The SAR MAGAZINE is the official quarterly publication of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution published quarterly.
Issue link: http://sar.epubxp.com/i/132097
the work of the committee was the lifeblood of the organization and there was no mechanism for the national society to provide financial support— he could recall when committee chairmen had to pass the hat among members, or simply pay out of pocket for things relating to committee activities such as mailing, printing, etc. It was from this financial need that the GWEF was born." Those who attempted to "mess" with the fund were soon on the receiving end of numerous, often not too flattering, comments from this smalltown lawyer. "Buck was proud of the SAR and the work it did to help preserve the principles for which our patriot ancestors fought and died," Wallace said. "He was equally proud of his membership in the NSSAR. Few realized he had served as a chapter president, state president and as the southern district VPG." Buck found his niche in fundraising for the GWEF and was excited when someone stepped forward to become a GW fellow. He carried applications in his coat pocket at the Trustee meetings and at Congresses. At a banquet Joyce Meek Gates, Buck's daughter, and VPG John R. Taylor Jr. admiring the Buck Meek and Howard at a Trustees' meeting, it was pointed out to Buck that seven of the eight Horne award streamers won in 2012 by the Mississippi Society. people at the table displayed a GWEF Buck's daughter, Joyce Meek Gates, pin. Buck promptly passed over an MISSISSIPPI SOCIETY application along with a quick explasaid, "Daddy would have enjoyed the luncheon, the ceremony and the pretty nation of the importance of being a supporter of the fund and, before cofladies, and if he were here, would fee could be served, Jim Thweatt of have signed up several more George the TNSSAR had become a GW fellow! Washington Endowment Fund memBy Gerald Brent, President, Buck realized that if the endowbers before the festivities were Mississippi Society SAR ment were to grow, efforts needed to closed." We were honored to dedicate Compatriot Walter Buchanan Meek be made to solicit members who never this marker to a true American patriot Sr. was known simply as "Buck," and came to national events. Through his who did so much for our society. on a cool, sunny and windy day with efforts, successful attempts were made Former GWEF Board Chairman the flags flying as if Buck was encourto have state presidents appoint state John Wallace reflected on the memory aging the breeze, Buck Meek was GWEF chairmen who could in turn of his friend and mentor. "Buck Meek remembered by family and friends. provide information on the fund and was a regular grizzly bear protecting Leading the celebration of Buck's life pin new fellows at the chapter, state her cubs when it came to the GWEF. and contributions to the SAR were and district levels. This decentralizaHe was willing to take on anyone, members of the William Hillhouse tion of the fundraising greatly anywhere, and at any time to protect Chapter of the MSSAR, with honored increased the membership of the the assets of the fund and the goals of guest Compatriot John Wallace from GWEF. assisting unfunded and underfunded the ALSSAR. The group met to dediBuck, along with Paul Duke, initiatNSSAR committees. He realized that cate the NSSAR bronze grave marker ed the GWEF Breakfast at the MSSSAR recently placed on the Meek gravestone. Eleven of the participants were George Washington Fellows. GWEF's "Buck" Meek Remembered From left, Lyn Herron, MSSSAR treasurer/ registrar; VPG John Taylor Jr.; Paul Duke, a member of the Capt. William Hillhouse Chapter and an old friend of Buck Meek's; Bill Lyles, another good friend of Buck's; John Wallace, ALSSAR; Larry Hellums, David Murphree Chapter MSSSAR; Walter Buchanan Meek Jr.; Walter Buchanan Meek III; Charles Garrison, MSSSAR secretary; Arthur Emmett Meek; Gerald P. Brent, MSSSAR president; and a young man wanting to know who that fellow in the funny hat was! 30 SAR MAGAZINE