking Lot. PARKING FILLS UP FAST SO PLAN TO ARRIVE AROUND 7:30 AM, otherwise you will have to find street parking, or park downtown and walk to the parade start at the Armory. Roads begin to close at 8:00 AM.

Car-Caravan: If anyone is interested in car-caravaning to Concord, Let me know. We will leave from the Commuter Lot at Exit 68 off of I-84 at 5:30 AM SHARP! Otherwise I will see everyone in Concord.

Put your faith in God and keep your powder dry,

Todd L. Gerlander
Colonel Commanding

Compatriots,

Last Saturday was great at all three of our revolutionary museums. Thank you so much to everyone who helped to cleanup the museums so they look their best for the summer season.

War Office - Lebanon
Bob Rivard

Nathan Hale Schoolhouse - East Haddam
George Grieder
Tricia Herel
Colin Herel
William Herel
Nicole Walden

Nathan Hale Schoolhouse - New London
Tyler Smith
Stephen Marshall
Stephen Shaw

In New London, Stephen and I tore down the chimney to the base of the second floor. We had a major leak in the roof around the chimney and we found that there should be a fireplace up there as well. After removing it we found that the original was much smaller. The details keep adding up.

Today was incredible in New London, when the cruise ship Maasdam came to port for the day. Dian Locke and I had 328 visitors from 9am to 4:30pm.
Great people from all over the country. We have two more ships coming in during the month of Sept and Oct.

Patriotically,

Stephen P. Shaw

Compatriots,

I want to give a big thank you to the color guard members who helped with a great program at the schoolhouse on Friday June 1st. We had 100 3rd graders from East Haddam and about 20 adults all morning. They were able to learn from the colonial doctor, flags of the time, musketry, Governor Trumbull and then Nathan Hale in the schoolhouse.

Thanks again to:
Todd Gerlander
Lee Gerlander
Randy Gerlander
Mike Juhase
Bob Rivard
Russ Wirtalla

Patriotically,

Stephen P. Shaw

Compatriots of the Connecticut Line,

The Connecticut Line had a great BUNKER HILL DAY today commemorating the 232nd Anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill, the first major battle of the American Revolution, June 17, 1775.

We received great publicity, and we were able to see the NEW Bunker Hill Museum.

We also placed a wreath at the Connecticut Gate on behalf of the Connecticut Society SAR, and we fired a musket salute to the heroes of Bunker Hill.

This was our 11th year participating in these ceremonies at Bunker Hill.

I would like to thank the following members for
participating:

Bonnie Burke - Camp-Follower
Lee Gerlander - 11th Conn.
Todd Gerlander - 11th Conn.
Randy Gerlander - 11th Conn.
Norm Gilman - 11th Conn.
Bob Rivard - Huntington
Fred Rivard - Huntington
John Towle - 11th Conn.
Russell Wirtalla - 11th Conn.

We were also joined by Geoffrey Colby and his wife Liisa from VTSSAR.
The newly reformed MASSAR Color Guard also had a good showing of members.

Huntington's Regt. has a Grave Marking Event next Saturday, the 23rd. We also have the Columbia Independence Day Parade, Wednesday, July 4th. We also have our GRAND ENCAMPMENT of the Connecticut Line CTSSAR July 14 & 15 at the Wadsworth Stable in Lebanon. I expect to see a great turnout of members from EVERY Detachment.

Put your faith in God and keep your powder dry,

Todd L. Gerlander
Colonel Commanding

I hope everyone is having a safe and happy 4th of July.

We had a great time as usual at our cookout at the Nathan Hale Schoolhouse in East Haddam. There was so much food. 35 members and family attended with a few visitors to the schoolhouse too. Ted Nelson was the grillmaster once more and everyone brought great food for all to enjoy.

Our president Jerry Carroon was here and was able to catchup on signing membership certificates for our most recent members. The Rivard's made it after marching in the Columbia Parade earlier in the day. Even our long time Chancellor, Jay Jackson was able to join us this year.

Bud Hall rang the church bell 13 times at 2pm as is tradition around the country. And the rain did hold off.

We'll see you next year.

