When Civics was taught in our public education system students memorized and later recited passages of many of our nations’ seminal documents – the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. Even to this day I can recall from memory many of these passages that not only defined our nation but shaped the minds and development of those who were fortunate at an early age to be exposed to the philosophy and thinking of America’s Founders. The powerful and timeless message contained in President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address still rings true and in view of our current political divisiveness and deserves reexamining. 

To refresh your memory, the address was delivered by President Lincoln on November 19, 1863, during the dedication of Soldiers' National Cemetery  known today as Gettysburg National Cemetery. This hallowed ground was where the brutal Battle of Gettysburg - the high-water mark of the Confederacy - was fought four and one-half months earlier. The Civil War was America’s most brutal and costly war fought in an effort to save the unity our nascent nation. To this day its scars are forever seared into our national psyche even though it occurred well over one hundred years ago. 

Charles E. Driscoll, MD, the Surgeon General, Virginia SAR has published the following articles:

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Charles E. Driscoll, MD, the Surgeon General, Virginia SAR has published the following articles:

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Thomas H. Bland (1948–2025)

Thomas “Tom” Henry Bland, 76, of Burke, VA, died surrounded by family at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, NC and he gained his angel wings on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at 3:31 PM.

Born in Raleigh, NC on November 2, 1948, Tom entered the world with a built-in best friend- his identical twin brother Bill of Waco, TX- proving early that life doubles the trouble AND the fun. The son of Dorothy Heater and William Archibald Bland, he grew up with a love of service that led him to Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America and later to Goldsboro High School (Class of ’66). He earned a Business Administration degree from East Carolina University in 1971, and later a Master’s in Education from Old Dominion University.

Charles E. Driscoll, MD, the Surgeon General, Virginia SAR has published the following articles:

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Surgeon General's War Report: Surgeon General’s War Report to Virginia’s Army Surgeons, 1775

One of my favorite hymns was Julia Ward Howe’s "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." Like our national anthem this song brings a chill to my spine every time I hear it. I can only imagine my Great-Great Grandfather Private William H. Baldwin who was mortally wounded at the Battle of Cold Harbor marching to it in his quest to free those in bondage. He was just a simple and poor Chesapeake Bay waterman but voluntarily answered the call to serve and paid dearly with his life leaving behind a family.

Howe's lyrics inspired Americans to action at one of the most critical times in our history when the nation was torn asunder and our fragile experiment in Democracy could have easily ended. My mind can still see the imagery of soldiers marching to their death in the name of Christ to unify the nation and eliminate the scourge of slavery:

Charles E. Driscoll, MD, the Surgeon General, Virginia SAR has published the following articles:

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Surgeon General's War Report:  Surgeon General’s Report to Virginia’s Surgeons June 1783

For many Memorial Day signals the onset of Summer with all the pleasantries that go along with it – vacations, barbeques, and family outings. But for those that this day of reflection honors unfortunately they are no longer with us to share in the joys of life because they sacrificed their life (many in the prime of life) as a downpayment for the freedom we as American enjoy today. From the founding of our great nation both men and women have willingly laid down their lives for the cause of freedom in such diverse places as Valley Forge, Gettysburg, Belleau Wood, Iwo Jima, Khe San, and Fallujah to name a few.

Some willingly volunteered for service and others may have been drafted but all shared a common bond of brotherhood that is only forged in armed conflict. As those that have been there will tell you when the bullets start flying you forget about the lofty rhetoric echoed by armchair politicians and rather fight for you and your brother/sister in arms very survival. Armed conflict unfortunately often reduces mankind and those who fight on the front lines to a baseless level where day-to-day survival motivates those who are in harm’s way. Americans have consistently sent their men and women servicemen to the four corners of the globe where they were viewed and selfless liberators vice oppresors.

Charles E. Driscoll, MD, the Surgeon General, Virginia SAR has published the following articles:

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Surgeon General's War Report: Surgeon General’s Report to Virginia’s Surgeons June 1777

E Pluribus Unum by James "Ros" Poplar

As a proud member of the Fort Harrison Chapter Sons of the American Revolution I recently had both the distinct pleasure and honor of participating in a naturalization ceremony where 43 former immigrants from 26 different countries became citizens of the United States of America. It was the first such ceremony I ever attended, and I assure you it will not be the last. The two hours spent in that courtroom will be forever etched in my mind as one of the moments that made me proud to call myself an American.

At each and every ceremony our past President Mr. Tom Pettit is the first to greet our newest American citizens with a scroll consisting of the Star Bangled Banner wrapped in red, white, and blue ribbon lovingly assembled by our Chaplin Mr. Bill Blessing. It is a gift many have waited years to receive in their quest to become citizens of the land of the free and the home of the brave and one I am sure they will cherish for the rest of
their lives.

The Triple Test

by James "Ros" Poplar

In 1973, historian Richard B. Morris wrote the seminal work “Seven Who Shaped Our Destiny: The Founding Fathers as Revolutionaries." The book details a series of biographical sketches of the most seven influential leaders of the American Revolution along with a detailed chronology of the events that led to their commitment to the American cause. Mr. Morris refers to the men possessing the "triple tests" of leadership, longevity and statesmanship.

