Trying to confirm the correct date of the previous Monument post

on April 7, 2026

 The TXSSAR post received today and a previous post does not agree.  

The Day is the same on both but the month is very different.  

Suspect December has to be incorrect and the original in April is.  But, I will confirm and update the post I made earlier today.

News from TXSSAR on Dedication of the Texas SAR 250 Monument at Texas State Cemetery in Austin at 10:00 AM on Saturday, December 18th

 Received this from TXSSAR.  The date was moved from the previously mentioned April 2026 to now on December 18th 2026.

Compatriots,

We are looking forward to seeing you at the 2026 State Convention and at the dedication of the Texas SAR 250 Monument at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin.  Dignitaries from the National Society and many other lineage societies will be in attendance, making this quite the memorable event. 
 
In honor of the dedication and the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence we have produced a one-of-a-kind challenge coin.  The challenge coin will be available for a donation of $25.00 and can be obtained at the convention registration table.  The photo below doesn’t do the actual coin justice!  It is simply beautiful! 

There is very limited parking at the Cemetery.  Therefore, we have arranged for free parking at the lot adjacent to the Austin Southpark Hotel in Austin.  Shuttles from Sherpa Lux will begin their routes to and from the cemetery at 9:00 AM and will continue afterwards until all guests have been picked up.
 
The Texas State Cemetery is located approximately a mile east of the Texas Capitol in central Austin, between 7th and 11th Streets and four blocks east of Interstate 35.  The Visitors Center is just inside the Cemetery’s main entrance on Navasota Street. 
 
Very limited parking is available in the lot adjacent to the administration building on Navasota Street or in metered spaces along the street.  Driving through the Cemetery on State Highway 165 is permitted, though due to its narrowness visitors are asked not to park along the road.  Exceptions to that rule include parking in the widened area leading out to Comal Street on the east, and in the cul-de-sac at the south end of the property.  There is very limited handicap parking available
 
The dedication program will begin promptly at 10:00 AM on Saturday, December 18th and should wrap up around 11:30 AM.  We encourage attendees to arrive early and be seated or in the place they prefer to watch the ceremony by 9:50 AM.  
 
There will be some shaded seating available and we will have bottled water for attendees.  We do however encourage attendees to bring along their own water…just in case.  It will likely be warm.  You may want to bring a hat or an umbrella to avoid too much sun.
 
The dedication promises to be a wonderful and memorable event.  We’ve been planning this for well over a year and we look forward to seeing you there!
 
Mel Oller
President, Texas SAR
pres@texassar.org
 
Remote Parking and Shuttle Access:
 
1) Austin Southpark Hotel
     4140 Governors Row
     Austin, Tx 78744
 
2) Overflow Parking Lot
     1834 Directors Blvd
     Austin, TX. 78744
 
The satellite image shows both the hotel location and the overflow parking lot.

For a limited time the National application fee for New Applications will be reduced to $76 in honor of the year 1776.

on March 24, 2026

 Announcement from the Registrar General

National Society Sons of the American Revolution

In celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence, the National Society Sons of the American Revolution will offer a special reduced registration fee for New Member and Jr. Member applications during the month of July 2026.

For applications postmarked between July 1 and July 31, 2026, the National application fee for New Applications will be $76 in honor of the year 1776.

This special fee applies only to New Member and Jr. Member (New Lineage) Applications submitted during the July 2026 window.

Please note the following exclusions:
•        The special fee does not apply to Family Plan Applications
•        The special fee does not apply to Memorial Applications
•        The special fee does not apply to Supplemental Applications

To qualify for the reduced fee, New Applications must be postmarked between July 1 and July 31, 2026.  The revised fee schedule is attached.

We hope this commemorative initiative will encourage prospective members to join the SAR as we mark the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding and honor the patriot ancestors who secured American independence.

Additional details and reminders will be distributed as we approach July 2026.

Respectfully,

Keith A Weissinger, MD
Registrar General
National Society Sons of the American Revolution

Forwarded by
Mel Oller
Texas SAR President
pres@texassar.org

Business Meeting, tomorrow at 1pm. Meeting a Spring Creek BBQ.

on February 23, 2026

 Our Bi-monthly Business Meeting will be tomorrow.  All members are welcomed.

Sources of Military Uniforms and Equipment

on February 22, 2026

 

Clothing

American Heritage Clothing

American Duchess

Avalon Forge

C & D Jarnagin

F & T Fur Trading Post (Fur Hats)

G. Gedney Godwin

James Townsend

The Quartermaster General

Smoke & Fire Company

Smiling Fox Forge

Muskets, etc.

