TTHHEE NNAATTIIOONNAALL SSOONN VOLUME V SPRING 2013 NO. 2

FREEDOM PATRIOTISM HUMANITY

THE NATIONAL SON Vol. V Spring 2012 No. 2

– NATIONAL OFFICERS – Bernard O’Bryan III

National President

Jim Kiger Senior Vice President

Joseph F. Ferrara Junior Vice President

Vacant Secretary

Kenneth H. Robison II Treasurer & Newsletter Editor

The National Son is published quarterly by the National Organization,

Sons of Spanish American War Veterans, and is sent out both

electronically and by regular mail. Any person or organization wishing to

contribute an article is welcome to do so, all submissions should be sent in

via e-mail to the Editor at Johnnyreb6@aol.com or by mail at:

113 Old Forge Road Chapin, South Carolina, 29036

– SUBMISSION SCHEDULE – Winter Deadline – October 26th

Spring Deadline – January 26th

Summer Deadline – April 26th

Fall Deadline – July 26th

The Official Newsletter

Of the National Organization

SONS OF SPANISH AMERICAN WAR VETERANS

CONTENTS

Americanism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The definition of Americanism

2

Down the Wire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Message from the National Convention Chairman

2

Welcome to Our Newest Brothers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brothers who have joined the order since January of 2013

3

Sinking of the Maine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The account of Captain Charles Sigsbee, USS Maine

3 – 6

Can We Forget the Maine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A poem by Franklin R. Carpenter

6 – 7

Havana Restores USS Maine Monument . . . . . . . . . . . . . Newspaper Article on the restoration of the monument

7 – 9

On the Firing Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reports from the Camps

10

The Bulletin Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Announcements and General Orders

10 – 11

The Daughters of ’98 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thoughts, comments, etc., from the Daughters of ‘98

12

National Website www.ssawv.org

Yahoo Group of the Sons & Daughters http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/SonsofSpanishAmericanWarVeterans

On the Cover: Picture of the U.S.S. Maine entering Havana Harbor, Cuba, on January 25th, 1898.

THE NATIONAL SON

AMERICANISM Americanism is an unfailing love of Country, loyalty to its

institutions and ideas, eagerness to defend it against all

enemies, undivided allegiance to the flag and a desire to

secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and posterity.

DOWN THE WIRE

TBrothers and Sisters,

We have made more progress in April in preparation for

the National Convention.

Brothers of the Quinn Camp are working on ironing out

potential problems at the museum and Olympia.

Bro. Jim MacMillan is working on arrangements for the

possibility of a Philadelphia Legion color guard participating

in our opening ceremonies, as well as Bro. Dave Gyger with

the Philadelphia VFW regional commander regarding a

VFW color guard as well.

Bro. Les Keller was working on obtaining welcome

material from the travel/welcome center. As well as going to

check on potential restaurants in the area of the Olympia.

I will continue to follow up on the unfinished business

with the service organizations and eateries while Bro.

LeMay will continue to work with the museum.

A sincere "thank you" to all for the assistance given to

me with this event. I do appreciate all that you have done to

"keep me out of trouble".

In Freedom, Patriotism, & Humanity,

Jim McAteer, Convention Chairman

A.M. Quinn Camp No. 173, SSAWV

February – April 2013 (Spring) VOLUME V

T

Rapid Fire gun salvaged from the U.S.S. Maine on the

State House grounds in Columbia, South Carolina.

PAGE 2

THE NATIONAL SON

WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST BROTHERS

AT LARGE MEMBERSHIP

Bro. James P. Hess of Indiana

3rd Great Uncle – Private Perry McClanahan

Company E, 158th Indiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment

Bro. Hobart K. Kistler of Pennsylvania

3rd Great Uncle – Olier Edward Gallagher

U.S.S. Philadelphia, United States Navy

Bro. John S. Sims of Tennessee

Great Uncle – John P. Miller

Spanish American War & World War I

Bro. William H.J. Smith of Oregon

Grandfather – William H.J. Smith

Spanish American War Veteran

Bro. Allan R. Wenzel of Washington

Grandfather – Private Burton Lewis Hunt

Company H, 11th United States Infantry Regiment

MICAH J. JENKINS CAMP NO. 164 (SC)

Bro. Thomas P. Chumley of California

Great Uncle – Sergeant Oakley L. Chumley

Company I, 3rd Tennessee Volunteer Infantry Regiment

ALEXANDER M. QUINN CAMP NO. 173 (PA)

