A State Contest for History Teachers - one of many (go to txxsar.org)

 

Outstanding American History Teacher Contest
Printable copy

Application Due to Chapter by December 31

 

The Dr. Tom & Betty Lawrence Outstanding American History Teacher Award is the result of a national contest in which local SAR Chapters select their candidates for the State Society Contest (in this case, the Texas SAR) for which there is a State Award.  The winner of the State contest is submitted for consideration at the National (NSSAR) level.

Those teachers whose approved curriculum teaches students about the Revolutionary War era from 1750 to 1800 may enter the Dr. Tom & Betty Lawrence American History Teacher Award Contest.  The award is open to all teachers at the Elementary, Middle, or High school levels at a recognized public, private, or parochial institution.

Both application forms and release forms can be obtained from the NSSAR Tom and Betty Lawrence American History Teacher Award page.

 

Texas Society Contest Rules -

General

The NSSAR Tom & Betty Lawrence American History Award rules will apply to the Texas Society Sons of the American Revolution Outstanding American History Teacher.  The Texas Society Outstanding History Teacher will be automatically entered in the NSSAR contest.  The rules are also available on the NSSAR web site www.sar.org under the Education tab.

 

Texas Society Awards

There will only be a first-place winner but there will be 3 contests now; elementary school, middle school, and high school.  We will have a winner in each category.  Each category winner will receive a Certificate and one first place winner will be selected from the three category winners.  The Texas overall winner will have a choice in their award.  They can receive an cash award of $1,500.00 or they can elect to have a week of education experience with all expenses paid by the Texas Society.  It is estimated that this award is worth about $3,500.00.  The winner will receive travel expenses to attend the Texas SAR Convention not to exceed $270.00

Each category winner will be entered in the national contest where National Awards are possible.

 

National Awards

Each state winner will be entered into the National Contest and the National Committee will pick one winner for each category.  Each National category winner will receive a $3,000 scholarship to attend a seminar trip to the Freedom Foundation Graduate Workshop in Valley Forge, PA which includes tuition and expenses.  They will receive a $500 cash prize and a $500 reimbursement for educational supplies and materials related to the American Revolution they can buy for their classes.  Also, in addition to this $4,000 value one teacher will be invited to attend the Sons of the American Revolution Congress with travel expenses up to $1,000 being covered.

 

How to Enter

1. Carefully read the entry rules for the Tom & Betty Lawrence American History Teacher Award.
2. Submit the required forms and letters to a local chapter by December 31.
3. Contact the nearest local SAR chapter by logging on to www.txssar.org or email contest chairman Kermit L. Breed.
4. The local chapter will judge their entries and send the chapter winner information to Kermit L. Breed who will form a committee to judge the state winner.

 

Entry Package

1. Complete the Tom & Betty Lawrence American History Teacher Award entry form.
2. 1000 word essay.
3. Two signed letters of recommendation.
4. One page bio.
5. Release & Discharge form (attached).
6. All materials must be typed/printed on 8½” x 11” paper.
7. All materials will remain the property of the NSSAR.

 

Travel Expenses

The Outstanding American History Teacher Contest winners will be reimbursed according to the Travel and Convention Expense Allowance schedule for travel to the Texas SAR state convention.

Award recipients are responsible for any/all other costs including additional meals.  If there are any questions about reimbursements, please contact the Chairman of your respective contest.

 

Welcome to our newest Member, Matt Barber and more on the way.

 Matt was sworn in tonight's meeting (7/25/23)

Welcome

Follow-up on tonight's, July 29th Meeting

 Compatriots,

Our President, Carl V Hill, outlined a few areas where an interested Member could step into an area of need for our Chapter.  If you have an interest or a skill which could fill one of these, please contact Carl.

1)  Awards & Contests    2) Publicity.    Contact our President, there may be more areas available.

When Carl asked me to consider the Webmaster job, I didnt know anything about it but with a little assistance to get me started.  Now, no problem.

