Welcome New Members for May 2026

Through the efforts of our chapter registrar, Michael Bishop, we had four new members added to our Chapter.  

It is hoped that all will be able to make it to the Chapter Dinner Meeting on this coming Tuesday, May 26th and be formally inducted into the Chapter.

We welcome:

 Brandon M. Draper, 

Richard J. Laughlin, 

David D. Lieske III, 

Raymond J. Mullins.

In the next Newsletter, I will include a profile of their patriots.

Historic American Documents on display at the Houston Museum of Natural Science from May 8-25 - not much time left

 

Here's the full list of documents on display at the Houston Museum of Natural Science from May 8-25:

• William Stone Engraving of the Declaration of Independence, 1823: One of 200 exact 
• replicas of the Declaration of Independence created in the early 19th century, and one of 50 known to still exist.
• Articles of Association, 1774: The First Continental Congress’ agreement to boycott British goods.
• George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr’s Oaths of Allegiance, 1778: Nearly two years into the American Revolution, Congress ordered all Continental Army officers to take an oath of allegiance to the U.S. More than 1,000 survive, including these from prominent American leaders.
• Treaty of Paris, 1783: The treaty signed by the United States and Britain, formally recognizing the U.S. as an independent nation.
• David Brearley’s Secret Printing of the Constitution, 1787: One copy of the draft for the U.S. Constitution provided to delegates of the Constitutional Convention.
• State Delegation Votes Approving the Constitution, 1787: The roster of the votes to ratify the U.S. Constitution.
• Senate Markup of the Bill of Rights, 1789: The Senate’s annotations and markup to what became the Bill of Rights.

Pictures of JROTC presentation of Medal by Robert Rhodes

 These came in after April Newsletter was completed.

Robert Rhodes on behalf of the Alexander Chapter presented the JROTC medal to Cadet Ensign Adam Wong of Clements High School at their JROTC Banquet on April 17, 2026.

Minutes of the April 28, 2026 Business Meeting

 Alexander Hodge Chapter No. 49 Business Meeting Minutes April 28th, 2026

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), Jim Penny (Newsletter and Web Master), Don Rollins (Sgt. Of Arms),
Mike Bishop (Registrar) and Steve Barber (Secretary), and Don Burns (Vice President)
Secretary Report: Steve Barber.

The minutes from the March 31st, 2026 Chapter meeting, as published in the Chapter Newsletter were
reviewed and those minutes were approved by the attending officers.

Treasurers Report: Carl Hill
Carl Hill presented the Treasurer’s Report. The Chapter’s Treasury has a balance of $9,758.55.
This included $503.50 in annual dues received from State SAR for 2026.

Expenses for the Liberty Tree Project amounts to $175.00 for the Plaque and $378.88 for the Elm tree.
Jose Evans has arranged this project with getting approval to plant this tree with the plaque at the south
end of the plaza at the Richmond Fort Bend County grounds. This planting is to take place in the next
month, with a firm date to be announced. 

The Liberty Tree Project is a nation-wide event of having elm trees planted throughout the United States in commemoration of the original Liberty Tree in Boston in recognition of the 250th Anniversary of American Independence.

Registrars Report: Mike Bishop

New member, John McMahan is transferred his SAR membership from North Carolina. There is a need to follow-up with John to resolve any issues he is having with getting his previous North Carolina Chapter to establish he is in good standing with SAR for the transfer.

Mike Bishop reports the following efforts for membership:

Supplementals have been completed and are at National for approval for Henry Bolton, Jeremiah
Willison, Thomas Farley Senior, Forest Farley, John Peters Senior., and Thomas Farley Jr.

Applications have also been submitted for Brandon Draper, Jody Muritto, Mark Grayson, James
Pettibone, Fred Pettibone, Ted Exline and Brian Bishop.

Still working on application for Eddie Tipton and David Hayes.

Applications for Raymond Mullins and Donald David Lieske III. were approved at National SAR.

2026 Dues: Carl Hill

According to the State SAR registration, Alexander Hodge Chapter #49 has 18 members that have not
yet paid their 2026 membership dues. 