Patriotically,
Stephen Shaw

Dear Compatriots of the Connecticut Line CTSSAR,

I would like to thank all the compatriots who came out this weekend and supported the CTSSAR Living History/Color Guard unit, "The Connecticut Line" at it's first annual GRAND ENCAMPMENT. As we discussed at our February Meeting, this is YOUR encampment.

11th Regiment Connecticut Militia (8)

01) Wayne Bickley - 11th Conn. Regt.
02) Michael Chuckta - 11th Conn. Regt.
03) George Crede - 11th Conn. Regt.
04) Lee Gerlander - 11th Conn. Regt.
05) Todd Gerlander - 11th Conn. Regt.
06) Randy Gerlander - 11th Conn. Regt.
07) Stephen Marshall - 11th Conn. Regt.
08) Russell Wirtalla - 11th Conn. Regt.

Wolcott's 6th Connecticut Militia Brigade (0)

Huntington's Connecticut Regiment (3)

09) Michael Juhase - Huntington's CT. Regt.
10) Robert Rivard - Huntington's CT. Regt.
11) Frederick Rivard - Huntington's CT. Regt.

9th Regiment Connecticut Militia (1)

12) Tom Goran - 9th Conn. Regt.

Camp-Followers (1)

13) Barbara Crede

X-tra Special THANKS to Sergeant Michael Chuckta for providing the dinner saturday evening. THREE HUZZAHS for an AWESOME dinner! Also a GREAT breakfast!

John Towle from the 11th Conn. Regt. and Camp-Follower Bonnie Burke also stopped by for a visit Saturday evening.

We also met a new member, Bruce Cunard, who will be joining us in the field soon.

I was very happy with member turnout, 3 out of the 4 Connecticut Line Detachments were represented. Good Show!

We held the event as part of the Town of Lebanon's "Second Saturday" activities.

The encampment took place on the grounds of the Governor Jonathan Trumbull, Sr. House/Wadsworth Stable in Lebanon, CT., which is owned and maintained by the Connecticut Daughters of the American Revolution.

The members of the Connecticut Line were very happy with the event and location, and we will be returning again next year.

I have included some photos, and I will post more on our website:

www.ConnecticutLine.org

For the CONNECTICUT LINE's first solo encampment, it was a good show!

Put your faith in God and keep your powder dry,

Todd L. Gerlander
Colonel Commanding

Compatriots,

What a great weekend for the Sailfest and the Nathan Hale Schoolhouse in New London. The weather was perfect.

The schoolhouse had over 650 visitors during the weekend making it the best of the last three years.

Thank you so much to:

Dian Locke
George Greider & Gayle
Burt Chapman

With just a handful of docents, we had a great time.

Patriotically,

Stephen P. Shaw
www.ConnecticutSAR.org

On July 25th, 75 members of FISA stopped to visit the Nathan Hale Schoolhouse for their lunch break. This group plus 10 support people were near the completion of rowing the entire Connecticut River from New Hampshire to Old Saybrook, CT.

These rowers from 17 different countries were not competing, but were on vacation. I understand from many other them that in the US the sport is very different by being competitive and typically solitary. In the rest of the world rowing groups of five per boat are very common and tours of different waterways are a regular occurrence.

They enjoyed the river views and the history of the first school that our state hero taught at.

On Sunday morning the Nathan Hale Schoolhouse in East Haddam was visited for the start of a ride for the CT-RI Moto Guzzi National Owners Club (MGNOC).

The twenty riders toured the schoolhouse before heading off towards Vanilla Bean in Pomfret. On the way they will go by nine other little schoolhouses in the Northeast corner of Connecticut.

Thanks to all who participated in the Lebanon Fair encampment this weekend:

Lt-Colonel Frederick Rivard
Major Russ Wirtalla
Surgeon Bob Rivard
Lt. John Towle
Pvt. Bruce Cunard
Pvt. Mike Juhase
Camp follower Bonnie Burke

Although we were in kind of a remote spot, we did get a number of interested people that stopped by to learn about history and observe the musket firings.

