Texas Society, Sons of the American Revolution

Sons of the American Revolution

Texas Society

Speakers Bureau

The following speakers have developed topics and programs that are Historic, Patriotic, and/or Educational in nature. If a TXSSAR Compatriot would like to be added to this list, please fill out and submit this form.

Click here for the Speaker Locations map

Name:	Dr. H. Charles Baker
Chapter:	Dallas #2
City:	Dallas, TX
Contact Info:	email: hc_baker@sbcglobal.net phone: 214-343-0717 Additional information at: http://sardallas.org/speakers.htm
Availability:	Negotiable. I do teach full time at SMU, but Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays are easier.
Advance Notice Required:	Generally one month, but it depends on the group size and how flexible my schedule is at the time.
Distance willing to travel:	75 miles - farther with mileage allowance.
Fee required:	No speaking fee for a non-profit patriotic group.
Topic:	"How We Got Our Flag"
Synopsis:	A fascinating illustrated presentation on the history of the U.S. Flag.
Time:	10-40 minutes (length of presentation can be adjusted depending on the amount of detail desired).
Topic:	"The Turning Point of the American Revolution: The Battle of Trenton"
Synopsis:	Dr. Baker describes the amazing battle in which his ancestor David Baker fought under General Washington.
Time:	40 minutes approximately

Name:	Peter Baron
Chapter:	San Antonio #4
City:	Lytle, TX
Contact Info:	email: ptbaron@hotmail.com mailing address: P.O. Box 1712, Lytle, TX 78052 Additional information at: http://sarsat.org/Meetings/speakersbureau.htm
Availability:	By appointment - weekdays available.
Advance Notice Required:
Distance willing to travel:	Traveling would require compensation of room and board.
Fee required:	none
Topic:	Lectures on outfitting the soldier, equipment, tactics, battles, genealogy, reenacting, general Revolutionary War history.
Synopsis:	NA
Time:	Varies to suit audience.

Name:	Joseph Benham
Chapter:	Hill Country #31
City:	Kerrville, TX
Contact Info:	email: jove@ktc.com phone: 830-896-6323
Availability:	Most weekdays except for Wednesdays.
Advance Notice Required:	1 week
Distance willing to travel:	90 minutes each way
Fee required:	none
Note:	Podium and stool required.
Topic:	"The Revolution That Hardly Anyone Wanted"
Synopsis:	Hardly anyone wanted the Revolutionary War; hardly anyone on either side seemed to have an idea of how to win it; and hardly anyone seemed to know what to do next, once it was won.
Time:	20 minutes
Topic:	"George Mason, Father of the Bill of Rights"
Synopsis:	George Mason opposed ratifying the Constitution until assured that a Bill of Rights similar to the one he had drafted earlier for the Virginia Colony would be added.
Time:	20 minutes

Name:	Jim Cook
Chapter:	Paul Carrington #5
City:	Houston, TX
Contact Info:	email: jwcook713@sbcglobal.net phone: 713-504-1462 mailing address: 1935 Tallulah; Houston, TX 77077
Availability:	Weekdays Monday - Friday, evenings, and weekends
Advance Notice Required:	2-3 weeks
Distance willing to travel:	1 hour each way
Fee required:	none
Topic:	"What life was like during Revolutionary Times"
Synopsis:
Time:	60 minutes
Topic:	"Outline of the Battles"
Synopsis:	First Attack: Concord heard round the world The War Progresses
Time:	60 minutes
Topic:	"My 16 Revolutionary Ancestors"
Synopsis:	Vignettes of each of my ancestors and how they fought in the Revolutionary War (Bunker of Bunker Hill, James Sherman, Nathan Cook to name a few)
Time:	60 minutes

Name:	Ray Cox
Chapter:	PineyWoods #51
City:	Humble, TX
Contact Info:	email: coxmr@earthlink.net phone: 281-454-6074 mailing address: 17410 Huntersglen; Humble, TX 77396
Availability:	Days and evenings except Sundays
Advance Notice Required:	2 weeks
Distance willing to travel:	2.5 hours each way
Fee required:	none
Topic:	"An Instrument of War"
Synopsis:	A day in the life of a Revolutionary War soldier and how it was completely governed by the fife/drum signals that regulated the day, including stories about daily life and the playing of fife calls.
Time:	40 minutes

