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PAST ACTIVITIESEAGLE SCOUT AWARD January 15, 2012 Knights of Columbus Hall, Highland IL Jim DeGroff (left) looks on as GGRC president Ronnie
Hicks presents a certificate and badge to Eagle Scout Ian McGlasson.

GGRC President Ronnie Hicks congratulates Eagle Scout
Christian Schuepbach (right) on his attainment of rank of Eagle Scout.
EAGLE SCOUT AWARD January 8, 2012 First Christian Church, Greenville IL
 Jim DeGroff (left) and Eric Reelitz (center) presented the SAR award to Adam Michael Runyon on his achievement of the rank of Eagle Scout.
WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA December 10, 2011 Nix-Judy Cemetery, Glen Carbon IL
From left to right Ryan Zinke ( Herr Funeral Homes), Ronnie
Hicks, President GGRC Chapter & Color Guard member, Jim
DeGroff—Vice President GGRC & Color Guard member, Eric
Reelitz, GGRC Chapter & Color Guard member, Tim
Raymer—Past President GGRC & Color Guard member, Robert
“Bob” Shaak—Past President GGRC & Color Guard member, William
“Bill” Nix—GGRC Chapter member and relative of John Nix (Revolutionary
War Soldier interned at Nix-Judy Cemetery) and Robert “Bob” Herr — Herr
Funeral Homes—Sunset Hill Funeral Home. Robert Herr —Sunset Hill
Funeral Home donated the wreaths/grave blankets for the ceremony and
provided transportation to the cemetery location atop Sunset
Hill. Not pictured Lee Swallows— Sunset Hill Funeral Home, Hank Boss, Jim Hicks, Kevin Kagey GGRC Chapter (Photo—Kevin Raymer)
VETERANS DAY PARADE November 11, 2011 Edwardsville IL
 Jim DeGroff, Ron Hicks, Bill Wilson, Al Oleson, prospective member Roger Meyers, and Tim Raymer participated in the Edwardsville Veterans Day parade.
HERO AWARD November 7, 2011 Bethalto IL
 Ross Eldridge (front) received a Hero Award from the GGRC chapter. Back row is Lloyd Schwarz, Jim DeGroff, Ross' mother and father, and Al Oleson
16th ANNUAL FLAG AWARD CEREMONY
November 3, 2011
Madison Co. Court House
Edwardsville, Ill. 
 Awards
were presented to Gerald Affeldt, Roland & June Ahlmeyer, Jeffery
Bridick, C. Raymond Carlton, Fred & Nancy Decker, Rudy & Josie
Diak, Kenneth & Carol Klocke, Terry & Virginia Lancey, George
& Norma Opolka, Dean & Sue Saathoff, Byron & Sarah
Skalisius, and Rita Smith.
EAGLE SCOUT AWARD October 20, 2011
 Jim DeGroff congratulates Harrison McLaughlin on his achievement of therank of Eagle Scout at ceremonies held at Eden church.
EAGLE SCOUT AWARD October 2, 2011 Edwardsville IL
 Joey Duncan received the Eagle Scout award from GGRC President Ronnie Hicks (middle) and Jim DeGroff at ceremonies held at Eden church.
LAW ENFORCEMENT AWARD September 21, 2011 Edwardsville IL