All of these men played indispensable roles in the formation of the of the United States of America. John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin were members of the Committee of Five that drafted the Declaration of Independence. The Federalist Papers, which advocated the ratification of the Constitution, were written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay. And last but not least, George Washington was the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, president of the Constitutional Convention, and our first president.

First in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his fellow countrymen

We will soon observe the birthday of one of the founders of this great nation—General and President George Washington who was born on February 22, 1732.  The intent of “Presidents Day” is to honor the legacy of all Presidents, but I believe this marginalizes our first Founding Father’s unparalleled accomplishments.  Washington single handedly lead the Continental Army to victory in the Revolutionary War, presided over the Constitutional Convention, and was our very Chief Executive. What a lasting legacy!

On the December 4, 1783—nine days after the last British soldiers left America George Washington invited the officers of the Continental Army to join him in the Long Room of Fraunces Tavern so he could say farewell. The best-known account of this emotional leave-taking comes from the Memoirs of Colonel Benjamin Tallmadge written in 1830.

Service Above Self

by Ros Poplar.

America was founded almost 250 years on the principles of rugged individualism and self-sufficiency. Even in those days the journey from the old world to the new world was fraught with peril and many of America’s early settlers did not survive the journey due to exposure to the elements or disease. Upon arrival in the new  world our ancestors, despite the harsh living conditions, banded together and formed the nascent communities that have over time evolved into major and vibrant colonial cities such as New York and Boston. The eventually expanded out west drawn by the prospects of abundant land and resources that were only available in the old world to nobility or people of means.

After these cities were established and thriving people were drawn to the vast expanse of the western United States where land was readily available for the taking and one could become affluent overnight if they struck it rich while panning for gold in the California Republic of striking oil in the vast expanses of the Republic of Texas. The American spirit of adventurism and self-reliance was  indeed, live, and well but even then, there were those who were less fortunate and American communities lead by church groups or simply good neighbors looked after those who were less fortunate or down on their luck. Neighbors indeed helped neighbors through such organized activities as barn raisings or even gestures of
kindness as preparing meals for those unable to provide for themselves.

Charles E. Driscoll, MD, the Surgeon General, Virginia SAR has published the following articles:

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Qualities that Define a Leader
a guest article by Ros Poplar

Mr. Craig Fehrman notes in his book “The Story of John Adams Perilous Transatlantic Voyage” our future President of the United States and Founding Father, John Adams, demonstrated early on the qualities that define a  true leader. In 1778 the Continental Congress asked Adams to go to France to serve as a diplomat for our fledgling Republic.  John Quincy, his ten-year-old son also accompanied him on the voyage – thus two future American presidents made the trip together.

On 13 February Adams and his son boarded the Boston, a 24-gun frigate for a treacherous and frigid winter Atlantic crossing known for its storms and ice flows. Then it was not uncommon for ships to sink at sea with the loss of all hands.  Mother nature can be both beautiful and cruel to those who go down to the sea in ships and a crossing in the Winter is especially treacherous. 

After weathering severe storms  and outrunning a British Man of War, the Boston’s crew spotted another British ship.  After the ship’s Captain asked Adams to go below, the Boston sped towards an armed British merchantman named the Martha. The Martha fired several shots with the cannonballs flying directly over Adam’s head.  In the midst of this John Adams was seen brandishing a musket while  preparing to engage the British. “My dear sir,” the Captain asked, “how came you here?” “I ought to do my share of fighting,” Adams promptly replied. 

The Republic Endures

—— article by Ros Poplar

Next year we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America or our semiquincentennial. On this date 250 years ago our Founding Fathers at great peril to their lives declared their independence from then the most powerful nation of the face of the earth – Great Britain. Many of our Founders would lose their lives, livelihood, and property in the ensuing conflict, but they were willing to risk it all for the cause of liberty.

Our Republic has stood the test of time through numerous armed conflicts, a disastrous civil war that threatened to end our very existence, the Great Depression and yet we continue to this day to persevere serving as Ronald Reagan stated "that shinning city on the hill' that provides the beacon of freedom for those oppressed around the world. Though we may have our flaws there is no other nation of the face of the earth like the great experiment of American democracy that endures to this very day.

Near the end of his second term as president, George Washington published The Address of Gen. Washington to the People of America on His Declining the Presidency of the United States better known subsequently as his “Farewell Address" The address’s most frequently cited passage is a paragraph on the essential place of morality, and particularly of religion, in civic life:

Growing up in rural Maryland in the 1960s, while hunting, I frequently encountered abandoned farms and homesteads due to the encroachment of housing developments brought on by the post-World War II baby boom. Often, their structures were virtual time capsules and contained artifacts left in place by the previous owners.

To the chagrin of my friends, I would frequently spend more time exploring these buildings rather than beating the bushes for a rabbit or covey of quail.