Name:	Dr. Wendell E. and Linda Edwards
Chapter:	Amb. Fletcher Warren #43
City:	Commerce, TX
Contact Info:	email: weelle@koyote.com phone: 903-886-6615 (home) mailing address: 2813 McCarley Dr., Commerce, TX 75428
Availability:	almost any time except on Sundays
Advance Notice Required:	Flexible
Distance willing to travel:	Two to Three Hour drive, depending on time of the meeting.
Fee required:	No fee required. If Honorarium offered, donation to Patriot Fund.
Topic:	"Robert Edwards - Dirt Farmer to POW to Elected Member of North Carolina Constitutional Ratification Convention to TN State Legislature"
Synopsis:	The life and experiences of Robert Edwards before, during, and after the American Revolution.
Time:	20 to 30 minutes
Topic:	"The Life and Times in Rural North Carolina leading Up To and During the American Revolution"
Synopsis:	The Life and experiences in Rural North Carolina leading up to and during the American Revolution.
Time:	20 to 30 minutes

Name:	George L. Finch
Chapter:	Patrick Henry #11
City:	Austin, TX
Contact Info:	email: Txfinch@aol.com mailing address: 4600 Monterey Oaks Blvd - Apt 711 -- Austin, Tex 78749
Availability:	Any time except Monday nights and Sundays for church
Advance Notice Required:	2 weeks
Distance willing to travel:	depends on town - have sons in Keller, Houston, Salado to make a trip and daughter in Edna; otherwise a hour's drive.
Fee required:	maybe a meal and gas
Topic:	"The American Revolution on Stamps"
Synopsis:	Short history about the US Post Office then; how over hundreds of stamps made to honor the American Revolution (folders of hundreds of stamps for audience to look at)
Time:	20 minutes.
Topic:	"The Congressional Congress on Stamps"
Synopsis:	Short history about the US Post Office then; how over hundreds of stamps made to honor the Constitution (folders of hundreds of stamps for audience to look at)
Time:	20 minutes.
Topic:	"Yorktown Campaign"
Synopsis:	Overhead lesson on the 3 campaigns leading to the surrender
Time:	20 minutes.

Name:	Tom H. Gann
Chapter:	Lt. Nathan Gann #28
City:	Lufkin, TX
Contact Info:	email: TGann@lufkinrealestate.com phone: 936-633-2622 mailing address: 2808 S. John Redditt Drive; Lufkin, Texas 75904-5602
Availability:	When available
Advance Notice Required:	Days to Weeks or more
Distance willing to travel:	When time permits 3 hours or less or when I am in your town on business or pleasure.
Fee required:	None usually if it is a reasonable request.
Topic:	"Ignatious Nathan Gann in the Battle of King’s Mountain and the defeat of the Loyalist Oct 7, 1780"
Synopsis:	The Battle of King’s Mountain and the defeat of the Loyalists with the thread of what one Over the Mountain Man was doing before, during, and after the battle.
Time:	25-50 minutes

Name:	Tom Green
Chapter:	Alexander Hodge #49
City:	Pearland, TX
Contact Info:	email: TBGreen3@prodigy.net phone: 281-922-1118
Availability:	Any time, but coordination is difficult.
Advance Notice Required:	NA
Distance willing to travel:	NA
Fee required:	none
Topic:	"Historic Flags of the U.S.A."
Synopsis:	The flag program starts with the begining of the revolt of the Colonists and moves forward through the Revolution to the War of 1812 and finally to the Civil War, ending with the history of our current 50 star flag.
Time:	45 minutes, but can be modified to fit any time requirement

Name:	John L. Greer
Chapter:	Amb. Fletcher Warren #43
City:	Quinlan, TX
Contact Info:	email: johnlgreer@juno.com
Availability:	Available most evenings and some Saturdays
Advance Notice Required:	Not able to commit very far in advance.
Distance willing to travel:	70 miles
Fee required:	No fee required. Any honorarium will go to the Joe Hill Patriots fund.
Topic:	"Timothy Murphy-The Best Shot in the Revolutionary War"
Synopsis:	First and second person portrayal of Rifleman Timothy Murphy and his importance to America at the Battle of Saratoga.
Time:	30 minutes

Name:	Jim Heath
Chapter:	Bluebonnet #41
City:	Buchanan Dam, TX
Contact Info:	email: jheath @tstar.net phone: 512-793 2907 mailing address: 104 Hummingbird Circle; Buchanan Dam, TX 78609
Availability:	no limits
Advance Notice Required:	30 days recommended
Distance willing to travel:	within Texas
Fee required:	lunch/dinner for two
Topic:	"Ben Franklin's Science"
Time:	20-25 minutes
Topic:	"Science at the time of the Revolution"
Time:	20-25 minutes
Topic:	"Medicine at the time of the Revolution"
Time:	20-25 minutes
Topic:	"William Bartram, Naturalist in the Revolution"
Time:	20-25 minutes
Topic:	"Battle at Great Bridge"
Time:	20-25 minutes

