Mark Rotter Receives War Service Medal

The Robert Rankin Chapter No. 62 of The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (NSSAR) presented fellow member, Mark Rotter, resident of Fayette County, with the War Service Medal for his service in the Gulf/Iraq War at the chapter’s Veterans Day Celebration. Rotter’s ancestral US Patriot is Nicolas Faust, PA.

The War Service Medal was first authorized in 1899 for members who served in the Spanish-American War. It was subsequently authorized for members who served in World War I and World War II. Following World War II, the NSSAR authorized a generic War Service Medal with specific service periods indicated by bronze bars.

Mrs. Rotter was also honored being a military wife. Her brother served in the US miliary during Vietnam. The Gulf War was the first time US military were deployed since Vietnam.

Mrs. Rotter recalls the drive back home after dropping her husband off for deployment. The Rotter’s lived on base at Whiteman AFB, Mo.

“It was the shortest distance, yet the longest drive. It was snowing. Our young son was wanting to go along with his dad, and the radio was playing ‘Leaving on a Jet Plane… I don’t know when I will be back again’ by Peter, Paul and Mary. And I Prayed.”

The Robert Rankin Chapter #62 is very actively involved in America’s 250-year celebration of independence. The Liberty Tree Project is one of their projects.america250sar. org/libertytree/

The Liberty Tree (1646– 1775) was a famous elm tree that stood in Boston near Boston Common, in the years before the American Revolution. In 1765, colonists in Boston staged the first act of defiance against the British government at the tree. The tree became a rallying point for the growing resistance to the rule of Britain over the American colonies, and the ground surrounding it became known as Liberty Hall. In 1775 the British had enough of these rebellious rallies at the Liberty Tree and had it cut down.

The Chapter is planning a dedication of a Liberty Tree in Glenwood Cemetery in 2026. Glenwood is very historic and one of the oldest cemeteries in Houston.

Pictured; Sabina Rotter, Mark Rotter, Ralph Reed, President Robert Rankin Chapter #62 (SAR).