Author: Jeff La Marca

Jockey Hollow Chapter Luncheon – March 4, 2023

President Roger Loomis presided over the meeting and luncheon; Jeffrey E. Finegan was our featured speaker.

President Loomis honored Jockey Hollow’s Board of Directors with the Chapter Distinguished Service Medal – the highest honor that can be bestowed on members at the chapter level. While a President may usually issue only once per year, these compatriots had all served over a period spanning many years. From left to right: President Loomis, Secretary Phil Oddo, Vice President Jeff La Marca, Genealogist, John Kieser, Registrar David Jones, and sergeant-at-arms Richard Perry.
Sergeant-at-arms Richard Perry displays his Chapter Distinguished Service Certificate.
Vice President Jeff La Marca displays his Chapter Distinguished Service Certificate.
Guest speaker, Jeffrey E. Finegan.

Patriot Grave Marking at the Vail Memorial Cemetery

Jockey Hollow President Roger Loomis and Jockey Hollow Compatriots, Patrick Reilly JHC, Larrison Jackson, and Richard Perry conducted a Patriot Grave Marking at the Vail Memorial Cemetery in Parsippany, NJ. Pvt. Jasper Righter (b. 1739 d. 1794) served in two Morris County Militias between 1776 and 1778. The marker dedication was requested and provided by Compatriot Ken Zeliff of the Atlanta Chapter GASSAR, descendant of Pvt. Righter.

(Left to Right: Patrick Reilly JHC; Larrison Jackson JHC; Roger Loomis JHC; Reverend Donald Bragg, Pastor of the Parsippany Presbyterian Church; Richard Perry JHC (masks off for photo).

Jockey Hollow Chapter, SAR at Plaque Dedication

A bronze memorial plaque that was was dedicated in honor of Brigadier General Robert Erskine, geographer and surveyor to General George Washington and presented by the SAR in 1952, was stolen from its stone mount at Ringwood Manor State Park, Ringwood, NJ. Compatriot NJSSAR President Robert Meyer immediately agreed to replace the plaque and had an epoxy replica fabricated and delivered to the park, the former home of General Erskine. Because of the outdoor nature of the stone and its year-round exposure to the elements, stone preparation and mounting of the plaque was delayed until late summer. On Saturday, October 5, 2019, a re-dedication ceremony was held at the family cemetery with full honors provided by members of the NJSSAR Color Guard and members of Heard’s Brigade reenactment group (see photos below) More than twenty people were in attendance. Susan Shutte, Ringwood State Park Historian did a great job of organizing the event and Jockey Hollow President, Roger Loomis, was honored to assist where he could and to speak on behalf of President Meyer and the NJSSAR.

(Left to Right) Front row: JHC Secretary, Phillip Oddo; JHC Sergeant-at-Arms, Richard Perry; NJSSAR Color Guardsmen, South Jersey Chapter, James Howard; and JHC, Larrison Jackson; JHC Compatriot, David Peretti; Piper, JHC Chaplain, James Naisby. Back row: members of Heard’s Brigade, and Jockey Hollow Chapter President, Roger Loomis (hiding behind David Peretti).
Unveiling: Ringwood State Park Historian, Susan Shutte and Jockey Hollow Chapter President, Roger Loomis.