Missed opportunity for Alexander Hodge - State SAR Yearbook winners

 

I attended the State Convention in San Antonio on April 11-14, 2024.   I was asked to be one of judges the Yearbook Competition by Committe Chairman, Don Hayes.   I looked for the best methods to hopefully gather ideas for an entry by Alexander Hodge next year.

Yearbook, Review Chapter Winners

Group 1 (1-50 Active Members)    1^st Place   EDMUND TERRILL Chapter #34  (District 11)

 

Group 2 (51-99 Active Members)  1^st Place   ROBERT RANKIN Chapter #62     (District 8)

 

               This would be the Group we would be entered into.  As you see, there was only one entry.  

                   Also our District did not any an entry in any Group.

 Group 3 (100+ Active Members)  1^st Place   PINEY WOODS Chapter #51          (District 8)

                                                      2^nd Place  DALLAS Chapter #2                        (District 6)

                                                      3^rd Place  PLANO Chapter #37                        (District 6)

Minutes to Chapter Meeting on March 26, 2024

 Alexander Hodge Chapter No. 49

Minutes

March 26, 2024

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.

12-Attending Chapter Members: Carl Hill (President & Treasure), Steven Barber (Secretary), Don

Rollins (Sgt. of Arms), Phil Whitley (Chaplain), Jim G. Penny (Web Master), Mike Green (Newsletter), ,

Rick Giuffre, Dennis Giuffre, Matt Barber, John Lucey, Don Burns, and Lovell Aldrich.

1-Honorary Guest: Tom Jackson Tonight’s Guest Speaker

4 Other Guests: Mrs. Bernice Mistriot, Mrs. Sharon Rollins, Mrs. Sherri Burns and Mrs Shraon Aldrich.

Treasury Report: Carl Hill presented the Treasures Report. The Chapter’s Treasury has a balance of

$10,474.54 Still have 2 outstanding scholarship checks no cashed for $300.00 and $500.00, It is

recommended that next year, the scholarship, checks should include a notation that the checks must be

cashed within 6 months.

Registrar’s Report: 2024 starts with the Alexander Hodge Chapter #49 having 3 new membership

applications in the process for new members. We also had 11 additional people expressing interest in the

Alexander Hodge Chapter #49.l.

Page 2 of 2

Web Site and Newsletter Report:

Web page for more information. (http://www.hodgesar.org) Jim Penny continues his research into

Virgina Continental Uniforms worn during the Revolutionary War. This Chapter has 31 members that trace

their heritage back to Virginia.

Jim Penny is also working on the Memorial Section of the Web site, that seems to missing many past

Chapter members. The last listing was before 2020.

Mike Green has agreed to continue Newsletter Editor.

Upcoming Activities:

On Good Friday, March 29 th , The Alexander Hodge Chapter #49 will be presenting the “Flag Program” at

the R.A Anderson Veteran’s Home.

On Wednesday April 17th. at 10:00 a.m., the Chapter is having a tour of Independence Hall located on

the campus of Houston Christian College. Dr. Christopher Hammons, Professor of Political Science and

Director of the Morris Family Center for Law and Order, will conduct a 90 minute tour of the facility and

discuss and explain the ongoing educational programs being conducted at this location. The Morris

Family for Law and Liberty facility is an exact replica of the Independence Hall in Philadelphia, PA. Those

attending will have a luncheon at the Pappa’s Barbeque Restaurant just north of the campus on the HW

59 frontage road. The Campus address is 7502 Fondren Road, Houston, TX.

On Saturday April 20 th , 2024, at 7:00 p.m., there will be another “Honor Flight” for 21 veterans, returning

from a Washington DC visit to the War Memorials. In the Hobby Airport, Delta Terminal, these Veterans

will be welcome back by various patriotic organizations. All are welcome to come and wave flags in

support of the return of these American War Veterans.

Chapter Meeting Speaker: Mr. Tom Jackson

Mr. Jackson presentation was a review of the extensive contribution made by the Irish and Scottish

community during the American Revolutionary War. “Contribution of the Orange and the Green” reviews

the great immigration of Irish and Scottish people in 1754-1755 and 1771- 1775 to the Americas and

famous people that gave support and significant contribution to the Patriot cause in the American

Revolutionary War against Britian.

Closing Remarks:

President reported the next Alexander Hodge No.49-chapter meeting will be held May 28 th , 2024, 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 April 30th, 2024t at 1:00 P.M. All Chapter members are

welcome to attend the business meeting. All Chapter Officers are required to attend the Business

Meetings.

Recessional: The SAR recessional was recited by all present.

