The SAR Magazine

MAY 2015

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/518694

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 34 of 47

SPRING 2015 35 Athens Chapter At a recent meeting of the Athens Chapter, TXSSAR, President Robert W. Cohen spoke on Spain's role in the Revolutionary War. He also updated the group on the state of the TXSSAR. Cohen inducted the chapter officers for 2015. Elected officers are Clayton Starr, president; and Sam Whitten, secretary/treasurer. Appointed officers are Harry M. Fife Jr., registrar; Charles Luna, chancellor; Bill Sekel, sergeant-at-arms; and Wayne Stafford, chaplain. The office of vice president is currently open. Galvez Chapter Members of the TXSSAR presented a flag ceremony at the funeral of Compatriot John Gulley on Feb. 27 at the First Methodist Church in Houston. Below, from left, TXSSAR President Elect Larry Stevens (Piney Woods Chapter); Gene Shaner, vice president (Bernardo de Galvez Chapter); John Thompson, TXSSAR Color Guard commander (Freedom Chapter); Tom Green, past TXSSAR president (William Hightower Chapter); Russell Dart (Cradle of Texas Chapter); Pete Lenes, past president (Galvez Chapter); Jim Jones, past TXSSAR president (Piney Woods Chapter); and Tom Jackson (Robert Rankin Chapter). Plano Chapter The Plano Chapter presented Plano Police Detective Chris Jones with the Heroism Award at the Plano City Council meeting Dec. 16, 2014. Jones was off duty and on his way to the hospital when he came upon a multiple- vehicle wreck and witnessed a semi hitting a Chevy and pushing it up the hill and off the roadway. When Jones exited his car, he could see that the bottom of the car's engine was on fire. He opened the door and tried to drag the unconscious driver out, but the driver was caught in wreckage. On Jones' third attempt, he was able to pull the driver free and dragged him a safe distance away. A minute later, the car was engulfed in flames. While Jones' wife and a passerby attended to the injured 22-year-old driver, Jones went to the semi, assisted the driver in exiting the truck and helped him to a safe place. UTAH SOCIETY The UTSSAR, in partnership with the Utah DAR and the Constitution Day Committee of Utah, held a celebration Feb. 20 of George Washington's birthday and commemorated the 240th year since the beginning of the Revolutionary War. After a dinner catered by Majestic Grill, the audience was treated to a foot-stomping, hand-clapping performance by the Utah Old Time Fiddlers. The attendees were delighted to hear the sounds of harmonica, fiddle, guitar, bass and other "old-time" instruments, as well as the singing of ballads. A sample of their performance included: "Whoa Ha Buck," "Jerry Boy," "Wreck of the Old 97" and "Orange Blossom Special." Following the fiddlers, the audience stood and welcomed Gen. Washington, portrayed by accomplished actor Gary VanDolzer, who received a standing ovation. VanDolzer, with the exception of shoe size, is nearly identical to Washington in height, weight and size. His uniform is a replica of Washington's uniform on display in the Smithsonian and his clear and distinctive voice caused many to think that the Father of our Country was actually speaking. Among his remarks, VanDolzer as Washington said: "Having liberty requires courage, it requires fortitude and vigilance in remembering and doing. Remember who you areā€”not hyphenated Americans, not members loyal to any political party nor to any man's whims, but to the principles and the ideals that have created and sustained this miracle we call America. Remember, as John Adams said, 'Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.' And Adams' colleague when the Declaration of Independence was signed, Dr. Benjamin Rush, who reminds us, 'The only foundation for ... a republic is to be laid in religion. Without this there can be no virtue, and without virtue there can be no liberty, and liberty is the object and life of all republican governments.' The American people cannot compromise on morality and virtue and expect long to be free, for men will be governed by God or by tyrants; there is no other choice! Remember that Chapter President Clayton Starr presented a certificate of appreciation to TXSSAR President Robert W. Cohen. Gary VanDolzer as George Washington with Compatriot James Downing and his wife, Lynn.

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of The SAR Magazine - MAY 2015