February 8, 2003

President Cliff Slagle gaveled the meeting to order at or about 8:00 AM at Luby's Cafeteria (6221 E. Mockingbird Lane, Dallas, Texas). He asked FCP Art Ingalls to give the invocation in the absence of Chaplain Frank Pounders .

The membership recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States Flag, Salute to the Texas Flag & Salute to the SAR Flag followed by the "Call to Breakfast" by Sgt.-at-Arms Richard Fawkes.

At 8:31 AM the regular business meeting resumed with the introduction of the morning's greeters: Richard Fawkes, Rusty Ballard and Art Ingalls. President Slagle invited members to acknowledge their guests (Mark Pacheco, Robbie Keever, Henrietta Slagle, Jeanette Prasifka, Gerald Tyler, Montye Whitelock, Sarah Carney, Robert Reed & Barbara Baker).

The coveted "Martha Washington" Medal and certificates were presented to Henrietta Slagle and Jeanette Prasifka. In addition, a SAR Medal of Appreciation (en-absentia) was awarded to Judy McCoy. All three ladies are members of the Jane Douglas Chapter of DAR and provided promotion of & assistance to our chapter during 2002.

Compatriot Ingalls gave a humorous interlude that met with approval of the attendees and a motion to dispense with the reading of last meeting's minutes was approved by voice vote.

Treasurer Tom Smith reported that 41 members had signed in to attend today's meeting and that our cash and checking account balance was at $1,470.35. The Endowment Funds remain at $35,160.58.

Historian Tom Whitelock reported that we were headed to the TXSSAR State Convention with great expectations for winning a number of Chapter Awards and concluded by appealing to the members to join the Schoolpop/Albertsons Rebate Program in order to derive funds for the Chapter's Youth Recognition/Awards Projects.

The President reminded the members that they have been invited to attend the George Washington Tea program tomorrow at 2pm held at the DAR House at Fair Park and sponsored by the David Chapter of CAR.

Don Hays, Chairman of the Essay Contest, introduced the Chapter Winner, Rebecca Lowenstein.

"Becky" then proceeded to give us our monthly Americanism Presentation by reading her award- winning essay, titled Struggle for a Bill of Rights - The ideas and politics of the Constitution.

Compatriot Hays also proudly announced that he had concluded his research on the Chapter's total membership rolls and presented bound copies to the President & Historian.

DAR liaison, John Warterfield, spoke on the need to expand representation by more members for our Speaker's Bureau.

Dist. 6 VP, Ralph McDowell, acknowledged a special guest, Charles L. "Chuck" Hale of the Blaine C. Willhoite, Sr. Chapter of SAR. Compatriot Hale then presented our Chapter with an actual US Flag (and Certification) that had been flown in a combat mission in Afghanistan. President Slagle in turn presented Chuck a Certificate of Appreciation.

Registrar, Mel McCoy, reported that we were now at 315 Active Members. He noted that one new member had been approved, three supplementals have been accepted by National, ten potential new members are pending and two youth memberships are in the works.

FCP Gary Sisson, who served on the Nominating Committee along with Mark Hansen and Ralph McDowell, presented the selected slate of Chapter Officers for the 2003-2004 term. With no additional nominations from the floor (with the exception of an anonymous inquiry as to whether Cliff wanted to "do it again"), the following Compatriots were voted into office unanimously: Jack Carney/ Pres., Tracy Pounders/1st VP, Henry Voegtle/2nd VP, Tom Whitelock/Sec., Tom Smith/Tres., Mel McCoy/Regr., Rusty Ballard/Hist., and Frank Pounders/Chap. Installation ceremonies will be held during next month's meeting.

1stVP Jack Carney then introduced our guest speaker for the day, B.G. "Jug" Burkett, who discussed his book Stolen Valor: How the Vietnam Generation Was Robbed of its Heroes and History. After his fine and informative presentation, he was presented the traditional speaker's certificate and Liberty Bell replica and mentioned that he would remain long enough at the meeting's close to autograph copies of his book for any who desired one.

There being no further old business nor new business to bring before the membership, the President called on Compatriot Smith to hold the "Door Prize" drawing (won by Rusty Ballard).

FCP Mark Hansen led the attendees in the SAR Closing, and Compatriot Ingalls closed the meeting at 9:57 AM with the Benediction.

Respectfully submitted,

Tom M. Whitelock

*Historian, Dallas Chapter