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

Prepared by Steven J. Barber, Secretary

In Memoriam - July 23 2012; Walter Sheppard McMeans

 

WALTER SHEPPARD MCMEANS, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 23, 2012, in Sugar Land, Texas, at the age of 83.  

He lived in Sugar Land for 47 years having moved there in 1965.  During those years in Sugar Land, Walter served on the Planning Commission, the City Council, and as Mayor from 1984-1988.  As Mayor, Walter had the lead role in shaping the foundation and current city limits of Sugar Land. He was instrumental in the annexation of the land along Hwy 59 South to Greatwood, preventing annexation by Houston.  In 1986, Walter ran for newly created County-Court-at-Law.  He was elected Judge of Fort Bend County Court at Law #2, where he served for 24 years, until his retirement in 2010.    

Walter was a founding member on August 31, 1993 of the Alexander Hodge Chapter #49 of the Sons of the American Revolution.  His patriot was Charles Mynn Thurston who as Colonel commanded Thurston's Additional Continental Regiment.

Walter was born May 26, 1929, in Birmingham, Alabama. Later the McMeans family moved to Houston, where he attended Lanier Junior High and Lamar High School, graduating in 1948. He graduated from the University of Houston in 1953.

He served two years in the U.S. Army as a Lieutenant in France and Germany.  While in Germany, he met his future wife Jane Anna Glauner who was teaching at the Stuttgart American Elementary School.  They were married in Springfield, PA on July 1, 1960.  Walter attended the University of Houston Law School at night and graduated in 1960.  In June of 1960 he passed the bar exam.   

Walter was an Eagle Scout. He was a member of the Fort Bend Archeological Society, the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce, the Fort Bend Exchange Club, Sugar Creek Rotary, the 100 Club of Fort Bend County, the VFW, the Optimist Club, Sons of the Confederacy, and was a life member of the Fort Bend County Fair Association. He served as a Director for CASA, and on the Board of Directors for the Gus George Lawn Enforcement Academy and the Fort Bend Museum Association.

Walter was preceded in death by his parents, Walter Luckett McMeans and Louise Sheppard McMeans. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Jane Glauner McMeans; sons, Jeffrey A. McMeans, and Gregory A. McMeans and his wife Marika;daughter, Suzanne Overstreet and her husband John; grandchildren, Mason, Christy, Alex, Trenton, and Bryce; and brother-in-law, George Glauner and his wife Sue.

Walter was a loving husband, devoted father, and caring grandfather, who will be missed greatly. His life was the "Law" and he worked tirelessly to ensure Fort Bend County had a respected, fair, even-handed judiciary. In some way, legal, political, educational, religious, economical, or marital, Walter has touched the lives of almost everyone in Fort Bend County.

Virginia in the American Revolution - early background not provided in the Newsletter Supplement

 I have been working on the Supplement to our Newsletter that covers the role that Virginia and her troops played in the American Revolution with additional coverage of some of their uniforms.

A priority is also give and account of the Patriots ancestors of members of the Alexander Hodge Chapter who fought in Virginian military Units or who provided material aid to the troops.

That said, the actual contributions of Virginia are too lengthy to be added to the planned Supplement.  Out of necessity some are provided here.

Conflicts between Virgina and the British Government first appeared in 1763, in what was known as the Parson's Cause.  The Virginia legislature passed an Act to stop clerical salaries from inflating.  However, King George III vetoed the measure and the clergy sued for back salaries.  Patrick Henry, first rose to prominence by arguing in the case where one minister sued Hanover County over the Act on behave of all clergy affected by the Act.  The jury verdict awarded the Anglican minister a sum of one penny.  As a result, no other clergy brought suit, so the award essentially nullified the king's veto.  

Conflict in Virginia to Stamp Act and the Sugar Act passed by the English Parliament resulted in the Virginia Resolves passed by the Virginia General Assembly on the grounds of No Taxation without Representation.  The Royal Governor of Virginia, Francis Fauquier responded by dismissing the Assembly.

The protest to these and additional Acts by Parliament in the mid 1760's, gave rise to the Sons of Liberty or similar groups in Virginia and the other Colonies.  The Colonies also began to form Committees of Correspondence to communicate with each other and to gather news of British actions prior to the Revolution. In 1773, Virginia's Committee of Correspondence was the only one that was officially part of the Legislature.