Buffalo Arms

Cash Manufacturing Co., Inc.

Cherry's Fine Guns

Cooperstown

Cabin Creek Muzzleloading

Trading Post

Crazy Crow Trading Post

Dixie Gunworks

Jedediah Starr Trading

Middlesex Village Trading

The Possible Shop

Track of the Wolf

Veteran Arms

Sewing supplies, etc.

Burnley & Trowbridge

Carolina Calicoes

Wm. Booth Draper

Village Green Clothier

The Recollections of J. P. Ryan

Roy and Debra Najecki's

Trim Fabric

Miscellaneous

American Revolution Org

Wooded Hamlet

1st Virginia, Quartermaster

Taylor Rose

Weeping Heart

Ft. Downing Trading

Details on State Convention on April 15-19, 2006

on February 21, 2026

 Members,

The State Convention will be held in Austin on April 15-19th.  

Event Registration can be done on the texassar.org Website.


Room Reservations need to be done now!  

Call Austin Southpark Hotel at 512-448-222.  Identify yourself as part of the Texas SAR group.

Or CTRL + CLICK the following booking Link: https://group.hilton.com/3u6rt1.

The default date range on the booking Link is April 12th-21st.  You must change the dates to your desired booking dates and CLICK "UPDATE" for the System to accept your desired date!

Hotel Rate is $149.00 USD/Night plus tax.  Rates are offered 3 days pre/post Event.

Cut-off Date for booking is Wednesday, April 1, 2026.  Cancellation must be done 24 hrs before date of arrival to avoid charges.

If you have any issues booking a room, contact Dennis Brunson @ 979-324-8552 or email dpbrunson@gmail.com.

If you need additional help or assistance, please feel free to contact:

Mark Ellison    marmellison1@gmail.com

Shildon Hawley    shildon@gmail.com

Joseph Burton    joseph.Burton@jll.com


Austin SouthPark Hotel

4140 Governors Row, Austin Texas 78744

P: 512-448-2222

Welcome to New Members of the Chapter

on February 4, 2026

 John McMahan transferred in from the Raleigh Chapter in North Carolina.  He lives in Sugar Land.  
    4 approved Patriots.  One served as a Corporal in CT, one was a Pvt and spy in PA, one was a Pvt serving in VA, and one performed Patriotic Service in N.C.


Michael Edward Bishop.  He lives in Rosharon.
Patriot - Mitchell Clay, served in the Montgomery Co., VA Militia.  Fought at the Battle of Mount Pleasant.

Gerald Wade Bishop.  He lives in Lebanon, TN.
Patriot - Mitchell Clay


Douglas A. Thorpe.  He lives in Richmond.
Patriot-Nathan Lewis (currently unindexed and details not available)

Newsletter Contest submissions

on December 3, 2025

 Greetings all,

I have submitted the July Newsletter to the TXSSAR Ross Shipman Newsletter Contest.

I submitted the September Newsletter to the National Contest.  That is a first-time submission there.



I also submitted the following to the National Newsletter article about our November meeting.  It did have 5 pictures that accompanied the article.

Twenty Alexander Hodge members and guests gathered at Spring Creek BBQ in Missouri City for their Monthly Meeting on November 25, 2025 for an event filled night.

Speaker, Rick Lawerence portrayed a Revolutionary War doctor and discussed medical treatment during the War.  As he spoke, he drew from a collection of early tools of a doctor.

The Chapter President, Carl V Hill presented a number of recognitions and Awards during the meeting.

The Membership Certificate for the 2yr old grandson of member, Tim Birtcher was presented to Tim.

The Speaker, Rick Lawerence, received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Chapter. 

Mrs. Sandy Barber received the Martha Washington Certificate and Medal for her continuing help to the Chapter. 

 A Silver Service Certificate and Medal was presented to Chapter members who volunteered to work the Fall BOM on October 17-19, 2025.  Members receiving the Medal were Steve Barber, James Penny, Robert Rhodes, John Thompson, Kevin Buford, Ron Brown, Don Burns, Lovell Aldrich, Eron Tynes, and Carl Hill.

Paul Carrington Chapter members who volunteered were Curt Brown, Allen Henshaw, David Peevy, and Paul Bell.


Great Meeting and presentation on Tuesday the 25th's Meeting

 We heard from Rick Lawerance as he was in character as a medical doctor to American soldiers during the Revolution.



The Chapter presented Sandy Barber with the Martha Washington Certificate and Medal.  



Members who worked the BOM also received the Silver Service Certificate and Medal. 