Madison
County Circuit Judge Charles Romani (left) received the annual
Law Enforcement Award of the Genl. George Rogers Clark Chapter, Sons of
the American Revolution. Conferring the award was GGRCC President
Ronnie D. Hicks, assisted by Jim DeGroff and award chairperson Lloyd E.
Schwarz. Judge Romani was recogized for his leadership since 2009 of
the Veterans Court Service, which provides special services for
non-violent offenders.
LITTLE LEAGUE TEAM August, 2011
 GGRC chapter president Ronnie Hicks (right) presents a certificate to Team 607 Manager Mike Montgomery. The
GGRC chapter again sponsored the team which was 11-2-0 and also
won first place in the 6th & 7th Grade tournament. ILLINOIS STATE FAIR PARADE AUGUST 11, 2011 Springfield, Illinois
 GGRC member Jim DeGroff (far right) carried the replica of Genl George Rogers Clark's flag during the Illinois State Fair Parade on August 11, 2011.
EAGLE SCOUT AWARD JULY 31, 2011 Edwardsville, Illinois
 Thomas Pauk (L) receives the Eagle Scout patch and certificate from GGRC President Ronnie Hicks and Jim DeGroff. JUNE 18, 2011
 GGRC chapter member Jim DeGroff spoke about George Rogers Clark campaign during grave marking ceremonies honoring Revolutionary War patriot Robert Kidd. Kidd served under Clark . The grave marking was conducted by the Whiteside Station DAR Chapter at St. John's Cemetery, Fults IL.
DEDICATION OF STATUE HONORING WOMEN VETERANSMOUNT VERNON, ILL.JUNE 18, 2011  A member of the GGRC Chapter participated with the Illinois SAR color guard in a parade in Mt. Vernon on June 18. 2011 prior to dedication of a DAR statue honoring women veterans.
SPRING TRIP 2011 VANDALIA'S OLD STATE CAPITOL BUILDING JUNE 9, 2011

ALTON MEMORIAL DAY PARADE
MAY 31, 2011

EAGLE SCOUT AWARD May 27, 2011 Edwardsville, Illinois
 Jim DeGroff (R) and Ron Hicks presented Eagle Scout awards to Zachary Watt
Jim DeGroff and Bill Feeney presented Eagle Scout awards to Zachary Blaisdell
EAGLE SCOUT AWARD May 1, 2011 Edwardsville, Illinois Jim DeGroff (L) and Bill Feeney (R) presented Eagle Scout awards to Zachary Tojo SAR SILVER ROTC MEDAL PRESENTATION
APRIL 28, 2011
SIU-E, EDWARDSVILLE, IL

Chapter founder Charles B.
Schweizer presented the medal to Cadet Brandon Michalke
EAGLE SCOUT AWARD April 20, 2011 Alton, Illinois
 Al Oleson (L) and Timothy Raymer (R) presented Eagle Scout awards to Cory Ostendorph and Andrew McKinney
ROTC BRONZE MEDAL PRESENTATION APRIL 16, 2011
ALTON HIGH SCHOOL, ALTON, ILL.
 GGRC Chapter President Ronnie Hicks presents AFJROTC Cadet Andrew Berry the Bronze R.O.T.C. Medal at Alton High School Dining Out Awards Ceremony.
OUTSTANDING CITIZENSHIP AWARDS First Christian Church, Edwardsville, Illinois April 6, 2011  L-R, first row: Lindsey Taylor (Triad H.S.); Kathryn Randolph (Marquette H.S.); Austin Weaver (Granite City H.S.); Max Harris (Metro EastLutheran H.S.); Daniel Wendell (Jersey Community H.S.); Joseph Dragovich (Mt.Olive H.S.); Micah Strebel (Civic Memorial H.S.); Kaitlyn Carter (HighlandSr. H.S.); Stephanie Clark (Roxana Sr. H.S.); Shalecia Oliver (MadisonH.S.). Second row: Ronnie Hicks, Wm. Feeney, Troy Huddle, Bob Shaak, Jim DeGroff,Al Oleson, (GGRC Chapter SAR); James Stevens (Edwardsville H.S.) EAGLE SCOUT COURT OF HONOR March 20, 2011 Highland, Illinois
 Left: Jim DeGroff and Ron Hicks present Eagle Scout award to Jordan Dahm. Right: Ron Hicks presents Eagle Scout award to Trent Gnaedinger
ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING February 16, 2011 Sunset Hills Country Club Edwardsville, Ill
 ILSSAR President Franz Herder installed the new officers of the GGRC Chapter shown here (L-R), President Ron Hicks; Vice President Jim DeGroff; Secretary Marv Meng; Treasurer Jim Hicks; Registrar Jerry Maas.
15th ANNUAL FLAG AWARD CEREMONY
November 4, 2010
Madison Co. Court House
Edwardsville, Ill.
 
