Sons of the American Revolution

Texas Society

2009 Chapter and Individual Awards

Awarded at Friday Council of Chapter Presidents Meeting

The Galveston Award:
Established by Bernardo Galvez Chapter and is presented to the chapter with the highest % of increase of donations to the TXSSAR Col. Joe Hill Patriots Fund.

The Frank Watkins Award:
Established by the Hill Country Chapter in Honor of Frank Watkins and is presented to the chapter having the highest % of members contributing to the TXSSAR Col. Joe Hill Patriots Fund in the past year.

The Karl E. Wallace Award:
Given by TXSSAR in honor of Past President Karl E. Wallace to the Chapter having the highest % of membership increase during the past year.

The Adrian Drouilhet Award:
Named for Sect. Treasurer Emeritus Adrian Drouilhet, and awarded to the Chapter with the most new members under 50 years of age.

Awarded at Friday Opening Session

Col. Joe M. Hill Patriot Fund Awards:
Awarded annually to each Chapter that has total contributions that exceed the total of the previous year.

* = repeat winners (White Star)

Col. Joe M. Hill Jr. Membership Award:
Is presented in honor of our past President Col. Joe. M. Mill Jr. and is given to each chapter that achieves the goal of 100% membership renewal in the past year.

The John K. Harrell CAR Activities Award:
This award recognizes Compatriot John Harrell’s dedication and support of the national, state, and local programs, activities, and recognition of the strong relationship between the two societies of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Children of the American Revolution.  Compatriot Harrell believed that building and supporting CAR Societies at all levels strengthens relationships for the common good of NSSAR and NSCAR and enhances the promise of new members to SAR and DAR.  This award is presented to any chapter who participates in 7 of the 9 elements outlined by the NSSAR CAR Committee.

The John K. Harrell CAR Competition Awards:
Three Winners received $50.00 this year.  Mrs. Barbara Harrell donated $5,000 to establish the John K, Harrell Fund to support this award.  The award is presented to three TXSSAR Chapters that conduct the CAR activities based on the Chapter Annual Report submitted for the calendar year.  The Award is established in memory of Compatriot John K. Harrell of the San Antonio Chapter, Texas Society Sons of the American Revolution for his outstanding work and active participation on CAR programs and activities at the Chapter, State, and National levels.  The awards are presented in three categories.

TXSSAR Flag Presentation Awards:
Given to Chapters having recognized an Individual, Company, or Organization for the proper display, maintenance, and care for flying the Flag of the United States during the past year.  With the majority of chapters presenting certificates, the Society receives the “Furlong Award” from NSSAR.  We had 109 Flag presentation with 546 compatriots attending these ceremonies.  We have 18 repeat winners designated by an *.

Awarded at Saturday First General Session

The John Bruce Stuart Jr. Memorial Award:
Established by Plano Chapter in memory of Compatriot John B. Stuart Jr. and is awarded to the Chapter that best meets the criteria based on Veterans activities in the past year.  We had 9 chapters reporting Veterans Activities – 53,400 points.

The Marshall Hunter Award:
Sponsored by the Capt. Wm. Barron Chapter and presented in two categories, based on the chapter membership at the end of the TXSSAR year for the highest percentage of members attending their regular meetings.

The Hartsell O. Stephens Award:
Given in honor of Hartsell O. Stephens and awarded to the individual who sponsors the most new compatriots during the past TXSSAR year.

The E. A. Limmer Award:
Created by the Heart Of Texas Chapter and is given to the Chapter having the highest percentage of approved Supplemental applications approved during the past year.

The Wilbur S. Strong Award:
The Wilbur S. Strong Award for a New Chapter Is awarded to the Chapter formed during the past year, having the highest score on the Outstanding Chapter Contest.
(No New Chapters for 2008)

The Ross Shipman Awards:
Best Newsletters published during the past year in three (3) categories selected by the Newsletter Committee.
(No awards given this year)

The TXSSAR Yearbook Award:
Presented to the Chapter submitting the best YEARBOOK as judged by the Year Book Committee.  The Year Book is the historical record of the chapter activities for the past TXSSAR year.
(Awards TBA)

Awarded at Saturday Youth Contest Awards Luncheon

Robert Ritchie Oration Awards for Joseph Rumbaugh Contest:
This Contest is open to students in the Sophomore Junior Classes in all public, parochial, and private schools.  The Oration is presented without script or props.  The winner proceeds to the National SAR Contest.

Outstanding American History Teacher Award:
This award is presented to an American History Teacher based on an Essay and Recommendation letters from peers, students, and supervisors.

The Eagle Scout Scholarship Award:
Given to an Eagle Scout who was passed by the Boy Scout Board.  The applicant submits a scholarship application, four (4) generation chart and a Five Hundred (500) Word Essay on the American Revolution.

The JROTC Scholarship Award:
Outstanding Cadets are chosen by their respective Unit Commanding Officers.  The Cadets are nominated based on their outstanding leadership, Military Bearing and Good Citizenship.

George S. & Stella M. Knight Scholarship Award:
Given to a Junior or Senior High School Student who writes the best Five Hundred (500) Word Essay on an Event, Topic, Person or Ideal associated with the American Revolution.

The TXSSAR C. A. R. Scholarship Essay Awards:
Given to Male and Female members of the Children of the American Revolution who write the best Four Hundred Fifty - Five Hundred (450-500) Word Essay on an Event, Topic, Person, or ideal on the Revolutionary Period as announced. The topic this year was “Who Was Molly Pitcher? - The American Revolution.”

These awards were presented during the TSCAR State Convention at the Menger Hotel, San Antonio. Stephen Rohrbough, VP Americanism made the presentation on Friday March 27, 2009 during the Opening ceremonies of the convention.

The James M. Looney Elementary School Poster Contest Award:
This contest was developed to help stimulate interest in American History in support of the Texas School Fifth (5th) Grade Curriculum.  The Posters are judged on artistic merit, creativity used to express the annual theme, originality of presentation, and show evidence of research done by the student.

(Awards TBA)

Awarded at Saturday Second General Session

The TXSSAR Americanism Awards:
This was formerly the Louis J. Rumaggi Trophy and is given to a chapter that develops an exceptional program to recognize patriotic activities of the youth of the state, supports institutions and adults that promote patriotic education, recognizes observance of national holidays, and recognizes outstanding citizenship during the past year.

TXSSAR Outstanding Chapter Award:
Awarded to Chapters that excelled in all programs, activities, and outreach to non-SAR institutions and groups as reflected in the 12 sections of the Chapter Annual Report. The award is given to Chapters in four categories for their participation in the majority of programs contained in the Annual Report.

These include meetings and programs, Media relations for articles, radio and TV coverage, publication of a Chapter Newsletter and operating a chapter web site, observing patriotic holidays, dedication of graves, conducting flag programs, awarding medals and certificates to SAR, DAR, CAR members and recognizing outstanding non-SAR people who support the goals of the SAR.

Monetary contributions to the Patriots Fund, National Society projects, and the C.A.R. are important as well as the participation in Youth Programs.  Also included is work to maintain a viable membership base - retaining members.  Bringing in C.A.R. members aging out into SAR is essential as is the participation in state meetings.  Chapters are encouraged to establish and maintain a Color Guard with appropriate activities in parades, schools, and flag programs.  There are Veteran activities and finally participation and recognition of the C.A.R. and its members at chapter meetings and attending TSCAR events.

The bottom line is to promote the ideals of the Sons of the American Revolution.