Name:	Thomas Jackson
Chapter:	Robert Rankin #62
City:	Houston, TX
Contact Info:	email: longhorntij@yahoo.com phone: mailing address:
Availability:	Weekdays, weekday evenings, weekends, weekend evenings
Advance Notice Required:	Generally 1 week
Distance willing to travel:	1 hour each way
Fee required:	none
Topic:	"Lexington & Concord, A Detailed Look"
Synopsis:	A power point aided presentation that blends the common facts that we all know with special details told through paintings and documented rememberances from those present.
Time:	40 minutes, but can be shortened
Topic:	"The Continental Navy"
Synopsis:	Reveals details of the origins of the navy and a brief review of its commanders supplemented with powerpoint aids including paintings of the naval ships.
Time:	40 minutes, but can be shortened

Name:	Dr. James J. Johnson and Dr. Mary Lynn Johnson
Chapter:	Denton #23
City:	Denton, TX
Contact Info:	email: txssarjohnson@yahoo.com phone: 940-382-6599 (h) or 940-206-1628 (c) mailing address: 30004 Croydon St.; Denton, TX 76209-1300
Availability:	Almost anytime from the middle of November to the middle of March and from the middle of May to the middle of September.
Advance Notice Required:	1 month+
Distance willing to travel:	3 hours each way
Fee required:	none
Topic:	"Women Who Fought and Men Who Didn't"
Synopsis:	An overview of women, such as Deborah Samson and others that saw action during the revolutionary war, and the statesmen and other men that contibuted to the revolution in "non-military ways."
Time:	30-45 minutes
Topic:	"18th Century Scientists, Inventors, Charlatans and Hoaxes"
Synopsis:	Highlights the contributions of Joseph Priestly, Benjamin Franklin, and others, and the deceptions of Count Cagliostro, Dr. Anton Messmer, and their followers.
Time:	30-45 minutes
Topic:	"Arts in the American Revolution"
Synopsis:	These "Arts" are revealed in the paintings of Johns Trumbull, colonial music, and the three libraries of Thomas Jefferson.
Time:	30-45 minutes
Topic:	"Yankee Doodle Christmas"
Synopsis:	A review of what happened during December during the eight and one half years of the Revolutionary War and the Christmas traditions and customs of the day.
Time:	30-45 minutes

Name:	David W. Jones
Chapter:	Robert Rankin #62
City:	Houston, TX
Contact Info:	email: sfga5@hotmail.com phone: 281-859-4732 mailing address: 15726 Boulder Oaks; Houston, TX 77084
Availability:	During the weekdays days or evenings.
Advance Notice Required:	1 week
Distance willing to travel:	25-30 miles one way
Fee required:	none
Topic:	"Vietnam - first tour"
Synopsis:	The first tour involves a tour in 1966 as a Infantry Platoon Leader in the Mekong Delta.
Time:	25-30 minutes.
Topic:	"Vietnam - second tour"
Synopsis:	The second tour is in 1969 with the 5th Special Forces as a A- Team Commander in the Mekong Delta.
Time:	25-30 minutes.

Name:	Ned LaRowe
Chapter:	Plano #37
City:	Plano, TX
Contact Info:	email: sfga5@hotmail.com phone: 972-491-5494 mailing address: 2213 Chula Vista, Plano, TX 75023
Availability:	Most any day or early evening, though I would prefer not to do a Sunday.
Advance Notice Required:	1 week
Distance willing to travel:	1 hour (each way)
Fee required:	No fee is required. However, an honorarium is not unappreciated.
Topic:	"Religion’s Influence on the American Revolution"
Synopsis:	The first part of the program briefly reviews the roll and development of religion in the colonies. There are verses read from the King James Bible and quotes from early Christian preachers and historical figures. While it does not advocate the Christian religion, it does draw from its history and theology. The second part of the program connects the dots and explains the conclusion (my opinion).
Time:	Approximately 30-45 minutes (variable).
Topic:	"The Invasion of Britain – April 22, 1778"
Synopsis:	Describes an actual land assult on the shores of Great Britain and some of the “humorous” results. The event is also one in which another side of the character of John Paul Jones is brought out.
Time:	25-30 minutes.
Topic:	"The Birth of the Continental Navy"
Synopsis:	Chronicles some of the events leading up to the formation of the Continental Navy during the Revolutionary War. These events are parallel to the likes of the Boston Massacre or the battles at Lexington and Concord, but draw on other circumstances. The program describes some of the ships, some of their successes and failures and the overall contribution to the war effort and the traditions of today’s modern Navy.
Time:	30-40 minutes.
Topic:	"Yorktown – Victory at Sea"
Synopsis:	The story is essentially the involvement of Francois Joseph Paul de Grasse and the French ships under his command and their part in the battle of Yorktown. The program also suggests that, even though the British loss at Yorktown was a devastated blow, it was the later actions of this French Admiral that caused the capitulation of the British Government and the end to the war.
Time:	30-40 minutes.
Topic:	"Mission Impossible: The Kidnapping Attempt of Benedict Arnold"
Synopsis:	We know from history that Benedict Arnold was never kidnapped after his defection, but there was an attempt. And it seemed to be a perfect episode for the TV program, Mission Impossible, except for the ending. What the story is actually about is an event that demonstrates the courage and determination of those who would dream of freedom and independence, and willing to sacrifice, even their life and dignity, for that magnificent cause.
Time:	30 minutes.