The Virginia House of Burgesses approved June 1, 1774 as a day of Fasting, Humiliation, and Prayer as a show of support for Massachusetts following the closure of the Port of Boston.  The Governor, Lord Dunmore, dismissed the legislature.  The Legislature reconvened at the Raleigh Tavern as the First Virginia Convention on August 1-6, 1774.  Delegates were elected to the Continental Congress scheduled to meet in Philadelphia in September 1774.  A Virginian, Peyton Randolph was selected as President of the Congress.

Governor Dunmore ordered Royal Marines to remove the gunpower from the Williamsburg magazine on the day after the Battle of Lexington and Concord on April 20, 1775.  Patrick Henry led a group of Virginia Militia to oppose Dunmore's order.  Although a peaceful resolution to the Gunpower Incident was achieved, ultimately Governor Dunmore had to flee to a nearby British Ship at Yorktown.  Dunmore declared Virginia to be in rebellion and on November 7th he issued a proclamation declaring that any slave fighting for the British would be freed.

The first significant battle involving Virginia militia occurred on December 9th, 1775.  It will be covered later in the Newsletter Supplement. 

jgp

Online Registration for State Convention in San Antonio for April 11-14 ends on Friday, April 5th!!!!

 Time is growing short to register for the 129th Annual Texas SAR State Convention in San Antonio from April 11 - 14 at the DoubleTree by Hilton - San Antonio Airport, 611 NW Loop 410, San Antonio, Texas 78216.

The last day for online registration is Friday, April 5th. 

Mark your Calendars - April 17th, Meet for tour of HCU's Independence Hall.

 Alexander Hodge SAR Chapter Members

Please join us for a tour of Independance Hall at Houston Christian University, formally Houston Baptist University. The hall is a full-scale replica of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, replete with Liberty Bell. The Bell was forged at the same foundry in France that the Liberty Bell was forged. The guided tour will be conducted by Chris Hammons Ph.D. the director of the Morris Family Center for Law and Liberty and also a member of our chapter. Spouses and significant others are welcome to attend.

The address is 7502 Fondren for Houston Christian University. The tour will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday April 17^th and should last about an hour. We plan on going to Pappa's BBQ nearby for lunch afterword,

Please let me know how many will be attending by April 12th. We would like to have a good turnout for this great SAR chapter event. Parking information at the university will be provided later.

Carl Hill

President

Alexander Hodge Chapter

Sons of the American Revolution

281 773 1739

Speaker at last night's Meeting was awesome - Tom Jackson

Members present at Spring Creek BBQ on Hwy 6 in Missouri City were not disappointed.  Our President through his contacts secured another fine speaker for our Bi-Monthly Meeting.

Our speaker was Tom Jackson and his topic was “The Contributions of the Orange and Green.”   The slide presentation detailed the history of the Irish people and their subsequent arrival in America.  Tom presentation went on the highlight the contributions of Irish soldiers, sailors, and commanders within the American military during the Revolution.

Tom's Irish roots start in 1730 with the birth of his patriot ancestor Jeremiah Dial Sr in County Cork, Ireland. His son, the future patriot Jeremiah Dial, Jr. was born in Dublin in 1758 and the family left from Ulster in 1772 bound for Charleston South Carolina.  He has presented to over 10,000 students and adults on topics concerning the American Revolution.

Tom belongs to approximately 30 lineage societies or certificate programs and has held leadership positions in various lineage organizations. He was the founding national Treasurer of Order and Founders of North America and has returned to that position today. He is the national Founding Treasurer for the Sons and Daughters of Officers of the Colonial Militia and continues in that position today. He served as President (2021-2022) of the Texas Genealogical College. He served as President (2019-2022) of the Sons of the Revolution in Texas.

Furthermore,  within the state of Texas, he is a member of: 1718 San Antonio Founding Families and Descendants, First Families of Bexar County, Alamo Defenders Association, Sons of the Republic of Texas, Texas First Families, Descendants of Texas Rangers, Gone to Texas Pioneer Certificate and The Order of the Granaderos y Dámas de Gálvez.

Tom has served the National Society Sons of the American Revolution, as a Trustee (2019-2022), as President (2018-2019) of the Council of State Presidents, as Chairman Host Committee National Congress (2018), and as national chair of education and communications committees. 

Tom has served the Texas SAR as President (2018-2019).  He was made an Admiral in the Texas Navy in 2018.

Professionally, Tom is a CPA, a Certified Information Systems Auditor, and a CGMA. Academically his undergraduate degree and graduate work are both from the University of Texas in Austin. He has been a national lecturer on Information Technology, an instructor in accounting at the University of Texas at Austin, and an adjunct professor in accounting at Houston Baptist University. At the corporate level he taught seminars in statistics and auditing. He was a contributing editor to the textbook, “Theory and Practice” and taught night classes using the text.