Some of these needs are broad enough that even more than one could possibly fill the role. 

Publicity:  For example, could involve a number of levels.  Maybe a Print person and a Social Media person.   (local papers; local School District paper; Facebook pages; State SAR Newsletter; National Magazine; etc.) 

 Here is the Texas State SAR Policy:

Social Media Policy

and Guidelines Sons of the American Revolution (SAR)

 

Social Media Policy

The Sons of the American Revolution recognizes the role social media plays in modern communication. As such, we respect the right of employees and members to use social networks for self-publishing and self-expression while adhering to our organizational guidelines. We strive to post accurate and relevant content. We respond to feedback with respect and courtesy, and request our friends and fans do the same.

Permission to Share

We encourage our community to share content with us, such as photos and stories of their experiences with SAR. We assume that anyone sharing this user generated content has the right to do so and has permission of the photographed individuals.

Offensive Comments

We welcome constructive feedback, but we reserve the right to remove any comments that are inappropriate due to foul language, offensive toward a single person or group, unsupported accusations, or spam that explicitly promotes a product or service. We reserve the right to ban repeat offenders. We will do our best to respond to comments as quickly as possible.

Posting on Behalf of the Organization

When acting as employees or members associated with SAR, we will always identify ourselves as such in responding to posts, blogs, or other social media. We will strive to engage in civil discourse. We will be responsible for what we write and what we post. Our use of social media sites is governed by our mission, by good judgment, and by common sense. In general, we will tell our stories responsibly and not write or post anything that would reflect poorly on SAR or other members of our community.

Social Media Guidelines

1. Check your sources. We strive to share, post, and re-post accurate information. If you’re not sure, play it                              safe and don’t post.

2. Engaging with and sharing content posted by The Sons of the American Revolution branded accounts is                             encouraged and appreciated.

3. Engaging personally with Sons of the American Revolution stakeholders (donors, volunteers, board                                     members, sponsors, vendors, etc.) is encouraged and appreciated.

4. Representing yourself as a Sons of the American Revolution employee and/or member up to and including             the use of our logos and branding, on your personal profiles is encouraged. Our                                                Marketing/Communications department can provide you with suggested language, images, and                        branding guidelines. Please adhere to them.

5. Consider your audience. Our fans and friends represent diverse experiences, beliefs, and values. Please be                mindful of all audiences when posting. Our content should be appropriate, inclusive, and respectful to             all our community members.

6. Listen to what our fans and friends say, thank them for their input, and respond when possible.

7. Spellcheck. Don’t forget to triple check your work! Invite a colleague to check your work when                                       appropriate. We strive to be thought leaders, so correct spelling and grammar is essential.

8. Be SMART. When engaging on social media, or other forms of communication on behalf of SAR, we will                             be:

Smart

Mindful

Authentic

Respectful and Responsible

Thoughtful

Our goal is to foster a safe environment of respect and learning, both online and in person. If at any point you have questions or feel unsure of the content you wish to post, or comments and feedback posted on our social media pages, we encourage you to speak with your state president. The internet can be complicated––let’s work through this together!

 Personal Responsibility and Liability Communications

Communications made via social media are not exempt from the expectations and obligations set forth in SAR policies or from the laws and regulations that govern personal liability across general and traditional forms of communication. You are responsible for what you post on your own site and on the sites of others and should only post on behalf of SAR in an official capacity where you have been explicitly authorized to do so.

Meeting Reminder for July 25 and Speaker will be Dr Gregg Dimmick

 Compatriots,

We will begin to gather at 6:30pm at Spring Creek BBQ.  Address is 4895 Hwy 6, Missouri City.

We will be updated of status and activities of our Chapter.  We will welcome new member and hear of progress on Applications of several other future members.  Finally, we will hear from Dr Gregg Dimmick on the subject in his book "Sea of Mud".

