Minutes of the Meeting of the Dallas Chapter

TEXAS SOCIETY SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

April 8, 2006


The meeting was called to order at 8:05 a.m. in the Mesquite Room at the Embassy Suites, (13131 North Central Expressway, Dallas, Texas) by Chapter President, Tom Smith. Most members had previously processed through the breakfast line.

 

President Smith reported to the membership that Compatriot Tom Green, newly elected President of TXSSAR, was in attendance.

  

Acting Champlain Art Ingalls reported that Compatriots Hank Goldwire and Mike McKinney were in the hospital suffering from pneumonia. Get well cards were circulated for members to sign. Compatriots Ingalls then proceeded to give the Invocation for the day.

 

Compatriots D. A. Sharpe, Art Ingalls, and Grady Fairbairn respectively led the Pledges of Allegiance to the United States Flag, the Texas Flag, and the Pledge to the SAR. Past President Tracy Pounders led the members in the singing of "America."


Past President and Head Greeter Ralph McDowell introduced and thanked our Greeters, Past TXSSAR Presidents Richard Arnold, Robert Coker, and Graham Martin. Guests and prospective members attending the meeting were then introduced.


Compatriot Art Ingalls shared a humorous story with the chapter.


Compatriots Ralph McDowell and Jim Templin presented an Americanism presentation to the membership. They described the use of Latin phrases during the American Revolution.


President Tom Smith reported that eleven members of the Dallas Chapter attended the TXSSAR Annual State Meeting, on the 17th, 18th, and 19th of March at Sugerland, Texas. The following awards were earned by the chapter:


              Outstanding Texas Chapter – Past President Tom Whitelock,


              Outstanding Chapter for Service to Veterans – James and Grady Fairbairn and others,


              Best Americanism Program


              Best Newsletter – Dr. Charles Baker, Editor


              Second Best Yearbook – Past President Tom Whitelock


Best of State Poster Contest – Compatriot John Morton and student Sara Ludlow. (Sara will receive a $500 bond.)

 

Martha Washington Medal – Henrietta Slagle (awarded for her work in establishing the Dallas Chapter’s Ladies Auxiliary.)

 

              Chancellor of the TXSSAR – Past President Mark Hansen


              Webmaster for TXSSAR – Dr. Charles Baker


Compatriots D. A. Sharpe and Jim Templin were respectively installed as the Dallas Chapter’s Historian and Registrar by TXSSAR President elect Tom Green.


By motion from Compatriot Ralph McDowell and a second from Compatriot Tracy Pounders, the reading of the Minutes of the previous meeting (as posted by Chapter Secretary, Allen Christian, on the chapter’s website) was waived and approved by voice vote.



Treasurer Byron Christian reported that 32 members and 9 guests were in attendance. He also reported that the chapter’s checking account balance was $2,403.92, the Minuteman Fund had a balance of $8,111.44, and the Richie Fund balance was $27,097.29.


Second Vice-President Robert Clark reported that the Dallas Chapter has awarded a ROTC medal to a local Dallas high school and Citizenship Awards to two local junior high schools. He also indicated that many more medals and certificates needed to be awarded. Vice-President Clark invited members of the Dallas Chapter to participate in the presentations of ROTC and Good Citizenship Awards to local high schools and junior high schools.


TXSSAR President Tom Green reported that the state has initiated a new program to aid smaller TXSSAR chapters to fund ROTC and Good Citizenship Medals.


Registrar Jim Templin installed Compatriot Lawrence Donihoo into the Dallas Chapter as a member. Compatriot Donihoo’s ancestor was Josiah Brandon. District VI Vice-President, Tom Whitelock, presented Compatriot Donihoo with a membership certificate and lapel rosette.

 

District VI Vice-President Tom Whitelock announced that the Blaine C. Willhoite Chapter of the SAR has turned in their charter and has disbanded. He then informed the Dallas Chapter members of opportunities to host the upcoming 2006 TXSSAR Congress meeting to be held in Dallas.


First Vice-President Charles Baker made the following announcements:


ØOne hundred Color Guard members will be needed during the 2006 TXSSAR Congress, which will be held in Dallas in July. He then encouraged the members of the Dallas Chapter to participate. Uniforms can be purchased from Darlene Neuhaus of Fort Worth for a cost of $404.50.

 

Ø Future Color Guard events include

 

·   The annual Polka-Fest Parade in Ennis, Texas, on May 27,

·   The annual Memorial Day Ceremonies at Restland Memorial Park,

·   Flag Day, week of June 14th, at Valley View Mall, and

·   Two Fourth of July Parades.

 

ØThe speaker for the May Chapter Meeting was announced to be Professor Don Rainey who will speak on “Using Y-DNA to Identify Your Ancestor.”

 

First Vice-President Charles Baker introduced the speaker for the day, TXSSAR President Tom Green. President Green shared service opportunities for chapters to participate during the 2006 TXSSAR Congress. He then provided a description of the current State of the TXSSAR.


President Green then presented “The First and Last Battles of the American Revolution”. Following his talk, First Vice President Charles Baker presented TXSSAR President Tom Green a Certificate of appreciation and a Liberty Bell.


President Tom Smith presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Compatriot Mark Hansen for his service as the 2005 – 2006 Essay Contest Coordinator.


After Treasurer Byron Christian presided over the door prize drawings, the Benediction was given by Compatriot Art Ingalls, which was followed by the SAR Closing led by President Smith, who adjourned the meeting at 9:56 a.m.


Respectfully submitted,


Dr. Allen L. Christian

Secretary, Dallas Chapter-TXSSAR