11 minute read
Remembering John Sharrett
REMEMBERING JOHN ALLEN SHARRETT, III October 2, 1943 – January 9, 2002
“John is the most giving individual in the most subtle ways . . . He is a shining example of how to lead --- selfless, giving, knowledgeable and respected” ~~~ E. R. “Mike” Davenport, Commander Dismal Swamp Rangers
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE TO SNAP CAPS
Now,.. wait...For...It. Wait for what? The next command from the tower ?? No. The heckling from behind the firing line.
John knew it was coming. And from where. So, he turned, curled his upper lip, and tossed that first spent cap in the direction of the “heckler”.
Always a good sport, John could “take it”. And, given the opportunity, he could certainly dish it out. Actually, he LOOKED, quite literally, for those opportunities. The errant minie ball that somehow dropped out of the sky twenty yards in front of its target; the ramrod fired down range; the splinter of wood that blasted off the frame for all to see.
Months later, these “trophies” would find their way on to a special plaque. Then, along with the requisite Top Gun designations, they were ceremoniously presented to their humbled recipients at our Annual Christmas / Awards Banquet. I remember the year John bestowed a unique --- truly one of a kind --- Swamp Rat Clock on that member who just couldn’t seem to make it to a Skirmish on time. (Yes. I still have it, thank you very much!)
The bantering was always good natured. It contributed immeasurably to the comradery and brotherhood our Club has enjoyed over the years. After John’s funeral service I overheard someone describe him as having “happy eyes”. Hadn’t thought of that. But I think she’s right.
Remember “the snarl”? That curled upper lip? Somewhat canine in appearance, but not particularly threatening. You couldn’t take it serious because he always delivered it with a “twinkle”; with “happy eyes” you might say.
Now, if John liked you, then you’ve likely been “snarled” at. John liked my children. My (then middle school age) daughter adopted that snarl. Practiced it --- in the mirror --- till she got it right. Then waited for the perfect opportunity. It came. John snarled, she returned fire. It was great and John loved it!
It should be noted here that the snarl has served my daughter well, professionally speaking. As a high school teacher, she will occasionally lob one in the direction of a deserving student. Thank you, John, for your contribution to public education!
John was at my wedding. He was there when each of my four children came along. In 1987 he was at the hospital when our twins were born. Nineteen years later, he’s on the campus of Virginia Military Institute where one of those kids is in his Rat Year. A visit from a family friend and dinner off campus was a welcome reprieve. John was good like that.
If it was important to his friends, it was important to John. Winston Parker first met John when they worked together at Chesapeake & Potomac Telephone Company (now Verizon) beginning in 1969. “He instantly became a great friend. . . . a very patient teacher. When I chose to apply for a promotional transfer, John stayed by my side to assist in preparing me for that job.”
In 1972 John invited Winston to join the Dismal Swamp Rangers. “Fifty years later, through the N-SSA, our friendship endured. I could not have imagined having a longer or stronger bond with anyone. . . all those who knew him can say the same.”
Regardless of age, gender, religion, color or creed (even if you were a Yankee), John had a way of making people feel special. And that --- in large measure --- is why he was so special to us.
DSR / N-SSA
John Allen Sharrett, III grew up in Portsmouth, Virginia where he played youth football under Coach Richard D. Dodd (Yep. Same guy). And that’s where John’s association with our Association began. He and the Coach shared an interest in Civil War history. Coach Dodd was an N-SSA member through the Portsmouth Light Artillery and by the age of 15, so was John.
This was in 1958. By 1961, the two friends had co-founded Company A, Third Virginia Regiment --- aka Dismal Swamp Rangers (“Swamp Rats). John served multiple tours as DSR Commander helping to build a team that soon became a perennial contender at both the (TW) Regional and National levels.
John, himself, often shot on the Tidewater Regional All – Star Teams. His leadership in the Region --- as a Skirmish Director, Historian, Public Information Officer, and later as Regional Commander (1970) --- laid the groundwork for higher office and more responsibility.
Over the years, John spearheaded and contributed to many improvements on the Dr. Mills Britt Range at Ft. Mahone in Capron, Virginia. His help in establishing the Annual Tidewater Region Cancer Benefit Skirmish has raised in excess of $80,000 to support Cancer Research. For many years, John has built and sold wooden bee traps and bird houses (chances are you own at least one). And through those efforts he has been able to donate roughly $28,000 to the Cancer Fund.
John Sharrett’s first role at the national level was as Chairman of the newly formed N-SSA Regional Boundary Committee. Other Committee assignments over the years include: Audit, At the 46th National Skirmish (October, 1972), he was elected to serve as the Deputy National Commander. Then, following a second term as Deputy Commander, John Allen Sharrett, III became the Association’s seventh National Commander, serving three consecutive (2 year) terms ending in 1982.
LEADERSHIP
John Sharrett’s service to the North-South Skirmish Association certainly did not end with his tenure as National Commander. That was one of the things about John. Leadership came naturally. He didn’t need the title, the office, the appointment, the stripes, the paygrade to get things done. He just did it. And he brought others along with him.
Long time teammate Ben Harris remembers being kicked back; comfortably reading in his trailer at the DSR campsite. KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK . . . OMG, it’s Sharrett ! “Ben, I’m going to go do whatever, wherever because it needs doing. Why don’t you come help me?” And so, Ben went. As did we all.
