Web Page

PITCHER - Hebrew symbol for their Levitical Priest Line.  Typically, 19th century civil records do not identify Levite status (except to the extent that a surname identifies Levite status or that the records are signed in Hebrew with a name identifying Levite status).  Accordingly, tombstones (matzevot) will often be the most reliable evidence of Levite status. 

SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION (SAR) - A patriotic organization. Its members are male descendants of people who served in the Revolutionary War, or who contributed to establishing the independence of the United States.  The society is involved in historical research, raising funds for local scholarships and educational awards, and preservation of sites and documents related to the American Revolution.

REVOLUTIONARY WAR VETERAN - The American Revolution (1775-83) is also known as the American Revolutionary War and the U.S. War of Independence. The conflict arose from growing tensions between residents of Great Britain’s 13 North American colonies and the colonial government, which represented the British crown.  Skirmishes between British troops and colonial militiamen in Lexington and Concord in April 1775 kicked off the armed conflict, and by the following summer, the rebels were waging a full-scale war for their independence.

POPPY FLOWER - Represents Eternal Sleep, consolation for a loss in the family and remembrance of the fallen in conflicts.  In symbolism Poppies have long been used as a symbol of sleep, peace, and death: Sleep because the opium extracted from them is a sedative, and death because of the common blood-red color of the red poppy in particular. In Greek and Roman myths, poppies were used as offerings to the dead.  

PINECONES - The Ancient symbol for regeneration and everlasting or eternal life.  Conifer Pine Trees are one of the most ancient plants on the planet, having existed nearly three times longer than all flowering plant species.  The seed of the pine cone gives birth to trees that in turn outlive humans by hundreds or thousands of years.  In this way, a pine seed can represent the Fountain of Youth or the Fountain of Forever. 

PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY (GRANGE) -  The Grange, officially referred to as The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, is a fraternal organization in the United States that encourages families to band together to promote the economic and political well-being of the community and agriculture. The Grange, founded after the Civil War in 1867, is the oldest American agricultural advocacy group with a national scope. Major accomplishments credited to Grange advocacy include passage of the Granger Laws and the establishment of rural free mail delivery.

PALM TREE OR PALM BRANCH - Trees are an enduring symbol of eternal life and protection, with their roots firmly in the ground and their canopy offering protection.  In Christianity, the palm branch is associated particularly with Palm Sunday, palm branches were waved at the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.

MEDAL OF HONOR - The highest US military decoration, awarded by Congress to a member of the armed forces for gallantry and bravery in combat at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.  There are three versions of the medal, one for the Army, one for the Navy, and one for the Air Force.  Personnel of the Marine Corps and Coast Guard receive the Navy version.

BAHA'I - The Bahá'í Faith is a monotheistic religion which emphasizes the spiritual unity of all humankind.  Three core principles establish a basis for Bahá'í teachings and doctrine: the unity of God, that there is only one God who is the source of all creation; the unity of religion, that all major religions have the same spiritual source and come from the same God; and the unity of humanity, that all humans have been created equal, coupled with the unity in diversity, that diversity of race and culture are seen as worthy of appreciation and acceptance.  According to the

LOYAL ORDER OF MOOSE -  The Loyal Order of Moose is a fraternal and service organization founded in 1888, with nearly 1 million men in roughly 2,400 Lodges, in all 50 U.S. states and four Canadian provinces as well as Bermuda; along with its female auxiliary, Women of the Moose with more than 400,000 members in roughly 1,600 Chapters in the same areas and the Loyal Order of Moose in Britain these organizations make up the Moose International. It is headquartered in Mooseheart, Illinois.