Bro. William T. Meiser of Pennsylvania

Great Grandfather – Sergeant William E. Meiser

Troop H, 8th United States Cavalry Regiment

SINKING OF THE MAINE

ACCOUNT OF CAPTAIN CHARLES SIGSBEE

"I was just closing a letter to my family when I felt the

crash of the explosion. It was a bursting, rending, and

crashing sound, or roar of immense volume, largely metallic

in character. It was succeeded by a metallic sound - probably

of falling debris - a trembling and lurching motion of the

vessel, then an impression of subsidence, attended by an

eclipse of the electirc lights and intense darkness within the

cabin. I knew immediately that the Maine had been blown

up and that she was sinking. I hurried to the starboard cabin

ports, thinking it might be necessary for me to make my exit

that way. Upon looking out I decided that I could go by the

passage leading to the superstructure. I therefore took the

latter route, feeling my way along and steadying myself by

the bulkheads. The superstructure was filled with smoke, and

it was dark. Nearing the outer entrance I met Private

February – April 2013 (Spring) VOLUME V PAGE 3

THE NATIONAL SON

Anthony, the orderly at the cabin door at the time. He ran

into me and, as I remember, apologized in some fashion, and

reported to me that the ship had been blown up and was

sinking."

"I reached the upper deck, asked a few questions of

those standing about me - Lieutenant Commander

Wainwright, I think, for one - then I asked the orderly for the

time. He said that the exact time of the explosion was 9:40

P.M. I proceeded to the poop deck, stood on the guard rail

and held on to the main rigging in order to see over the poop

awning, which was baggy and covered with debris; also, in

order that I might observe details in the black mass ahead. I

directed the executive officer to post sentries all around the

ship, but soon saw that there were no marines available, and

no place forward to post them."

"Not being quite clear as to the condition of things

forward, I next directed the forward magazine to be flooded,

if practicable, and about the same time shouted out myself

for perfect silence everywhere. This was, I think, repeated by

the executive officer. The surviving officers were about me

at the time on the poop. I was informed that the forward

magazine was already under water, and after inquiring about

the after magazine was told that it was also under water, as

shown by the condition below, reported by those coming

from the ward room and steerage."

"About this time fire broke out in the mass forward, over

the central superstructure, and I inquired as to the spare

ammunition in the Captain's pantry. That region was found

to be subsiding very fast. At this time, I observed, among the

shouts or noises apparently on shore, that faint cries were

coming from the water, and I could see dimly white, floating

bodies, which gave me a better knowledge of the real

situation than anything else. I at once ordered all boats to be

lowered, when it was reported that there were only two boats

available, namely, the gig and whaleboat. Both were lowered

and manned by officers and men, and by my direction they

left the ship and assisted in saving the wounded jointly with

other boats that had arrived on the scene from the Spanish

man-of-war, and from the steamer City of Washington and

from other sources. Later - I cannot state precisely how long

- these two boats of the Maine returned to the starboard

quarter alongside and reported that they had gathered in

from the wreck all the wounded that could be found, and had

transferred them to the other boats - to the Alfonso XII, or to

the City of Washington."

"The poop deck of the Maine, the highest point, was by

that time level with the gig's gunwale while she was afloat in

the water alongside. The fire amidships was burning fiercely,

and the spare ammunition in the pilot house was exploding

in detail. We had done everything that could be done so far

as I could see. Lieutenant-Commander Wainwright

whispered to me that he thought the 10-inch magazine had

been thrown up into the burning mass, and might explode in

time. I directed him the to get everything into the boats over

the stern, and this was done, although there was some little

delay in curbing the extreme politeness of the officers, who

wanted to help me into the boat. I directed them to go first,

as a matter of course, and I followed and got into the gig.

We proceeded to the steamer City of Washington, and on the

way I shouted to the boats to leave the vicinity of the wreck,

and that there might be an explosion. I got Mr. Sylvester

Scovel to translate my desire to one or two boats which were

at that time somewhat nearer the fire than we ourselves

were. Having succeeded in this, I went on board of the City

of Washington...."

February – April 2013 (Spring) VOLUME V PAGE 4

THE NATIONAL SON

Burial of the crew of the USS Maine at National Cemetery

in Arlington, Virginia

The following is the listing of the officers, sailors, and

marines aboard of the USS Maine, who were killed or

drowned on February 15th, 1898, or who subsequently died

of their injuries. (The men marked with an asterisk (*) died

subsequently of injuries received.)

