State SAR changing the way referred to

 We all know that TXSSAR has been the abbreviated form used to refer to the State Society of the Sons of American Revolution for a very long time.  

That is changing to be in line with the National Society.  The National SAR is a Society.  The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.

The SAR of the States (including Texas) are dropping the Society designation from the names.

The States are now just Sons of American Revolution.  So, Texas is the Texas Sons of American Revolution.  I guess the abbreviation will be TXSAR.

I don't get the importance of it, but who knows!  Not sure if, or when various Site access that use TXSSAR will change.

Speaker for March 25 2025 Meeting is author Blake Pfeffer

 Blake Pfeffer lives in Houston, Texas, and has been enamored with Texas history since he was a young teenager, a passion he inherited from his father and his Texas-pioneering family.  

Note:  His book is available at Barnes and Noble as well as directly from author and a number of Sites.  It can also be found as an eBook.

Meeting Notice for Dinner Meeting on Tuesday March 25 2025

Please plan on attending our upcoming chapter dinner meeting on Tuesday March 25th at Spring Creek Barbeque. The address is 4895 Hwy Six in Missouri City. We will start to gather at 6:30 p. m. and the chapter meeting will follow at 7:00 p. m.

The featured speaker will be Blake Pfeffer and his book "Shouts from the Republic".

Please let Lovell Aldrich know that you will be attending, Text or call him at 281-451 4547.

I look forward to seeing each of you at the meeting.

Carl V. Hill Jr.

President

Alexander Hodge Chapter #49

281 773 1739

Welcome New Member Carl Dean Smith approved on Jan 24 2025

 Carl Dean Smith was approved the same month that Dr Randall Mark Glenn was approved.

Carl's patriot is Gabriel Smith who was a member of Captain Thomas Child's North Carolina Militia Company. 

 More will be given when I cover North Carolina in the War.

Welcome to new members, Dr Randal Mark Glenn and Robert Clark Rhodes II.

Dr Randal Glenn's patriot is David Norman.

David Norman served as a private under Colonel Thomas Brandon in 1780 in a Company from Union County S.C.    Colonel Brandon was commander of the 2nd Spartan Regiment of Militia.  Colonel Brandon's forces were attacked on either June 10, 1780, or July 12, 1780 by Loyalist forces.  The Battle is known as "Brandon's Defeat."  

Learn more about this Battle and the Patriots who served in South Carolina when I work on the story of South Carolina in the Revolution at a later date.

Robert Rhodes II's patriot is Mark Russell.

Unfortunately, I am unable to give more at this time due to his Patriot being Unindexed in the SAR Database.  However, there are 23 Russel/Russell patriot pension records available.  So, time will tell if he can be found by an alternate method.

p.s.  DAR A098499 Record shows that patriot Mark Russell provided Material Aid in North Carolina.  Also lists him as a soldier, but gives no details.

 

Recent Submissions to State Newsletter and National Magazines

 Fellow members,

I continue to try to get into the SAR media stories on the activities of our Chapter.  Often, there doesn't seem to be a reason why a general Chapter news item is not accepted.   But will keep trying.

On February 16th, I submitted to the State Newsletter, Texas Compatriot, a story about President, Carl V Hill, and past president, Lovell Aldrich, presenting the SAR Martha Washington Medal on behalf of Alexander Hodge Chapter to Jo Ann Vasina of LaGrange on January 18th.

She received the Award for supporting the Alexander Hodge Chapter #49 with three new chapter members: Daniel Joe Shaver, Michael Thomas Shaver, and James Julius Shaver.

On March 4th, I submitted the following to the National Magazine.  Hopefully, it will be accepted and appear in the Chapter News section.

Registrar Committe Report

Five new applications have been submitted to National SAR.  One is Supplemental.  Three additional applications are at the SAR State Level.  The Chapter's Registrar Committee is actively working on another seven new applications.  Sandy Barber, Alexander Hodge DAR Registrar is assisting by working on the completion of a SAR application for the son of a recent new DAR applicant and on a rather difficult application completion for one SAR applicant.

The Chapter Registrar Committee also reports working on 5-6 additional applications that have recently expressed interest in joining the Alexander Hodge SAR Chapter.

