Hossli.com

By Peter Hossli (text) and Stefan Falke (fotos)

Olivia Bowie twirls a lock of her hair rather awkwardly with her orange painted fingertips, her slim legs swinging idly as she daydreams. But when asked what she wants to be one day, this 12year-old girl is in no doubt whatsoever. “I want to be president,” she says confidently while tugging at her brown short-sleeved dress. “Then I can change all the things that annoy me.” But if her expectations are thwarted and the anticipated seat in the White House doesn’t come to fruition, Olivia has another alternative at the ready. “Otherwise I’ll be the principal of my high school.” The main thing, as she sees it, is that she can lead others. How exactly she’ll do that is something that the seventh grader is equally adamant about. “I will always do what I consider to be right, without fearing the consequences.”

This young American’s motto is “never give up.” It’s an attitude she has adopted from her role model – George Washington, the general who led America’s revolutionary war 232 years ago and delivered the country from the yoke of the British crown. One of those who fought valiantly at Washington’s side was an ancestor of Olivia’s – Major John Bowie, who fought in South Carolina for the freedom of the 13 original American colonies. Olivia’s father discovered the link two years ago. Since then, his daughter has been avidly reading historical discourses on the revolutionary era, studying battle plans and the way weapons of that era were made. “It was really special to learn that I had an ancestor like that,” she says. “None of my friends are descended from real revolutionaries.” Her eyes sparkle. “I guess it makes me feel kind of special.”

Olivia is a Child of the American Revolution, just like both her sisters and another seven children gathered on this dank day in a private home situated in the well-to-do town of Sandwich, Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Midday is about to strike, and the group are nibbling at pretzels and raw vegetables, drinking cola, water or lemonade. This is the annual meeting of the Massachusetts Group of the Children of the American Revolution (CAR). This patriotic society, actively supported throughout the US, was founded in 1895 by Harriet Lothrop, a children’s author whose aim was to teach young people the meaning of “true patriotism and love of country.” She wanted to help prepare the young for their future role as leaders and upright members of society. “Good citizens cannot be made suddenly,” opined Lothrop. “They must grow.” Today the society has some 5,000 members spread across all of the 50 federal states, as well as in countries outside the US. The members range in age from one month to 21 years.

Lineage Claims Scrutinized by Trained Genealogist

Anyone who can prove a blood line to a member of the Continental Army – or to someone who helped the revolutionary troops – is eligible to join. But obtaining this proof is not an easy task. Information passed down by grandparents by word of mouth does not count. Would-be members whose only proof consists of a self-created family tree are similarly rejected. What are required are written historical documents – an entry in the Army card index, a voucher signed by a revolutionary or a battle report in a contemporary newspaper. Anyone who possesses such forms of proof may submit them to the CAR headquarters. There a trained genealogical researcher examines the material and decides upon its acceptability. Once accepted, members form valuable ties that last a whole lifetime. Sixteen US presidents have belonged to the society, including George Bush Sr. and George Bush Jr., Jimmy Carter, Dwight Eisenhower and Gerald Ford.

The revolutionary descendants undertake genealogical research jointly and hold meetings, taking their cue from the house rules that apply in the US Congress. They gain an understanding of the mechanisms of the US government, with deliberate care taken to ensure an absence of political bias. They visit museums, and help to restore historical monuments. They regularly decorate the graves of revolutionary soldiers. Last summer, Olivia Bowie laid a bronze plaque on the grave of Joshua Gray, a colonel in the revolutionary militia. Appointed historian of the Massachusetts group, Olivia spends her leisure hours assembling information on people who were not directly involved in the revolutionary war but who supported the Revolution nonetheless, be it as diligent nurses, competent blacksmiths or butchers responsible for nourishing entire regiments.

Lunch – with macaroni and cheese, and lasagna on offer – is devoured with gusto. The young patriots now move on to the business of the day. “Everyone into the living room please,” says Stephanie Pommrehn, 19, who is wearing the American national colors. Her dark blue jacket has golden buttons, her skirt is white, and her turtleneck sweater is embellished by a medal on which a white-headed sea eagle is carrying the star-spangled banner aloft. It is her presidential medal. For a year now, Stephanie Pommrehn has been head of the CAR Massachusetts Group. At her command, nine girls and one boy place their right hand on their chest. They pledge their allegiance to flag and country, then recite the official creed of the Children of the Revolution. “I believe that my birthright brings a certain responsibility to carry on the work of the boys and girls of 1776 who took an active part in the War for Independence,” they each declare in turn, with solemn countenances.

Collecting Money for Crippled War Veterans

Precisely the kind of responsibility that membership can entail is explained by the group’s president in the form of the first and only item of business on the day’s agenda. She summarizes the progress being made in their annual project. The group is collecting money for the training of assistance dogs. These loyal and intelligent creatures will help make daily life that much easier for war veterans who have returned from Iraq or Afghanistan with terrible injuries. To raise funds, the children are selling dog biscuits. The final total is unlikely to amount to more than 2,000 dollars, rather a symbolic sum given the training costs of 20,000 dollars per dog.

But far more important than the nominal amount is what members learn from the initiative, reckons Stephanie Pommrehn. “We’re doing something for the benefit of society.” She is studying international relations and economics at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, but draws her inspiration from close to home: Her cousin, a 29-year-old mother and medical orderly in the US Navy, was killed by an explosion in Al Anbar province in Iraq. “Young Americans in Iraq are prepared to fight for the ideals of our country – just as our forefathers did during the revolutionary era,” she points out. Whether the campaign in Iraq is justified is not something she will be drawn on. “We’re an apolitical organization.”

