Hawaii Annexed in 1898 becomes 50th State on August 21, 1959.

Hawaii was annexed by the United States on July 7th, 1898, in the middle of the Spanish American War. Hawaii was a Territory of the United States from July 7th, 1898 to August 21st 1959, when it became our 50th State. // You can listen to our Radio Show by clicking on this link
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cuba-libre-172

New Sons of Spanish American War Veterans, Cuba Libre Camp #172 Radio Show, Episode #7.

We did a small 15 minute episode of our Camp Radio Show last night, you can listen to it by clicking on this link http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cuba-libre-172/2010/08/05/sons-of-spanish-american-war-veterans-cuba-libre-c, We hope you enjoy it !

General Calixto Garcia y Iniguez, Cuban Liberation Army / Ejercito Libertador Cubano.

Today in 1839 was born General Calixto Garcia y Iniguez, in Holguin, Cuba. He was the Commander of the Cuban Liberation Army. He died of Pneumonia while on a trip to New York City, on December 11th, 1898. The famous book "A Message to Garcia" was written by Elbert Hubbard based on the famous trip to find Garcia and the Cuban Liberation Army by Major Andrew Rowan during the Spanish American War. It is a true classic and I highly recommend it. /// You can listen to our Radio Show by clicking on this link
 http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cuba-libre-172

National Convention Ends.

Our National Convention ended this past weekend and we have new National Officer's. I will be posting the names of our new Officer's plus any photos from the Convention I can get my hands on, so stay tuned !

Santiago Day Event and Camp Meeting.

If anyone can attend please contact Camp President Ken Robison, this event should be fun for the whole family, click on the link and help honor our heroes http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=166612709454

Real Son, Brother John B. Garrett Jr., Passes Away.

The following was posted by Colonel Raymond LeMay, former National President  on the S.S.A.W.V. Facebook Group page on July 7th, 2010. We at the Cuba Libre Camp #172 offer our condolences to the family and friends of  John B. Garret Jr., May He Rest In Peace. >  Col. LeMay wrote "It is my Sad Duty to Report the Loss of Real Son, Brother John B. Garrett Jr. He was the Son of Pvt.  John B. Garrett Sr. of Co. T, 3rd VA Regt. He passed away at the Age of 83 on July 5th. John was a Proud Member of the Joseph Melvin Leonard Camp No.168, Cohoes-Albany, NY. Calling Hours will be tommorow at Dufresne and Cavannaugh Funeral Home at 149 Old Loudon Rd. Latham, NY between 4 and 7pm. I will be attending at 5 pm to represent the SSAWV".

New Issue of "The National Son" is now available.

The latest issue of The National Son has been published and is now available. If you need a copy feel free to email me.

Happy 4th of July / Feliz 4 De Julio !

We wish all our members and friends a safe and happy 4th of July weekend. Please remember the sacrifices past and present of all our men and women in uniform and remember to Fly your American Flag !!

Sons of Spanish American War Veterans, National Convention July 30th and 31st, 2010.

Our National Convention will be held on July 30th and 31st. It will be held at Troy, Ohio and should be fun and enjoyable. If any of our Camp Members would like to participate and represent the Cuba Libre Camp #172 at the National Convention as Delegates, please call me or send me an email and I will give you all the necessary details.

The Spanish Consul in New Orleans, Louisiana 1898 and 1899.

The Spanish Consul in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1898 was Narciso Perez Petino. He served as Consul at New Orleans from 1897 to 1898. He was succeeded by Pedro Soliz, in 1899 once the Spanish American War ended.

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You can listen to our Radio Show by clicking on this link
 http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cuba-libre-172

Flag Day, Monday June 14th, 2010.

Remember to Fly your American Flag, on Monday June 14th. Keep our BRAVE Men and Women in Uniform, in your thoughts, we are FREE because of their sacrifices both in past War's and in the present !

New Online Store for The Sons of Spanish American War Veterans, Cuba Libre Camp #172.

We set up a new online store for our Camp. You can click the link at the very top of the blog. The first Category has coin's from 1898 and Category 2 has book's about the Spanish American War, The Philippines Insurrection and The Boxer Rebellion. You can visit the online store by going to http://astore.amazon.com/sonofspaamewa-20, visit often as we are alway's adding new product's, book's ect., we hope you enjoy it.

Happy Cuban Independence Day (May 20th, 2010) / Feliz Dia De La Independencia De Cuba (20 de Mayo) !

We wish all our Cuban Exile Member's a Happy Cuban Independence Day (May 20th) / Les deciamos a todos nuestros miembro's exiliados Cubano's, un Feliz Dia de Independencia Cubana (20 de Mayo) !