SAR HERO AWARD PRESENTATION to Tony Sparks Bethalto City Hall August 2, 2010
 The GGRC Chapter presented a Hero Award to Tony Sparks. On
June 27, 2010, a 65-year old woman from Grafton was driving on the
Great River Roada when her vehicle hit debris littering the roadway
after a heavy rain. One of her tires blew and her car went
into the flooded Mississippi River about 30 feet off the roadway.
Disregarding his own safety, 26-year-old Tony Sparks of
Cottage Hills saw the car enter the water, swam to the woman's car and
pulled her from the sinking vehicle through the driver's side
window. He managed to ger her safely back to the shoreline just
before her vehicle sank into the flooded Mississippi River. Photo, from left: Sparks, Jim
DeGroff, Tim Raymer, Jim James, and Ron Hicks.
GGRC-SPONSORED LITTLE LEAGUE TEAM

GRAVE MARKINGS Bethalto IL, June 19, 2010 
FLAG DAY PROGRAM Schneider Park, Brighton, Illinois June 14, 2010
  
Boy Scout Troop 1031 assisted with the program. Hope Birch sang the National anthem & America the Beautiful
PRESENTING FLAG PROGRAM AT HILL'S FORT YOUTH ACTIVITIES DAYS JUNE 11 & 12, 2010 GREENVILLE, ILLINOIS 
DEDICATION OF SECOND PLAQUE FOR
REVOLUTIONARY WAR SOLDIERS
BURIED IN MADISON COUNTY, ILL
COUNTY COURT HOUSE, JUNE 1, 2010
GGRC provided color guard
 
ALTON MEMORIAL DAY PARADE
MAY 31, 2010
 
JROTC BRONZE MEDAL PRESENTATION
MAY 8, 2010
ALTON HIGH SCHOOL, ALTON, ILL.

Jim DeGroff (left) and Ron Hicks (right) present the JROTC Bronze Medal
to Cadet Tevin Rose
SAR SILVER ROTC MEDAL PRESENTATION
APRIL 29, 2010
SIU-E, EDWARDSVILLE, IL

Jim DeGroff, ROTC Committee
present the SAR ROTC Medal to Jordan Downey. The award recognizes superior
leadership abilities & accomplishments, military bearing and overall academic excellence.
SAR OUTSTANDING CITIZENSHIP AWARD CEREMONY,
APRIL 7, 2010
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH, EDWARDSVILLE, IL

Front row left to right: James T. Nippert, Alton High School; David N. Wilkins, Bunker Hill High School; Thomas Woelfel,
Civic Memorial High School; Lakeisha S. Cox, Madison High School;
Philip Carter, Collinsville High School; Abigail Harmon,
East Alton-Wood River High School; Thomas Dannenberg, Edwardsville High School; Mikayla Seeber, Triad High School
Second row: Tyler J. Burns, Gillespie High School; Alex Dilday, Granite City High School; Jason M. Scott,
Highland High School; Kyle E. Foutch, Metro-East Lutheran High School; John Hoefert, Marquette Catholic High School;
Kaitlin C. Scheller, Mt. Olive High School; Matt Miller, Staunton High School
Not pictured was Zachary Payne, Roxana High School.
Back row: Jim DeGroff, Ronnie Hicks and Dr. Jim James, President GGRC Chapter
FEBRUARY 2010 ANNUAL MEETING & AWARDS PRESENTATION
February 10, 2010
Sunset Hills Country Club
Edwardsville, Ill

Illinois State SAR President J. Gordon Bidner addressed the group,
telling them how proud he was of all the chapter accomplishments.
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Robert Cook spoke to the group about 'George Washington, Reluctant Statesman'
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14th ANNUAL FLAG AWARD CEREMONY
November 12, 2009
Madison Co. Court House
Edwardsville, Ill

Residents of 12 southern Madison County households received
certificates of commentation for displaying the U.S. Flag every day at
their homes.
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Chapter chairperson for the event shown in uniform at left is William
R. Feeney. Other chapter members shown are President Jim James
& Vice President Ron Hicks.
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VETERAN'S DAY PARADE
November 11, 2009
Edwardsville, Ill.
SAR FIRE SAFETY COMMENDATION AWARD
SIU-Edwardsville
October 28, 2009