OFFICERS Jenkins, Friend W. - Lieutenant Merritt, Darwin R. – Ast. Engineer

SAILORS Adams, John T. - Coal passer Aitken, Jas P. - Btswain's mate, 1Cl Anderson, Axel C. - Seaman Anderson, Charles - Landsman Anderson, Gustav A. - Seaman Anderson, Holm A. - Coal passer Anderson, J. - Btswain’s mate, 2Cl Anderson, John - Seaman Andrews, Frank - Ord. seaman Anfindsen, Abraham -Cockswain Anglund, Bernhard - Blacksmith Auchenbach, Harry - Fireman, 2Cl Barry, John P. - Apprentice, 1Cl Barry, Lewis L. - Coal passer

Lawler, Edward - Coal passer League, James M. - Chief yeoman Lee, William J. - Apprentice, 1Cl Leene, Daniel - Coal passer Lees, Samuel - Ord. seaman Leupold, Gustav - Fireman, 2Cl Lewis, Daniel - Oiler Lewis, John B. - Water tender Lieber, George - Apprentice, 1Cl Lorenzen, Jorgen J. - Oiler Louden, J.W. - Apprentice, 2Cl Lowell, Clarence E. - Ord. seaman Lund, William - Cockswain Lydon, John T. - Ord. seaman Lynch, Bernard - Fireman, 1Cl Lynch, Matthew - Coal passer McGonigle, Hugh - Fireman, 2Cl McManus, John J - Fireman, 2Cl

Baum, Henry S. - Landsman Becker, Jakob - Chief machinist Bell, John R. - Cabin steward Blomberg, Fred - Landsman Boll, Fritz - Bayman Bonner, Leon - Seaman Bookbinder, John - Apprentice, 2Cl Boyle, James - Quartermaster, 1Cl Brinkman, Heinrich - Seaman Brofeldt, A. - Chief gunner's mate Bruns, A.C. - Quartermaster, 3Cl Burkhardt, R. - Quartermaster, 2Cl Burns, Edward - Coal passer Butler, F.F. - Machinist, 2Cl Caine, Thomas - Blacksmith Cameron, Walter - Seaman Carr, Herbert M. - Gnrs mate, 2Cl Caulfield, Wm. R.B. - Landsman Chingi, Suke - Mess attendant Christiansen, C.A. - Fireman, 1Cl Clark, Thomas - Coal passer Clarke, James C. - Shipwright Cochrane, Michael - Fireman, 1Cl Cole, Thomas M. - Bayman Coleman, William - Fireman, 2Cl Coleman, William – Ord. seamen Conroy, Anthony - Coal passer Cosgrove, William - Fireman, 2Cl Curran, Charles - Cockswain Dahlman, Berger - Seaman Dennig, Charles - Seaman Donoughy, William - Ord. seaman Drury, James - Fireman, 1Cl Edler, George - Seaman Eiermann, CFW - Gnr's mate, 1Cl *Erikson, Andrew V. - Seaman Etts, John P. - Seaman Evensen, Karl - Seaman Fadde, C.F.J. - Apprentice, 1Cl Falk, Rudolph - Oiler Faubel, Geo. D. - Chief machinist Fewer, W.J. - Btswain's mate, 2Cl Finch, Trubie - Apprentice, 1Cl Fisher, Alfred J., oiler

McNiece, Francis J. - Coal passer Malone, Michael - Fireman, 2Cl Marsden, B.L. - Apprentice, 1Cl Marshall, John E. - Landsman Martensson, J. - Gnr's mate, 3Cl Mason, James H. - Landsman Matiasen, Carl - Seaman Matza, John - Coal passer Meilstrup, Elmer M. - Ord. seaman Mero, Eldon H. - Chief machinist Merz, John - Landsman Miller, George - Seaman Miller, W.S. - Apprentice, 2Cl Mobles, George, cockswain Monfort, William - Landsman Moore, Edward H. - Coal passer Moss, Gerhard C. - Machinist, 1Cl Moss, John H. - Landsman Mudd, Noble T. - Seaman Murphy, Cornelius - Oiler Nagamine, Tomekichi - Mess Att. Nielsen, John C. - Seaman Nielsen, Sophus - Cockswain Noble, William - Fireman, 2Cl Nolan, Chas. M. - Gnr's mate, 3Cl O'Conner, J. - Chief btswain's mate O'Hagan, Thos. J. - Apprentice, 1Cl Ohye, Mas - Mess attendant O'Neill, Patrick - Fireman, 2Cl Ording, G.C. - Crpnter's mate, 3Cl O'Regan, Henry H. - Landsman Paige, Frederick - Landsman Palmgren, John - Seaman Perry, Robert - Mess attendant Phillips, F.C. - Apprentice, 1Cl Pinkney, James - Mess attendant Porter, John - Coal passer Powers, John - Oiler Price, Daniel - Fireman, 1Cl Quigley, T.J. - Plumber and fitter Quinn, Charles P. - Oiler Reiger, W.A. - Gnr's mate, 1Cl Reilly, Joseph - Fireman, 1Cl Rising, Newell - Coal passer