Charles S. Fox, United States Consul in Santiago De Cuba, 1898.

Charles S. Fox, of Maryland was the United States Consul in Santiago De Cuba, in 1898.

Sons of Spanish American War Veterans, Cuba Libre Camp #172 Radio Show (Show #6).

We did a new Camp show today, which you can listen to by clicking here http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cuba-libre-172/2010/05/03/sons-of-spanish-american-war-veterans-cuba-libre-camp-172-show-6, We hope you enjoy it !

Commander Bernabe Rodriguez Meneses 1852-1942, Cuba Liberation Army / Ejercito Libertador Cubano.

This is a photo of Commander Bernabe Rodriguez Meneses (born June 11, 1852, died January 1st, 1942). He served in the Trinidad Mounted Infantry, 4th Corps, 1st Division, 3rd Brigade, of the Cuban Liberation Army / Ejercito Libertador Cubano. May He Rest In Peace / En Paz Descanse. (the photo is courtesy of Mrs. I. Lee, grand daughter).

The United States of America declares War on Spain, April 25th, 1898.

The United States of America declared War on Spain, on April 25th, 1898, in response to Spain's declaration of War, on April 23rd. The United States considered the begining of the conflict to have been April 21st, 1898. (The April 21st date is known as "Muster Day" and is one of the Commerative Day's in The Sons of Spanish-American War Veterans, along with April 25th).

Spain Declares War on the United States, April 23rd, 1898.

The Spanish Goverment declared War against the United States of America, on April 23rd, 1898.

Join The Sons of Spanish-American War Veterans, Cuba Libre Camp #172 Facebook Group Page.

You can join The Sons of Spansh American War Veterans, Cuba Libre Camp #172 Facebook Group Page by clicking on this link http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/group.php?gid=158994409903 or by searching for The Sons of Spanish American War Veterans, Cuba Libre Camp #172 on Facebook. We appreciate you for joining our group page and ask that you invite your Facebook friend's to join. This is an easy way to help support us and it doesn't cost anything !! Thank You // Gracias !

Sons of Spanish American War Veterans, Cuba Libre Camp #172 Radio Show (Show #5).

We did a new show (#5) today, the topic's included St. Patrick's Day and Irish / Irish American  contribution's to the U.S. Military, Cuba ect., You can listen by clicking here http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cuba-libre-172/2010/03/17/sons-of-spanish-american-war-veterans-cuba-libre-camp-172-show-5, We hope you enjoy it.

Owen McFarr, United States Consul, Cienfuegos, Cuba 1898.

Owen McFarr was the U.S. Consul in Cienfuegos, Cuba, in 1898. He was from Tennessee.

Andrew J. Cummings, Medal of Honor Winner, Spanish-American War (Cuba 1898).

Andrew J. Cummings (born Alexandria, Indiana) was a Sgt. in Company F, 10th U.S. Infantry and recieved the Medal of Honor, for action's on  July 1st, 1898, at Santiago De Cuba. He recieved the Medal of Honor "for gallantly assisting in the rescue of the wounded while under heavy enemy fire".  

Mayor's of New Orleans, Louisiana 1898 to 1902.

The following men served as Mayor's of  New Orleans, Lousisina during The Spanish-American War, The Boxer Rebellion and The Philippine Insurrection.

1) Walter C. Flower - He served from April 27th, 1896 to May 7th, 1900.

2) Paul Capdevielle - He served from May 9th, 1900 to December 5th, 1904 (He was born in New Orleans on January 15th, 1845 and died in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi August 13th, 1922. He had served in his mid teen's in the Confederate Army, as a Private in Company D, Orleans Guard Regiment, Louisiana Militia and later in Boone's Battery, Louisiana Light Artillery).

Mayor's of Mobile, Alabama between 1898 and 1902.

The following two Mayor's were in Office, in Mobile, Alabama during The Spanish-American War, The Phillipine Insurrection and The Boxer Rebellion.

1) John Bush 1898-1900

2) Thomas Fry 1900-1902

Son's of Spanish American War Veteran's, Cuba Libre Camp #172 Radio Show, Show #4 (The U.S.S. Maine).

We did Episode #4 of our Camp's Radio Show and you can listen to it by clicking here http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cuba-libre-172/2010/02/17/sons-of-spanish-american-war-veterans-cuba-libre-camp-172-episode-4, We hope you enjoy it !

"Remember the Maine", February 15th.

Remember the U.S.S. Maine and the Brave Men who lost their lives on February 15th, 1898, in Havana, Cuba.