 He has been a locally elected official for 34 years and most recently served as President of the Cypress-Fairbanks ISD. He earned Master Trustee status in 2016 and he was Board Vice President the year they were named Honor Board for the state of Texas. As a Trustee he presented on various topics at both national and state conferences. He was one of 42 trustees who served at the state level. He also concluded his second term as a board member of Girl Scouts, San Jacinto Council

Exploring the NATIONAL SAR Website - The Store

 Our National SAR Website is loaded with gift items to enhance your membership.  The following are a few items available.

Apparal (shirts, hats, ties)     

Insignia, Metals and Coins             

                                                          Combination Set     Sons and Daughters pin         US Flag & SAR Flag

                                                   

                                                  250th Anniversary Pin     Continental Congress Pin      Continental Congress Patch

                                                                                  250th Anniversary Ornament

                                                                   

                                                     

Update of Viewer Stats for March (27th). Also additional interesting facts on viewer locations

                                3/11     3/16    3/17    3/18     3/21      3/27

Today                      16        20          8        41      119       130

Yesterday                28        54        77       77       263       143

This Month           777    1071      194     1227    1703    2107

Last Month          2752   2752    2752     2752    2752    2752

I will only mention most of the following only one time, found it interesting.  

Found that there were more to the Stats page in Google that just the above info.  For example, it shows what stories were viewed and what times that they were viewed.  Tracks what platform was used to view from, for example, TXSSAR or Google or Apple, etc.

But, also from what countries the Blog is viewed.  All information is Charted.  

Hong Kong      310

United States   202      

China              149   

Beligium            9

Other                  7  

Austria and France      4 each   

United Kingdom; Indonesia; India; and Iran      2 each

Canada; United Arab Emirates; Switzerland; Ghana; Georgia; Russia; Spain; Germany   1 each

prepared by Jim Penny

ON THIS DATE IN THE REVOLUTION - MARCH 26th

 South Carolina becomes an independent state.

 

On this day in history, March 26, 1776, South Carolina becomes an independent state when it adopts its own Constitution, the second of the original 13 colonies to do so. South Carolina was the center of the American Revolution and the patriot movement in the south.

 

Prior to the war, patriots such as Christopher Gadsden, Thomas Lynch and John Rutledge had led the movement of resistance against Great Britain’s taxes. South Carolina even had its own “Boston Tea Party” when citizens threw a ship full of tea into the Cooper River.

           

South Carolina sent five representatives to the Continental Congress in 1774. Henry Middleton, a South Carolinian, served as a president of that Congress. Another South Carolinian, Henry Laurens, would serve as President of the Continental Congress for a year from 1777 to 1778.

 

In January, 1775, the Royal Governor of South Carolina, Lord William Campbell, dissolved the colonial assembly, forcing the members to meet on their own and form an extralegal government body. In March of 1776, this body adopted its own Constitution, along with the name “General Assembly of South Carolina.” The new state’s president was John Rutledge and its first vice president was Henry Laurens.

 

South Carolina was the center of the Revolution in the south, with over 200 battles fought on its soil, more than any other state. The British made an early attempt to invade the south at Charles Town in 1776, but this attempt was driven back at the Battle of Sullivan’s Island, forcing them to retreat to the north and make another attempt to take the south later.

 

In December, 1779, the British southern strategy commenced with the capture of Savannah, Georgia. They quickly moved into South Carolina and began a siege of Charles Town in March, 1780, that lasted two months. Large American armies were captured at Charles Town and Camden and the coastal areas were quickly taken over.

 

The British attempted to raise a Loyalist army in the south, but this proved harder than they expected. Militia leaders such as Francis Marion and Andrew Pickens harassed the British with guerrilla techniques and gradually gained the upper hand. When Continental Army General Nathanael Greene arrived, the tide began to turn. Greene and the militia leaders gradually wore the British down and began taking control of the string of British forts in the back country. Eventually, the British were driven back into Charles Town alone on the coast.

 

After the Treaty of Paris was signed, ending the war, the British evacuated the city on December 14, 1782. This day is celebrated as “South Carolina Independence Day,” to this day. The city of Charles Town was then renamed “Charleston” because the citizens thought it sounded less British!