February – April 2013 (Spring) VOLUME V PAGE 5

THE NATIONAL SON

*Fisher, Frank - Ord. seaman Flaherty, Michael - Fireman, 1Cl Fleishman, Lewis M. - Seaman Flynn, Patrick - Fireman, 2Cl Fougere, John - Coal passer Fountain, B. - Btswain’s mate, 1Cl Frank, Charles - Apprentice, 1Cl Furlong, James F. - Coal passer Gaffney, Patrick - Fireman, 1Cl Gardner, Frank - Coal passer Gardner, Thos. J. - Chief yeoman Gordon, Joseph F. - Fireman, 1Cl Gorman, William H. - Ord. seaman Grady, Patrick - Coal passer Graham, Edward P. - Coal passer Graham, James A. - Chief yeoman Greer, W.A. - Apprentice, 1Cl Griffin, Michael - Fireman, 2Cl Gross, Henry - Landsman Grupp, Reinhardt - Coal passer Hallberg, John A. - Oiler Hamburger, William - Landsman Hamilton, C.A. - Apprentice, 1Cl Hamilton, J. - Chief crpntr's mate Hanrahan, William C. - Cockswain Harley, Daniel O'C. - Fireman, 2Cl Harris, Edward - Water tender Harris, M.F. - Quartermaster, 3Cl Harty, Thomas J. - Coal passer Hassell, C.F. - Gunner's mate, 3Cl Hauck, Charles - Landsman Hawkins, Howard B. - Ord. seaman Hennekes, A.B. - Gnr's mate, 2Cl Herriman, B.H. – Apprentice, 1Cl *Holland, Alfred J. - Cockswain Holm, G. - Btswain’s mate, 2Cl *Holzer, F.C. - Ord. seaman Horn, William J - Fireman, 1Cl Hough, William L. - Landsman Hughes, Patrick - Fireman, 1Cl Ishida, Otogiro - Steerage cook *Jectson, Harry - Seaman *Jernee, Fred - Coal passer Jencks, Carlton - Gnr's mate, 3Cl

Robinson, William - Landsman Roos, Peter - Sailmaker Rushworth, W. - Chief machinist Safford, C.E. - Gunner's mate, 1Cl Salmin, Michael E. - Ord. seaman Schroeder, August - Ord. seaman Scott, C.A. - Carpenter's mate, 2Cl Scully, Joseph - Boiler maker Seery, Joseph - Fireman, 1Cl Sellers, Walter S. - Apothecary Shea, John J. - Coal passer Shea, Patrick J. - Fireman, 1Cl Shea, Thomas - Landsman Sheridan, Owen - Fireman, 2Cl Shillington, J.H. - Yeoman, 3Cl Simmons, Alfred - Coal passer *Smith, Carl A. - Seaman Smith, N.J. - Apprentice, 1Cl Stevenson, Nicholas - Seaman Sugisaki, Isa - Wardroom steward Sutton, Frank - Fireman, 2Cl Suzuki, Kashitara - Mess attendant Talbot, Frank C. - Landsman Tehan, Daniel J. - Coal passer Thompson, George - Landsman Tigges, Frank B. -Coppersmith Tinsman, William H. - Landsman Todoresco, C. - Fireman, 1Cl Troy, Thomas - Coal passer Tuohey, Martin - Coal passer Wallace, John - Ord. seaman Walsh, Joseph F. - Cockswain Warren, John - Fireman, 2Cl White, C.O. - Chief master-at-arms White, Robert - Mess attendant Whiten, George – Seaman Wickstrom, Johan E. – Seaman Wilbur, Geo. W. – Apprentice, 1Cl. Wilson, Albert - Seaman Wilson, Robert - Chief QM Zeigler, John H. - Coal Passer