John P. Chidwick, Chaplain on U.S.S. Maine, February 15th, 1898.

Father John P. Chidwick was the Chaplain who served on the U.S.S. Maine. He was on the ship on February 15th, 1898 and gave aid and comfort to the dead and injured (and refused numerous order's to abandon the ship, because he would not leave before the injured). He also conducted the Funeral in Havana, for the U.S.S. Maine dead. // Father John Chadwick died in New York City, on January 13th, 1935.

"Remember The Maine", February 15th (Suggested Book and Poster).

I highly recommend "The Sinking of the U.S.S. Maine" by Samuel Willard Crompton. The book is an excellent narrative of the event's leading up to the sinking of the ship and the long term consequences (the War, ect.). There is also a poster available of the U.S.S. Maine taken after it was sunk in Havana Harbor, for anyone interested in having a copy of that photograph, for mounting or as a collector's item, or to donate to a local school (Social Studies / History Class). // "Remember The Maine" and the men who gave their lives and honor them by remembering their sacrifices, pass down the history of these brave men, even if all you can do is purchase a poster to donate to a local school, let us keep their memories alive, if we as Son's of Spanish American War Veteran's don't > Who Will ??

"Remember The Maine", February 15th

February 15th, 1898 was the day the U.S.S. Maine sank in Havana harbor. We ask all our member's and friend's to remember all the brave men who lost their lives on that day. 
The U.S. Postal Service put out a stamp on February 15th, 1998 commemorating the U.S.S. Maine, which you can see above.

Coca-Cola introduced to Cuba during the Spanish American War, 1898 // La Coca-Cola entra a Cuba durante la Guerra Hispana-Americana, 1898.

Coca-Cola was introduced into Cuba during the Spanish American War by American Troop's. The drink became so popular in Cuba that in May 1899, The Coca-Cola Company made Jose Parejo, a wine merchant, in Havana their first wholesaler.

Son's of Spanish American War Veteran's, Cuba Libre Camp #172, Radio Show, Show # 3 (January 26th).

We did a new episode of our Camp Radio Show last night covering all kind's of topic's and information from "The National Son". We hope you enjoy it, click here to listen http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cuba-libre-172/2010/01/27/sons-of-spanish-american-war-veterans-cuba-libre-camp-172-show-3

2nd Alabama Infantry 1898, Death's from Illness and other Reason's, Companies H, I, K, L and M.

Company H - No Death's Listed
Company I - Private Solomon W. Gold, Private Jas. M. P. Hicks, Private Harvey B. McCutcheon
Company K - No Death's Listed
Company L - No Death's Listed
Company M - Private Wallace Winbourne

New Issue of "The National Son" now available.

Our National Secretary, Brother Bernie O'Brien has published the latest edition of "The National Son". I will be getting "hard" copies of it and have them available to any Camp member's who wish a copy.

Happy New Year, December 31st, 2010 !! // Feliz Ano Nuevo, 31 de Diciembre, 2010 !!

We would like to wish everyone a Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous NEW YEAR !! // Les deciamos a todos un prospero ANO NUEVO !!

2nd Alabama Infantry Regiment 1898, Death's from Illness and other Reason's, Companies E, F, and G.

Company E - Private Columbus M. Herrin
Company F - No Death's Listed for Company F
Company G- Private Robert N. Alston
                    Private William E. Rollins
                    Private George Yawn                   

Son's of Spanish American War Veteran's, Cuba Libre #172, Radio Show, Show #2, 11/29/2009.

We did a new BlogTalkRadio Show episode tonight, you can click here to listen http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cuba-libre-172/2009/11/30/sons-of-spanish-american-war-veterans-cuba-libre-c, we hope you enjoy it !

2nd Alabama Infantry Regiment 1898, Death's from Illness and other Reason's, Companies C and D.

Harmon Cox - Private Company C
Charles McHugh - Private Company C
Martin Whatley - Private Company C

There were no death's listed for Company D.

Joseph Forney Johnston, Governor of Alabama during the Spanish American War, 1898.

Joseph Forney Johnston (born March 23th, 1843-died August 8th, 1913), of Jefferson County was elected Governor of Alabama in 1896 and served until 1900. He was the Governor of the State during the Spanish American War, in 1898. He was born in North Carolina and was a Democrat. He had served in the Confederate Army, as a Captain and was wounded 4 times, in combat.

2nd Alabama Infantry Regiment 1898, Death's from Illness and other Reason's, Companies A and B.

