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/462055
Compatriot Judge Don Bush asked members of the TXSSAR Color Guard from the Ambassador Fletcher Warren, Dallas, Denton, East Fork/Trinity, McKinney, and Plano chapters to conduct the opening at a naturalization ceremony in Irving, Texas, on Sept. 19, 2014. Pictured above, from left, are Compatriots Bill Neisel, Jim Johnson, Alan Johnson, John Greer, Dan Reed, Howard Roach, C.B. Luce, Judge Don Bush, Tom Whitelock, Bill Watts, Don Babbs, Don Sielert, Chuck Sprague and Jack Hughes. Athens Chapter The Athens Chapter observed Constitution Week at its September 2014 dinner meeting. Lloyd deWitt Bockstruck, retired supervisor of the Dallas Public Library's genealogy department, presented an in-depth biography of the life of Andrew Jackson. This marked the 18th consecutive year that Bockstruck has presented the Constitution Week program. In addition to being a renowned genealogist, Bockstruck is a nationally recognized author, historian and speaker, having lectured in dozens of states and several countries. His SAR membership includes the Dallas Chapter as well as honorary membership in the Athens Chapter. A highlight of the meeting was the induction of a new member, retired U.S. Marine William E. Sekel Jr. Bernardo de Galvez Chapter The Bernardo de Galvez Chapter is raising money for a statue of Bernardo de Galvez to be sculpted and displayed in Galveston's Menard Park at the corner of 27th Street and Seawall Boulevard. The chapter is asking for help to fund the construction of this statue and its pedestal. All donors will be recognized in perpetuity on the statue and bricks at the site. Through these donations, the city's namesake, Bernardo de Galvez, will be memorialized for helping to save the American Revolution by supplying George Washington's army and defeating the British in battles along the Mississippi River and in the Gulf of Mexico. Aside from an entire city, there also is a street and a hotel named for this Patriot, but we have been lacking an appropriate tribute. On Dec. 1, 2014, the U.S. Senate and House passed the bill to make Bernardo de Galvez an Honorary Citizen. All that is left is for President Barack Obama to sign it into law. This will make Bernardo de Galvez the seventh Honorary Citizen of the United States (see article beginning on page 16). In addition, the beautiful portrait of Galvez was unveiled on Dec. 9 in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee meeting room. You can be a part of making the Galvez statue a reality with a contribution. There are several levels of giving, many of which will engrave your name, or one of your choosing, into history. Here is something that will allow you to make a difference. We are especially looking for corporate sponsors for this project. Every dollar is appreciated. Donations can be made through the project's website at galvezstatue.org or by mail to P.O. Box 1, Galveston, TX 77553, or by calling Bill Adriance at (409) 939- 0205. UTAH SOCIETY More than 1,200 Scouts Attend Liberty Trek To bring an understanding to Utah's youth of what liberty is and why liberty matters, the Utah Society formed a partnership with the Constitution Day Committee of Utah and the Trapper Trails Council BSA to provide a weekend program for Boy Scouts. More than 1,200 Scouts and their leaders attended an original program called Liberty Trek with 27 actors and actresses portraying prominent Founding Fathers and Patriots. Scouts attended an exciting educational weekend to participate in this engaging, inspiring program, with themes of George Washington's mottos, "For God and My Country" and "Deeds Not Words." In 2014, the Utah Society endeavored to take to heart admonitions of the Founding Fathers: "The best means of forming a manly, virtuous, and happy people will be found in the right education of youth. Without this foundation every other means, in my opinion, must fail … And what duty more pressing than communicating it to those who are to be the future guardians of the liberties of the country?" —George Washington; "Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people." "Children should be educated and instructed in the principles of freedom." —John Adams. And from James Q. Wilson: "Law and liberty cannot rationally become the objects of our love, unless they first become the objects of our knowledge." Supporting Utah Patriot Camps in the summer, fielding a color guard in parades and civic programs, honoring youth who attained their Eagle Scout rank, providing presentations to schools and community Constitution study groups, and sponsoring a BSA Venturing Crew, the dedicated compatriots of the Utah Society unite with their NSSAR brothers in "proclaiming liberty throughout all the land, unto all the inhabitants thereof." For more information about this remarkable program, please visit our website: UtahSocietySAR.org/Scouting/ LibertyTrek . Click on the presentation. 36 SAR MAGAZINE