Category: ROTC

News about our Chapter’s participation in honoring ROTC students.

Jockey Hollow Chapter Attends Naturalization Ceremony with DAR

The New Jersey Central Field Office of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services – U.S. Department of Homeland Security held their September Naturalization Ceremony at the Morristown National Historic Park / Washington’s Headquarters Museum on September 26, 2024. As in the past, the Morristown Chapter DAR supported this event wonderfully. In addition, the Jockey Hollow Chapter SAR attended to help “ring in liberty” for the 23 new citizens.

The Naturalization Ceremony was held at the beautiful Washington’s Headquarters Museum, which gave opportunity to instill the great heritage the Revolutionary War holds for Americans. The new citizens came from countries across the globe.

Participating were the U.S. Army Junior ROTC, Irvington High School for the presentation of the colors, numerous local and regional dignitaries with messages of inspiration and history, and President Biden with a video message of welcome and encouragement. And the Morristown Chapter, DAR handed out flags and bells to all attendees, lead the singing of “America the Beautiful”, distributed welcome gift bags to all the new citizens, and “rang in liberty” for the new citizens. Jockey Hollow Compatriot Ellis Bailey joined the DAR to “ring in liberty” in honor of Constitution Week, for the new citizens. The entire ceremony was heart warming and inspirational.

Morristown Chapter DAR members did an excellent job of supporting the ceremony – some even in Revolutionary War period attire.

You can visit the Morristown Chapter, DAR website at: https://morristownnjdar.org

Jockey Hollow Chapter – On the Move!

Our June 1, 2024 Luncheon Offered Much to Our Community!

Our Chapter is expanding its community presence. Our June 1st luncheon underscored our commitment to highlighting the significant influence our region exerted during the American Revolution.

As part of our effort to promote our Chapter and build some esprit de corps, we now have an official chapter cap! This photo shows some of our compatriots proudly displaying our new accoutrement. Pictured (L to R) are Compatriots Chris Sands, Past-President Roger Loomis, President Jeff La Marca, Ellis Baily, and George Link.
Compatriot Chris Sands being congratulated by President Jeff La Marca for his contribution to our Chapter. As part of a promotion, which was launched this spring upon arrival of our new Chapter cap, any compatriot who purchased two caps (one for formal wear, the other for going to the beach) also received the appropriate SAR Service Pin, which is available in five-year increments (e.g., 5, 10, 15, etc.). Thank you, Compatriot Sands!
Compatriot George Link was presented with the beautiful SAR America 250th Anniversary Continental Congress Challenge coin. We didn’t forget our compatriots, who have not yet been members long enough for the 5-year service pin – they received an official SAR challenge coin to show our appreciation for their support! Thank you, Compatriot Link!
Compatriot Ellis Bailey is one of our newest members but during the few months since his application was approved for membership, which means he has proven his direct lineage to a patriot ancestor (one who served or supported the cause against the British). The following is a list of some of his contributions since joining us in February:
  • He has contributed greatly to our Chapter’s participation in the Wreaths Across America program (he also gave a fine presentation on this topic during the luncheon). His presentation will soon be available on this site.
  • Compatriot Baily with PR, created a flyer, and participated in an event sponsored by the Morristown Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), and the Friends of Lafayette.
  • A special ceremony was held on May 5, 2024 as part of an Equal Scout project. Compatriot Bailey stepped up to represent Jockey Hollow and our state organization, the NJSSAR. SAR Vice President General William Baran, of the Rockey Mountain District, was present and was extremely complimentary of Ellis’ work.
  • Compatriot Ellis has done great work promoting Chapter goodwill with DAR, including their upcoming hands-on photography workshop with Xiomáro.
  • On June 23, 2024, Ellis has been & will be playing an integral role in the rededication of the grave marker for William Connet.
  • Grave Marking Program – Compatriot Bailey has already done great work in helping to lay the foundation for our Chapter’s new grave marking program – he has already helped open communications with a church (that is believed to have approximate 50 graves of patriots buried in the cemetery that have not yet been recognized by SAR), is coordinating with DAR, has help make connections with the cemetery’s sexton, etc.

Thank you, Compatriot Ellis Bailey!

Jockey Hollow Treasurer, Glenn Mcguire, received the Bronze Henry Knox Medal for his efforts and contributions to our Chapter.