Steve Barber and Carl Hill are splitting the list to follow up with telephone call to all of those members. Emails were sent to all but three of those members in March with no replies received. The three that did not receive the email had bad email addresses in the database.

Carl Hill announced the new 2026 SAR application fee structure as:
Application Fee to National: $200.00
State Fees $47.50
Chapter Fees $16.00
Total $263.50

Web Site and Newsletter Report: Jim Penny

April 2026 Newsletter was just sent out for the Alexander Hodge Chapter.

The Alexander Hodger Chapter Newsletter again won first place in a Texas State competition.

All members should be aware of fraudulent emails that they could receive from SAR State or local
Chapter officers. No solicitations, other than annual dues notices are ever sent out by the organization.

Other Chapter Business:

1) The Chapter is sponsoring an essay submitted by Ms. Advika Asthana, a home-schooled 10th
grader, in the George S. and Stella M. Knight Essay contest on America history. Her 800-word
essay is entitled “Valley Forge, Birthplace of the Continental Army”. We wish her good luck in
winning the State wide competition at the State Convention in Austin April 15-19

2) Cadet Jocelyn Hernandez from Lawerence E. Elkins HS AFJROTC and was nominated and
awarded JROTC medal and certificate from the Alexander Hodge Chapter #49. (Note: her picture is in the April Newsletter).

3) Carl Hill gave an inventory of all the SAR medals in inventory. This includes: a Good Citizenship
Medal, a Life Saving Medal, a Hero’s Medal, a Law Enforcement Medal, JROTC Medals, ROTC
College medal, Matha Washington Medals, Fire Safety Metal, Appreciation Medals along with
various SAR Challenge Coins.

Robert Rhodes approached Carl with the idea off developing 2 specific Alexander Hodge Chapter
#49 Challenge Coins for sale as a fund raiser for the Chapter. Various designs were presented as
possible designs reflecting the Alexander Hodge Chapter. Robert is pursuing the cost to produce
these coins.

4) Carl Hill discussed JROTC scholarship monies available from the State in 2026. This JROTC
schlorship money is given to senior cadets that are planning to attend college, that have at least a
3.0 grade point average in a 4.0 grading system and are nominated by JROTC Commander.
Secretary of State SAR, Richard Zdunkewicz informed Carl that he has raised an $3000.00 for
JROTC scholarships fund for 2026 for our District. The funds are then shared by the three
Chapters in District 7. The scholarships are awarded by each Chapters to JROTC senior
candidates in local high school. With these funds, the Alexander Hodge Chapter’s program is fully
funded to award several scholarships at varies High School in the county in 2026. In 2025 we had
three $300.00 schlorship checks with only one check that was never claimed. We ask checks be
cashed within six months.

Future SAR Participation Opportunities:

1) The Project 250 program in recognition of the 250 th anniversary of the founding of America is
moving forward with the purchase of 2 flag poles with solar lighting to be placed in the Pleasant
Green Cemetery in Richmond, TX. This is a project being sponsored and funded by this SAR
Chapter, the DAR Alexander Hodge Chapter and the Saint Lawrence Church Boy Scout troop.
The scout troop is completing the installation of the flag posts. The Chapter will provide a color
guard at the dedication ceremony planned for June 14th, 2026 at the cemetery. Donations are
being accepted to cover the cost of this project.

2) The Chapter is participating in a nation-wide project called the Liberty Tree Project. Josh Evans is
leading up this effort of planting an elm tree in the area, replicating the Liberty Tree in Boston,
MA. The planting is going to be completed, April 30, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at 301 Jackson Street in
Richmond, Texas. The cost of the tree was higher than expected and any donations would be
appreciated to cover the costs of the Liberty Tree Project.

3) In July, 2026, there is a purposed shared event with the Alexander Hodge SAR Chapter 49 and
the Alexander Hodge DAR Chapter to have a table at the George Memorial Library with flags,
brochures and historical items to display and promote the 250 th anniversary of America and
promote SAR and DAR organizations.

4) Also in July, the DAR has a patriotic event at “Nerry’s Promise” in Rosenberg, Texas for
disadvantage children. Debbie Grayson has asked the Alexander SAR Chapter to attend this
event in uniforms and if possible, arrange to fry and serve hamburgers at this event. The day is
completed with a patriotic participation parade with the DAR and SAR leading the parade of
children. The event is sometime around the 4th of July; I believe it is either the Saturday before or
after July 4th .

