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.
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