The Society of the War of 1812 in the State of Illinois

The FCPOA is the First Class Petty Officer Association. It is recognized by the number 1 after the rate of each person. A second class would be represented by a 2, a third by a 3 and so on. The Picture of the eagle and three chevron is a First Class Petty Officer "Crow". Worn by each First Class with the only change being a rating symbol under the Eagle for each individual depending on their rate.

Joint Maritime Facility (JMF) St. Mawgan, U.K. is located near the town of Newquay on the Northern Coast of Cornwall. It is about an hour and a half from the Dartmoor Prison. Visit the website for my Command. This might help you get an understanding of where we are and what we do.

I am stationed in the United Kingdom at JMF St. Mawgan and it has come to my attention that the Dartmoor Prison located in Devon has an American POW memorial for American POWs of the War of 1812. I have just returned from the memorial and it is in dire need of upkeep. I am the President of the First Class Petty Officer Association and we have now taken up the cause to upkeep this memorial. I was wondering if you could give any information on this site or assistance in the upkeep. I will be stationed in the UK for at least another year and a half and plan to make this at a minimum a quarterly upkeep effort. Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.

Very Respectfully
Kenneth D. Harris

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I have purchased several of the materials we will use for the restoration scheduled in March. It is just the beginning. It isn't everything. I am thinking of planting a couple of "Live Oaks" (quercus virginiana)? This is the species of oak that our six original frigates were built from, including the USS Constitution. I also want to purchase a stone monument with a brass plaque. I still need to come up with the verbage for the plaque. I want to include all the participates who made all this possible.

Well I had better get back to work. If you need anything let me know. I havent cashed the check you sent. I am waiting to deposit a larger amount (300 dollars) so the bank doesnt take 3 dollar service fee per month. I am kind of between a rock and a hard place for choosing a bank. I have only one to choose. Not a major problem though.

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March 22, 2001 — As it stands now the FCPOA was scheduled to start the restoration of the Memorial on the 9th of March but due to the "foot and mouth" disease that has affected the entire UK and now Mainland Europe the Dartmoor is under quarintine. As soon as it is lifted we will start up on the restoration. The news is that the "foot and mouth" will last at the minumum two more months. For the sake of all the livestock I pray it is over sooner.