Name:	Judge Tom Lawrence
Chapter:	Paul Carrington # 5
City:	Houston, TX
Contact Info:	email: tlawrence01@sbcglobal.net
Availability:	Night and weekends but can be available for a luncheon upon more notice.
Advance Notice Required:	None in particular but the more lead time the better.
Distance willing to travel:	Greater Houston area
Fee required:	None but if the organization gives an honorarium I prefer that it go to the Tom & Betty Lawrence American History Teacher Award through NSSAR.
Topic:	"Boston Tea Party"
Time:	about 30 minutes
Topic:	"Women in the Revolutionary War"
Time:	about 30 minutes
Topic:	"Lessons Learned from the American Revolution"
Time:	about 30 minutes
Topic:	"Presidential Scandals"
Time:	about 30 minutes
Topic:	"Election of 1800"
Time:	about 30 minutes
Topic:	"Real Story of the Declaration of Independence"
Time:	about 30 minutes
Topic:	"Real Story of the Bill of Rights"
Time:	about 30 minutes
Topic:	"With A Little Help From Our Friends"
Time:	about 30 minutes
Topic:	"Religion and the Founding Fathers"
Time:	about 30 minutes

Name:	Dr. Jennings Neal Naranjo
Chapter:	Nathan Gann #28
City:	Lufkin, TX
Contact Info:	email: asdf.neal@gmail.com
Availability:	Weekdays, evenings
Advance Notice Required:	30 days
Distance willing to travel:	100 miles - 1.5 hours
Fee required:	gas
Topic:	"Explaining Authentic Revolutionary War Artifacts Collected Over 30 Years"
Synopsis:	I have a collection of Revolutionary War artifacts and I display the items and explain how I obtained the item and how and where it was used.
Time:	30 minutes plus questions

Name:	Drake Peddie
Chapter:	Plano #37
City:	Richardson, TX
Contact Info:	email: dmpeddie@aol.com
Availability:	Flexible on time, but prefer evenings or weekends
Advance Notice Required:
Distance willing to travel:	within 100 miles of Plano
Fee required:	No charge - but buy my dinner or lunch
Topic:	"Privateers: Pirates or Patriots?"
Synopsis:	Infamous Privateer Jonathan Haraden in full uniform from Salem speaks about the history of privateering before and during the American Revolution and how it benefited the American cause. He then tells several enlightening stories about some of his personal adventures on the high seas during the Revolutionary War.
Time:	30-35 minutes
Topic:	"Rattlesnakes & Pine Trees: Early American Flags"
Synopsis:	There were actually many flags BEFORE Congress passed the Flag Act and the Betsy Ross Flag appeared. When the war first began, there were 13 separate colonies and this new entity had no flag - What would they do? Will discuss details about a dozen of the first flags BEFORE Betsy Ross, how they came to be and have the flags there for viewing also.
Time:	30-35 minutes
Topic:	"The Rise and Fall of the Newburgh Conspiracy"
Synopsis:	As the war was wrapping up, there were many officers and soldiers who were owed large sums of money by the Continental Congress. Was a mutiny possible? Some saw this as an opening to make Washington look bad and seize control. With all the politics going on, it was George Washington who solved the problem and solidified his position.
Time:	30-35 minutes

Name:	Ed Raines
Chapter:	Robert Rankin #62
City:	Katy, TX
Contact Info:	email: eraines@hiscomsvc.com phone: 281-693-7203 home phone: 254-642-3271 farm phone: 832-327-4307 Houston Number at farm
Availability:	almost anytime except for November
Advance Notice Required:	Minimal notice applies, but I like to have a week or so
Distance willing to travel:	I will travel almost anywhere, but like to stay within about 100 miles or so of Houston.
Fee required:	none
Topic:	"History of The U.S. In Flags"
Synopsis:	The development of our country via the various historical flags used at the time.
Time:	1 hour
Topic:	"The Origin and History of the Minutemen"
Time:	45 minutes

