The Wiregrass Chapter, Georgia Society Sons of the American Revolution held its monthly meeting on Thursday night, August 14, at the New China Restaurant at 6:30 p.m. With President Wilder Smith, Jr. presiding, there were 20 in attendance including three guests, Bill Carmichael, Joyce Fennell and Mary Ellen Smith. After Chaplain Emory Fennell blessed the food, they had an outstanding buffet supper. President Wilder Smith, Jr. asked Compatriot Jim Dekle to come forward and receive his brother's, Larry Carlton Dekle's membership certificate. Larry lives in North Carolina and was unable to attend our meeting. President Wilder then asked Sgt-at-Arms Dess Smith III to come forward and receive three flag streamers: 1st Streamer was for participation in the Frederica, Patriots Day event at Saint Simons Island in April, the 2nd Streamer was for retaining 90% membership in our Chapter for the year 2021, and the 3rd Streamer was for the Wiregrass Chapter being a "Distinguished Chapter in 2021" (9 out of 10 achievements). President Wilder then introduced Compatriot John Derden. Compatriot John presented his program that he presented before 600 SAR members at the 132nd Congress held in Savannah in July. Compatriot John's presentation was titled, "It all Started in a Bar: Revolutionary Savannah." He focused on the role and significance of the port city in the American Revolution. He emphasized that Savannah's strategic importance to both sides during the war made the town a focal point of several campaigns, and that the failed attempt by the combined French and American forces to retake Savannah in October 1779 led to what has been described as "the bloodiest hour of the American Revolution.," Compatriot Derden also stressed the importance of Georgia's role in the Revolution and pointed to the increasing emphasis by modern historians of the broader significance of the Southern campaigns in the eventual Patriot triumph at Yorktown in 1781.
