Wreaths Across America event on Saturday December 14, 2024

 Chapter members from both the Alexander Hodge SAR and the Alexander Hodge DAR met at Hodges Bend Cemetery of December 14 for the Annual Wreaths Across America event.

The SAR Chapter members Carl V Hill (President), Stephen Barber (Secretary), and Mike Green (interim, Chapter Registrar) provided a Color Guard during the Wreath laying in the Cemetery.

Hodges Bend Cemetery is the resting place of Alexander Hodge the namesake of the Chapters.  Alexander Hodge was a Revolutionary War soldier who fought with the Col. Morgan, the "Swamp Fox".  Hodge also provided service during the Texas Independance war with Mexico. 

  

    

   

SAR Store Christmas Discounts valid through December 31st.

It would be great if every member had at least a ball cap to wear to the Meetings.  Many other apparel items available. (jgp)

 This holiday season, the Sons of the American Revolution is offering a special 15% off your merchandise order of $150 or more! Simply use coupon code 15 at checkout.

Don't miss out—this offer is valid through December 31, 2024. Explore our collection of apparel, medals and awards, and much more!

Minutes for November 24, 2024 Meeting

 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- 250th^th 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 14^th 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 17^th and 18^th 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

Alexander Hodge Chapter #49       

Update on Activities

I am currently working on several efforts. Any photos are info that you have is helpful. 

 1. A December Newsletter with the goal of having it look back on the Chapter during 2024 and the       

    members and visitors that we have had. Another portion will look forward to 2025 and Chapter plans. 

 2. I plan to submit the December Newsletter to the State Society for the Annual Competition. 

 3. Documenting Chapter activities from 2006 to present for the planned Vol 3 of the State Society's 

    History Book. This is ASAP since it is entering the finally stage of gathering information from the 

   Chapters. 

 4. Adding new material and Albums to the Facebook page to document photos from our Chapter. Just 

    added to Album for 2002 and created one for 2001. Note: The State database on Chapter members 

    stops at 2013. I am trying to fill in the blank years. 

 5. Found that the State database was missing 12 of our deceased members. Filled out and submitted to 

     Form for each of them. 

 6. Going through a State list of former members who did not renew for a 2 yr period. Not sure when 

     that 2 yr period started but emailing former members in Sugarland and Missouri City. Inviting them  

     back or at least for a visit during a Dinner Meeting in 2025.

Monthly Meeting Notice: November 26th Meeting and Speaker Mel Oller

 Members, friends, and visitors

Please plan on attending our upcoming chapter dinner meeting on Tuesday November 26^th at Spring Creek Barbeque. The address is 4895 Hwy 6 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 Texas SAR President Elect Mel Oller. His topic will be "Freemasonry in Revolutionary America".

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

I look forward to seeing you on Tuesday November 26th

Yours in Patriotism,

National SAR News - 136th SAR Annual Congress, Greensboro, N.C.; July 10 – 16, 2026

 

The Sons of the American Revolution National Congress is an annual multi-day meeting of members from across the country to conduct business, elect officers, learn, explore, and celebrate the achievements of individuals, State SARs, and Youth Contest Winners. North Carolina SAR is honored to host the 2026 Congress, in the 250th year of the Nation’s Independence. 136th SAR ANNUAL CONGRESS Greensboro, NC July 10 – 16, 2026  Make plans to attend the 136th SAR Annual Congress to be held at the Sheraton Greensboro at Four Seasons – Koury Convention Center, July 10 – 16, 2026, where we will be celebrating our Nation’s 250th Birthday!   Come walk in the footsteps of Patriots such as Major General Nathanael Greene and Lt. Colonel “Lighthorse” Harry Lee, where they stood toe to toe against Major General Charles Cornwallis.  We have tours scheduled for Old Salem, Historic Hillsborough, Guilford Courthouse National Military Park and Replacements, Ltd.  We are also planning at least two Grave-Marking opportunities marking at least five Patriots at each Marking.  Those are just a few highlights of what to expect.  Stay tuned to this page for further updates.  We look forward to seeing you in 2026!