Stephanie herself was born in Minnesota. She was four when her family moved to Massachusetts, the cradle of American history. Her mother rummaged around in genealogical archives and came across seven revolutionaries to whom her husband Mark Pommrehn is related. One of these – Colonel John Potter – crossed the Delaware River together with General Washington and his troops in what is probably one of the most famous events in the revolutionary war. Stephanie’s father Mark Pommrehn has just joined the Sons of the American Revolution, the men’s equivalent, while Stephanie herself joined the Children. Susan Pommrehn, her mother, is not eligible to join, as her predecessors came to America from Klosters in Switzerland. Marriage to a revolutionary descendant is not in itself sufficient for membership.

Father and daughter now sit together at the dining table. The walls of their two-storey home in Sandwich are decorated with antique photos, and the US flag is displayed at the entrance to the house. “It’s a wonderful thing to be so closely linked to the USA,” says Stephanie. “Anyone can be an American citizen, but not everyone has this direct relationship to American history.”

As she points out, this honor is not without obligation. This revolutionary child wants to serve America at some stage. Her professional goal? A seat in the Supreme Court of the United States. “I want to make an impact, and I want people to listen to me.”

Carrying the Revolutionary Gene

This kind of self-confidence typifies most of the children who have come together in Sandwich. “They carry the revolutionary gene in them,” believes William Battles, an imposing 67-year-old who acts as a talent scout for supermarkets. He joined the CAR when he was 8 years old, introduced by his grandmother. Back then he had yet to learn how to greet a woman politely, or how to dress properly, recalls Battles, who is responsible for orchestrating things behind the scenes for this group of children.

His war decorations sit proudly on his chest, his light-gray hair is combed back and he seems to have a permanent glint in his eyes. Battles served his country as a Marine in Vietnam. His father fought in the Second World War, his grandfather in the First. “Our family has always fought for America’s well-being.” No less than 20 of his forebears were involved in the revolution. “It’s stirring to know that this blood is in my veins,” he says. “We need to keep this past alive. It’s a good thing.”

At the same time he warns against snobbery, an accusation sometimes leveled at patriotic organizations in the US. “We are no better and no worse than other Americans.” These patriotic associations are also sometimes considered secret societies, as ignorance of their mechanisms can breed prejudice. Factors that contribute to the archaic image include the white velvet gloves put on by the girls at annual meetings, and the red uniforms worn by the boys for the reenactment of historical battles. One CAR receptionist in Washington adopted a particularly disdainful tone when first contacted: “We only talk to people who are directly descended from revolutionaries.” “This kind of arrogance puts us to shame,” says former Marine Battles. “After all, how did we earn this position? Solely by virtue of our birth.”

This is all the more true as George Washington, having won the revolutionary war, displayed the kind of modesty that helped shape America. With his soldiers wanting to crown him emperor, he had the vision to reject such exhortations. “That’s the only reason we’re a free country today,” says Battles. And it’s because of this kind of freedom that he is proud of America. “There are 50 different human beings in this room,” says Battles. His gaze shifts around the room from individual to individual. “They have 50 different opinions, and there are at least six religions, perhaps even atheists among them – but they are nonetheless all welcome here. It’s this kind of freedom that we fight for as patriots.”

Quest for Descendants of Black Freedom Fighters

For a long time, this idea of freedom did not extend to all Americans. Ten percent of the soldiers at Washington’s side were black, themselves the descendants of slaves brought over to the New World. Despite this fact, the patriotic societies are primarily white. Work is being done to change this. Genealogists are actively seeking direct descendants of black soldiers, particularly those who are still children. In addition, plans are afoot to incorporate the descendants of native Indians who fought for the freedom of America, as well as the descendants of the French and Irish who came to Washington’s aid and then returned home across the Atlantic.

David Bowie has driven 15 miles with his three daughters to Sandwich. He works in the juvenile court of nearby Barnstaple County and is a Son of the American Revolution.

“It’s important to my children to get to know their ancestors,” says Bowie. “It’s probably only as adults that they’ll understand how much they have benefited from this.”

The afternoon is drawing to a close. Sue serves coffee, tea and cake. Stephanie sells tickets for the raffle, with the prizes (donated by parents) including a cuddly moose and a copy of the Declaration of Independence. The proceeds will all go to the training of guide dogs for the blind.

At this point the party starts to break up, with most parents taking their children home. Those that remain chat about the upcoming presidential elections. No one spouts any political dogma. As a charitable organization, patriots are not permitted to get involved in the political process. But when it comes to assessing a candidate, says Battles, he always applies the same criterion. “My vote will go to whoever emulates George Washington and puts the service of their country before themselves.”

Children of the American Revolution (CAR) The National Society of the Children of the American Revolution was founded at the end of the 19th century by the children’s author Harriett Lothrop, the aim being to establish a children’s and young persons’ branch of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). As with the Daughters, membership may only be held by children who are lineally descended from American revolutionaries. Lothrop was convinced that this would give young people a way to develop into upright Americans. CAR now counts more than 10,000 members based in all 50 US federal states, as well as in Ireland, France and Germany. Membership is possible from birth. At the age of 21, the girls go on to join DAR, while boys go on to become Sons of the American Revolution.