Be sure to text or call, Lovell Aldrich and let him know you plan on attending.  Phone 281-4514547.

Revolutionary War: Generic frontier uniforms worn by troops from many States

 Watch for the next Newsletter for the profile of another state's troops and the uniforms they wore.

But regardless of the State, your Patriot may have worn the more universal type clothing common to the average man in the Colonies, such as a hunting frock or their normal work clothes.  General Washington even blessed the hunting frock due to its availability and cost of procuring by the average soldier.  Washington goal was to try and get the troops into a "standard" uniform.

See the following for examples:

                  Hunting Frock                                        WVA SAR Color Guard (some in Frocks)

              

                     

     

prepared by Jim Penny

 

Revolutionary War: Theater of War in American Revolution

 The first installment of an on-going effort (at least 13!) to the identify uniforms worn by Patriots was recently delivered in our Newsletter.    Along with some info on how the Colony raised and used its' forces.

Each Colony was part of a bigger picture on American forces during the War.  The map below displays a partial picture of how the forces were managed, although it only shows three of the seven Departments.

The Main Army or the Middle Department was comprised the states of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland.  It was usually referred to simply as the Main Army since George Washington was the commander throughout the War.

___________________________________

The Eastern Department or New England Department was formed around those states that had originally sent troops to support theSiege of Boston, and in that sense it even existed before the Continental Army.  This was essentially the New England department, and included the states of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.  It was abolished in November 1779.

___________________________________

The Northern Department or New York Department was those parts of New York north of New York City.

It was first called the New York Department, but after the Highlands Department was created on November 12, 1776, it was always referred to as the Northern Department.

This department was the only one to remain after the war. The last elements of the Continental Army were kept to guard the western frontier outposts.

__________________________________

The Highland's Department was the smallest in area. It was formed around the defenses on the Hudson River north of New York.  The Americans created fortifications, including West Point with its chain across the river.

After the British occupied New York City the defenses just north of there became critically important. The presence of British naval forces at New York emphasized the importance of the Hudson River, and both sides in the war recognized the importance of controlling that waterway.  Originally included New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware.

The Canadian Department was folded into it following the Withdrawal of Continental forces from Canada in June 1776.

________________________________

The Canadian Department was established on Feb 17,1776 following the invasion of Quebec in Winter of 1775-1776.  It reflected the aspirations of the Congress and some Americans more than an effective theater of operations.  The region was never under the control of the Continental Army.  After the invasion of Canada failed, all troops were withdrawn by July 1776, and the Canadian Department went out of existence and folded into the Highlands Department.

_________________________________

The Southern Department included Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia along with the western frontier south of Virginia.  

This department was the most independent of the commands due to geography and the need for year round operations.  The only Department whose command structure was destroyed twice. The first time was at the surrender of Charleston on May 12, 1780v on May 12, 1780. The second was at the Battle of Camden on August 16, 1780.

Later in the War Maryland and Delaware were transferred into the Department.

________________________________________

The Western Department covered the frontier territories west and northwest of Virginia and Pennsylvania.

It extended from Pittsburgh all the way to the Illinois country and as far north as the southern peninsula of Michigan.

• 
  

Revolutionary War: Excellent Sources for finding type of uniforms worn during Revolutionary War

 As I continue to research the 13 Colonies/States troops for purpose of identifying the uniforms that were worn, I have found a few excellent Sources.

1.  Charles M. Leffert's Uniform of the American, British, French, and German Armies in the War of the American Revolution.  New York: New-York Historical Society, 1926.                                              Note: At scrcalifornia.com>uniforms>uniforms, there is a bio on Leffert and then a Linkable Index that takes you to each painting.  Or if you do a query for Leffert and California SAR, you will eventually see the address on a selection.

2. Don Troiani, Earl J. Coates, and James J. Kochan.  Don Troiant's Soldiers in America, 1754-1865.  Harrisburg, Pa.: Stackpole Books, 1998.