MARINES Bennet, John – Private Botting, Vincent H. – Private

Johansen, Peter C. - Seaman Johnson, Charles – Ord. seaman Johnson, George - Coal passer Johnson, John W. - Landsman Johnsson, Peter - Oiler Jones, Thomas J. - Coal passer Just, Charles F. – Apprentice, 1Cl Kane, Michael - Coal passer Kay, John A. - Machinist, 1Cl Kelly, Hugh - Coal passer Kelly, John - Coal passer Keskull, Alexander - Seaman Keys, Harry J. - Ord. seaman Kihlstrom, Fritz - Ord. seaman Kinsella, Thos. F. - Machinist, 2Cl Kinsey, F.E. - Machinist, 2Cl Kitagata, Yukichi - Wrnt Off cook Kniese, F.H. - Machinist, 1Cl *Koebler, G.W. - Apprentice, 1Cl Kranyak, Charles - Apprentice, 1Cl Kruse, Hugo - Painter Laird, Chas. - Master-at-arms, 3Cl Lambert, William - Fireman, 2Cl Lancaster, L. - Btswain's mate, 2Cl Lapierre, George - Apprentice, 1Cl

Brosnan, George – Private Brown, James T. – Sergeant Burns, James R. – Private Dierking, John H. - Drummer Downing, Michael J. – Private Johnson, Charles E. – Private Jordan, William J. – Private Kean, Edward F. – Private Kelly, Frank – Private Lauriette, George M. – Private Losko, Peter A. – Private McDermott, John – Private Monahan, Joseph P. – Private Newman, F.J. – Private Newton, C.H. – Fifer Richter, A.H. – Corporal Roberts, James H. – Private Schoen, Joseph – Corporal Stock, H.E. – Private Strongman, James – Private Suman, E.B. – Private Timpany, E.B. – Private Van Horn, H.A. – Private Wagner, Henry – 1st Sergeant Warren, Asa V. – Private Wills, A.O. – Private

CAN WE FORGET THE MAINE!

By Franklin R. Carpenter

Not for a conquest, Lord, we fight,

Nor sail our fleets for gain;

But, Lord of Host, avenging God!

Can we forget the Maine?

Be with us, Lord, as with our sires,

When Spain’s Armada sailed;

Raise thou the storm, loose thou the bolt!

Show them thy hands are mailed!

February – April 2013 (Spring) VOLUME V PAGE 6

THE NATIONAL SON

Three hundred men in peaceful sleep,

By Spanish treachery slain;

O, Lord of Hosts, avenging God!

Can We Forget The Maine?

HAVANA RESTORES USS MAINE MONUMENT

By Peter Orsi - The Associated Press

HAVANA — It was a little before 10 p.m. that February

night in 1898 when a fiery explosion roiled the normally

calm waters of Havana Harbor, blowing out windows in the

city and sinking the USS Maine to the bottom of the bay,

just the mast and some twisted metal wreckage left to poke

above the waves.

Havana's monument to the 266 U.S. sailors who died

that night was dedicated 27 years later as a tribute to lasting

Cuban-American friendship, a thank-you for Washington's

help in shedding the yoke of Spanish colonial rule, which

was known for its cruelty.

The years since have been unkind to the twin-columned

monument, and to U.S.-Cuba ties. But while relations

between Washington and Havana remain in deep freeze, the

monument, at least, is now getting a facelift.

The restoration project is fraught with symbolism, with

the monument's scars telling the story of more than a century

of shifts in the complex relationship and changing

interpretations of the marble structure.

"Of the monuments in Havana, that's one that really is

struggling to contain all of these different historical

episodes," said Timothy Hyde, a historian of Cuban

architecture at Harvard University's Graduate School of

Design. "It doesn't just symbolize any longer this single

moment of the sinking of the Maine. It symbolizes all these

periodic moments of antipathy and hostility and challenges

between the two nation-states."

Soon after the USS Maine suddenly sank off the coast of

this Caribbean capital 115 years ago Friday, the United

States accused Spanish colonial authorities of responsibility

in the blast.

"Remember the Maine!" became a rallying cry in the

States, and after the U.S. victory in the brief Spanish-

American war, Spain ceded control over Cuba, Puerto Rico,

the Philippines and Guam.

The Maine monument was inaugurated in 1925 and

bears the names of all 266 sailors. Two statues standing

shoulder-to-shoulder at the base represent a maternal

America guiding the maiden Cuba into independence.