Other Chapter Activities

1)    Carl Hill, Chapter President presented the six SAR Vietnam Veteran Lapel pin One to Chapter member, Lovell Aldrich in honor of his service in the US Army in Vietnam and five to fellow Marines is honor for their service in Vietnam.  Jim Penny, Chapter Webmaster, presented an additional one to an Army and to a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War.

2)    Carl Hill presented to all the Chapter Officers the Texas Society Sons of the American Revolution 100 Anniversary medals (1896-1986) that were available at the 106^th State Congress in San Antonio, TX.

 

Alexander Hodge Chapter No. 49

Business Meeting Minutes

        February 24, 2025

 

The officers of the Alexander Hodge Chapter #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 1:00 P.M.

Attending: Carl Hill (President), Don Burns (Vice President) Michael Green (Registrar) Jim Penny (Newsletter and Web Master), Don Rollins (Sgt. Of Arms) and Steve Barber (Secretary)

Secretary Report: Steve Barber provided copies and reviewed the Chapters January 28, 2023 Chapter meeting minutes. The minutes were approved by the attending officers.

Treasury Report:

Carl Hill presented the Treasures Report. The Chapter’s Treasury has a balance of $9,037.44. after the following expenditures,

Expenditures Since January 1^st, 2025:

1)    $85.00 To Alexander Hodge DAR Chapter – Wreaths Across America program - 5 wreaths purchased. .

2)    $200.00 Galvez Memorial Bricks purchase in the name of Alexander Hodge SAR and DAR Chapters.

3)    $329,00 Junior TOTC Medals purchased for 2025- Approved and signed off by Don Burns and Steve Barber

4)    $186.19 - Various administrative expenses on process new applicants with Registrar’s activities. Approved and signed off by Steve Barber and Don Rollins,

The Chapter received a donation of $125.00 from Mrs. Bernice Mistriot.

Steve Barber reported that the State of Texas SAR office reported 24 Alexander Hodge Members failed to submit their 2025 annual dues. This was investigated, finding the State office was late sending out the notices in 2024 and their on-line reporting system is slow to be update, 20 emails were sent out to listed members showing not paid, resulting in 5 emails coming back as not active emails. One email was entered with an error and that was corrected and sent back out after calling the member. The other 4 members with bad email addresses shown as not paying and 2 others that had no email listed in the State roster. were contacted by telephone. Corrected emails were provided along with commitments to pay those dues from those 6 individuals. To this date we still have 11 members that have not responded to the emails sent, even though the State still reports that our Chapter still has 20 members not paying 2025 dues. To illustrate the State Roster system not being always updated, Jim Penny, who sent his payment in November 2024 is still listed as not paid, even though the State was verbally contacted and it was confirmed payment was received. Will send second emails and will completing telephone calls to those remaining 11 members shown as not paying 2025 SAR dues.

Registrar’s Report:

Five (5) new applications have been submitted to National SAR for Robert Rhodes, Joshua Evans, Sean Hicks and Dr. Randal Glenn. The approval for Dr. Randal Glenn was just received. The fifth application was a supplemental for Gayle E. Barber, father of Steven Barber.

Three (3) applications are at the SAR State Level for Dr. Thomas Cool, his son Jack Phillp Cool and Doug Thorpe.

Registrar committee is actively working on applications for Brandon Draper, Micheal Bishop and three of his relatives, and Thomas Whitenton, the 2-year-old grandson of Tim Birtcher.

Sandy Barber, Alexander Hodge DAR Registrar is working on the completion of a SAR application for the son of Sylvia Garcia, who is a recent new DAR applicant and a rather difficult application completion for. Richard Laughlin.

The committee also reports working on 5-6 additional applications that have recently expressed interest in joining the Alexander Hodge SAR Chapter.

Web Site and Newsletter Report:

Jim Penny produced a 2025 Calander to track 2025 Alexander Hodge Chapter events.

Jim also presented a Mentor Training program for new members to improve Chapter recruiting and retention of new Chapter members. This structure program from the State SAR looks very promising as program to adopt to improve Chapter membership and participation in Chapter activities. This program would require active participation of existing members as mentors to use this program to recruit new members and having new members actively participating in Chapter events. The program has sign on paper work, a Power Point presentation, a list of mentor responsibilities and a State lapel pin recognizing mentors’ participation.