3.  Don Troiani also has an excellent Website (dontroiani.com) and a Facebook page entitled Don Troiani Historical Artist.  Has 98K followers.  It is interesting because he sometimes shows how he uses Period dressed people as models for his art work.

4.  Trial and Error exploring National, State, and Chapter Webpages for their photo albums.  Some are very good on variety of uniforms they use.

5.  Museums, Historical Sites, Battlefield Sites, Famous paintings of events, NPS, or a query on an officers, etc. can all produce photos or pictures of uniforms.

 

Zoom Meeting planned by State SAR for July 29th, here is the info received.

 

Compatriots,

Registration for the Summer Zoom BOM 29 July 2023 is active (click here for direct access): 

All members are welcome to sign up and attend this live event.  The past few years we have all become experts at video calling.  If by chance you need a refresher you can review online training at zoom.com or use this guide to follow some key points with the use of Zoom 

This summer BOM is planned just after we as a society come together in Orlando to celebrate this past year's accomplishments and install a new National cabinet.  Attend this BOM to hear the latest news and hear about important plans.

In addition, our Texas SAR officers and committees have all been busy on different priorities and projects.  We will hear some important developments and the BOM could likely be called on for a special vote.  I am always impressed with the turnout and interactions.  Please watch your emails as some committees have meetings scheduled ahead of this summer Zoom BOM.  For details contact the correct committee chair. 

In addition to this Zoom event we are working on plans for our fall in person BOM event.  Mark you calendars for 20-22 Oct 2023.   See our state events link on the webpage.

Finally, as Tuesday is Independence Day, I expect we will all do a part in helping our communities celebrate and cherish the work our founders did to establish our country.

Hope to see you soon,

Sam Massey
President, Texas SAR
pres@txssar.org 
713-665-4015

BOM "Zoom" Registration Summer 2023

I've read the instructions...take me right to the form!

 

Registration

Using this form, you can register and pay online for the Summer 2023 "Zoom" BOM.  The form is in two parts:  1) Personal Information; and 2) Event Registration and Payment.  In the Personal Information section, your Name, National Number, Phone, and Email address are required fields.  Your registration cannot be completed without this information.

In the Event Registration and Payment section, you will automatically be charged a $10 BOM registration fee for the Zoom meeting.

If you feel like you have made too many errors, click the Reset button at the very bottom of the form to remove all entries and set all amounts to zero.  You can correct a single entry by reentering the data (Personal Information) or re-entering a number in the appropriate box.  When your order is set the way you want it, click the Checkout button to proceed to the PayPal processing page.  If you do not see a PayPal page, your registration cannot be completed and you should let the webmaster know that there is a problem!

Texas SAR online payments are processed via PayPal.  You do not need to be a PayPal member to make credit card payments via PayPal, but PayPal members will have their usual options (as previously set up) as to how payments are made.  You will automatically transfer to a secure PayPal server for credit card processing as soon as you complete the form and click the Checkout button.

When you get to the PayPal page, PayPal members need only enter your email and password to log on to your account to complete payment.  Non-members can click the "Pay with Debit or Credit Card" button to pay.  Additional pages will allow you to enter the appropriate credit card information to complete the transaction. 

You will be able to view the details of your transaction on the initial PayPal page to ensure that all elements were correctly forwarded.  Do this by clicking on the ⌄ symbol beside the total shown at the top of the page.  "Remember that your payment is not made until you click the Pay Now button.

Minutes of Business Meeting on June 25th, 2023

 

Prepared by Steven J. Barber, Secretary

SAR Business Meeting Notes

The Alexander Hodge Chapter #49 Business Meeting was held June 25^th at 1:00 P.M. at the at Spring Creek Barbeque located, at 4895 Highway 6, Missouri City, TX.

