September 10, 2005

Minutes of the Meeting of the Dallas Chapter

TEXAS SOCIETY SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

The meeting was called to order at 8:00 a.m. in the Mesquite Room at the Embassy Suites, (13131 North Central Expressway, Dallas, Texas) by Chapter President, Tom Whitelock.

Chaplain Frank Pounders reported no Compatriot on sick call but we remembered Allen Christian’s mother and the Chaplain then proceeded to give the Invocation for the day. President Whitelock announced that he had presented the SAR flag award to The Hilton International Reservations Office in Carrollton.

Pledges of Allegiance to the United States Flag, the Texas Flag and salute to the SAR Flag were respectively led by Compatriots Bob Spence, Mike Radcliff, and Charles Windham. Immediate Past Chapter President Judge Tracy Pounders led us in the singing of "America". Second Vice President Charles Baker was then asked to direct the membership to the breakfast line to which he proceeded to do. During breakfast, there was a musical interlude.

After reconvening the business meeting at 8:30 am, while the Compatriots finished their breakfast, the President recognized a total of seven guests, including prospective members and Lanny Shaw, the President of the Mesquite Chapter. FCP and Jokemeister Art Ingalls then enlivened everyone with the jokes for the day.

By motion from Judge Pounders and a second from John Morton, the reading of Minutes of the previous meeting (as posted on the website) was waived and approved by voice vote. It was announced that Mel McCoy asked to be relieved of his duties as Registrar. James Templin agreed to serve as the “point man” in processing the Registrar’s work for the rest of the year.

Chapter President Whitelock made announcements about our information table September 30 to October 23 at the Jane Douglas Chapter Continental DAR House located on the grounds of the State Fair. Schedules for volunteers with dates were available on the breakfast tables. The three other District 6 chapters plan to participate at the SAR information table in handing out packets being prepared for prospective members. State Fair Chairman FCP Cliff Slagle announced that we had only agreed to keep our table open until 4:00 p.m., although the Jane Douglas Chapter Continental DAR House will be open until 6:00 p.m. It will open in the mornings at 10:00 a.m.

President Whitelock announced that the Dallas Area Regents Council was inviting us to their Constitution Brunch on September 17, 2005.

Treasurer Allen Christian being unavoidably absent, Cliff Slagle reported that 27 members were in attendance and that the checking account was at $1,024.66. The Minuteman Fund had a balance of $7,918.06 and the Richie Fund totaled $26,877.26. By Judge Pounder's motion from the floor and Compatriot Bob Coker’s second, a voice vote approved the financial report.

Veterans Affairs Co-Chairman James Fairbairn, then asked that all remember to bring such items as magazines/books/clothing donations to the Veterans Hospital patients to each meeting and to make him aware of any items which were brought to this meeting.

The President then recognized Ralph McDowell who described the good work of compatriot Ted Hasbrouck who is residing in the Bonham veteran’s home. Ted’s daughter, Pat Martin, has been keeping Ralph posted on Ted’s volunteer work in doing illustrations for the Alzheimer’s patients at the Veteran’s home in Bonham. Ted was an illustrator for Walt Disney and was in the Merchant Marines during WWII. C.A.R.liaison Judge Pounders had nothing to report today on the C.A.R. We then sang Happy Birthday to the twenty-seven members with September birthdays, particularly to PCP Graham Martin, Gerald Tyler, and Charles Windham who were in attendance.

Second VP Baker announced that SAR 20 and 25 Years of Active Service pins will be available for sale at the next meeting. Past TXSSAR President Dick Arnold announced that Secretary General Nathan White has assigned him the task of mustering 100 Texas members in Revolutionary War uniforms for the 2006 Congress. Dick and Mike Radcliff are currently trying to obtain patterns for lightweight, inexpensive Revolutionary War uniforms with the general characteristics as proscribed by Gen. George Washington. Past TXSSAR President Arnold then described naturalization ceremonies in which he had participated in his Revolutionary War uniform.

PCP McDowell then gave an Americanism program on the subject of “the inventing of the United States.”

President Whitelock then announced that a survey of the membership by mail will soon be sent to our members.

First Vice President Tom Smith next introduced our substitute speaker, Paul Ferguson, a Pearl Harbor survivor, who spoke about the August 1945 surrender of Japan which ended World War II. After the speech, FCP Ralph McDowell gave out State Fair parking permits. Secretary Clark then announced that the President Emeritus of the Aztec Club will speak at the next SAR chapter meeting. SAR chapter members are also invited to the Aztec Club’s formal dinner that evening at the Embassy Suites. That announcement was followed by a discussion of Hurricane Katrina’s damage to President Jefferson Davis’ Presidential Library in the state of Mississippi and the “D” Day Museum in New Orleans. President Whitelock then mentioned that we were on the eve of the anniversary of September 11 and that our country should be vigilant in order to avert such a tragedy in the future.

After the door prize drawing, members were reminded of the DAR Constitution Brunch and to purchase the CAR pin. The Benediction by our very fit and vigorous (after a triple heart bypass operation two weeks before) Chaplain Pounders was followed by the SAR Closing led by President Whitelock, who adjourned the meeting at 9:53 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Bob Clark

Secretary, Dallas Chapter-TXSSAR