Jim Penny presented a short draft of the history of the Alexander Hodge Chapter #49, recognizing that 2025 is the 32^nd year of the founding of this chapter.

 

Other Business and Activities:

1)    Carl Hill presented the SAR Vietnam Veteran Lapel pin to 6 Alexander Hodge Chapter members. Lovell Aldrich in honor of his service in the US Army in Vietnam and 5 Marines is honor for their service in Vietnam were Greg Phillips, Jim Howse, Jerry Hoffman, Bill Knight and David Singleton.

2)    Carl Hill presented to all the Chapter Officers present at this meeting, Texas Society Sons of the American Revolution 100 Anniversary medals (1896-1986) that were available at the 106^th State Congress in San Antonio, TX.

 

3)    The Texas SAR Achieves committee will be publishing volume 3 of the Texas Society History in 2025. The last time this was published as volume 2 was 2005. Each Chapter member is encouraged to provider a short one-page biography and a portrait picture to Jim Penny to be included in this publication. The Chapter had 13 members listed in volume 2. Am example of a biography is available on request. The deadline for submittal of your biography is July 1^st, 2025.

 

4)    Nathan Simoneaux submitted a competitive 500-word patriotic essay with a four-generation ancestry chart into the State SAR Eagle Scout program, through the Alexander Hodge Chapter #49.

 

Upcoming SAR Chapter Opportunities to Participate:

1)    Carrie Isaak’s has setup a VA Hospital Visit for 8 members for the Alexander Hodge Chapter #49. The Michael DeBakey VA Medical Center is located at 2002 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, Texas.

This event is approved for March 11^th at 10:00 a.m. Small gift bags for the veterans have been arranged for this event. We encourage anyone that wants to attend this event to wear their SAR uniform or a SAR shirt. Please let Carl Hill know of your interested in attending this very rewarding event.

2)    March 1^st, 2025 there is an SAR Black Powder event at the Humble Museum, in Humble, TX at 9:00 a.m. This is the annual Revolutionary Education event this year entitled “Spanish Gamble”. This event for kids is a mini reenactment event with period costumes worn.

 

3)    April 12^th, 2025, there is a similar mini-reenactment event planned at Jessy Jones Park located at 20634 Kenswick Drive, Humble, TX. Details to be announced.

 

4)    Two Historical Flag Presentation are being planned for the first half of 2025. One event has been requested by the Saint Lawence Church Scout program in Sugar Land, TX. The second event is being requested for around July 4^th, 2025 at the Genealogy Department at the George Library in Richmond, Texas. Looking for members to assist in these presentations, Details to be announced.

Carl Hill has volunteered to remain as Chapter President, Treasure and Registrar and will be available to assist any one that would volunteer for any of these positions.  Don Burns has volunteered to be Chapter Vice President.  Phil Whitney has agreed to continue to be the Chapter Chaplain. Jim Penny has agreed to continue to be the Newsletter Web-Master for the Chapter. Steve Barber has agreed to continue as the Chapter Secretary and Don Rollins to continue as Sgt. Of Arms.  Michael Shane Steele has volunteered to remain Color Guard Commander. There are other officer and committee position available to Chapter members. The officers list as expressed above has been sent to the State SAR to update the officers’ roster.

END OF BUSINESS MEETING REPORT

Prepared by Steven J. Barber, Secretary

Dress for the part by visiting the National SAR Store Online

 It was nice to see all the members who attended yesterday's Business Meeting wearing an SAR shirt.  

It is good advertisement.  There are several styles to choose from.

I didn't purchase mine all at one time, but they not overpriced for a good looking shirt.

Here are the ones I own, but there are several other ones available.  There is also one under the 250 Anniversary banner.

I encourage every member to purchase at least one to wear to Meetings and Events. (jgp)

March 11 planned visit to Micheal Debakey VA Medical Center.

 The Chapter is planning a visit to the VA Hospital on March 11 at 10 am.  There is a limit of 8 people allowed.  Contact our President, Carl Hill if you would like to attend.

New Member Training Manual in progress

 I am currently customizing the template that National SAR sent out to members to the Alexander Hodge Chapter.

When it is completed it will be electronically sent to all members, it provides a good view of SAR and what is available to members.