5) Carl announced future speakers for chapter meeting through October,2026 with the next meeting
entitled,” American Wild West 1812”.

The next Alexander Hodge Chapter #49 meeting is scheduled for May 26th , 2026 at 7:00 P.M. at Spring Creek Barbecue restaurant on Highway 6 in Missouri City Texas. The next Business Meeting will be June 30th , 2026.

END OF BUSINESS MEETING REPORT
Prepared by Steven J. Barber, Secretary

Additional money for JROTC Scholarships

 Carl received an email from the State Secretary, Richard Zdunkewicz, that he has raised an additional $3,000.00 for JROTC Scholarships. So, we will be good for our part of the JROTC scholarship money this year. 

Liberty Tree planted today

Received this today but too late to attend.

Josh is planting the Elm tree at 10:00 a. m. this morning at 301 Jackson St. in Richmond.  Carl was planning to attend to help if needed. The County is to dig a hole to make sure there are no cables, etc. under where the tree is to be planted.

Any donations for the Liberty Tree project would still be appreciated.

Correct date of the previous Monument post

 From a recent TXXSAR message, the December date was incorrect.  The Monument Dedication in Austin will begin promptly at 10:00 AM on Saturday, April 18th and should wrap up around 11:30 AM.

News from TXSSAR on Dedication of the Texas SAR 250 Monument at Texas State Cemetery in Austin at 10:00 AM on Saturday, December 18th

 Received this from TXSSAR.  The date was moved from the previously mentioned April 2026 to now on December 18th 2026.

Compatriots,

We are looking forward to seeing you at the 2026 State Convention and at the dedication of the Texas SAR 250 Monument at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin.  Dignitaries from the National Society and many other lineage societies will be in attendance, making this quite the memorable event. 
 
In honor of the dedication and the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence we have produced a one-of-a-kind challenge coin.  The challenge coin will be available for a donation of $25.00 and can be obtained at the convention registration table.  The photo below doesn’t do the actual coin justice!  It is simply beautiful! 

There is very limited parking at the Cemetery.  Therefore, we have arranged for free parking at the lot adjacent to the Austin Southpark Hotel in Austin.  Shuttles from Sherpa Lux will begin their routes to and from the cemetery at 9:00 AM and will continue afterwards until all guests have been picked up.
 
The Texas State Cemetery is located approximately a mile east of the Texas Capitol in central Austin, between 7th and 11th Streets and four blocks east of Interstate 35.  The Visitors Center is just inside the Cemetery’s main entrance on Navasota Street. 
 
Very limited parking is available in the lot adjacent to the administration building on Navasota Street or in metered spaces along the street.  Driving through the Cemetery on State Highway 165 is permitted, though due to its narrowness visitors are asked not to park along the road.  Exceptions to that rule include parking in the widened area leading out to Comal Street on the east, and in the cul-de-sac at the south end of the property.  There is very limited handicap parking available
 
The dedication program will begin promptly at 10:00 AM on Saturday, December 18th and should wrap up around 11:30 AM.  We encourage attendees to arrive early and be seated or in the place they prefer to watch the ceremony by 9:50 AM.  
 
There will be some shaded seating available and we will have bottled water for attendees.  We do however encourage attendees to bring along their own water…just in case.  It will likely be warm.  You may want to bring a hat or an umbrella to avoid too much sun.
 
The dedication promises to be a wonderful and memorable event.  We’ve been planning this for well over a year and we look forward to seeing you there!
 
Mel Oller
President, Texas SAR
pres@texassar.org
 
Remote Parking and Shuttle Access:
 
1) Austin Southpark Hotel
     4140 Governors Row
     Austin, Tx 78744
 
2) Overflow Parking Lot
     1834 Directors Blvd
     Austin, TX. 78744
 
The satellite image shows both the hotel location and the overflow parking lot.

For a limited time the National application fee for New Applications will be reduced to $76 in honor of the year 1776.

