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, Sons of the American Revolution Holds Grave-marking Ceremony for Revolutionary War Soldier Silus Watters.

The Jockey Hollow Chapter, SAR held a grave-marking ceremony for Revolutionary War soldier Silus Watters (1751-1820) on Sunday, September 22, 2024 at The Pleasant Grove (formerly Presbyterian) Cemetery in Washington Township atop Schooley’s Mountain in Northern New Jersey. The original gravestone is still there, but the inscription has degraded over the years.

Silus Watters was given his famous dog-head sword by Princeton Militia Captain James Moore (a hero of the Revolutionary War Battle of Princeton). This sword is now on display at the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia.

John Lawrence Brasher, Ph.D., a direct ancestor of Silus Watters, along with his wife and son, were in attendance and has written a book “Bright Liberty’s Forgotten Sword and the Battle of Princeton“

Numerous friends of the family were in attendance. Four members of chapters of the SAR performed the ceremony along with Dr. Brasher – Jeff La Marca, President of The Jockey Hollow Chapter and the Washingtonburg Chapter, and master of ceremonies; Chris Sands, President of the Abraham Clark Chapter and Vice-President of the West Fields Chapter; and compatriots George Link and Ellis Bailey of the Jockey Hollow Chapter – commemorating Silus Watters’ battlefield contributions as we approach the 250th Anniversary of the Revolution.

A well worn Revolutionary War soldier’s gravestone was marked with the SAR medallion.

Presidents Jeff La Marca (MC) and Chris Sands led the ceremony for the SAR, dressed to honor Patriot Silus Watters.

The ceremony was nicely attended on a beautiful fall day to honor the Revolutionary War Patriot.

Taps was played to honor the fallen.

Dr. Brasher and his wife were thankful for the work that SAR contributed to honor his ancestor.

Compatriots George Link and Ellis Bailey (not pictured) participated in the ceremony.

President La Marca presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Dr. Brasher for authoring his book to bring Silus Watters’ story alive and instigating this ceremony to honor him. Certificates of Appreciation were also given to Michael Del Vecchio who played taps for the ceremony, and to Lyn Smith for helping to arrange the ceremony with the cemetery.

Jockey Hollow Chapter Participates at POW/MIA 24-hour Vigil

The Jockey Hollow Chapter was honored to participate in this solemn, two-day event by volunteering to read the names of American patriots who have been Prisoners of War or are Missing in Action. Three members from the chapter – President Jeff La Marca, Past President Roger Loomis, and Compatriot Ellis Bailey – participated on Saturday, September 21, 2024.

President Jeff La Marca and Compatriot Ellis Bailey reading the names of POW/MIA soldiers.

The POW/MIA park has numerous areas dedicated to the memory of the missing and those that served valiantly.

President Jeff La Marca presented a Certificate of Appreciation from the SAR to Charlie Uhrmann, the driving force behind the creation and maintenance of All Veterans Memorial Park, built from private donations and time contributions, and facilitator of the 24 hour POW/MIA Vigil at the park.

Help Us Participate in the 2024 Wreaths Across America.

The Jockey Hollow Chapter, SAR is participating in its first Wreaths across America program in 2024. The program’s mission is to:

remember the fallen,
honor those who serve, and
teach the next generation the value of freedom.

For 2024, the Chapter is supporting the

Somerset Hills Memorial Park

95 Mt. Airy Rd.

Basking Ridge, NJ 07920

Your help in sponsoring wreaths for this wonderful event is greatly appreciated, and can be easily done at http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/NJ0293 . Just click the red “SPONSOR WREATHS” button and follow the simple instructions.

THANK YOU for any support you can give!

Grave Marking Ceremony for Revolutionary War Soldier, Silus Watters (1751-1820)

The Jockey Hollow Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution is holding a grave-marking ceremony at the final resting place of Silus Watters on Sunday, September 22, 2024 at 3:00 P.M. (directions are listed below). All Chapter members are encouraged to attend!

John Lawrence Brasher, Ph.D., a direct ancestor of Silus Watters, will be in attendance and has written a book “Bright Liberty’s Forgotten Sword and the Battle of Princeton“

This event is being held at the Pleasant Grove (formerly Presbyterian) Cemetery in Washington Township atop Schooley’s Mountain. The original gravestone is still there, but the inscription is gone.