Jim
DeGroff presented a SAR Fire Safety Commendation Award to Dan
Murphy. GGRC members attending were President Jim James, Ron
Hicks, Al Oleson and Hank Boss. While patrolling the campus on
Aug. 18, 2009, Officer Murphy saw fire coming from an apartment
building. Power was off due to an earlier storm. He
awakened sleeping students just minutes before the roof collapsed.
Thanks to his actions, no one was injured.
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Jim DeGroff presents a Fire Safety Commendation Award to Dan Murphy with GGRC President Jim James assisting.
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EAGLE SCOUT COURT OF HONOR
October 11, 2009
Highland, IL

Adam Edward Rose, Jacob William Rose, and Timothy Gardner Rose were recognized by the GGRC
for attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. The boys are seniors at Highland High School.
LEWIS AND CLARK STATE SITE
October 11, 2009
Hartford, IL
REVOLUTIONARY WAR SOLDIER GRAVE MARKING
October 4, 2009
Dugger Cemetery, Highand, IL

Members of the GGRC Chapter color guard presented the colors during the grave marking for Pvt William Gordon Adams .
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HILLS FORT SOCIETY LIVING HISTORY DAYS
September 19-20, 2009
Greenville, IL

The GGRC gave its flag program at the Hills Fort Society Living History
Days event. Above, chapter president Jim James presents The Flag
of the United States of America. At right, James assists in
posting the colors. |
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LATZER HOMESTEAD HARVEST DAYS
September 11-13, 2009
Highland, Illinois
Members of the chapter gave out U.S. flags and described the significance of different flags from
their collection. The GGRC were part of the living history area of the event.
LAW ENFORCEMENT AWARD PRESENTATION TO DEPUTY KYLE DOOLEN
June 17, 2009
Madison County Court House, Edwardsville, Illinois

Standing
(L-R) Madison County Chairman the Honorable Alan J. Dunstan, Harry
Windland, Deputy Kyle Doolen,
Joe Hill, Tim Raymor, Jim James, Lloyd
Swartz, Hank Boss and Jim DeGroff.
On July 7, 2008 while on patrol,
Deputy Doolen spotted a stolen car from Ohio on Interstate 70 near
Highland just after a suspect shot at an Effingham County police
officer. The three suspects were wanted in Ohio for burglary and
robbery. Doolen followed them. They fired an assault rifle
at Doolen, his car was hit five times with two rounds going through the
windshield. Doolen was hit in the right forearm but still
pursued. The suspects stopped their car and fled on foot.
Doolen and other officers set up a perimeter and all three
suspects were apprehended and arrested.
FLAG DAY CEREMONY
June 14, 2009
Hartford, Illinois
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| Members of "A Few Good Marines" demonstrate the Thirteen Folds of the Flag used during military funerals |
Members of the GGRC Color Guard and Boy Scout Troop 1031 participated in the Flag Day program.
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JROTC BRONZE MEDAL PRESENTATION
MAY 9, 2009
ALTON HIGH SCHOOL, ALTON, ILL.

(L) Jim DeGroff, ROTC Committee, (R) Gaylord (Jim) James, President GGRC,
present the Bronze SAR JROTC medal to Levante Womack.
SAR SILVER ROTC MEDAL PRESENTATION
APRIL 23, 2009
SIU-E, EDWARDSVILLE, IL

L-R: Gaylord (Jim) James, President GGRC, Jim DeGroff, ROTC Committee
present the SAR ROTC Medal to Bradley Craycraft. The award recognizes superior
leadership abilities & accomplishments, military bearing and overall academic excellence.
JOINT DAR/SAR/C.A.R. Meeting
Belleville IL Chapter
April 2009

GGRC members presented their flag ceremony at the joint Belleville Chapter DAR/Six Mile Prairie Chapter C.A.R. meeting.
SAR OUTSTANDING CITIZENSHIP AWARD CEREMONY,
APRIL 15, 2009
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH, EDWARDSVILLE, IL

