Alexander Hodge Chapter No. 49
Minutes
January 31, 2023
The members of the Alexander Hodge #49, Sons of the
American Revolution, gathered at Spring Creek Barbeque located at 4895 Highway
6, Missouri City, TX. In the private meeting room, Carl Hill called the meeting
to order at 7:00 P.M. with an Invocation given by Phil Whitley followed by
pledges to the United States flag, to the Texas flag and to the SAR flag..
SAR Members Guest : Richard
Zdunkewicz, SAR District 7c Vice President.
Reports:
President Hill proceeded to recognize honored guest, Richard Zdunkewicz, VP of
SAR District 7c, our newest member to Alexander Hodge Chapter No. 49, Rick Giuffre,
and additional guests.
Alexander Hodge Chapter No. 49
President, Carl Hill was presented with a 30-year certificate of appreciation
for 30 years of service to the SAR.
The Treasure report gives a
treasury balance of $10,566.37. $975.00 of this total is for JROTC scholarships
and an additional $700.00 for will be added to the fund that was raised by
District VP Richard Zdunkewicz in January. We want to thank Richard Zdunkewicz
for raising these donations for this chapter and the other five District 7c SAR
Chapters. The Alexander Hodge Chapter is
the depository for all donations and will distribute this money to other five chapters
in the District 7c. Our Chapter will be working with FBISD and LCISD to
distribute this scholarship money to worthy cadets. (Other District 7c Chapters
include “Cradle of Texas #33, Lake Jackson, TX; Paul Revere #19, Beaumont, TX;
Major White #17, Baytown, TX; Paul Carrington #5, Houston, TX; and Bernardo de
Galvez #1, Galveston, TX.)
Tom McCormick, Registrar, reported
four new member applications were in the works, with one application for
Matthew Barber just submitted to National SAR and working on submittals for Don
Burns, John Kovck, Steve Sanders and Allen Bogard, who just submitted his
application today. Tom reported that our Chapter’s newest member, Rick Giuffre application
was submitted to National back in August of 2022 and he was just sworn in
tonight. The National SAR Genealogist General reported that around 200
applications were completed in 2022, however there are over 300 applicants
outstanding. Tom also reported that National is now requiring 40 hours of
training for new Chapter registrars. This, along with State SAR requirements is
causing quite a backlog in applications.
No secretary report was made.
Introductions: Richard
Zdunkewicz, District 7 Vice President was introduced as honorary guest and as
speaker to this meeting and was also attending to conduct the installation of
the 2023 Alexander Hodge Chapter officers. New member, Rick Giuffre, was presented
with his membership certificate into the Alexander Hodge Chapter by President
Hill and Registrar Tom McCormick.
Old and New Business:
Sharon Rollins from the Alexander Hodge DAR group reported on an upcoming event
with an invitation for this SAR chapter to participate. On Thursday March 2,
2023, which is Texas Independence Day, at 4:00 PM, Alexander Hodge DAR Chapter
is planning a gathering to promote public awareness and historical preservation
at the old Hodges Bend Cemetery. This cemetery is located on Old Richmond Road
abutting the northwest boundary of Cullinan Park in Sugar Land, TX. This
cemetery was land granted to Alexander Hodge by the Mexican government. Alexander
Hodge was an American Revolutionary War Patriot who came to Texas as one of
Stephen F. Austin’s “Old Three Hundred settlers”. He is one of only 45 American
Revolutionary War soldiers known to be buried in Texas. This SAR Chapter along
with local government officials, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and other civic
organizations have been invited to participate in this event. The Hodges Bend
Historical Cemetery is located at 17235 Old Richmond Road @ Pheasant Creek
Drive. You can park near the cemetery entrance on Old Richmond Road or in Cullinan
Park and walk through the park to the cemetery. Flyer is attached for
additional information.
The Texas SAR Annual
Conference is scheduled to occur March 30th – April 2, 2023 at the
Marriott City Place in Spring, TX. Members are encouraged to attend. Flyer from
Texas State SAR is attached for additional information.
In February 2023 there are two
planned SAR events. There will be a Revolutionary War Battle setup at Jessie
Jones Park in Humble, Texas on Saturday February 11, 2023. And then at Bayou
Bend, there will be Washington’s Command Tent setup on February 18-19, 2023...
The Alexander Hodge Chapter
year end reports, (3-reports being Americanism, Supplemental and Stark reports)
have been submitted by the Chapters President to State and National SAR. The Chapter
IRS postcard under 501C3 regulation is being completed and will soon be submitted.
.
Installation of 2023 Chapter
Officers: Richard Zdunkewicz conducted swearing in of Carl Hill,
President, Everett Gardner- Vice President, Tom McCormick- Registrar, Don
Rollins- Sgt. of Arms, and Phil Whitley- Chaplain, of 2023 Alexander Hodge
Chapter No. 49 officers.
Speaker: District
VP, Richard Zdunkewicz spoke with a slide presentation of his family history of
immigrating to Texas from Louisiana. The legacy family names of Chauvin,
LeBleu, Camersac and Sallier are associated with this heritage. His family
fought under Bernardo De Galvez command. Also, his family founded the city of Lake
Charles, Louisiana.
Closing Remarks:
President Hill reported the next Alexander Hodge No.49-chapter meeting will be
held _________, 2023 at the Spring Creek Barbeque restaurant on Highway 6 in
Missouri City, TX. Speaker Randall Hankla will provide a presentation of
“Battle of King Mountain”.
Recessional: The SAR recessional was recited by all
present.
Benediction: Closing
benediction was given by Phil Whitley, Chaplain.
Prepared by Steven J. Barber,
Secretary
