Martin Speaks to Four Rivers Patriots

Courtesy of Four Rivers Patriots Chapter, Georgia Society Sons of the American Revolution

The Four Rivers Patriots Chapter, Georgia Society Sons of the American Revolution held its monthly meeting on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at 7:00 p.m., at Chatters Restaurant in Lyons.

With President Joel Keener presiding, there were 14 in attendance. After the invocation, President Keener led them in the Pledge to the U.S. Flag and the Pledge to the SAR.

Dess Smith III introduced the speaker, Compatriot Bernard Martin. Bernard and his wife live in Waynesboro, and he is a member of the Brier Creek Chapter in Screven County.

Bernard spoke about the USS Starke and the terrible tragedy that happened when 2 Exocet missiles were fired by an Iraq Jet in 1989 in the Persian Gulf and struck the USS Starke and killed 37 sailors. Besides Bernard and his wife, those in attendance from other chapters were Wiregrass members Dess Smith III and John Tapley, Jr.