Words etched into the marble quote an 1898 U.S.

congressional resolution recognizing a free Cuba, and the

February – April 2013 (Spring) VOLUME V PAGE 7

THE NATIONAL SON

massive bronze eagle that long capped the monument faced

due north to symbolize Washington's promise to return home

after helping the island break from Spain.

"To me it signifies a legacy of loyalty ... friendship

between two peoples," said Julio Dominguez Santos, the

monument's night watchman for 17 years.

But things didn't work out as that earlier Congress had

hoped.

Many Cubans resented the 1901 Platt Amendment,

which said Washington retained the right to intervene

militarily as a condition of ending the postwar U.S.

occupation.

The U.S. did in fact intervene several times, and

American business and mafia gangs came to dominate many

aspects of the island in the run-up to the 1959 revolution —

leading many Cubans to feel like the eagle had never flown

back north.

Soon after Fidel Castro's rebels marched victoriously

into Havana, the tense marriage rapidly careened toward

divorce and diplomatic ties were severed in 1961. Following

the doomed, U.S.-backed Bay of Pigs invasion months later,

the more than 3-ton eagle was ripped from the monument

during an anti-American protest and splintered into pieces.

"The eagle was torn down after the triumph of the

revolution because it's the symbol of imperialism, the United

States, and the revolution ended all that," said Ernesto

Moreno, a 77-year-old Havana resident who remembers

waking up one day to see the statue gone. "I found it to be a

very good thing, and I think most Cubans agreed at the

time."

Castro's government added a new inscription to the base

of the broken monument alleging the Maine victims had

been "sacrificed by imperialist greed in its zeal to seize the

island of Cuba," a reference to speculation that the U.S.

deliberately blew up the Maine to justify a war against

Spain.

Historians say the explosion was probably an accidental

ignition of the Maine's own munitions, but the conspiracy

theory still commonly circulates in Cuba.

The Communist Party newspaper Granma, for example,

has written in the past that the Maine victims were

"immolated to serve as a pretext for American intervention

that in 1898 prevented the island from gaining true

independence" — ignoring the fact that Cuban rebels had

failed to oust the Spanish on their own for decades.

A Granma article published on Friday's anniversary was

less certain, but still said American self-sabotage "cannot be

ruled out, given the interest among the more aggressive

imperialist circles in instigating war."

The Maine eagle's head was mysteriously delivered to

Swiss diplomats, who had agreed to act as protectors of U.S.

property in Cuba. Today it hangs in a conference room at the

February – April 2013 (Spring) VOLUME V PAGE 8

THE NATIONAL SON

U.S. Interests Section, which Washington maintains in

Havana instead of an embassy.

After relations were partially re-established in 1977,

longtime foreign service officer Wayne Smith, who had been

in Havana in 1961, returned and arranged to see the body,

wings and tail, which are currently out of sight in a musty

storage room of the Havana City History Museum.

"I have been the faithful custodian of the body," City

Historian Eusebio Leal, told The Associated Press. "Smith

told me that until the body and the head are reunited, there

won't be good relations between Cuba and the United

States."

U.S. diplomats also possess the monument's original

eagle, toppled by a hurricane in 1926. Since 1954 that earlier

bird has presided over the immaculate gardens of the

Interests Section chief's official residence.

A plaque at the base calls the eagle "a symbol of the

enduring friendship" between Cuba and the U.S.

"I'm just happy we have it. I don't know how it got here.

Somebody got ahold of it, saw it and gave it to us," said John

Caulfield, the Interests Section chief since 2011.

Coincidentally, the U.S. State Department recently sent

two specialists down to repair the first eagle, which was

cracked and tarnished green.

Like many structures in Havana, the monument on the

seafront Malecon boulevard had become seedy from decades

of neglect. Marble lion heads were damaged or looted, and

the fountains were used as trash receptacles by passers-by.

The repair seems to be part of a general restoration of

hundreds of historic structures by Leal's office, unrelated to

any change in U.S.-Cuban ties.

Workers in blue jumpers recently removed scaffolding

that shrouded the columns for months, revealing gleaming-

white marble scrubbed clean of grime. Gone are the rusty

stains beneath the two 10-inch guns that were salvaged from

the Maine. The statues are a lustrous bronze again after

corrosive salt air turned them bright green.

Leal said his office intends to finish remaining tasks

such as getting the fountains working and re-landscaping

two adjacent plazas in the coming months.

