McKinney Chapter #63

Installation of 2014 Officers by Past NSSAR President General Nathan White:

The Color Guard at full attention: (photo left to right) Howard Roach, Don Sielert, Wendell Edwards, Harvey Vrooman and Don Babbs. The Plano SAR Color Guard, Chapter 37, presented the colors before the start of the program. The Plano Symphony Orchestra puts on concerts for the elementary schools. The children get exposure to the instruments prior to signing up for classes the next year. This is a great event, and is sponsored by the community. The Maestro, Hector Guzman, chooses the Plano SAR to do this every year, and for every July 4th concert. The several elementary school concerts take a lot of organization by the PSO and the schools. Photos are by Plano SAR photographer, Ann Sielert.

Vrooman Chapter of the Children of the American Revolution in Allen, Texas. Don Babbs standing on left, DAR chapter sponsor Linda Nord standing on right, Dan Reed seated on right. The Color Guard members told the children how Betsy Ross made the first flag and showed the children how she cut a five pointed star with a single snip.

Compatriot Peter Rowley inducted Michael John Wallace. Peter Rowley, Michael John Wallace and Chapter President Lloyd Lietz

Sandi Lee Craig gave a presentation on Gentleman John Burgoyne: The British General who won the war for the Patriots. A Certificate of Appreciation was given by Chapter President Lloyd Lietz and later with husband Peter Rowley.

Guest speaker Chief Warrant Officer Ronnie McPhatter, is the Senior Marine Instructor in the Junior ROTC program in the McKinney High School. The junior ROTC builds character and develops leadership potential in America's youth. Chapter 1st Vice President Pete McLellan presented a Certificate of Appreciation.

Chapter 2nd Vice President Jack Twiggs presided over the April Meeting.

Mike Ghormley, Betty and Gene Trimble, Ronnie McPhatter, Pete McLellan, Phil Johnson, Ron Smith and Jack Twiggs.

Compatriots Pete McLellan and Mike Ghormley presented the Bronze NSSAR JROTC Medal & Certificate to Cadet Joseph Dehtan because of his involvement in the JROTC program at the Allen High School. Guest Speaker Sgt. Major James Moran and the Commandant Tom Connors are at right.

Mr. and Mrs. Hutsell and their son Cadet Jackson Hutsell. Jackson took all the pictures of the presentation for us. Attending the ceremony is: (from Left to Right) Carl and Katharine Oehmann, Chapter President Lloyd Lietz, Pete McLellan and in uniform Mike Ghormley.

The Color Guard posted the colors at the Preston Trail DAR Awards Ceremony in Pottsboro, Texas. Compatriots present were Donald Babbs (McKinney Chapter), Jim Johnson (Denton Chapter) and Peter Rowley (Plano Chapter). Jim Johnson (Denton Chapter) holds the American flag.

The Patriotic Flag Day Celebration honoring our Nation's Flag was presented by the John Abston Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution at the McKinney Fire Station #7.
1: Compatriot Don Babbs read a poem entitled My Name Is Old Glory.
2: Mike Ghormley and Don Babbs with Texas State Representative Scott Sanford.
3: Mike Ghormley and Don Babbs pose with a member of the JROTC Color Guard from Allen High School.

President Lloyd Lietz gave the Oath of Membership to new member Jeremy Robertson, pinned the SAR Rosette and gave him his membership certificate. Chapter President Lloyd Lietz announced that the Chapter has received The Partners In Patriotism Certificate from the NSSAR.

Guest Speakers Mike and Carolyn McCrary presented Steamboats of the Red River from 1836-1948.

Our speaker tonight was B.G. Burkett. He and co-author Glenna Whitley wrote "Stolen Valor - How the Vietnam Generation Was Robbed of its Heroes and its History". In the late 1980s, Burkett was on the committee to raise money for the Texas Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Dallas. He encountered hostility from the would-be donors because "everybody knows all Vietnam vets are drugged up losers and baby killers." In his research he learned that Vietnam veterans finished college at a higher rate than their peers, had a higher rate of home ownership and were under represented in federal and state prisons. His research lead him to uncover numerous individuals who falsified their records to lie about their Vietnam service. Some "veteran heroes" had never served in the armed forces at all. In the picture, Chapter President Lloyd Lietz presented Mr. Burkett with a Certificate of Appreciation from our chapter.

Jim Johnson presents, "Charlatans & Hoaxes" from the Revolutionary War era and poses with the children of Brent Rollins of the McKinney Fire Department.

This was the annual meeting of McKinney DAR and the Plano SAR Color Guard was asked to Post the Colors as they CELEBRATE ALL VETERANS! This year the special focus was on Vietnam Veterans. SAR Color Guard members Howard Roach, Jack Hughes and Alan Johnson entered the meeting carrying the flags. Don Babbs and Mike Ghormley from McKinney SAR participated in the Color Guard and were also recognized as Vietnam Veterans.

Color Guard member Don Babbs received a Certificate of Appreciation and was recognized as a Vietnam Veteran.

Color Guard member Jack Hughes of the Plano Chapter received a Certificate of Appreciation and was recognized as a Vietnam Veteran.

Color Guard member Mike Ghormley received a certificate of appreciation and was recognized as a Vietnam Veteran.

The Christmas chapter meeting and party was held at Compatriot Peter McLellan's McKinney home. They enjoy the food and fellowship.

2015 proposed Chapter Officers were introduced. They will be sworn in at a later date.