Those who registered to work the BOM online received the Award.  Carl is still working to obtain the Award for several of the members who worked but didn't sign-up earlier.  Members who worked were Ron Brown, Steve Barber, Jim Penny, Robert Randall, Don Burns, Lovell Aldrich.



Carl, presented the Membership Certificate to Tim Birtcher for his 2yr old grandson.



Members attending the November 25th Meeting.


(seated Left to Right): Nate Lewis, Ron Brown, Carl Hill, Tim Birtcher, Don Rollins, Thomas Cool.

(standing Left to Right): Rick Giuffere, Robert Rhodes, Don Burns, Phil Whitley, Steve Barber, Jim Penny, Micheal Bishop, Dennis Giuffere, Rick Lawerence (speaker).

(standing Back Row, Left to Right): Josh Evans and Kevin Buford.

NSSAR 250th Recognition Program for promoting the 250th Anniversary to the public.

on November 30, 2025

 

Revolution Recognition Program

National Society Sons of the American Revolution

 

The recognition program is designed to encourage and recognize those compatriots, chapters and societies that participate in local, state, national and international events which publicly educate, and recognize, honor, and celebrate the events and heroes of the period surrounding the American Revolution. Participation involves the planning and execution of these events, as well as attendance. The medal covers any event celebrating and promoting the 250th Anniversary. This therefore will cover any public events celebrating and promoting the 250th Anniversary in the period from 2014 to 2033. Forms may be submitted for multiple years Scorekeeping is the responsibility of each compatriot and awarding authority. The awarding authority for each medal is as follows. The Bronze Medal is authorized and recorded by the local chapter. The Silver Medal is Authorized and recorded by the state society. The Gold Medal only is authorized and recorded by the NSSAR 250th Anniversary Committee. Only Gold Medal applications should be submitted to the NSSAR 250th Anniversary Committee using the email address below:

 PLEASE SUBMIT TO: 250AnniversaryRecognition@sar.org.

 

Upon approval of the Gold Medal an email will be sent to the individual authorizing them to purchase the 250th Anniversary Gold Medal from merchandising.

 

Ø  Awards are based on activity and the awarding of points for each type of activity:

a.   Directing, chairing or co-chairing an event or sub-committee for the duration of the event. (20 points)

b.   Participation in the planning, financing, promotion or conduct of an event other than directing, chairing, or co- chairing an event. Those that do direct, chair or co-chair and event and also serve as a regular member of a committee or sub-committee in a non-leadership role, may also earn points. (10 points)

c.   Attending an Event (3 points)

d.   Attending an event in Colonial Attire (5 points)

Points are cumulative. The maximum points that can be awarded for any one event is 28 points.

 

Ø  SAR Members may be awarded the Medals for achieving the following levels:

a.   Bronze Medal: 25 promotion points as certified by his chapter, state.

b.   Silver Medal: 60 promotion points as certified by his state society.

c.   Gold Medal: 150 promotion points as certified by the NSSAR 250th Anniversary Committee.

 

Ø  Non-SAR members may also be awarded these medals:

a.   The chapter may present bronze awards to its Partners in Patriotism, and may recommend its Partners to the state or national society for higher recognition.

b.   The state and district may present silver awards to its Partners in Patriotism, and may recommend its Partners to the national society for higher recognition.

c.   The national society may present gold awards to its Partners in Patriotism.

 

Ø  Streamer.  Streamers are available for chapters, state societies and districts to present to Partners in Patriotism for attendance or participation in a 250th Anniversary Event. i.e. Scouting Units, DAR Chapters, etc.  They are available for purchase from merchandising at a cost of $5.00 each.


PART 1: Submission Information

Please complete this form with as much information as possible. If for a SAR member it is important that the name, national number, chapter, and state society be completed. If the form is being submitted on behalf of someone else, please make sure the contact information of the submitter and the candidate are entered. This form may be used by chapter and state societies to keep track of the awards authorized. Please show the total points on the first page. Only Gold Medal submissions should be submitted using the link above. Subsequent pages may be added to accurately list the events if needed.

 

 

Name of Candidate:

 

National Number:

 

E-mail:

 

Phone:

 

Type Submission:

 

Chapter:

 

Name of Submitter:

State Society:

 

Date Submitted:

 

Organization Size:

 

 

Event

Position

Possible Points

Committee/ Sub-Committee

Date of Service

Points Earned

 

Chairman

20

 

 

 

 

Planning/Non- Leadership

10

 

 

 

 

Attend Event

3

 

 

 

 

Attend in Colonial Attire

5