Bob & Fred Rivard

Dear Compatriots of the Connecticut Line CTSSAR,

Today the Connecticut Line CTSSAR was at Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park in Groton, CT Commemorating the 226th Anniversary of the Battle of Groton Heights, September 6, 1781. The unit served as Color Guard for the ceremonies. The CTSSAR also provided the wreath. I would like to thank the following Compatriots for
attending:

01)Wayne Bickley - 11th Conn. Regt.
02)Bruce Cunard - Huntington's Conn. Regt.
03)Lee Gerlander - 11th Conn. Regt.
04)Todd Gerlander - 11th Conn. Regt.
05)Randy Gerlander - 11th Conn. Regt.
06)Thomas Gorin - 9th Conn. Regt.
07)Robert Rivard - Huntington's Conn. Regt.
08)Frederick Rivard - Huntington's Conn. Regt.
09)John Towle - 11th Conn. Regt.
10)Russell Wirtalla - 11th Conn. Regt.

11)Bonnie Burke - Camp-Follower
12)Christine Coutant - Camp-Follower
13)Arlene Rivard - Camp-Follower

It was also good to see several members of the CTSSAR in attendance.

Our next event will be this Thursday, September 6,
2007 in Hartford marking the 250th Anniversary of the Birth of the Marquis de Lafayette. Plan to arrive at 2:00 PM. I will e-mail details again this week.

Put your faith in God and keep your powder dry,

Todd L. Gerlander
Colonel Commanding

Dear Compatriots of the Connecticut Line CTSSAR,

I would like to start out this report with a note from our President Jerry Carroon, who ran a GREAT ceremony for the Marquis de Lafayette's 250th Birthday today in Hartford.

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

Dear Todd and the Color Guard

Thanks so very much for turning out in such great fashion, and numbers, to honor the great Marquis de Lafayette. You all did us proud and the French Consul was most impressed. Thanks and three huzzah's for a job well done!

Cheers

Jerry Carroon
CTSSAR President

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

I would like to thank the following members of the Connecticut Line CTSSAR for participating and honoring the 250th Anniversary of the Birth of the Marquis de Lafayette.

01)Wayne Bickley - 11th Conn. Regt.
02)George Crede - 11th Conn. Regt.
03)Lee Gerlander - 11th Conn. Regt.
04)Todd Gerlander - 11th Conn. Regt.
05)Randy Gerlander - 11th Conn. Regt.
06)Robert Rivard - Huntington's Conn. Regt.
07)Stephen Shaw - Huntington's Conn. Regt.
08)John Towle - 11th Conn. Regt.
09)Russell Wirtalla - 11th Conn. Regt.
10)Bonnie Burke - Camp-Follower

I believe the Society of the Cincinnati and the Sons of the American Revolution held the only ceremony today in the State of Connecticut honoring the Marquis de Lafayette. Once again we are at the forefront of Revolutionary War activity in the State.

THREE HUZZAHS!!!

We will conclude our commemoration to Lafayette on Saturday at our WAR OFFICE in Lebanon. We will set up a display on Lafayette which will include a copy of the letter that Lafayette wrote to General Washington while staying at Governor Trumbull's House in Lebanon, July 23, 1780. The display will run from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Put your faith in God and keep your powder dry,

Todd L. Gerlander
Colonel Commanding

Dear Members of the Connecticut Line CTSSAR,

Today at the WAR OFFICE we set up a display in honor of the 250th Birthday of the Marquis de Lafayette. The WAR OFFICE was a great location for the display since Lafayette visited Lebanon and met with Trumbull in July of 1780.

We had the WAR OFFICE open from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
A little more then two dozen people visited the War Office today. I will bring photos to the State Meeting on the 29th, of both the ceremony and the Display.

I would like to thank the following members for
participating:

Lee Gerlander - 11th Conn. Regt.
Todd Gerlander - 11th Conn. Regt.
Randy Gerlander - 11th Conn. Regt.
Robert Rivard - Huntington's Conn. Regt.
Russell Wirtalla - 11th Conn. Regt.
Arlene Rivard - Camp-Follower

Our next CONNECTICUT LINE event is Wednesday, September 19, 2007. The Connecticut Day Parade at the BIG E in West Springfield, Massachusetts.

I have ONE free ticket left, we now have 11 marchers.
After that ticket is gone, you will have to pay admission to march. Let me know ASAP.