Attending Officers: Carl Hill (President &Treasure), Everett Gardner, (Vice President), Steven Barber (Secretary), Don Rollins (Sgt. of Arms), Phil Whitley (Chaplain), and Mike Green (Newsletter).  Note: Jim Penny (Webmaster) was absent due to July Duty.

Carl Hill called the meeting to order and gave the updated treasury report. There is one outstanding scholarship check for $300.00 that yet cleared, but deducting that outstanding check, the Chapter account has a balance of $8,936.35. The chapter has not yet been reimbursed from the State SAR for the 17 Bronze JROTC metals and certificates that were presented.

District 7c VP, Richard Zdunkewicz has announced a goal of collecting $10,000.00 for JROTC scholarships for next year, 2024. Chapter #49 will have $2,000.00 of that scholarship monies to be awarded in 2024. Next year, this Chapter will have one additional high school (Crawford H.S.) JROTC program to provide these scholarships too, in addition to Lamar Consolidated JROTC program and Fort Bend JROTC program. For a JROTC candidate to qualify for these scholarships, they must: 1) Have a 3.0 average on a 4.0 scale (2) Planning on attending College, and (3) Be recommended from their JROTC leader.

Steve Barber gave the secretary’s report on the May 28^th, 2023 Chapter Meeting. Noted that there was a total of 26 attendees at the last meeting with13 Chapter members and 13 guests.  Of the 13 guests, 5 of those guests were new candidates for the Alexander Hodge #49 Chapter that are in the process of submitting their SAR applications. The five identified candidates are Don Burns, Robert Graves, John T. Kovach, Allen Bogard and Kevin Buford. Four of the applications are being submitted this week. with the 5^th application still being prepared for submission.

Carl Hill and Mike Green have downloaded the COX software to complete SAR applications. The applications will be completed by a committee until another Registrar for the Chapter can be identified. It was noted that the application fee for new applicants is $195.00. Annual SAR dues are likely going up in 2024. It has been 10 years since SAR had an increase in annual dues.                                   

The other business reported by the Secretary was on Sharon Aldrich, Social Chairperson, discussing planning a few social events for Chapter members to attend. One is attending a Space Cowboy baseball game and the other a concert or play for later this summer or this fall. Officers were in favor of having a planned Space Cowboy Baseball outing in late July or early August. It was also suggested to look at up-coming events 2-3 months out for planning. There are several events happening in Houston or even in Sugar Land with the Stafford Center or The Smart Financial Center. Looking for suggestions.

The Chapter now owns a total of 8 flags. This includes the US Flag, the Texas Flag, two SAR Flags, the Betsy Ross Flag, the TX SAR flag, the “Don’t Tread on Me” flag and the Gilford Courthouse flag. Covers have been procured for the flags. A Flag certificate has not been awarded in 2023 by this Chapter. A company or school is chosen each year to receive a SAR certificate for flying the Flag of the United States of America. (This certificate is given in recognition of exemplary patriotism in the displaying of the Flag of the United States of America.)

The State SAR is looking for ideas to improve recruiting. Looking for a response back from all Chapters by the end of 2023. The Alexander Hodge Chapter #49 has procured 500 SAR Flag cards for $250.00. These Flag Cards display the American Flag and the SAR Flag on the front and has the SAR Pledge on the back. These are to be used in recruiting along with a couple pamphlets that have also been procured in the past from the State SAR.

The Alexander Hodge Chapter has 13 past members that have not paid their dues for 2023. A email or text message was sent to all 13 members by the Secretary during the month of June and Carl Hill is planning a follow-up telephone call to each member in the rears with dues.

The Chapter was notified that Leonard J. Williams of Sugar Land, TX did pass away June 23, 2023. The State SAR form announcing this passing has been submitted and details will be published on the Chapter’s Website and Newsletter. Leonard is father to Kim Birtcher, wife of this Chapters member Tim Birtcher.

