American Legion Post 1187 will hold our annual Armed Forces Banquet on May 20th, and this year’s program will be provided by Robert Hampton with the Patriot Chest Program from the Sons of the American Revolution.

The Colorado Society Sons of the American Revolution for several years have sent Continental Soldiers dressed in period correct uniforms into the classrooms of 4th and 5th grade classes not to teach Early American History but to help teachers spark student interest in learning about the heritage of their forefathers by letting the students experience what it was like during the Colonial period. We accomplish this by bringing in a “Patriot Chest” full of hands on teaching aids such as reproduction period items like eye glasses, documents with the King George the III tax stamp, colonial eating utensils, plates, games, toys and period clothing they can wear. Our goal is to have several Patriot Chests throughout the State of Colorado available for presentations. The presenters wear a variety period correct dress for the colonial period including Continental soldiers in blue regimental Coat and tri-corn, Riflemen dressed in hunting frocks, militia and civilian attire. Depending on the number of students and outside room we can set up a small Revolutionary War camp.

The Sons of the American Revolution is the leading male lineage society that perpetuates the ideals of the war for independence.  As a historical, educational, and patriotic, non-profit corporation organized under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, we seek to maintain and expand the meaning of patriotism, respect for our national symbols, the value of American citizenship, and the unifying force of “e pluribus unum” that was created from the people of many nations — one nation and one people.

About Rob

After military service, Rob was employed by the Department of Army as an Education Services Officer intern, Guidance Counselor, Education Services Officer, Computer Systems Manager, Contract Specialist, Computer Systems Security Officer, and Transition Services Manager. In these roles he provided adult education programs from Graduate Programs to Remedial Education, operated and managed the army’s first national computer based instructional system, and helped soldiers find new employment after their military service. He served in Colorado, Germany, Texas, and Virginia.

After 33 years of Federal service, Rob retired in 2004. Rob was ordained as a Minister of the Gospel in 2006. He and his wife, Karen, operated a hospitality house ministry for soldiers and their families in Vicenza, Italy until 2012.

Rob has a Bachelors Degree from the College of William and Mary in Virginia and a Masters Degree from the University of Northern Colorado.

During his 33 years of army service, Rob received multiple awards including the the Superior Civilian Service Award, the Commander’s Award for Civilian Service, the Army Commendation Medal, and other awards and medals (too numerous to itemize here). He is a Certified Workplace Dispute Mediator and a Certified Horsemanship Association Western and English Riding Instructor. He was a military linguist in German and Italian. He taught government, philosophy, and Latin at Ascent Classical Academy in Lone Tree, Colorado. He is now a bit more retired while still teaching German and Italian on-line, teaching driving, and providing customer service for a local automotive repair shop.