Front row: L-R: Katherine L. Henricks, Highland High School, Clay M. Moran,
Granite City High School, Ryan Huber, Alton High School, Matt Alexander,
East Alton-Wood River High School
Middle row: L-R: Joe Hill, SAR Color Guard member, Jeffrey Bruns, Civic Memorial High
School, Zachary T. Hinkle, Edwardsville High School, Lance Taylor, Triad High School
Back row: L-R: Jim James, President, Genl George Rogers Clark Chapter, Tim Raymer,
Bill Feeney, Troy Huddle, SAR Color Guard members.
Not present: Cameron Wiggerhorn, Metro-East Lutheran High School, Zachary Mezards,
Roxana High School
| FEBRUARY 2009 BUSINESS MEETING & |
AWARDS BANQUET, SUNSET HILLS COUNTRY CLUB |

At the February 2009 banquet, Tim Raymer (center) presents awards to Hank Boss (left) and Jimmy Hicks. |

Ed Gerling (right) was awarded for serving as chapter secretary for 15 years. |

Joe Hill (right) receives award from Tim Raymer |

Karl Reed, past IllinoisState President, installed the new officers |

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MIKE
TERRY PHOTO Dressed in traditional military wear from the 1700s, members of
the Sons of the American Revolution held their 13th annual Flag Award Ceremony
on Wednesday morning at the Madison County courthouse. Twelve local households
were honored for flying the American flag all year around. |
As seen in the Madision County Journal, November 30, 2008
SHOWING LOVE OF COUNTRY Area residents are recognized for flying the flag every day
By Mike
Terry
The
owners of dozen Madison County households were honored last week for their
eagerness to fly the "stars and stripes" without a pause.
On Wednesday
morning, the local chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution held its 13th
annual Flag Award Ceremony in the lobby of the Madison County courthouse - an
event held each November, right around Veterans Day.
Members of the
group, dressed in traditional garb from the Revolutionary War period, handed out
certificates and thanked each honoree for constantly displaying "Old Glory" at
their homes.
"It goes without saying that since Sept. 11, 2001, this
ceremony has taken on a special meaning," said William Feeney, Edwardsville
resident and chairman of SAR's General George Rogers Clark Chapter. "It's
especially important during this time of war that citizens fly their flags
regularly."
Recipient Jack Reeves, of Alhambra, said he began flying his
flag after those terrorist attacks more than seven years ago.
"Whatever
patriotism I had, it really magnified it at that point," he said. "It's nice
when I walk out of my house to look up and see it flying."
The annual
event, which was created to promote patriotism, alternates each year between
northern and southern homes in Madison County.
"It's certainly nice to
pay tribute to people who fly their flags 24, 7, 365," said SAR member Ronnie
Hicks, of Glen Carbon. "As a Vietnam veteran, I'm proud to see people flying the
flag and honoring our country."
The Sons of the American Revolution are
currently looking for new members. Individuals must be at least 18 years old,
male and able to prove direct lineage (through documentation) to a patriot of
the American Revolution.
2008 SAR Flag Award Recipients
Mark
Armstrong and Christine Monroe, Wood River Township
Jim and Shirley
Augustine, Olive Township
Laverne Bloemker, Hamel Township
Ted and
Nina Carnahan, Foster Township
Gary and Alice Grubb, Fort Russell
Township
Stephen and Joyce Grummel, Godfrey Township
Dennis and
Mary Harris, New Douglas Township
Edmund and Patricia Morrissey, Alton
Township
Jack and Cathy Reeves, Alhambra Township
Alan and Karen
Riedisser, Moro Township
Christ and Emily Schwarz, Leef
Township
William White, Omphghent Township
Commemoration of John Nix, Patriot of the American Revolution, Oct. 11, 2008

One of many Eagle Scout Award Ceremonies
Naturalization Ceremony with SAR Members Presenting Flags
Flag Day Ceremony, June 2008, Tri-Township Park, Troy IL

Ceremony Renaming Veterans Memorial Park
Glen Carbon, IL
November 2007
Presentation of ROTC Award at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in April 2007
L-R, Don Campbell, Charles Schweizer, Joseph Dement, Harry Windland

L-R, Joe Hill and Charles Schweizer are shown with the marker
honoring George Rogers Clark placed at Fort Gage, Kaskaskia, Ill., during ceremony on July 13, 1996
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