Alexander Hodge Chapter No. 49
Minutes
November 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.
9-Attending Chapter Members: Carl
Hill (President & Treasure), Steven Barber (Secretary), Don Rollins (Sgt.
of Arms), Phil Whitley (Chaplain), Jim G. Penny (Newsletter & Web Master),
Rick Giuffre, Micheal Green, (Registrar), Don Burns (Vice President), and Allen
Buford.
4 Other Guests: Mrs. Bernice Mistriot, Mrs.
Sharon Rollins, Mrs. Sherry Burns and Mrs. Sandy Barber.
2 Honorary Guest: Mr.
and Mrs. Art and Susan Byram
Guest Speaker: Mr. Mel
Oller
Treasury Report: Carl
Hill presented the Treasures Report. The Chapter’s Treasury has a balance of $9841.41.
There are still three outstanding JROTC checks, A $500.00 and $300.00 checks
from 2023 and one $500.00 check for 2024 has not been cashed. Outstanding
checks are considered null and void and a stop payment is placed by the banks
on any such check after 180 days or 6 months from date of issuance. The Chapter
will start alerting recipients that the checks are only good to cash within 180
days with such a notation on the issued check. Any existing checks that are
outstanding over 180 days and by year end, that are still outstanding will be
consider null and void and those balances added back into the Chapter’s
treasury.
$277.00 was spent on various
metals that can be awarded by the Chapter. Three Martha Washington Metals are
among those metals purchased. These metals are given to D.A.R (Daughters of the
American Revolution). members that bring in S.A.R. (Sons of the American
Revolution) members to a S.A.R. Chapter. Any D.A.R. recipient must have three
documented S.A.R. applicants submitted to the State SAR to qualify for this
award. The other metals purchased are metals of recognition of service or
heroic acts that can be awarded by the S.A.R. Chapter, to local civil servants
(Fireman, Policemen and EMT’s.)
A Martha Washington Medal was
awarded to Jo Ann Vasina for bring into the Alexander Hodge Chapter #49, three
new SAR members.
Registrar’s Report: The Alexander
Hodge Chapter #49 has completed and sent into National S.A.R., three new
membership applications. Glenn Randal, Robert Rhodes and Shawn Hicks submitted applications
are waiting for review and approval by S.A.R. National. We are waiting for a
birth certificate to complete the application for Joshua Evans. We are also
waiting for a copy of John Sprafka C.A.R. (Children of the American Revolution)
application to submit for his membership into S.A.R. on turning 18 years of
age. We also have six (6) additional people expressing interest in the
Alexander Hodge Chapter #49 and are working on those applications for S.A.R.
membership.
Web Site and Newsletter
Report:
Web page for more information.
(http://www.hodgesar.org)
Jim Penny reports intending to
have a year-end Alexander Hodge Chapter #49 newsletter out in December that
will look back at 2024 to review of all Chapter activities completed in 2024
and a forward look into 2025.
Unfinished Business:
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR LOST MEMBERS IN 2023 and 2024:
Carl Hill with the assistance
of Micheal Green conducted a bell ringing commemorative service, recognizing
S.A.R. members and important people that the Chapter has lost in the last
couple of years. Each of the following were loyal patriotic members of the
Alexander Hodge Chapter #49 or were active in supporting various functions of
this Chapter.
Thomas B.
Green III
Gustave Axel
Sandstrom
Sharon
Aldrich (wife of Lovell Aldrich)
Hugh
Morgan Flora
John R.
Hensley Junior
Frank
Lester Feleman
New Business:
1)
We have two interested candidates in the S.A.R.
George S. and Stella Knight Essary contest. In this State competition,
contestants have to submit an 800-1,200 word essay, based upon original
research on a topic that shaped American history. (Events, person, philosophy
or ideal associated with the American Revolution, Declaration of Independence,
or framing of the United States Constitution. These essays must be submitted by
the end of December 2024. Submitted to: https://www.sar.org/education/youthcontects-awards/george-s-stella-m-knight-essay-contest OR http://TexasSAR.org/essay.htm
Treasa Kunthara, a student at Dulles High school and the Grand-Daughter of Ron Brown has expressed interest in participating in this contest. It was clarified that any student GRADES 9-12 can participate, regardless of where they live in the US and can submit an essay through this S.A.R. Chapter.
2)
There will be a Christmas Wreath laying
ceremony, Saturday December 14, 2024 at the Historic Hodge Bend Cemetery
sponsored by the Alexander Hodge D.A.R Chapter. The Alexander Hodge S.A.R. Chapter
will be providing a Color Guard with “Taps: being played and a three-shot
musket firing completed for this event. The D.A.R. Chapter is selling Christmas
wreaths to be placed on Veterans graves. Selling of these Christmas Wreaths for
placement on Veterans Graves is the D.A.R. chapter’s annual fund-raising event.
It was voted on that the Alexander Hodge S.A.R.
Chapter would buy 5 of this wreaths @ $17.00 per wreath.
3)
Art Byram, District #7 Vice President was
present with his wife Sharon. Art discussed up coming events in 2025 with
activities on going in District #7. The S.A.R. Alexander Hodge Chapter #49,
along with the Carrington Chapter will be co-hosting the State Business meeting
in Houston in the fall of 2025. The Carrington Chapter has raised $3,000.00 for
a granite Bench commemorating the 2026- 250thth anniversary of the
American Revolution.
Evening Speaker: Mel Oiler
“Freemasonary in the American Revolution”
Freemasonary is the oldest
fraternity organization known. It’s founding occurred sometime in the 14th
century in Scotland forming out of trade guilds of stonemasons. This secret
society had significant growth in the British society throughout Scotland,
Ireland and England. The society expanded out of the trade guides to a secret
fraternity throughout the 17th and 18th century.
The first Masonic lodge was in
the Americas was founded in 1715, in Pennsylvania. The popularity of this
organization was bought over to the Americas and had roots in religion in
England. Originally, the Mason’s practiced a basic belief in a “Supreme Being”
and that discussion of religion and politics do not take place in the lodge.
This changed over the years, but rituals and symbolism where developed and followed.
Most of the Founders of the
United States of America in the Continental Congress were Freemasons.
It is believed today that many
of the principles practiced by the Free Masons greatly affected some of the
principles written into the American Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Even
today, many Freemason symbols have been used in the printing of United States
currency.
Closing Remarks:
President Hill announced that
the next Alexander Hodge Chapter #49 meeting will be help January 28th, 2025-7:00
P.M., at the Spring Creek Barbeque restaurant on Highway 6 in Missouri City,
Texas. The next Chapter Business Meeting will be at the same restaurant on February
25th, 2025, 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 Whitney, Chaplain.
Prepared by Steven Barber,
Secretary