Patriot Service Medal Bestowed on Du Quoin Photo Historian

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[A Murphysboro resident is one of two men chosen to receive the distinguished Sons of the American Revolution Patriot Medal.

Robert R. Morefield received the award from Illinois State SAR President Franz Herder and award chairman Charles Sener during a formal dinner program held during the Society's annual meeting.

"Morefield has a long and distinguished history with the state society," said Sener. "He and the late Art Casebeer organized the Long Knives SAR Chapter in 2003. Since then he has held several officer positions and participates in many of the chapter's activities. He also served as Vice President of the state's southern region covering 15 counties. Morefield currently serves as Illinois SAR state registrar."

"Bob's dedication is not limited to the SAR," said Sener. "He is also a very active member of his community, volunteering time to work at his church, with scouts, the Perry County Historical Society, the Jackson County Historical Society, the Du Quoin Historic Preservation Commission, as well as the Astronomical Association of Southern Illinois."

Morefield has published three books on the history of City of Du Quoin and Du Quoin County.

The SAR was founded in 1889 and is dedicated to patriotic, historical and educational objectives. The Patriot Medal is awarded only by a state society and is the highest award given for service at the state or chapter level. The sterling silver medal bears the portrait of Compatriot General of the Army Douglas MacArthur on the obverse within the inscription, 'The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution'. The medal is suspended from a chest ribbon of royal blue color. The design for the medal was selected by Compatriot MacArthur who received the first medal, presented posthumously at his tomb in Norfolk, Virginia, on October 19, 1964, where it is on permanent display.

The Sons of the American Revolution is a lineage organization. Those eligible to join must be 18 years old and able to prove blood descent back to an ancestor who contributed in some way to the cause of American Independence. Contributions range from military service, providing supplies to the military, administering to the wounded, and other support roles to the cause contributed by a male or female ancestor.