Put your Faith in God and keep your powder dry,

Todd Gerlander
Colonel Commanding

Compatriots of the Connecticut Line,

The Connecticut Line marched in the Connecticut Day Parade at the BIG E in West Springfield, MA yesterday.

This was our second year marching, and it was also our last. We will return to just having a regiment day there as we did in years past.

I would like to thank the members who participated:

01)Bonnie Burke - Camp-Follower
02)Lee Gerlander - 11th Conn. Regt.
03)Todd Gerlander - 11th Conn. Regt.
04)Randy Gerlander - 11th Conn. Regt.
05)Mike Juhase - Huntington's Conn. Regt.
06)Robert Lasprogato - 9th Conn. Regt.
07)John Towle - 11th Conn. Regt.
08)Russell Wirtalla - 11th Conn. Regt.

I also mentioned yesterday the Connecticut Line Contest that will be run annually starting this year.

Some of you have noticed that all my reports lists the names and Detachments of the members that have participated. At our annual meeting in Jan/Feb 2008 awards will be presented to Detachments for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. These awards are for member/Detachment participation at Connecticut Line events, the events that each of you vote on at our annual meeting. I will post the current results shortly. This will hopefully fuel some friendly competition between the branches/Detachments of the Connecticut Line.

Put your faith in God and keep your powder dry,

Todd L. Gerlander
Colonel Commanding

Compatriots of the Connecticut Line,

Our 2007 Calendar of Events is rapidly coming to a close. We only have a few events left. Our member turnout this year is pretty good, and I am seeing a lot of enthusiasm at our events. I will be e-mailing details on this Sunday's Annual Massing of the Colors this week. We also have the Big Veterans Day Parade in Hartford coming up on November 4th and the Boston Tea Party on December 16th. I need to pre-register everyone for the Boston Tea Party, so if you have not signed up yet, please contact me ASAP.

I would like to thank Lieutenant-Colonel Frederick Rivard for commanding the Detachment at Stark's Muster this year. THREE HUZZAHS!!!

And I would like to thank all the members who participated in CONNECTICUT LINE EVENTS over the past two weekends. THREE HUZZAHS!!!
------------------------------
8th Annual Stark's Muster - Fort #4
Charlestown, NH.
October 6 - 7, 2007

Wayne Bickley - 11th Conn. Regt.
Lee Gerlander - 11th Conn. Regt.
Todd Gerlander - 11th Conn. Regt.
Randy Gerlander - 11th Conn. Regt.
Stephen Marshall - 11th Conn. Regt.
Travis Marshall - 11th Conn. Regt.
John Towle - 11th Conn. Regt.

Frederick Rivard - Huntington's Conn. Regt.
Robert Rivard - Huntington's Conn. Regt.
Stephen Shaw - Huntington's Conn. Regt.

Richard Wright - Member At Large

Bonnie Burke - Camp-Follower
Gina Gerhard - Camp-Follower
Arlene Rivard - Camp-Follower
----------------------------------

Fall Festival/Time-Line Encampment
Willimantic, CT.
October 13 - 14, 2007

Wayne Bickley - 11th Conn. Regt.
Lee Gerlander - 11th Conn. Regt.
Todd Gerlander - 11th Conn. Regt.
Randy Gerlander - 11th Conn. Regt.
Stephen Marshall - 11th Conn. Regt.
Travis Marshall - 11th Conn. Regt.

Bruce Cunard - Huntington's Conn. Regt.
Frederick Rivard - Huntington's Conn. Regt.
Robert Rivard - Huntington's Conn. Regt.

Arlene Rivard - Camp-Follower

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

Put your Faith in God and keep your powder dry,

Todd L. Gerlander
Colonel Commanding

Compatriots of the Connecticut Line,

I would like to thank the members who marched with the colors at todays Annual Massing of the Colors in West Hartford, CT.

The Color Guard with CTSSAR President Jerry Carroon marched in with both the National and SAR flags. I would like to thank the following members:

Wayne Bickley - 11th Conn. Regt.
George Crede - 11th Conn. Regt.
Lee Gerlander - 11th Conn. Regt.
Todd Gerlander - 11th Conn. Regt.
Randy Gerlander - 11th Conn. Regt.
Robert Lasprogato - 9th Conn. Regt.
Clark Selnau - Wolcott's 6th Brigade
Stephen Shaw - Huntington's Conn. Regt.