Pleasant Grove Cemetery

132 Califon Rd

Long Valley, NJ 07853

Jockey Hollow to Participate at POW/MIA 24-hour Vigil

The Jockey Hollow Chapter is honored to participate in this two-day event by volunteering to read the names of American patriots who have been Prisoners of War or are Missing in Action. All interested Jockey Hollow Chapter members who wish to read a few names are encouraged to join us between 2:00 and 3:00 P.M. on Saturday, September 21, 2024.

All Veterans Memorial

Turkey Brook Park

30 Flanders Road

Budd Lake, NJ 07828

Jockey Hollow, Chapter Participated in Flag Raising at Mount Vernon!

The Jockey Hollow Chapter, SAR was represented at Flag Raising and Wreath Placing Ceremonies at Mount Vernon on Labor Day! This event, organized by the Washingtonburg Chapter, PASSAR, was a terrific honor for both Chapters! (Note, Jockey Hollow President is also the new President for the Washingtonburg Chapter.)

This exciting opportunity began with flag raising ceremonies for both chapters.

Washingtonburg Chapter, SAR and Jockey Hollow Chapter, SAR Delegation at Mount Vernon
(L-R) Dawn Guinan, Jack Guinan, Ray Mowery IV, Alex Mowery, Kristin Mowery, Theron Winn, Jeremy Winn, Jeff La Marca, Bill Etsweiler, Lisa Etsweiler, Dale Leppard, Greg O’Brien, Susan Leppard, Meryl O’Brien, Chuck Brackbill

Jockey Hollow President, Jeff La Marca, was assisted by Compatriot Jeremy Winn in raising the flag.

President La Marca and Past Washingtonburg President Leppard placing the wreath *inside* the tomb of George and Martha Washington.

(L-R) Theron Winn, Jeremy Winn, Raymond Mowery IV, Jeffry La Marca, Gregory O’Brien, Dale Leppard, William Etsweiler in front of the tomb of George Washington.

Monument at the Slave Cemetery at Mount Vernon.

(L-R) Raymond Mowery IV, Jeremy Winn placing wreath in honor of Washington’s valet, Will Lee, and the slaves of Mount Vernon.

President La Marca giving a reading about Will Lee, followed by brief biographies about the lives of Frank Lee, Nancy Carter Quarles, and other slaves of Mount Vernon as read by Past President Leppard, Gregory O’Brien, Charles Brackbill, and Jeremy Winn.

Mikey the Haflinger cross pulling a carriage at Mount Vernon.

Jockey Hollow and Washingtonburg Chapters Arrive in Virginia

Jockey Hollow & Washingtonburg Chapters arrived in Virginia this afternoon for tomorrow’s Flag Raising Ceremony at Mount Vernon. Earlier today, we visited George Washington’s Grist Mill and Distillery. It was a fascinating place!

Following that, we had dinner nearby at a restaurant in Alexandria, Virginia.

Dinner at the River Bend Bistro
(L-R) Jack Guinan, Jeff La Marca, Dale Leppard, Chuck Brackbill, Meryl O’Brien, Greg O’Brien, Alex Mowery, Ray Mowery IV, Kristin Mowery, Bill Etsweiler, Lisa Etsweiler, Susan Leppard, Dawn Guinan

Free Public Workshop at Frelinghuysen Arboretum: RSVP Now!

The Jockey Hollow Chapter, SAR is proud to announce that our first workshop for 2024-2025 will be a joint venture with the Morristown Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Over the past few months, we have developed an exceptionally good relationship with our counterparts and will be co-sponsoring our first event of the year with them! A flyer with the full details is shown below.

This should be an exciting event! Please note that this workshop will be held at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum, in Morristown. This event is not only FREE but (as with all of our events) is also open to the public.

If you are planning on attending, please RSVP President Jeff La Marca and, if so inclined, donations to help defer the costs for food will be greatly appreciated. Due to the nature of this event, we are prohibited from collecting money at the facility, so any donations may be sent to our treasurer at:

Glenn Maguire, Treasurer
Jockey Hollow Chapter, SAR
1 Glenside Drive
Budd Lake, NJ 07828