Business Meeting today at 1pm at Spring Creek BBQ

 Just a friendly reminder about the upcoming chapter business meeting on Tuesday February 25^th , 1:00 p.m. at Spring Creek Barbeque.

Lots to discuss.

See you there,

Carl Hill

President

Alexander Hodge Chapter

Sons of the American Revolution

281 773 1739

 From the pages of the Spring 2022 Issue of the National SAR Magazine.  

I am Posting this in hopes of a member stepping forward to be the Veterans Outreach Coordinator for Alexander Hodge.  The Role for the Chapter is for Local outreach opportunities.  Contact out President, Carl Hill, if you are interested.

"The Veterans Committee of the NSSAR announces its program to increase SAR representation at various Veterans Administration Medical Centers (VAMCs) across the nation. 

The VA Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) committees, formerly known as VA Voluntary Services (VAVS), are volunteers representing various organizations who support our veterans.

 The groups represented in these committees are the DAR, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Salvation Army, Vietnam Veterans of America and Disabled American Veterans. 

Each organization on the CDCE committee is allowed one representative and multiple deputy representatives. 

Historically, SAR representation on CDCE committees has occurred only within a few state societies, while the rest of the organizations have no representation in the VAMCs. 

As of January 2022, the SAR has representation at only 37 of the 210 VAMCs and Outpatient Clinics across the United States. 

The Veterans Committee recognizes this as a growth opportunity for the SAR to increase our engagement with and support of our veterans in a meaningful manner. 

This Veterans Committee program aims to increase the SAR’s participation in the CDCEs at VAMCs where the SAR is currently not represented. 

Initial investigations by the Veterans Committee have revealed that many state societies and chapters are not aware of this opportunity to support our veterans. The Veterans Committee formed a subcommittee to develop an information and recruitment program to remedy this. Compatriot Andrew Akers (NH) is the chairman of this subcommittee. 

He will be reaching out to the various societies with information on where the VAMCs are located within their respective states and how they can recruit and support volunteers from their membership.

 Each state society and chapter is requested to support our outreach efforts when Compatriot Akers contacts them".

"The needs and requests vary, but two that occur regularly are food collections for low-income veterans and their families for Thanksgiving and Angel Tree requests for Christmas. Other proposals to support veterans may arise from natural disasters or specific local needs".  

"Any compatriot who wishes to become either a representative or deputy representative should contact the chairman of the Veterans Committee, Scott Giltner (KY), at stgilt@ earthlink.net to express his interest in serving".  

note on Planned VA Hospital visits in 2025 - from our Chapter President

 As I mentioned in the meeting Carrie Isaacks has agreed to set up another chapter visit to the VA Hospital in Houston. Past President Fred Bultman did this for the chapter and usually spent around $200.00 for each visit with gift bags for the veterans. Carrie has spent around $210.00 and hopefully everyone is okay with the chapter reimbursing her for the expense.

Carrie will stuff the bags. The dates we are looking at are March 11, 12 or 13. (Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday). Please let me know which date works best for you. We usually go in the morning and on a weekday as it is less crowded than the weekend. We will be visiting around 40 beds at the hospital.

Wear your SAR uniform or SAR shirt etc.  (last time they thought we were the British)

Also, the TXSSAR Archives Committee will be printing Vol. 3 of the Texas Society History. In Vol 2 the chapter had 13 members who submitted their biographies. Jim Penny and I will be working on this.  All information must be submitted by July. Example attached. 

Jan 28 2025 Meeting Minutes

 

Sons of the American Revolution

Chapter President                                                                                                        Treasurer

Carl Hill                                                                                                                                                          Carl Hill

Vice President                                                                                                                                               Registrar                          

 Don Burns                                                                                                                                                      Mike Green /                                                                                                                                                         Carl Hill

Secretary `                                                                                                                                                      Newsletter

Steven Barber                                                                                                                                    Jim Penny

Sgt. At Arms                                                                                                                                                   Web Master

Don Rollins                                                                                                                                                      Jim Penny

                                                    Alexander Hodge Chapter No. 49

Minutes

January 28^th, 2025

 

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.

16-Attending Chapter Members: Carl Hill (President & Treasure), Steven Barber (Secretary), Don Rollins (Sgt. of Arms), Phil Whitley (Chaplain), Jim G. Penny (Newsletter & Web Master), Micheal Green, (Registrar), Don Burns (Vice President), Rick Giuffre, James Taylor, Matt Barber, Dennis Giuffre, John Placette, Randal Glenn, Lovel Aldrich, Thomas Cool, and Allen Bogard?