It was also a very good turnout of CTSSAR at the event.

Our next scheduled event is on Sunday, November 4th in Hartford, CT. The Annual Veterans Day Parade. I would like to see a GREAT turnout of members since this will be the first time the CTSSAR marches in this one. I will e-mail details soon.

Put your faith in God and keep your powder dry,

Todd L. Gerlander
Colonel Commanding
The Connecticut Line CTSSAR

Exciting news for Connecticut's State Hero. Warner Bros. Pictures has picked up the option to produce a film about Nathan Hale. The new book is being written by M. William Phelps and is due to be released in Fall 2008.

The storyline covers Hales last three years from 1773 to 1776. When he graduated from Yale College in September 1773, he took his first job as a teacher in East Haddam and then a second teaching job in New London. The Connecticut SAR owns and operates both schoolhouses as museums.

You can read more at:
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117961660.html?categoryid=13&cs=1
http://www.chud.com/index.php?type=news&id=9474
http://www.pmalitfilm.com/hale.html
http://www.pmalitfilm.com/patriot.html

Dear Compatriot Members,

The Connecticut Line marched today in the Veterans Day Parade in Hartford, CT. It was a GREAT parade and I think we all had a GREAT time. Following the parade there was free food set up for us at the City Steam Brewery Restaurant on Main Street. GIANT sandwiches and Hot wings, the food was GREAT!!! This parade will be a new annual event for the Connecticut Line.

I would like to thank the 12 Compatriots who marched:

George Crede - 11th Conn. Regt.
Lee Gerlander - 11th Conn. Regt.
Todd Gerlander - 11th Conn. Regt.
Randy Gerlander - 11th Conn. Regt.
Norm Gilman - 11th Conn. Regt.
Mike Juhase - Huntington's Conn. Regt.
Jim Klaneski - Wolcott's 6th Brigade.
Bob Lasprogato - 9th Conn. Regt.
Bob Rivard - Huntington's Conn. Regt.
Fred Rivard - Huntington's Conn. Regt.
Stephen Shaw - Huntington's Conn. Regt.
Russell Wirtalla - 11th Conn. Regt.

Our next and last scheduled CONNECTICUT LINE event for the year will be the Boston Tea Party reenactment on Sunday, December 16, 2007.

This will also be the last chance for Detachments to earn points for the 2007 Connecticut Line Participation Awards, to be presented at the CT Line's Annual Meeting early next year at J. Timothy's Tavern.

Put your faith in God and keep your powder dry,

Todd L. Gerlander
Colonel Commanding

The Connecticut Line CTSSAR
www.ConnecticutLine.org

Compatriots,

I'm amazed at how much we accomplished today.

With eight volunteers for six hours, we just tore through one project after another. We did things which we hadn't even planned on yet, but were due to be completed.

Accomplished on the 1st floor:

Remove nails leftover from second layer of flooring.
Scrape pealing and cracked paint from ceiling and walls.
Remove nails and cleanup the basement stairwell.
Reopen all windows.
Remove old weights from windows.
Scrape paint from windows.
Remove unneeded hardware from windows.
Remove old unused lock from front door.

Accomplished in the basement:

Loaded old flooring into truck to haul away.
Removed old spacer boards from ceiling.
Load new beams into basement, which will be used later.
Brace up floor as needed.

The great volunteers for the day were:

Stephen Marshall
Stephen Shaw
Tim Jacobs
Harding Dies
Jim Klaneski
Bill Fredericks
And from the Coast Guard Academy
Cadet Lelea Littlefield
Cadet Sullivan

Everyone worked so hard.

The next stages are for Stephen Marshall to repair the posts and beams for the flooring structure and send out paint samples so we can determine the original colors. He will then put down the new flooring on the first floor.

Once that is done, then we will need volunteers to cleanup the walls and ceiling before the painting begins.

Patriotically,

Stephen P. Shaw

Dear Compatriots of the Connecticut Line CTSSAR,

Attached is a photo of the Connecticut Line CTSSAR in front of J. Timothy's Taverne today.

