WELCOME: COMPATRIOT REV. NORMAN H. THOMAS, PRESIDENT - COL. RICHARD SOMERS CHAPTER, S A R.

PRAYER: Rev. Norman Thomas

Rev. Thomas began the memorial service recounting the history of the SAR monument and the team of
Compatriots that worked a full year to make the memorial a reality.

Don Marple retold the story of the seaport town of Chestnut Neck. How brave local ship captains risked their homes and lives by joining the fight against the British, as Privateer’s. Creating a major impact on the British Army by capturing British ships, bringing them to Chestnut Neck and distributing the goods taken, to Gen. Washington. On October 6th, 1778, the British attacked the very area where we are standing, burning almost every home in Chestnut Neck. But the British failed their ultimate mission which was to attack the Forks and Batsto, further up the Mullica, because the local militiamen of Chestnut Neck and the weather kept them busy long enough for Count Pulaksi’s troops to get too close for comfort and the British left.

Compatriot Franklin Kemp was remembered for his unique and unequaled work on the history of Chestnut Neck, “A Nest of Rebel Pirates”.

Earl Cain then described his concept of an ‘open air’ museum being planned at the SAR memorial site, to be completed and dedicated next year, at the 230th anniversary.

At the request of Don Marple we observed a moment of silence in rememberance of our dear friend Dorothy (Dottie) Thomas.

Many of the group then met for lunch at Shea’s Restaurant in Oceanville.