Courtesy of

Jack Manning

President General

2019 – 2021

National Society Sons of the American Revolution

February 27, 2024 Business Meeting Minutes

 

                                          February 27, 2024 Business Meeting

Officers Present:

Carl Hill – President, interm Registar                                  Don Rollins – Sgt. at Arms

Mike Green – Newsletter Editor, interm Registar               Phil Whitley - Chaplin

Jim Penny – Webmaster

Officers Missing due to illness:

Lovell Aldrich and Steve Barber

Reports

Treasurer : Carl Hill reported that the Treasury had a balance of $10,74.54. Two remaining checks remain outstanding from last years JROC Awards. One for $300 and one for $500. 

The purpose of these awards that are to first recognize a nominated JROC cadet in Fort Bend ISD and Lamar Consolidated ISD and then assist with cost of College. 

 Discussion followed with ideas to prevent this from repeating. One point was made that for future awards it was suggested to require use within 6 months. Another for it to be managed by the JROC Program at the School District. There were additional ideas. 

They will be considered but must meet the ability to track for compliance with the use of donated funds.

 Our District 7 VP, Richard Zdunkewicz has again raised $1250 for our Chapter’s JROC Award Program. In addition, the Beaumont Chapter was not going to use their donated funds, so Richard has divided between 2 other Chapter and Alexander Hodge Chapter. The result is that our Chapter got an extra $416.64. This will allow Alexander Hodge to award two-$500 scholarships to FBISD and two-$300 scholarships to LCISD. If were are unable to locate the two cadets that have not used their scholarships, the checks may have to be cancelled and the money returned to our account. Carl went over the metals that he has in stock to award this year. 

 Annual IRS Filing 501C paperwork – Carl said that he will be completing that soon. 

Registar: Carl reported that he has received back the Certificates for Jonathan Buford and Jason Barnes have been received and plan on inducting into the Chapter at the next Meeting on March 26th at Spring Creek BBQ. An additional 5 inquires into membership have come in. 

One of the individuals is a relative of the patriot, Alexander Hodge. Since try to get the relationships proven for Robert Goodwin and submitted to the State SAR. At the beginning of the year there were 16 members who hadn’t paid their Dues. Several issues had preventing them from completing the online payments. Including one of the member who had died. After contacting the members 8+ of those who hadn’t paid completed the online payment of dues. 

Other Announcements and Discussions: 

1. Speakers for 2024 are filled except for 2 months. Tom Jackson will be the speaker for the March meeting. 

2. Carl handed out the SAR pin that commemorates the 250th Anniversary of the United States in 2026. The National SAR will have additional Challenge coins that commemorate events during the Revolution. These can be purchased online.

 3. A member purchased one Challenge coin as a Door Prize for a member in attendance at our next meeting on March 26th. 

4. Carl said that he would like to schedule a time for a tour of the re-creation Independence Hall on the Campus of Houston Christian University (the old HBU).

Prepared by Jim Penny

Tonight is the Bi-monthly Membership Meeting at Spring Creek BBQ in Missouri City - invitation to all.

 Our President, Carll Hill, sent out a friendly reminder that our chapter's dinner meeting is tonight at Spring Creek Barbeque in Missouri City. 

We will start to gather at 6:30 and the meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m.

We will have a Speaker

In Memoriam - February 20 2011 Robert "Bob" Benton Lewis

 

594th patch

 ROBERT "BOB" BENTON LEWIS, 87, passed away on February 20, 2011. He is preceded in death by his parents, David and Ida Lewis; four brothers and one sister. He was born in 1923 near Camden/Corrigan, Texas. He is survived by his loving wife, Dolores Lewis; sons, Robert Lewis Jr and his wife, Abby, Nate Lewis and his wife, Amy, John Lewis; grandchildren, Carrie, Ginny, Andrew and his wife, Ariel, Robert III, Brett, David, Jared, Natalie, Lindsey, and Aidan; and a host of many other family and friends.

Bobby was a proud World War II Pacific Veteran in the Amphibs 594th EB & SR.   He served during World War II in the 594th Engineer Amphibian Regiment.  

The 594th Boat and Shore Regiment was a military engineer unit in the United States Army in the 4th Engineer Special Brigade (4th ESB).   The 4th Brigade was made up of three Amphibian Regiments (534th; 544th, and the 594th).  Each Regiment had two Battalions, a Boat Battalion consisting of Companies A, B, and C, and a Shore Battalion consisting of Companies D, E, and F.  

Robert began the Website, armyamphibs.com to organize and preserve the history of the 594th EB & SR.  He remained the contact point for the Website, as well as maintaining it.  Robert was the author of several of the Articles, such as, "ON TO CORREGIDOR with "F" Co., 592d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment _____R. B. Lewis".