Frank Rohrbough, State SAR Veterans Chairman has made the Chapter aware of Certificates available from National SAR recognizing of SAR members that are also Veterans.  The Chapter is pursuing obtaining this certificate for any known member of the Alexander Hodge #49 SAR Chapter that is also a military veteran.

Carl Hill has been very successful in getting good speakers for the upcoming Chapter Meeting. A good source for speakers is from other SAR and DAR Chapters. Carl announced that Dr, Gregg J. Dimmick will be the Speaker for the July 2023 Chapter dinner speaking on his published book,”Sea of Mud”, describing the retreat of the Mexican Army after being defeated at the Battle of San Jacinto. and the archaeology investigation of that historical occurrence. Wesley Wright will have his presentation of George Washington at the September 26^th meeting. Then to finish the 2023 year, Chris Hammons from Houston Christian University will be the speaker for the November 28th, 2023 meeting of the Alexander Hodge #49 Chapter.

Minutes of Alexander Hodge Chapter Meeting on May 30, 2023

 Minutes May 30, 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 by Jim Penny.

Attending Chapter Members: Jim G. Penny (Web Master), Carl Hill (President % Treasure), Steven Barber (Secretary), Don Rollins (Sgt. of Arms), Jim Adams, Lovell Aldrich, John Lucey, Phil Whitley (Chaplain), Randall Hankla, Daniel Sample, Chester Barnes, Dick Hudgins, and Mike Green (Newsletter)

Attending New Prospective Chapter SAR Members: Don Burns, Robert Graves, Alan Bogard and Steve Sanders and Kevin Buford

Other Guests: Emmanuel Banan, Mrs. Sherry Burns, Mrs. Sharon Rollins, Mrs. Bernice Mistriot and Mrs. Sandra Barber, Mrs. Sharon Aldrich, Mrs. Paula Morry and Andy Hall (Tonight’s Speaker)

Recognitions: Wesley Wright, the speaker for tonight’s meeting was sick and could not attend this month’s meeting.  Admiral Andy Hall, a member of the Texas Navy, Charles Hawkins Squadron, stepped-up at the last minute to make his interesting presentation on the first two battalions of Marines that participated in several skirmishes during the American Revolution War.

Reports:

Carl Hill presented the Treasury Report. The Chapter distributed $1,600.00 in Scholarship JROTC donations raised by District 7 VP, Richard Zdunkwicz.  The scholarships for college were awarded to two Lamar Consolidated JROTC cadets and two Fort Bend JROTC cadets.

The Chapter also distributed 17 Bonze SAR JROTC Medals and Certificates to 17 JROTC cadets from FBISD, LCSID and Stafford ISD.  The metals and certificates were presented at their JROTC year-end banquet and ceremonies. Names of cadets were sent to the new SAR State Treasure so that the Chapter could be reimbursed for the expense of the medals and certificates. We will have a new school added this coming school year – Crawford High School.

Registrar’s Report:

Registrar Tom McCormick had taken a new job and will not be able to continue in his SAR position. The registrar’s position will be done by committee for now. Four of the new attending members applications have been completed by this committee, along with assistance from the DAR Registrar, Sandra Barber. The four applications are completed and being submitted for Don Burns, Robert Graves, Alan Bogard, and Steven Sanders. The committee is still working on the application for John Kovach.

Secretary’s Report:

Steven Barber, presented the Secretary's Report from the last meetings minutes.  It is intended each meeting minutes will be reviewed and approved at the month following Chapter Business Meeting. Then, these minutes will be published on the Chapter Website at least two weeks before the next scheduled Chapter meeting. The Business Meeting Notes will be included in that report after that business meeting. A very brief review will be reviewed at the next scheduled bi-monthly Chapter meeting for any comments or questions on the Chapters business.