But amid the ongoing renovation, a return to the

monument's original spirit of friendship seems unlikely — at

least for now.

"Certainly we have as much wish for that to be true

today as we did at the time," Caulfield said of the

congressional resolution inscribed on the monument

supporting Cuba's right to be free. "I hope that we and the

Cubans will see a new relationship with the United States

that allows those words to be true."

Leal said he also hopes for warmer ties, but first

Washington must end the 51-year economic embargo and

abolish "anti-Cuban" laws.

Can he envision a bronze eagle resuming its perch

someday atop the monument?

"On the occasion of a friendly visit by a U.S. president,"

Leal said. "I wish President Obama would be the one to do

that."

Associated Press writer Anne-Marie Garcia in Havana

contributed to this report.

February – April 2013 (Spring) VOLUME V PAGE 9

THE NATIONAL SON

ON THE FIRING LINE This section is for the reports of activities and events of

the various Camp of the Order.

Egbert-Wetherhill-Reed Camp No. 167 (Ky.)

The camp participated in the Northern Kentucky

University's History Day again in 2012 and are planning to

participate in the March 16th, 2013, History Day. This event

bring museums, historical and preservation societies,

college, book vendor, Orders and other interested parties

together for networking, lectures and workshops. We

participated in the Veterans Weekends sponsored by the Ft.

Thomas Military and Community Museum (which contains

relics for the Maine and other Spanish War era artifacts) and

set up recruiting booths at several events. We gave a

presentation for Genealogical societies and those tracing

their family trees for the Kenton County Kentucky Library.

A.M. Quinn Camp No. 173 (Pennsylvania)

The following are pictures from the Lebanon County

Bicentennial. Pictures 1 & 2 are from the booth, while

number 3 is of the local the Lebanon Militia on parade in

1898. I believe shortly after this picture was taken the militia

traded in the white crossed uniform for the US Army

uniform at Camp Hastings, Mt. Gretna, Lebanon.

The Camp received one completed application with

payment at the celebration and have several potential new

members.

THE BULLETIN BOARD The following are the announcements, General Orders,

and other such information that the Brothers of the Order

should be aware of.

UReproduction Spanish American War BlanketsU. The

Spanish American War reenactment community is a small

one, thereby making production of certain items difficult or

impossible. No one reproduces the M1885 army blanket the

soldiers and Marines carried in their backpacks or used to

form their "blanket roll". We have approached the Woolrich

Company in Pennsylvania about reproducing this blanket. It

is 7 feet long by 5.5 feet wide, of blue-gray wool with an

indigo stripe on each end. Visits to the mill have been made,

February – April 2013 (Spring) VOLUME V PAGE 10

THE NATIONAL SON

and Woolrich staff have studied our original blankets.

Woolrich is willing to produce the blanket, but there is a

minimum order necessary to make it worth doing. We need

pre-orders for 120 blankets to make this happen. You need

not be a reenactor. Some folks may just be interested in a

nice Woolrich wool blanket of the same type carried in the

War by their ancestor. Multiple orders are welcome. The

blankets will not cost more than $100, and may be less (final

details pending). Shipping will be additional. Stencils and

instructions will accompany the blankets for embroidering

"US" or "USMC" onto them as they appear on some

surviving examples (most survivors have no embroidery).

SEND NO MONEY NOW. JUST LET US KNOW IF YOU

WANT ONE (OR MORE!). There is no obligation at this

time. We are scouring the history community to find enough

folks interested to make this happen. Once we have that

support, $50 will be due upon our directing the mill to move

forward (Woolrich requires a deposit), with the rest due

before delivery (about 10-12 weeks after production is

ordered). If interested, ASAP please contact Stephen

Bockmiller at bockmiller@comcast.net (phone 240-291-

3128), or Lawrence Bopp at bopplk@comcast.net (phone

410-788-7264) so we can add you to our "blanket legion".

UMembership MedalsU. The Sons of Spanish American

War Veterans membership medals are available for purchase

from the National Supply Officer, Brother Jim Kiger. The

cost for a medal is $22.00; this includes the cost of shipping.

For more information on how to place an order contact

Brother Kiger at (859) 341-6235 or by mail at 278

Gettysburg Road, Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky, 41017.