He was a 1953 graduate of the University of Houston and helped start the ROTC Band. Bobby thoroughly loved the grocery business in Texas and Ohio. He was extremely active in his personal life taking up hobbies as a runner, golfer, bowler, surfer, motorcyclist, bicyclist, swimmer and dancer. His friends included everyone from retail magnates, to astronauts, to lawyers and doctors, salesmen and every small child and dog he ever met. He was even affectionately known as "Bobby" by his grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved him.

He is interned in the Houston National Cemetery at 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston Texas.  A graveside service with military honors was held prior to interment.

It was encouraged to make donations to Houston Hospice at 1905 Holcome Blvd. in Bobby's honor.

prepared by Jim Penny 

In Memoriam - April 26, 2003, Samual "Sam" Bartholomew

 SAMUEL (SAM) BARTHOLOMEW, 48, of Sugar Land, passed away April 26, 2003. 

 He was a past President in 2002 of Alexander Hodge Chapter #49 of the Son of American Revolution.  His first Revolutionary Patriot was approved 2001.  He went on to document five additional patriots with two in 2002 and three in 2003.  His ancestor patriots served in the Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Virginia.

His Visitation was held on April 29, 2003 at the Settegast-Kopf Co. in Sugar Land.  His Funeral Service was held on April 30, 2003 at Christ United Methodist Church of Sugar Land with burial being at Forest Park Westheimer.  His Obituary was carried in the Houston Chronicle on April 28th, 2003.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions was requested to be made to Christ United Methodist Church Habitat for Humanity Fund, 3300 Austin Parkway, Sugar Land, Texas 77478.

He received his BBA from the University of Texas in Austin. He was a past president of the Parks Board for the City of Sugar Land as well as a member of the Fort Bend Chamber Leadership Cass. Sam was a devoted member of Christ United Methodist Church where he was very active as a volunteer for the church youth group. 

Survivors include his wife of 17 years, Cynthia as well as, a daughter, a sister and a brother and both his parents.

additional added by Jim Penny

In Memoriam - July 27, 2003; County Judge James Clyde Adolphus (wasnt mentioned in Chapter Blog in 2003)

 In an effort to ensure every past member who has died was given a proper "In Memoriam" highlight in the Blog, I begin with James C. Adolphus. (jgp).

COUNTY JUDGE JAMES CLYDE ADOLPHUS  

Judge James C. Adolphus was born in Birmingham, Alabama on October 10, 1929. He died in Sugarland, TX on July 27, 2003.  

He attended the University of Texas, then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force at the outbreak of the Korean War.  He completed Aviation Cadet Training and was a Lieutenant in the Air Force and served 22 years in the Texas State Guard where he retired in 2002 as a Lt. Colonel.

He had a successful career in oil and gas Industry.

Judge Adolphus served three terms as a City Councilman in Missouri City, Texas and thirteen years as a Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace in Fort Bend County and retired as County Judge of Ft. Bend County.  He decided not to seek re-election because of poor health.  He subsequently was diagnosed with lung cancer.   Jim was a stalwart member and office holder for the Republican Part of Fort Bend County.

He was deputy chief of the Houston Volunteer Mercy Corps for 17 years, a past Commander of the Albert Sidney Johnston Chapter of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, a member of the Military Order of the Stars and Bars, Sons of the American Revolution, Sugarland Rotary Club, a 32nd Degree Mason, Richmond Lodge, and an avid fisherman.

His Obituaries were published in the Houston Chronicle on July 29, 2003 and another one on Aug 4, 2003

His Services was handled by Miller Funeral Services of 7723 Beachnut St., Houston.  Visitors were received at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Ingram Room, 4900 Jackwood, Houston, Tx. on Tuesday, July 29, 2003.  The Service followed in the Church at 10 am.

Interment was in the Morton Cemetery, 401 North Third St., Richmond, TX.

In lieu of flowers, the Adolphus family requested that donations be made to the Fort Bend American Cancer Association or the West Fort Bend Heart Association.

He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Lynda Cooke Adolphus and two sons and three daughters and several grandchildren.

An Elementary school, Judge James C Aldolphus located in Richmond in the Lamar Consolidated School District. It opened in August of 2013 and was named in his honor.

additional added by Jim Penny

In Memoriam - List

 I am making an effort to arrange the "In Memoriam" list of deceased members from most recent to most distant.  

Second, I am making an effort to ensure sure that all has an Obit and some description of their life and/or role in SAR or the Alexander Hodge Chapter.

Members or friends of the Chapter that have been around awhile and know that some information on their life is missing, please email me and let me know.

It also looks like members who died before 2019 did not get a story in our Blog, their obit is written as a Link embedded in the Memoriam List and not a Link to a story in the Blog.

