SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

Dallas Chapter Meeting - Crowne Plaza Suites

December 11, 2004

Dallas Chapter President Tracy Pounders called the meeting to order at 8:01 a.m., with a story about U.S. Army Sergeant Luke Boatright, a 24-year-old soldier who was killed in Iraq last week. He is a patriot just like our forefathers. He will be missed by his wife and three daughters, and all who knew and loved him. He is coming home today.

Chaplain Frank Pounders led a prayer for Luke's family and for Elvin Brown's quick recovery from the flu.

Honors to the American, Texas, and SAR Flag were respectively led by Byron Christian, Allen Christian and Gary Sisson. Tracy led in the singing of "America." Dallas Symphony Orchestra Trumpeter Christopher Still played the "Call to Breakfast," and the meeting was recessed.

At 8:26, President Pounders reconvened the meeting, with Head Greeter Glen Toal introducing greeters. Fifteen guests were introduced.

2^nd VP Tom Smith presented an 18-year veteran of the Dallas Fire Department, Officer Chuck Lee, with the SAR Fire Safety Commendation Award and Medal. Since 1988, Officer Lee has worked in public Fire Safety Education, using puppets, clowns, magic, robots, and videos to train the public. He uses special 35-foot trailers equipped with smoke generators and escape ladders to train children to escape from simulated home fires.

Compatriot Smith presented Dallas Police Officer Gloria Doll with the SAR Law Enforcement Award and Medal. Late in September, while working security in the Inwood National Bank, Officer Doll observed a bank robbery in progress and was responsible for providing information to on-duty officers that resulted in the apprehension of the suspect within two blocks of the bank.

FCP Ralph McDowell presented recordings of the Walter Winchel announcement of the Pearl Harbor Attack to Pearl Harbor Survivors Paul Ferguson and Robert Tanner.

Registrar Mel McCoy swore in new compatriots Michael James Blake, Thomas Garrett Blake, Charles Christian, and Robert Allen Ball. The Dallas Chapter now has 298 members, plus 7 pending.

Compatriot Smith presented Cliff Slagle and Ralph McDowell with SAR Service to Veterans Certificates and Medals in recognition of their untiring efforts on behalf of veterans.

Newsletter Editor Charles Baker announced the special-order availability of full-color newsletters: The 12-issue 2004 75^th Anniversary set for $40, and the August-only issue containing the Souvenir photo album of the 75-th Anniversary Celebration for $8.00 each.

First VP Tom Whitelock introduced Pearl Harbor Survivor Robert Tanner, Sr., who spoke on his recollections of the December 7, 1941 attack, and of other experiences from World War II. On behalf of the Pearl Harbor Survivor's Association Chapter 4, Tanner presented to the Dallas Chapter a book about the Pearl Harbor Attack, containing signatures of current survivors of the Association.

President Pounders read the slate of officers for 2005 that were approved at the November meeting: For President Tom Whitelock, First Vice President Tom Smith, Second Vice President Charles Baker, Secretary Robert Clark, Jr., Treasurer Allen Christian, Historian Alan Pickens, Registrar Mel McCoy, and Chaplain Frank Pounders. On motion by FCP Gary Sisson and seconded by Ralph McDowell, the slate was elected unanimously.

Compatriot Tom Whitelock introduced Dallas Symphony Orchestra Associate Principal Trumpeter Christopher Still who gave a humorous and fascinating presentation, with demonstrations, of military trumpet and bugle calls from colonial times: Reveille, Breakfast (or Mess Call), Guard Mount, Recall (break), Rescue (The Troops Are Coming), Charge, Call to Assembly, Sick Call, To the Colors, and Taps (Lights Out).

Whitelock presented Still with a certificate, Liberty Bell replica, and lemon drops (to help keep his lips puckered).

Cliff Slagle held the door prize drawing.

Following the Benediction Prayer by Chaplain Pounders and SAR Closing, the meeting was adjourned at exactly 10:03 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted,
Dr. H. Charles Baker
Secretary, Dallas Chapter