Below are the details and orders passed at the Annual Meeting/Luncheon of THE CONNECTICUT LINE, Living History - Color Guard Unit of the Connecticut Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, Inc., held today in celebration of General George Washington's Birthday.

Members Present: 27
(01) Wayne Bickley (11th Conn. Regt.)
(02) Ken Buckbee (Wolcott's 6th Brigade)
(03) Bonnie Burke (Camp-Follower)
(04) Jerry Carroon (Wadsworth's Conn. Regt.)
(05) Russ Cashman (Wolcott's 6th Brigade)
(06) Geoffrey Colby (11th Conn. Regt.)
(07) George Crede (11th Conn. Regt.)
(08) Damien Cregeau (Wadsworth's Conn. Regt.)
(09) Bruce Cunard (Huntington's Conn. Regt.)
(10) Paul Everett (Wolcott's 6th Brigade)
(11) Lee Gerlander (11th Conn. Regt.)
(12) Todd Gerlander (11th Conn. Regt.)
(13) Randal Gerlander (11th Conn. Regt.)
(14) Norman Gilman (11th Conn. Regt.)
(15) Pamela Hall (Camp-Follower)
(16) Michael Juhase (Independent Conn. Co.)
(17) James Klaneski (Wolcott's 6th Brigade)
(18) Bob Lasprogato (9th Conn. Regt.)
(19) Stephen Marshall (11th Conn. Regt.)
(20) Stephen Messier (11th Conn. Regt.)
(21) Cece Messier (Camp-Follower)
(22) Robert Rivard (Huntington's Conn. Regt.)
(23) Frederick Rivard (Huntington's Conn. Regt.)
(24) Clark Selnau (Wolcott's 6th Brigade)
(25) Stephen Shaw (Wadsworth's Conn. Regt.)
(26) John Towle (11th Conn. Regt.)
(27) Russell Wirtalla (11th Conn. Regt.)

MEETING HIGHLIGHTS:
----------------------------------------------------
Meeting Called to Order: 10:50 AM.
----------------------------------------------------
Invocation: Rev. Paul Everett.
----------------------------------------------------
Pledge of Allegience: Geoffrey Colby.
----------------------------------------------------
Member/Detachment Introductions.
----------------------------------------------------
Around the Table: Member Highlights of the 2007 Campaign.
----------------------------------------------------
Color Guard Business:

* Treasury concerns were resolved.

* CT Line CTSSAR Membership numbers verified. CTSSAR Color Guard Membership stands at 47 active members.

* The 2008 Liability Insurance was discussed.

* 2008 Approvals and Permits were also discussed.

* 2008 NRA Black Powder/Muzzleloader Certification:
The course basics were explained, and a date in April/May 2008 is being investigated. Members firing muskets will be required to complete this course.
-----------------------------------------------------
Bylaws: Todd Gerlander, Michael Juhase, Bob Rivard, Stephen Shaw, and Russell Wirtalla volunteered to be on the Color Guard bylaw committee.
-----------------------------------------------------
2008 Calendar of Events: The proposed 2008 Campaign calendar was handed out. The calendar was discussed, additions were added, and unanimously approved. (A final corrected version of the calendar will be posted soon).
-----------------------------------------------------
Old Business/New Business:

Stephen Shaw announced that the Colonel Jeremiah Wadsworth Branch CTSSAR has formed the "Colonel Wadsworth's Connecticut Regiment" Detachment.
Compatriot Damien Cregeau will hold the rank of Captain.

Also mentioned, the Captain Nathan Hale Branch CTSSAR is in the process of forming a Detachment in the near future.