Members who died in 2019, 2020, and 2023 have both.  

I will work on getting a Story in the Blog for those that were missed.  Unfortuately, will not be able to get into the Blog Archive for the actual year that they died.  Looks like possibly 14 past members were missed.

I would appreciate any of your thoughts on the issue!

prepared by Jim Penny

State Convention in San Antonio on March 11-14. Online Registration ending soon

 Texas Society - Sons of the American Revolution

2024 Annual Meeting – April 11 (Thursday) to April 14 (Sunday) 2024

DoubleTree by Hilton – San Antonio Airport- 611 NW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX - Phone: (210) 340-6060

 

Vol 118 No.3, 2023-2024 Winter Issue of SAR Magazine has several Alexander Hodge Chapter related entries

 

Members of the Alexander Hodge Chapter #49 can read several mentions of either members or the Chapter in the just arrived Issue 118 N0. 3 of the SAR Quarterly Magazines.

On Page 41 in the "In Our Memory" Section, our late Vice President, Everett Shaw Gardiner is listed.

On Page 44 in the "Welcome New Members" Section, Jonathan Robert Buford is listed.

On Page 47 in the "When You Travel" Section, Alexander Hodge Chapter meeting time and place is mentioned along with giving the address for the website.

looks my Article didnt make it this Quarter's Magazine.

The Story behind the new SAR Logo from the Winter 2020-2021 Issue 115

 (Note: "The formatting of the copied text is my own due to unable to capture original formatting".  jgp)

The New SAR Logo           

By VPG Allen Greenly, South Atlantic District 

As many of you may now be aware, the National Society Sons of the American Revolution has adopted a new logo. Let me give you a little background on how this happened and introduce the designer. 

When President General Warren Alter asked me to become the Branding and Engagement Committee chairman, I said yes without giving it any thought. 

His one charge to me was to create a new SAR logo. 

Warren surrounded me with a great committee. Howard Fisk became the vice-chair and was invaluable as we moved forward to create a new logo. We believed the best way to create a logo was to get someone outside the SAR to do the design work. After much discussion on how to get this accomplished, we opted for a contest with prize money. 

 The committee went to the Executive Committee and requested prize money. The winner would get $5,000; second and third place would each receive $1,000. Gregory Greenwalt reached out to 44 graphic design schools and advertised in both the SAR and C.A.R. magazines to reach as large an audience as possible. It worked. 

The committee worked on fillable forms, which were created by Victor G. Murray of the Florida Society. With Mick Pitzer and Michael Scroggins’ help, a link was set up on the SAR website to direct potential contestants to the page where the contest rules were posted and they could download the forms to submit their entries. 

The committee received more than 300 logo designs by the Dec. 31, 2019, deadline. 

Just a quick note about our committee members: There were 13 members from across the country on the Branding and Engagement Committee, and they ranged in age from 35 to 70 and over. It was a right mix of young, middle-aged and older members, a great cross-section of the SAR. Then came the judging. A Google spreadsheet was set up for members to log their votes. As the entries were received, they were sent to the committee in groups of 10. Each member would vote yes or no. After all the entries were received and the first round of judging was completed, totals were run on each entry for the number of yes votes. Votes for each entry were tabulated and put in groups of 0–13. It was an exceedingly complicated process, but the committee narrowed the field down to the top 10. 

All the contestants were then notified about the first round of judging. From the top 10, the ExComm selected the “final four” to go to the trustees. The trustees met and voted three times, eliminating one entry each time, leaving us with the final logo. 

And now a little about the winning designer: Stephen Harrington from Connecticut submitted the winning design. Stephen received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration from the Rhode Island School of Design. After a brief stint as an art director at a Connecticut advertising agency, he decided to go out independently. In 1987, he became a full-time, self-employed illustrator and designer. His favorite projects combine his two passions: art and history. 

As he stated, this is why his work on the SAR logo was such a labor of love. What follows is, in his own words, how he came up with the winning logo. “First, I came up with a shortlist of visual icons I associated with patriotism, the theme of the logo. 

I thought of the American flag, the bald eagle, the Liberty Bell, the Minuteman statue, and the American Shield—all bold, easily recognizable symbols that would translate well into a logo. I decided the color theme, regardless of the design, had to be red, white, and blue (what’s more patriotic than that?). 

I then created several thumbnail sketches, determined which were the strongest, and then rendered those at full size on my computer using Photoshop and Illustrator. “The winning logo’s inspiration was to combine the majestic beauty of an eagle in flight with a flag waving in the breeze. My design originally started with an entire eagle’s tail feathers morphing into an American flag’s stripes. 