UGraves RegistrationU. Today in many cemeteries

throughout the United States, hundreds of Spanish-American

War Veteran’s graves remain un-marked, unknown, and

forgotten. One of the primary purposes of the SSAWV is the

preservation of these Veterans memories. As a part of this

we are calling on all members of the Order to assist in

locating and documenting the locations of these Veterans

graves. If you know of the location of the grave of a Spanish

American War Veteran, or think there may be one in a

particular cemetery, take the time to contact the National

Graves Registration Officer with the information, so that the

Veterans grave will be recorded in the National

Organizations records. Once the veterans service is

confirmed the Graves Registration officer will create a page

for the Veteran on the Find-A-Grave website (if one does not

already exist, with as much of a biography for the soldier as

can be obtained.

UPlanning on MovingU? Remember that if you are

planning to re-locate let the National Secretary or Treasurer

know of so that we may be able to keep in touch with you.

February – April 2013 (Spring) VOLUME V PAGE 11

THE NATIONAL SON

THE DAUGHTERS OF ‘98 AUXILIARY OF THE UNITED SPANISH WAR VETERANS

National Fort Captain Johanna A. McGrath

520 Main St., Bradford, OH 45308

National Fort Adjutant Berna M. Reinwald

32028 Mount Vernon Rd, Rockwood, MI 48173

THE DAUGHTERS The membership of the Daughters of '98 is composed of

daughters, granddaughters, great granddaughters, legally

adopted daughters, stepdaughters, foster daughters,

daughters in law, grand daughters in law, nieces and grand

nieces, cousins of anyone eligible for membership in the

United Spanish War Veterans, who have reached the age of

five (5) years.

Its objects are to bind closer together the descendants of

the United Spanish War Veterans, to perpetuate the memory

of those who carried the flag to victory in 1898, to endeavor

to hold high the standards of the organization, and to

encourage the aims and aspirations of the United Spanish

War Veterans.

By resolution approved at the National Convention held

in Kansas City, Missouri, August 23rd to 28th, 1947, the

Daughters of '98 were granted certain legal rights to

function. Substance of the Resolution is as follows: "Two or

more Forts shall be grouped and called a Department. The

newly formed Department will then proceed to form a

National Fort. The local Forts shall function through their

Departments, the Departments through their National Fort,

and the National Fort will function under the direction of the

National Auxiliary, U.S.W.V."

On August 30th, 1960, the National Fort, Daughters of

'98, Auxiliary, USWV, was granted a charter by the National

Auxiliary, USWV. The charter was presented to

National Fort Captain Ada Knect by the National

Auxiliary President Kathleen Galvin.

The National Fort consists of 14 officers, some of

whom are elected and some appointed.

Cadets participate in services held on February 15th

[The date of the sinking of the U.S.S. Maine] Memorial

Day and Veterans Day. Flags and Banners are carried in

the Massing of Colors. Floral Tributes are placed. Many

cities have Hiker Monuments were ceremonies are

conducted at special times.

The Spirit of 76'

will live forever in

the hearts of the

Daughters of '98. We

pledge ourselves to

always revere the

founds of this great

land, and to preserve

the memory of our

fathers, the United

Spanish War

Veterans. God bless

those sisters who are still with us. In your golden years

may you find consolation in knowing that the Daughters

of '98 will assist you as long as the need exists.

February – April 2013 (Spring) VOLUME V PAGE 12

U2013 NATIONAL CONVENTION AUGUST 9TH TO 11TH, 2013

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA

77TH CONVENTION OF THE SONS OF SPANISH AMERICAN WAR VETERANS 74TH CONVENTION OF THE DAUGHTERS OF ’98, AUSWV

OUR CONVENTION HOTEL HEADQUARTERS Days Inn and Suites, Cherry Hill, New Jersey

$85 per night, Free Breakfast, Free Parking, 2 Beds Each Per Room 525 Route 38 Cherry Hill, New Jersey 08002 – Phone (866) 538-1314

COME JOIN US FOR OUR NATIONAL CONVENTION

IN THIS HISTORIC CITY AND ABOARD THE U.S.S. OLYMPIA!!

Registration Opens on Friday, August 9th Opening Ceremony and Business Meeting’s on Saturday, August 10th

Closing Ceremonies on Sunday, August 11th

URegister for the Convention Now for $5.00 Includes your Program and Convention Badge-Ribbon and Access to Convention

For More Information Contact National Treasurer Kenneth H. Robison II at Johnnyreb6@aol.com

113 Old Forge Road, Chapin, South Carolina 29036

Send Check/Money Order for $5.00 Payable to: “Sons of Spanish American War Veterans”