 Announcement from the Registrar General

National Society Sons of the American Revolution

In celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence, the National Society Sons of the American Revolution will offer a special reduced registration fee for New Member and Jr. Member applications during the month of July 2026.

For applications postmarked between July 1 and July 31, 2026, the National application fee for New Applications will be $76 in honor of the year 1776.

This special fee applies only to New Member and Jr. Member (New Lineage) Applications submitted during the July 2026 window.

Please note the following exclusions:
•        The special fee does not apply to Family Plan Applications
•        The special fee does not apply to Memorial Applications
•        The special fee does not apply to Supplemental Applications

To qualify for the reduced fee, New Applications must be postmarked between July 1 and July 31, 2026.  The revised fee schedule is attached.

We hope this commemorative initiative will encourage prospective members to join the SAR as we mark the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding and honor the patriot ancestors who secured American independence.

Additional details and reminders will be distributed as we approach July 2026.

Respectfully,

Keith A Weissinger, MD
Registrar General
National Society Sons of the American Revolution

Forwarded by
Mel Oller
Texas SAR President
pres@texassar.org

Business Meeting, tomorrow at 1pm. Meeting a Spring Creek BBQ.

 Our Bi-monthly Business Meeting will be tomorrow.  All members are welcomed.

Sources of Military Uniforms and Equipment

 

Clothing American Heritage Clothing American Duchess Avalon Forge C & D Jarnagin F & T Fur Trading Post (Fur Hats) G. Gedney Godwin James Townsend The Quartermaster General Smoke & Fire Company Smiling Fox Forge Muskets, etc. Buffalo Arms Cash Manufacturing Co., Inc. Cherry's Fine Guns Cooperstown Cabin Creek Muzzleloading Trading Post Crazy Crow Trading Post Dixie Gunworks Jedediah Starr Trading

Middlesex Village Trading The Possible Shop Track of the Wolf Veteran Arms Sewing supplies, etc. Burnley & Trowbridge Carolina Calicoes Wm. Booth Draper Village Green Clothier The Recollections of J. P. Ryan Roy and Debra Najecki's Trim Fabric Miscellaneous American Revolution Org Wooded Hamlet 1st Virginia, Quartermaster Taylor Rose Weeping Heart Ft. Downing Trading

Details on State Convention on April 15-19, 2006

 Members,

The State Convention will be held in Austin on April 15-19th.  

Event Registration can be done on the texassar.org Website.

Room Reservations need to be done now!  

Call Austin Southpark Hotel at 512-448-222.  Identify yourself as part of the Texas SAR group.

Or CTRL + CLICK the following booking Link: https://group.hilton.com/3u6rt1.

The default date range on the booking Link is April 12th-21st.  You must change the dates to your desired booking dates and CLICK "UPDATE" for the System to accept your desired date!

Hotel Rate is $149.00 USD/Night plus tax.  Rates are offered 3 days pre/post Event.

Cut-off Date for booking is Wednesday, April 1, 2026.  Cancellation must be done 24 hrs before date of arrival to avoid charges.

If you have any issues booking a room, contact Dennis Brunson @ 979-324-8552 or email dpbrunson@gmail.com.

If you need additional help or assistance, please feel free to contact:

Mark Ellison    marmellison1@gmail.com

Shildon Hawley    shildon@gmail.com

Joseph Burton    joseph.Burton@jll.com

Austin SouthPark Hotel

4140 Governors Row, Austin Texas 78744

P: 512-448-2222

Welcome to New Members of the Chapter

 John McMahan transferred in from the Raleigh Chapter in North Carolina.  He lives in Sugar Land.  
    4 approved Patriots.  One served as a Corporal in CT, one was a Pvt and spy in PA, one was a Pvt serving in VA, and one performed Patriotic Service in N.C.

Michael Edward Bishop.  He lives in Rosharon.

Patriot - Mitchell Clay, served in the Montgomery Co., VA Militia.  Fought at the Battle of Mount Pleasant.

Gerald Wade Bishop.  He lives in Lebanon, TN.

Patriot - Mitchell Clay

Douglas A. Thorpe.  He lives in Richmond.

Patriot-Nathan Lewis (currently unindexed and details not available)