Type was always an important element of the design, integrated into the eagle’s shape and the flag. Once I created this initial design, I realized the eagle/stripes were too small and did not have the presence I was looking for, so I revised the design using just the bald eagle’s head.” 

Thank you, Steve, for all your hard work, inspiration and enthusiasm, and for the fantastic logo you presented! It is a design that represents our organization well and one of which we will all be proud. Compatriot David Perkins presented Steve’s check. Chancellor General Peter Davenport submitted the paperwork, and we have received the copyright for this logo. Thanks to everyone involved in this project!

 

                       February 27, 2024 Business Meeting 

 

Officers Present:

Carl Hill – President, interm Registar                                                  Don Rollins – Sgt. at Arms

Mike Green – Newsletter Editor, interm Registar                               Phil Whitley - Chaplin

Jim Penny – Webmaster

 

Officers Missing due to illness:

Lovell Aldrich and Steve Barber

 

Reports:

Treasurer : Carl Hill reported that the Treasury had a balance of $10,74.54.  Two remaining checks remain outstanding from last years JROC Awards.  One for $300 and one for $500.

The purpose of these awards that are to first recognize a nominated JROC cadet in Fort Bend ISD and Lamar Consolidated ISD and then assist with cost of College. 

Discussion followed with ideas to prevent this from repeating.  One point was made that for future awards it was suggested to require use within 6 months.  Another for it to be managed by the JROC Program at the School District.  There were additional ideas.  They will be considered but must meet the ability to track for compliance with the use of donated funds.   Our District 7 VP, Richard Zdunkewicz has again raised $1250 for our Chapter’s JROC Award Program.  In addition, the Beaumont Chapter was not going to use their donated funds, so Richard has divided between 2 other Chapter and Alexander Hodge Chapter.  The result is that our Chapter got an extra $416.64.  This will allow Alexander Hodge to award two-$500 scholarships to FBISD and two-$300 scholarships to LCISD.  If were are unable to locate the two cadets that have not used their scholarships, the checks may have to be cancelled and the money returned to our account.  Carl went over the metals that he has in stock to award this year. 

Annual IRS Filing 501C paperwork – Carl said that he will be completing that soon.

 

Registar:  Carl reported that he has received back the Certificates for Jonathan Buford and Jason Barnes have been received and plan on inducting into the Chapter at the next Meeting on March 26^th at Spring Creek BBQ.  An additional 5 inquires into membership have come in.  One of the individuals is a relative of the patriot, Alexander Hodge.  Since try to get the relationships proven for Robert Goodwin and submitted to the State SAR.  At the beginning of the year there were 16 members who hadn’t paid their Dues.  Several issues had preventing them from completing the online payments.  Including a member who had died.  After contacting the members 8+ of those who hadn’t paid completed the online payment of dues.

 

Other Announcements and Discussions:

1.      Speakers for 2024 are filled except for 2 months.  Tom Jackson will be the speaker for the March meeting.

2.      Carl handed out the SAR pin that commemorates the 250^th Anniversary of the United States in 2026.  The National SAR will have additional pins and coins that commemorate events during the Revolution.  These can be purchased online. 

3.      Plans to create a Door Prize of a SAR Commemorate Coin to a member in attendance at our next meeting on March 26^th.  A member at the meeting contribute $20 to go towards purchasing the coin.

4.      Carl said that he would like to schedule a time for a tour of the re-creation Independence Hall on the Campus of Houston Christian University (the old HBU).

 

Prepared by Jim Penny

2/28/24

New Logos required by National SAR

 Received this from National Webmaster and I responded requesting the Logo for Alexander Hodge Chapter #49, Disctrict 7, and Texas SAR.  Currently, he only has one for our Chapter.  I have attached it here and will find out how to add it to our Blog.

"Hello Webmaster Compatriots,

 

I am writing to let you know that a friend of the Texas SAR has created new logos for every Texas SAR chapter that meet the requirements of the new SAR branding standards (see attached document).

 

When you have time to change the logos on your web sites, write to me and request the logos for your chapter.  There are two versions…a horizontal format and an emblem format. 

 

For those of you who use the John Anderson-developed chapter template for your web site, the emblem format can be easily resized to replace the SAR logo that most of you have on your banner.

 

Both logos are large in size and high-resolution, so you will want to downsize both the width/height as well as the resolution before using them in your web sites.

 

Please let me know if there are questions or issues.

 

Best Regards,

 

Ray Cox

Texas SAR Webmaster"

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