Name:	Dr. Joe Allen Rice
Chapter:	Alexander Hodge #49
City:	Manvel, TX
Contact Info:	email: proceduredoc@gmail.com phone: 281-489-0771 mailing address: PO Box 525; Manvel, TX 77578
Availability:	Any time
Advance Notice Required:	At least a week
Distance willing to travel:	200 miles
Fee required:	none
Topic:	"The First Day of the American Revolution"
Synopsis:	Cinematic fabrication, poetic license and dismal writing by historians add up to muddled and hazy knowledge of the Revolution. This talk clears the underbrush from that first day --- dawn to dark.
Time:	30 minutes
Topic:	"Little Known Facts About the American Revolution"
Synopsis:	Since the Revolution, historians have gone from interest in Founding Fathers to Manifest Destiny, back to the FF's and, lately, to emphasis on the common people and little-known episodes. That's what these are. Some are quite funny, others tragic.
Time:	30 minutes
Topic:	"First Feminist, Second President"
Synopsis:	A one-act play based on the letters of John and Abigail Adams.
Time:	20 minutes...longer if people ask questions.

Name:	Winston J. Scott
Chapter:	Hill Country #31
City:	Kerrville, TX
Contact Info:	email: scotts@ktc.com phone: 830-792-4842
Availability:	Evenings or weekends
Advance Notice Required:	1 week
Distance willing to travel:	200 miles each way
Fee required:	none
Topic:	"Printing as it Came to America"
Synopsis:	Control of the press and the mechanics of bringing the equipment and setting it up.
Time:	15 minutes
Topic:	"Marine Blue Alpha uniform"
Time:	15 minutes

Name:	Larry and Barbara Stevens
Chapter:	PineyWoods #51
City:	Kingwood, TX
Contact Info:	email: Wardtracker@aol.com phone: mailing address:
Availability:	Weekdays and evenings
Advance Notice Required:	30 days
Distance willing to travel:	Houston area; will consider farther depending on event
Fee required:	none
Topic:	"American Frontier Life"
Synopsis:	Larry and Barbara dress in period clothing and talk about articles of clothing, tools, cooking, foods, and weapons (when allowed) used during the frontier period. The program is done topically so you can select what you what to discuss by item or items.
Time:	30 minutes to 60 minutes depending on the time available and the audience

Name:	Dr. Howard L. Taylor
Chapter:	Plano #37
City:	Richardson, TX
Contact Info:	email: TaylorHowardL@cs.com phone: 972-235-3889 mailing address: 2005 Custer Pkwy; Richardson, Texas 75080
Availability:	Fridays, Saturdays; Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays are variable - please check
Advance Notice Required:	1 week
Distance willing to travel:	2 hours each way
Fee required:
Topic:	"Barbecue in Colonial and Early America"
Synopsis:	A Power Point presentation of the early history of barbecue in the colonies and its use for recruiting solders for the Revolutionary war. The account stops with barbecues during the election of A. Lincoln.
Time:	35 minutes
Topic:	"Printing from Gutenberg to Ben Franklin"
Synopsis:	A Power Point presentation of the development of printing with emphasis on the Gutenberg press, which was still in use when Ben Franklin started printing. The importance of printing of the Declaration of Independence and other documents supporting the Revolutionary War is discussed.
Time:	35 minutes
Topic:	"History of the Texas Central Corridor"
Synopsis:	The Geography and Geology of Texas are discussed as they relate to the settlement of Texas. The importance of the Central Corridor for the cattle drives, the railroads and the founding of cities is discussed.
Time:	35 minutes

Name:	Hank Voegtle
Chapter:	Dallas
City:	Dallas, TX
Contact Info:	email: hankvoegtle@earthlink.net phone: 214-769-5040 mailing address: 9431 Loma Vista Dr.; Dallas, TX 75243
Availability:	Weekday evenings, weekends. Some weekdays possible.
Advance Notice Required:	3-4 weeks
Distance willing to travel:	Less than 3 hours each way
Fee required:	Lodging if overnight stay is required.
Topic:	"Florida in the American Revolution"
Synopsis:	An overview of the personalities in the 14th colonies as well as the battles fought there.
Time:	30 minutes
Topic:	"The Preamble to the Constitution"
Synopsis:	An overview of the preamble to the constitution.
Time:	15-20 minutes