6- Other Guests: Mrs. Bernice Mistrot, Mrs. Sharon Rollins, Mrs. Sherry Burns, Mrs. Jane E. Taylor, Micheal Bishop, Mrs. Claire Bogard and Mrs. Sandy Barber.

Guest Speaker: Mr. Denise Bennett

Treasurer’s Report: Carl Hill presented the Treasurer’s Report. The Chapter’s Treasury has a balance of $9627.63. $85.00 was spent on 5 Xmas Wreaths bought from Alexander Hodge DAR Chapter and placed on Veterans graves in December 2024. There was also $128.00 in expenses applied in new applicants Registrar expenses.

Secretary Report: Steven Barber reviewed the November 2024 Chapter Meeting minutes along with Chapter activity completed in December 2024. Those minutes were voted on in acceptance.

Registrar’s Report: The Alexander Hodge Chapter #49 has completed and sent into National S.A.R., four new membership applications. Randal Glenn, Robert Rhodes, Joshua Evans and Sean Hicks submitted applications are waiting for review and approval by S.A.R. National. Working on applicates for Dr. Thomas Cool and Micheal Bishop along with two others, recently received new applicants.

Web Site and Newsletter Report:

Web page for more information. (http://www.hodgesar.org)

Jim Penny reported a 30-page year-end Alexander Hodge Chapter #49 newsletter that went out in December that reviewed activity for all Chapter activities completed in 2024 and a forward look into 2025. That newsletter was submitted to the National SAR organization in a SAR Chapter newsletter competition.

Unfinished Business:

1)    There was two Essays that were being submitted in State competitions in December 2024. One George S. and Stella M. Knight contest essay for Grades 9-12 competition was not completed at the December deadline date. In the EAGLE Scout Program (before age 19) Nathan Simoneaux submitted a 500-word patriotic essay with a four-generation ancestry chart to this State-wide scholarship competition.

2)    At the LaGrange, Texas D.A.R. Chapter meeting, Lovell Aldrich and Carl Hill, President of the Alexander Hodge S.A.R. Chapter awarded the Martha Washington Medal to Jo Ann Vasina. Any D.A.R. recipient of this award must have three (3) documented S.A.R. applicants submitted to the State S.A.R. to receive this honor.

3)    At this monthly Chapter meeting, Carl Hill presented the SAR Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin to Lovell Aldrich in honor of his military service in Vietnam.

New Business:

1)    Carl Hill presented Certificates of Appreciation to officers who served the Alexander Hodge Chapter #49 in 2024. Recipients of these certificates was Don Burns, Vice President, Phil Whitley, Chaplain, Don Rollins, Sargent of Arms, Jim Penny, Web Master and Newsletter, Michael Green, Registrar. It is also noted that Carl Hill has acted as Chapter President, Treasure and Registrar throughout 2024.

2)    The TX SAR Archives Committee will be publishing Volume 3 of the Texas Society History. In volume 2, The Alexander Hodge Chapter had 13 members who had submitted biographies. Each Chapter member is encouraged to provide a short one-page biography. An example of these biographies will be sent out. The deadline for these submitted to the State is July 2025, so get your biography submitted soon to Jim Penny.

3)    Carrie Isaack’s has sent up an Alexander Hodge Chapter VA Hospital visit in Houston, on either March 11, 12 or the 13^th. The final visitation day will be announced at the February Chapter business meeting. Fred Bultman used to organize this for the chapter where small gift packages are prepared and given to the Veterans. We encourage the wearing of your SAR Uniform or a SAR shirt to participate in this event.

Evening Speaker: Mrs. Denise Bennett- “Adienne the Marquise de Lafeyette, Act 2?

Mrs. Denise Bennett dressed up and acted out the role of the wife of the French General Marquise de Lafayette, who supported and fought in the American Revolution. In this Act 2 production, Mrs. Bennett acting as Adienne, wife of Marquise de Lafeyette reviewed the trails and tribulations that their family had to endure during the French Revolution. On General Lafeyette’s return to France after the American Revolution he was well respected in the French court and government, However, when the French people rose against the French aristocracy, all those working for that government were declared enemy of the people. General Lafeyette along with most of the nobility in the French society were imprisoned or worst executed by the people. General Lafeyette personally was imprisoned for several years while some of his family members were executed. Act 2 reviews those years and the movement from various prison locations General Lafayette was imprisoned and many issues the Marquise de Lafayette family had to endure.