Web Site and News Letter Report:

Jim Penny on the Chapter Web Site, and Mike Green on the Chapter Newsletter reports that both are up and running. The Newsletter is sent out to members monthly and members can go to the Chapter Web page for more information. Both publishers expressed a great need for more member news.  Each member is encouraged to submit a brief write up on their individual patronage on which they became members of SAR. Other worthy news worthy items would be individual reports on their activity in and out of the Chapter, any newly discovered ancestry, “where were you” during certain major historical events, (1969 moon walk, 911, etc.as examples), or personal milestones. (Birthdays, Anniversary’s, new Grandkids, etc.)

Social Chair Report:

Sharon Aldrich, social Chairperson, spoke to members about attending Space Cowboy baseball games as a group with the minimum group count needed. She was also suggesting if there maybe a concert or play that members would enjoy attending as a group to socialize outside of the SAR dinner meetings. Any suggestions are welcome.

Chapter Meeting Speaker.: Andy Hall was introduced as the meeting speaker, for this May 30^th, 2023 Chapter meeting. Mr. Hall presented a detailed description of the forming of the first Marine battalions for the American Revolution.

On November 10, 1775, a committee from the Continental Congress drafted a resolution calling to form two battalions of Marines able to fight on land and at sea as landing forces for the Continental Navy. The first Commandant of the Marine Corps was Major Samuel Nicholas. By early 1776, Nicholas had his Marines formed and ready for battle.

March 1776, Nicholas led his men on the first landing on hostile shore when approximately 210 Marines raided Nassau on the Island of Providence in the Bahamas. The raid did capture the town, along with a large number of guns, motors and gun powder. Lieutenant John Fitzpatrick became the first Marine killed in combat during these skirmishes.

A month later, in April 1776, John Martin enlisted to serve aboard the USS Reprisal. He was the first of at least 12 African-American Marines to serve during the Revolutionary War.

In January 1777, Continental Marines joined George Washington’s Continental Army to defeat the British at the Battle of Princeton in New Jersey. This was the third defeat in 10 days for the British which helped raised the morale of American troops and inspired more men to join the fight against the British.

In January 1778, the Continental Marines again raided Nassau and captured it and marked the first time the “Stars and Stripes”, (the American Flag) was raised over foreign land.

In April of that same year, under the command of John Paul Jones, two daring raids on British soil were made, one at the port of Whitehaven, in northwest England and at St. Mary’s Isle in southwest Scotland.

In 1779, A Marine detachment secured New Orleans preventing British traders from entering the city and also led a series of raids on British Loyalist living on the shores of Lake Ponchartrain, outside of New Orleans.

The last official act of the Continental Marines was in 1781, escorting a large supply of silver from Boston to Philadelphia. The silver was a loan from King Louis XVI of France that allowed the first central bank, the Bank of North America, to open.

Over the course of the 7 years of American Revolution War Marine battles, 49 men were killed and 70 more were wounded, out of a force of 130 officers and 2,000 enlisted men. The Continental Marines and the Continental Navy were disbanded immediately after the war.  However, in 1794, Congress re-authorized the re-formation of both the Navy and Marine Corp.

Just a couple of interesting legacy notes. During the American Revolution, the Continental Marines uniform consisted of a green jacket with a high leather collar, to protect the neck against sword blades. Over time, the wearing of leather stocks around the neck of Maines led to the nickname of “leathernecks”, which the Marines are still known as of today. The Marines changed the color of their uniforms in 1798 to the Navy Blue tradition, but still wore the high leather stocks on their neck.

Closing Remarks: President Hill reported the next Alexander Hodge No.49-chapter meeting will be held July 25, 2023 at the Spring Creek Barbeque restaurant on Highway 6 in Missouri City, TX. The next Chapter Business Meeting will be at the same restaurant on June 27 at 1:00 P.M. All Chapter members are welcome to attend the business meeting. All Chapter Officers are required to attend the April Business Meeting.

Recessional:  The SAR recessional was recited by all present.

Benediction: Closing benediction was given by Phil Whitley, Chaplain.