Treasurer Mcquire jumped in last year after the passing of our last treasurer, Patrick Reilly, and has done an exemplary job! Some of his achievements include:

  • Has done great work in keeping our books and monitoring our finances,
  • Manages and presents Jockey Hollow’s ROTC and Sea Cadet recognition programs,
  • Identified and initiated contact with the work will have begun our grave marking program. Treasurer Mcquire is also working to make this important project a reality.

Thank you, Treasurer Mcguire – your assistance and support is greatly appreciated!

Jockey Hollow’s newest board member, Genealogist/Registrar Bruce Ryno has stepped in as our Chapter’s Genealogist/Registrar! Genealogist Ryno, however, isn’t just any genealogist – he also happens to be the Genealogist for the New Jersey State Society, SAR. Just how many chapters can say that their genealogist also serves in the role for their state organization?! Thank you, Genealogist Ryno, for joining us!
Group photo of Jockey Hollow’s recipients for the Bronze Henry Knox Medal. Pictured above (L to R) are Compatriot Ellis Bailey, Genealogist Bruce Ryno, President Jeff La Marca, and Treasurer Glenn Mcguire. According to National SAR, “The Chapter Henry Knox Achievement Medal may be awarded by a Chapter to a Compatriot or non-SAR member to recognize a specific outstanding contribution, achievement, accomplishment, deed, performance, or effort that advances the mission, governance, programs, or activities of that Chapter. This award is not limited by a specific time of service requirement and may be presented to recognize a singular act or multiple acts.” All of the above recipients of this medal have already contributed greatly to our organization. Thank you!
As noted above, Jockey Hollow is now establishing and building relationships with the Morristown Chapter, DAR. Not only that, but Ruth Ryno (wife of Chapter Genealogist) is the Co-Chair the DAR/SAR/SR Relations Committee, a member of National Chapter Development and Revitalization Committee, VP of NJ DAR State Officers Club, Registrar of Elizabeth Snyder – Continental Chapter. In addition, she provides tremendous assistance with both Jockey Hollows’s and NJSSAR’s membership applications. Thank you for all of your amazing assistance, Ruth Ryno, recipient of the Bronze Henry Knox Medal!
Jockey Hollow has made great connections with the Morristown Chapter, DAR. On of the first individuals we had contact with is their Regent, Nina Hoban. Regent Hoban was awarded SAR’s Medal of Appreciation. She has a wealth of ideas and a deep commitment to our shared missions. She has already been extremely influential in establishing our organization’s work and we are now looking forward to much additional collaborations with them. Thank you, Regent Hoban, we are looking forward to working with in both the near and distant future!
Not only is DAR honored to have Catherine Paretti, the Historian for the Old Whitehouse – General Frelinghuysen – Colonel Lowrey Chapter, but she has been a regular fixture and our Chapter’s meetings for many years. She has done an amazing job as our chapter’s “unofficial” photographer – indeed, most of the photos on this site, including nearly all of those in this post. For this fine contribution, DAR Historian Catherine Paretti was awarded the SAR Medal of Appreciation. Thank you, Historian Paretti!
Jockey Hollow’s recipients for the SAR Medal of Appreciation. Pictured (L to R) are Regent Nina Hoban, President Jeff La Marca, and DAR Historian Catherine Paretti.


“The SAR Medal of Appreciation may be presented to a member of the DAR in good standing in recognition of and in appreciation for outstanding services rendered to the SAR. The award may recognize assistance in . . . significantly aiding the SAR programs.” Thank you Regent Hoban and Historian Paretti for your support and great work!

Compatriot Chris Sands is the President of the Abraham Clark Chapter, SAR. Not only are we honored to have President Sands present at our meeting, but he also gave a brief presentation on SAR’s America 250th Anniversary Program, and also encouraged our members to join a color guard (our Chapter really needs a color guard)! Thank you, President Sands; it was an honor to have you at our meeting!

Jockey Hollow Past-President gave a touching recollection of those he served with during the Vietnam War and in recognition of Memorial Day. His remarks were both poignant and beautiful. Thank you, Past-President Loomis.
Our amazing Special Guest Speaker, Dr. Benjamin Carp, was presented with a Certificate of Appreciate by President Jeff La Marca. Dr. Carp’s topic was on “The Great New
York Fire of 1776: A Lost Story of the American Revolution.” It was a fascinating and terrific lecture! Thank you, Dr. Carp.