Fourth of July Celebration

Today is a day to honor and give thanks to those who fought and died during the American Revolutionary War and during the War of 1812.

We gained our independence from the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783) and then we secured our independence through the War of 1812 (1812-1815).  Both these wars played a vital role to our independence.

The American Revolutionary War began as a civil war and then escalated into a world war.  It was at the end of 1775 that our Patriot militia had full control in all thirteen colonies and it was on July 4, 1776 that America declared her independence.  

The War of 1812 was essential and crucial for America and it was through this war that America confirmed and secured her independence.

      Our national anthem was adopted by congress in 1931 from the poem created by Francis Scott  

      Key on September 14, 1814 as he witnessed the attack of Fort McHenry.

 

      I'd like to thank our heroes for everything they did and all of their sacrifices. I'm proud to be an 

     American and happy to know that some of my ancestors served our country in these testing times.

 

 

     Link to hear our national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner:

     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vwxv-EZpb7U&feature=youtu.be

 

 

     Link to The Star-Spangled Banner lyrics and sheet music:

     http://amhistory.si.edu/starspangledbanner/the-lyrics.aspx

 

 

     

Happy Memorial Day!

I want to say “Thank You” to all the veterans who have served, and to all those who are currently serving our great country.

 

I have many ancestors who served our county. I want to give a special thank you to them and especially to my grandfather, Walter Console and my second cousin, Elwood Greer.

 

 

Corporal Walter Console

United States Army Airforce

Served during World War II

Airplane & Engineer Mechanic and a sharpshooter

Medals: European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal

 

 

 

 

Sergeant Elwood Greer

United States Army

Served during the Korean War

Medals: Many

 

My Presidents' Day Honoree is............

 

 

 

Martin Van Buren who was baptized on 5 December 1782 in Kinderhook, New York and the son of Abraham and Maria (Goes aka Hoes) Van Buren. Martin had four siblings and was the middle child. Martin married Hannah Hoes, a kinswoman of his mother on 21 February 1807 in Catskill, New York. He was the father of four children, Abraham, John, Marin Jr. and Smith Thompson.  

At the age of seventeen he was delegate to the Congressional Convention in his district. In 1802 he entered law school and in 1803 was admitted to the bar and entered into a partnership with James J. Van Allen of Kinderhook.  

In 1807 he was admitted as a Counselor of the Supreme Court.

In 1808 he was appointed by Governor Tompkins as Surrogate for Columbia County, New York.

 

In 1812 to 1821 he was elected a State Senator for New York.

In 1815 to 1819 he served as Attorney General for New York.

In1829 he was Governor of New York for a short period of two months when he assumed the position of Secretary of State.

In 183 he was appointed Minister to England.

In 1832 he was elected Vice President to Jackson.

In 1836 he was elected President of the United States serving a one term Presidency.

Martin died on 24 July 1862 in Kinderhook, New York. In his will he wrote, “in the last and happiest years of my life a Farmer in my native town”. Back to his roots and a tradition most Van Buren’s practiced.

Not only was Martin Van Buren the Eighth President of the United States, but he is also my second cousin six times removed. We both share a common ancestor, Cornelis Maessen Van Buren who came from Holland to America (New Netherland) in 1631.

 

Thank you President and all Presidents.....