----------------------------------------------------
The following 2008 Field Officers of the Connecticut Line CTSSAR were elected:

Colonel (Commander) - Todd Gerlander

Lieutenant-Colonel - Russell Wirtalla

Major - Michael Juhase

Field Officers are ordered to wear RED or PINK cockades. If epaulets are worn, 2 silver epaulets are to be worn to designate Field Rank.
-----------------------------------------------------

Commander Gerlander thanked everyone for their continued support of the CTSSAR Color Guard and its activities. He was happy to see ever increasing CTSSAR Color Guard membership, and enthusiasm, keeping Connecticut the largest and most active SAR Color Guard/Living History Unit unit in New England.
-----------------------------------------------------
Benediction: Rev. Robert Carroon, CTSSAR President.
-----------------------------------------------------
Meeting Adjourned: 2:00 PM.
-----------------------------------------------------
Annual Connecticut Line CTSSAR Group Photo outside the Taverne.
-----------------------------------------------------

Todd L. Gerlander
Colonel Commanding
2/23/2008

Dear Compatriots of the Connecticut Line,

The CT Line marched today in the St. Patrick's Day Parade in New Haven, CT. I would like to thank the following members for participating:

Bruce Cunard
Lee Gerlander
Randy Gerlander
Norman Gilman
Howard Greene
Bob Lasprogato
Frederick Rivard
Robert Rivard

Todd Gerlander - Colonel
Russell Wirtalla - Lt. Colonel

Upcoming events, March 29 - Reenactor Tag Sale, and in April, the BIG 3 & the PATRIOT'S DAY Parades. Details soon. . .

Todd L. Gerlander, Colonel Commanding

Hello,

With six volunteers yesterday, we accomplished so much as we continue to restore the Nathan Hale Schoolhouse in New London.

We did the following:

Removed remaining hardware from all the windows.
Scraped more chipping paint from the walls and ceiling.
Mopped all wall and ceiling surfaces.
Patched cracks and holes in the plaster.
Removed the incorrectly sized mantel.
Removed the plaque above the fireplace.
Painted all wall and ceiling surfaces with a primer coat.
Moved the new wood flooring into the building for installation.

Many thanks to the following for giving up a Sunday:

Bruce Cunard
Tim Jacobs
Steve Marshall
Ted Nelson
Frederick Rivard
Stephen Shaw

The next two restoration/painting sessions are:
March 23rd, 9am Sunday - East Haddam - Prep work (won't take long) April 5th, 9am Saturday - New London - Prep work and painting

If you can help let me know.

The repainting is being partly funded by a generous grant from the Connecticut Humanities Council.

Patriotically,

Stephen P. Shaw
Property Steward

Compatriots and Docents,

Another great day of prep work to get ready for repainting the interior of the Nathan Hale Schoolhouse in East Haddam.

This will all look great when our season opens on May 1st and our new permanent exhibit opens on June 28th in East Haddam.

We accomplished a lot with just three of us in just over an hour.

Boxed up most items for storage.
Removed everything from the walls and display area.
Removed all hooks, nails and hangers.
Brushed down all walls, ceiling and floor.
Mopped all wall surfaces.

Thanks to:

Tricia Chapman-Herel
Timothy Jacobs
Stephen Shaw

The next work days are:

April 5th, 9am Saturday - New London - Prep work, painting April 6th, 9am Sunday - East Haddam - Painting

If you can help on either day, let me know as we can use more hands.

Patriotically,

Stephen P. Shaw
Property Steward

Compatriots,

We had another great weekend of work at the two schoolhouses.

In New London on Saturday, we prepared more of the surfaces with primer, sanding, plaster, wood filler and so on. We even had six visitors.

Our volunteers were:
Harry Clarke
Bruce Cunard
Tim Jacobs
Stephen Marshall
Stephen Shaw

In East Haddam on Sunday in the cold, we gave all the wall surfaces a fresh coat of paint. We have no idea when it was last painted, but we think it was in the late 60's when the museum was last rehabbed. This schoolhouse is now ready to be opened for the season and waiting for the new exhibits.

The volunteers were:
Damien Cregeau
Pamela Hall
Stephen Marshall
Frederick Rivard
Thomas Smith
Stephen Shaw

I can't tell you how proud I am of the dedication of our volunteers to help us preserve our Revolutionary War history for future generations.

On Sunday, April 13th and April 20th at 9am in New London we have a lot of painting to do. So far we have eleven volunteers which include cadets from the Coast Guard Academy. This is the final two days to be ready for May 1st. If you would like to help, please let me know or just stop by.

Patriotically,

Stephen P. Shaw

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

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 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,

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,

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