Company A - Private Lennie Simmons
Company B - Private Edwin E. James, Private William J. Murphy, Private Anthony Samurcrier and Private Alonzo E. Wells

National President 2009-2010, Brother Tim Downey

This is a photo of our National President, Brother Tim Downey at a recent Spanish American War Event. He is holding an 1895 KRAG.

Chaplain, 2nd Alabama Infantry Regiment 1898.

Archibald C. Harte of Mobile, Alabama was the Chaplain of the 2nd Alabama Infantry, during the Spanish American War. He held the rank of Chaplain and Captain.

2nd Alabama Infantry Regiment, 1898.

The 2nd Alabama Infantry Regiment was mustered in, for the Spanish American War, on May 6th, 1898 and was mustered out on October 31st, 1898.

Washington County, Alabama Veteran's of the Spanish American War, 1898.

Samuel Gilbert - Private Company C, 2nd Alabama Infantry
Hudson Milel - Private Company C, 2nd Alabama Infantry
Noah Mims - Private Company K, 3rd Alabama Infantry
George Thomas - Corporal Company I, 1st Alabama Infantry
Victor Van - Private Company B, 2nd Alabama Infantry

Happy Veteran's Day, November 11th, 2009 // Feliz Dia De Los Veteranos.

We would like to thank all our Men and Women, in the Armed Forces, as well as those who have served, in every war to help keep America Free. Your Sacrifices and Service to our nation is appreciated and not forgotten. God Bless our Brave Troop's now, and those who in the past helped keep America, the nation of Liberty and a beacon of Liberty, to the world.

Chaplain, 1st Alabama Infantry Regiment, 1898.

Owen P. Fitzsimons, of Birmingham, Alabama was the Chaplain of the 1st Alabama Infantry, in 1898. He held the rank of Captain / Chaplain.

William A. LeBaron, Spanish Consul in Mobile, Alabama, 1898.

The Spanish Consulate, in Mobile Alabama was located at 11 South Royal Street, in 1898. Spain was represented by Mr. William A. LeBaron, who was it's Vice Consul (there was no Senior Consul, only a Vice). Mr. LeBaron resided at 400 Saint Francis Street and was from a family who had a long tradition serving as Consul's or Vice Consul's dating back to the War Between The States, for various nation's. Mr. William A. LeBaron was born on November 7th, 1827, the son of Charles LeBaron and Ann McVoy. William A. married Eliza J. Robb, of Mexico City, Mexico, in 1848 and he had served in both the Confederate Army and Navy.

1st Alabama Infantry Regiment 1898, Medical Staff.

Surgeon / Major - William J. Kernachan (of Florence, Alabama)

Asst. Surgeon / 1st Lt. - Richard M. Fletcher Jr. (of Huntsville, Alabama)

Principal Hospital Steward - George W. Worth (of Anniston, Alabama)

Hospital Steward's - David W. Gass (of Birmingham, Alabama), Robert E. Hogan
(of Birmingham, Alabama), Paul D. Vann (of Anniston, Alabama)

1st Alabama Infantry Regiment 1898, Death's from Illness and Other Reason's.

Company A - Pvt. V. Walter Smith, Pvt. James M. Stewart, Pvt. Frank Maloney
Company B - Pvt. William M. Pride
Company C - Pvt. John W. Hannah
Company D - Cpl. Samuel Noble
Company E - Pvt. John F. Horton
Company F - Pvt. John F. Horton
Company G -Sgt. Philip N. Finch
Company H - None Listed
Company I - Pvt. Olin Olsen, Pvt. P. Nicholas Gaines, Pvt. Willie Thompson
There was no Company J, in the 1st Alabama infantry Regiment.
Company K - Pvt. Charles Schitz, Pvt. Fred Sizemore
Company L - Captain George F. Hart, Pvt. Robert J. McCullough
Company M - Pvt. Herman Brada, Pvt. William M. Franklin

1st Alabama Infantry Regiment, 1898.

The 1st Alabama Infantry Regiment was mustered, in for service, during the Spanish American War, on May 6th, 1898, in Mobile, Alabama. It never made it to Cuba or Puerto Rico, as the War was over before they were to arrive. The Regiment was mustered out on October 31st, 1898, at Birmingham, Alabama.

Fort Gaines, Dauphin Island, Alabama 1898.

Fort Gaines, on Dauphin Island, Alabama was still in use by the United States Government, in 1898. The Fort was modified, due to fear's, of a Spanish attack, with three 6-inch disappearing guns and three rapid fire 3-inch gun's. The gun's are long gone, but two of the building's used as Officer's Quarter's, during the war, are still standing outside the present Fort Gaines Historic Site and one is still in use.