 

Closing Remarks:

President Hill announced that the next Alexander Hodge Chapter #49 meeting will be help March 25th, 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. Any 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

Alexander Hodge Chapter #49                                                                                                                  

Pictures from last Tuesday's Meeting will be added to the 2025 Album on Facebook

 

We had a good crowd there last Tuesday to hear the presentation by Denise Bennett.  She portrayed the wife of Lafayette.

Good to see member, James M. Taylor and his mother Jane Taylor.  They drove for a 1 1/2hr from La Ward, TX to join us for the meeting.

Randall Glen our newest member was in attendance.  His application was approved on 1/24/25.

Thomas Cool was in attendance.  He and his son, Jack Phillip Cool's applications are about ready to go to National.

Dennis Bishop was in attendance also.  His application is currently being worked on by Carl Hill and Micheal Green. 

Members and Guests present were:

Carl V. Hill - President, Interim Registrar, Treasurer

Don Burns and Sherry Burns - Vice President

Phil Whitney - Chaplain

Mike Green - Interim Registrar, Facebook Administrator

Lovell Aldrich - Past President

Don Rollins and Sharon Rollins - Sgt At Arms

Steven Barber - Secretary

James "Jim" Penny - Webmaster, Facebook Administrator, and Newsletter Editor

Bernice Mistrot

Matt Barber

John Placette

Denise Giuffre

Richard Giuffre

Alan Bogard and Claire Bogard

Randall Glenn

Dennis Bishop

Thomas Cool

James M. Taylor

Jane E. Taylor

Denise Bennett - Speaker

New members waiting on National to process Applications

 Our Interim Registrars, Carl V. Hill and Michael Green, have been and still are very busy working on Applications of prospective members.

The following are at National, so are in the final step to becoming a Chapter member:

Robert Rhodes - patriot is mark russell of the NC Militia

Joshua Evans - patriot is andrew evans of the NC & VA militia 

Sean Hicks - patriot is captain conrad snyder of PA.

Randal Glen - patriot is david norman of the SC Militia. Became a member on 1/24/25

The following are still working on Application or are about ready to send to National:

Dr Thomas Cool and son Jack Phillip Cool will be sent soon.

Dennis Bishop has sent in some application information.  We have not started on his application.  

Reminder, for those on Facebook, Alexander Hodge has a Facebook page. Below is how to get to it and how to join

 Alexander Hodge Facebook page can be found at: 

Alexander Hodge #49 Texas Sons of the American revolution.

If not a member, send a Request to join or email me and then I will send an Invite to your email.

The Facebook page is primarily used to document Chapter history and pictures.  There are multiple Albums with the yearly pictures and events.

Alexander Hodge Chapter awards the Martha Washington Medal

 Alexander Hodge Chapter #49 President, Carl V Hill, and past president, Lovell Aldrich, met at the Sealand Restaurant in LaGrange on Saturday, January 18, 2025 to award Jo Ann Vasina the SAR Martha Washington Medal.

"I am pleased to present the Matha Washington Medal and Certificate to Jo Ann Vasina for supporting Alexander Hodge Chapter #49 with three new chapter members: Daniel Joe Shaver, Michael Thomas Shaver, and James Julius Shaver."--Carl V Hill

Jo Ann Vasina is a member of the Smith-McMillan Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) of LaGrange, Texas.

The SAR Martha Washington Medal was authorized by The Sons of The American Revolution in 1971 to recognize outstanding service by women to the SAR.  Any woman over 18 years old who made significant contributions to the SAR through volunteer work, community service, and dedication to promoting the Mission of the SAR.

The gold medal features a portrait of Martha Washington with the inscription "SAR Martha Washington Award".  The Medal is named after Martha Washington for supporting the soldiers through providing supplies, tending the wounded, and maintaining morale through her letters and actions during the American Revolutionary War.

                     
   
  from L-R, Lovell Aldrich, Jo Ann Vasina, and Carl V Hill 

Members of the Smith-McMillan Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).                      

