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/374815
The 124th Annual National Congress T he 124th Annual Congress Memorial Service was held Sunday, July 20, at Christ Church Episcopal, which was a four-block walk (or march) from the hotel. Led by Chaplain General the Rt. Rev. Louis V. Carlson Jr., it included an Old Testament reading from President General Larry Magerkurth (2011-12), a psalm read by President General Nathan E. White Jr. (2006-07), a New Testament reading by President General J. David Sympson (2010-11), and the Gospel reading by President General Stephen A. Leishman (2012-13). The Rev. Dr. Randy Moody delivered "A Memorial to Our Fallen Compatriots." "The 616 compatriots we honor today were with us for as few as 44 days, as Compatriot George Edgar Hall of the California Society became a member on Nov. 7, 2013, and died on Dec. 21, 2013; his membership number was 189192. Contrast his number with that of Compatriot William Frederick Hellmuth Jr. of the District of Columbia Society, 60788; he was a member for 26,375 days, joining on March 27, 1941. 128,404 compatriots joined our society between these two compatriots lost in 2013," Moody said. Among those lost in 2013 were four past general officers: Past Chaplain General and Minuteman Rev. W. Ramsey Richardson of the Virginia Society; Past Chaplain General and Minuteman Rev. D. Gene Paterson of the Pennsylvania Society; Past Genealogist General and Minuteman William B. Neal of the Delaware Society; and Past Chancellor General Judge Peter Keltch of the Oklahoma Society. Also honored was Don Moran of the CASSAR, who served as National Color Guard Commander. "These 616 compatriots from 49 state societies represent a multitude of professions honoring their patriot ancestors by serving their communities and lifting up the ideals of patriotism through the way they lived their lives serving God and country," said Moody, who led a ceremony in which all the names were read in unison with each attendee reading a selection of five names. Others highlighted included: Medal of Honor Recipient Sgt. John Druse "Bud" Hawk of the WASSAR received four Purple Heart Medals in World War II. Compatriot Hawk was responsible for the capture of 500 prisoners and saved countless lives of his fellow soldiers due to his heroic actions. His memorial service was appropriately held on Veterans Day in 2013. United States Sen. Harry F. Byrd Jr. of the VASSAR served the nation in the senior legislative body from 1965-82. Compatriot Byrd was a member of the NSSAR for 64 years. Compatriot B. George Lamp Sr. of the WVSSAR was the Color Guardsman of the Year in 2000. Compatriot Lt. Col. William "Billy" T. Cox of the ARSSAR was a Minuteman and faithful participant in Leadership Meetings and Congress. "He never met a compatriot with whom he could not have a conversation—as long as the compatriot was willing to listen more often than speak," quipped Moody. Compatriot Lt. Col. Richard G. Beach of the PASSAR was a participant in a historic event in the South—in 1962 as a member of the 716th Military Police Battalion he escorted James Meredith, a black man, onto the campus of the University of Mississippi, ending segregation and ushering in a new era at the institution. Compatriot Ronald Erwin Newton of the MESSAR was its National Trustee at the time of his death. He remained a member of the DC Society for 32 years even though his primary membership was moved in 1992. Compatriot Lt. Col. Gordon Burns Smith of the GASSAR was the author of numerous reference books on the American Revolution. He also was a recipient of the Robert E. Burt Boy Scout Volunteer Medal. Compatriot Rev. Perkins LeFevre Patton of the NMSSAR was a faithful member of the NSSAR Chaplains Committee and very active with the Boy Scouts. Compatriot Roland Guy Walton Jr. of the FLSSAR probably exemplifies the majority of the compatriots we remember today, said Moody. "He held nearly every office in his local chapter during his 36 years of membership; he served as president of the Caloosa Chapter twice even though he was never elected president. When the chapter nominated me to the office of president, I told them I would only accept if Guy was not my vice president—the last two times he was VP the president died in office. Guy was a quiet, humble pillar of the community, as were most of the 616 compatriots we honor today." SAR Memorial Service Greenville's Christ Church Episcopal 8 SAR MAGAZINE