No matter how large or small, menial or monumental --- if it was a committee of one or an association of thousands --- John took it on. Signs for Sutlers Row, landscaping and signage for the Historical Center, new lamps and maintenance on the flagpoles in Memorial Park, the restoration of the lamps on the Bridge. John was instrumental in all of that. Likewise, the wiring of lights in the Barn, new electrical panels, clearing brush from the entrance and exit roads as well as significant financial support for other capital projects. And that’s the abbreviated list. Over his 60 + years as an N-SSA member, John Sharrett was awarded all three Pioneer Patches (white, silver, gold). He proudly wore his Skirmish Director’s Star, and the Service Stripe of Past National Commanders. And more recently, as many know, Mr. Sharrett was presented the N-SSA Distinguished Service Award AND the N-SSA Award of Merit. . . it doesn’t get any better than that! Aside from our two founders, it is likely that John Sharrett has devoted more time, more sweat equity, and had more influence on the betterment of the N-SSA than any other individual to date.
It is important to our country that the story of the War Between the States be told. And that it be interpreted and presented as accurately as possible. John Sharrett understood this as well as anyone --- and better than most. It’s why he took the Historical and Educational component of the North-South Skirmish Association so seriously. His years of research, documentation, and efforts to preserve Confederate monuments in Virginia are well known. John’s work in this arena was recognized by the N-SSA with the History & Education Committee’s “Lee A. Wallace Individual Award” in 2007.
Sgt. William B. Williams, Co. I, 50th VA INF REGT. (Wytheville, Virginia) was John Sharrett’s great, great, great uncle and thereby his path to membership in the Sons of Confederate Veterans. John served as 1st LT CDR of the Stonewall Jackson Camp #380, Portsmouth, VA when it was chartered in 1978. Among the projects he initiated was the repair/replacement and maintenance of scores of Confederate headstones at Portsmouth’s Cedar Grove Cemetery. John was honored to be designated Commander Emeritus of Stonewall Camp #380 and received the SCV Virginia Division’s Heritage Defense Award amongst other recognitions during his many years of service.
“A true Southern Patriot, leader, gentleman and friend”. That’s the way John is remembered by Susan Lee of the Virginia Flaggers. She tells us that John gave the initial $100 gift when the group announced its first Interstate 95 Battle Flag project back in 2013. “He has been a supporter and friend ever since.”
Lee credits John’s leadership in helping to bring to fruition the “beautiful and highly visible” Chesapeake Expressway Jackson Grays Memorial Battle Flag in January of 2017. It was their 26th roadside battle flag and the first for Southeastern Virginia.
A sense of community was important to John and he served his by way of the Cypress Ruritan Club. Holding every position of responsibility --- including president --- at one time or another, he was involved in improving the lives of those less fortunate in his adopted hometown of Suffolk, Virginia.
CEASE FIRE. CEASE FIRE. TIME HAS BEEN CALLED
And much too soon, it would seem. John had so much more to do. So much more to show us, so much more to teach us. There are targets left unhit. Goals set, yet to be accomplished. Not just another National Championship (though we are a bit overdue). But also, History lessons to teach the next generation. And Friendships to tend to . . . new ones to make, old ones to nurture.
THE LINE IS CLEAR ON THE LEFT / THE LINE IS CLEAR ON THE RIGHT THE LINE IS CLEAR
And those of us that remain in the ranks may --- MUST --- go forward. It is important that we continue to build on what we have; that we continue to work hard to maintain the standards, the traditions, the ideals of the North-South Skirmish Association. John would hope for --- and expect --- no less of us. It won’t be easy without his guidance. But let us remind ourselves, and each other, to simply “Do the Best You Can”.
AND JUST ONE MORE THING (as John would say)
It is fitting and proper that we honor and remember a man who gave so much to our organization and who paid tribute to the honor and memory of so many others along the way. In lieu of flowers, the family of John Allen Sharrett, III has asked that donations, in his memory, be made to the NorthSouth Skirmish Association, Stonewall Camp #380 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and /or the Virginia Flaggers. We hope that you will consider doing so.
~~~ Fred A. Brewer, Jr. Dismal Swamp Rangers 096TW 3138V
When I first took this job the very first person I told after my wife and parents was John. My entire life John has been there for me. It was jokingly said since I was a child that he was my “Uncle John”. At first, I’m sure it was in jest because I’ll be the first to admit I was a bratty kid at times. But as I grew up and became a man that term Uncle took on a whole new meaning. He embraced it. Uncle John was always there for me. I can’t think of single Job, College Application or society that asked for a reference that I did not ask my
Uncle John to be one of my references. John was a fierce competitor; I won numerous regional titles and ultimately won a national championship beside him and my father (honestly my favorite memory from shooting to this date). He pushed me to succeed in my craft not only on the skirmish line but in life. When I told him I was returning to school after years of being a first responder to become a therapist he of course had a joke and a jest, but he was nothing but supportive and told me to follow my goals and help those kids. We have lost so many people these past two years, each of them brings us sorrow so I do not wish to demean anyone who has passed away but Losing my Uncle John has hit me the hardest. He was a pillar of the organization and in my life. Shooting will never be the same without Uncle John on the line beside me. ~ Eddie Davenport Skirmish Line Editor.
Below are a small selection of photos from Ben Harris of John over the years. There are more on page 59.