Along with Alexander Hodge SAR Chapter #49 members, Carl V. Hill and Lovell Aldrich.                              

Meeting Reminder - Tuesday, January 28th is the next meeting. Will have a Speaker.

 Please plan on attending our upcoming SAR Chapter Dinner Meeting on Tuesday January 28^th at Spring Creek Barbeque. The address is 4892 Hwy 6 in Missouri City.

We will gather at 6:30 for the barbeque buffet and the chapter dinner meeting will follow at 7:00 p. m.

The featured speaker will be Denise Bennett, "She brings history to Life", with an historical first-person interpretation of Adrienne the Marquise de Lafayette.  I believe that you will enjoy the evening.

Please let Lovell Aldrich know that you will be attending. Text or call him at 281 451 4547.

I look forward to seeing each of you at the meeting as we start the new year.

Carl V. Hill Jr.

Take it upon yourself to be a Mentor to a new member - TXSSAR Program

 

Speaker for the January Meeting coming on the 28th - Denise Bennett to portray Adrienne de Lafayette

           

 Denise enjoys doing historical first-person interpretations.  Much research goes into every component of the historical person she portrays.  Currently, Denise does eight persona's, one for the four centuries of American history.  She had the honor and privilege of performing Adrienne de Lafayette Act 1 at the NSDAR Continental Congress and both Acts 1 & 2 at the Michigan State DAR Conference.

Denise Bennet is a 1st and 2nd generation American, who despite her very recent immigrants, can

trace her lineage in America back to the American Revolution and to the 3rd ship that arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1623.  

She has joined 10 Lineage Societies with one of the most international applications.  In her first 3 generations she had proof documents which required translations from German, Spanish, and old Persian.

Denise currently serves as the President of her Daughter's of the War of 1812 chapter, President of her New England Women Colony and 2nd Vice Regent for the Lady Washington Chapter, NSDAR.  She is Co-Chair of the Louisiana Bicentennial Committee of the American Friends of Lafayette, commemoration General Lafayette's Farewell tour inn 1824-1825.  She is working on every aspect of the five-day New Orleans and Baton Rouge celebration in April 2025.

Alexander Hodge Chapter to purchase of 2 Bricks in support of the Bernardo de Gálvez Plaza Project

 Note:  This was in my Draft file while gathering details and I failed to Post finished story. jgp 1/1/2025

At our October 29th Business Meeting, those in attendance voted to purchase two bricks in support of the Project.  One brick will be inscribed for Alexander Hodge Chapter #49 and one for the Alexander Hodge Chapter in the DAR.

The Bernardo de Gálvez Plaza will be located in Menard Park which is owned by the City of Galveston, Texas.  The statue finishes and improves the eastern, Seawall corner of Menard Park, and will be completed with landscaping, benches, descriptive and educational weather-proof history signage, and commemorative brick and granite dedication plaques.  
The 16-foot-tall bronze by Houston artist Eric Kaposta will be mounted on a berm, and the statue being displayed prominently on Seawall Boulevard.  Commemorative bricks will pave the park space (click here for a brick order form).
This monument will help educate the public about the little-known fact of Spain’s contribution toward removing the British from the Gulf Coast during the American Revolution, and it will honor and promote the significance of the Great Spanish Patriot, Bernardo de Gálvez, and his victories during the Revolution in the city named for him.
  This project seeks to connect the Gulf Coast peoples with their early revolutionary patriots, and it will serve to educate a public that may not realize their heritage as descendants of patriots who fought for American independence.
To Contribute
Funds are being accepted by the Treasurer of the Bernardo de Gálvez Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.  The Chapter is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization, # 76-0203547. Donations may be mailed to Gálvez Statue, P.O. Box 1, Galveston, TX 77553, or made through PayPal via the form below.
Questions or additional information please direct to Bill Adriance, Chair Statue Committee, 409-939-0205, bill.a@galvezstatue.org.
Donate via PayPal
To make your donation online via PayPal, please complete the form below.  You do not have to have a PayPal account to make a one-time donation.  You have to have a PayPal account with an active credit card to make a recurring donation (you can create an account after this form sends you to PayPal if you don't already have one).  When the form is complete, click "Continue" to transfer to PayPal and complete your payment information.