Speaker for November 26, 2024 Dinner Meeting at Spring Creek BBQ in Missouri City

 Mel was inducted into the SAR and Freedom Chapter in 2013.  He was elected Freedom Chapter Secretary in 2015, served two years, and served as President of the Chapter for three years, from 2017 until 2020. 

He was a volunteer at the 2018 National SAR Convention in Houston, while participating at his first National Congress. He has been involved in the Orations contest, at the Chapter and Region levels.

Membership recruitment and retention were priorities as Chapter President. Other service contributions included JROTC presentations, promoting the Eagle Scout program, and encouraging Color Guard participation. 

His Color Guard Service has allowed him to qualify for the Galvez Bronze and Silver Medals.

Mel currently serves as the President Elect of Texas SAR, and Adjutant for the Color Guard. He has been District 8 Vice President and served three terms as State Secretary. He was awarded the Patriot Medal in 2021.

Mel is a Partner in a small Masonry Construction company in Houston, having entered the Masonry Industry as an apprentice Bricklayer in 1975, and active in local and state Masonry Industry groups, and Employer’s Associations. 

He is also a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission for the City of Oak Ridge North, a member of the Safety Committee at Grace Crossing Church, and a Board Member for the New Danville Community in Willis, Texas.

 He is also a 40 year Member and Past Master of the Humble Masonic Lodge #979, in Humble Texas, where he grew up.

 SAR Alexander Hodge Chapter #49 BUSINESS MEETING – October 29th, 2024, 1:00 p.m. 

Location: Spring Creek BBQ on Highway 6 South, Missouri City, Texas.

Attended: Carl Hill (President), Don Burns (Vice-President), Steve Barber (Secretary),

Don Rollins (Sargent of Arms), Mike Green (Newsletter), and Jim Penny (Web Master).

Treasury Report: $10,118.41 in the treasury. 

All checks for Sharon Aldrich memorial have cleared, Two (2) outstanding checks still exist from the JROTC program. ($200.00 and $500.00).  There are also two (2) $100.00 checks outstanding for the approved purchase of two bricks for the Galvez Memorial. One brick was given in the name of the SAR Alexander Hodge Chapter #49 and one brick in the name of DAR Alexander Hodge Chapter. 

Thank you letters have been received from that organization for these donations.

Registrar Report:

Three new applications for were sent in by the Chapter Registrar committee (Carl Hill and Mike Green) for prospective new members Randal, Rhodes and Laughlin. Only the Laughlin application was returned requiring additional documentations. We have 12 additional new applications that are going along quite well in their completion that we are attempting to have all submitted by year end.

Newsletter and Blog and Facebook page:

Jim Penny reports that the work continues on military documentation of members ancestry military units and their activity during the American Revolutionary war. This mostly centers around patriots living in Virginia, where approximately 30 members of the Alexander Hodge Chapter has ancestry lineage in Virginia.

Jim also reports getting old and new photography on the Alexander Hodge Chapter #49 that will be posted on the Chapter Facebook page.

The Newsletter for November 2024 is ready for publication after the Presidents Message has been completed and submitted.

Any Chapter Minutes will be posted on the Chapter Web Blog site.

Old Business:

1) The flag certificates awarded to Sugar Land Fire and Police Departments have been documented and submitted to the State SAR organization for Chapter credit.

2) Mike Green and Carl Hill attended the memorial service for Compatriot Gus Sandstrom with several flags.

New Business:

1) Carl Hill proposed that a Memorial Bell Ringing Service be held at the last monthly Chapter meeting in November 2025. This service would recognize people that the Chapter has lost in the last couple years. The service would include Hugh Morgan Flora (deceased July 30, 2023), Frank Feleman (deceased May 10 th , 2024), Thomas B. Green (deceased July 16 th , 2024 Gustavo A. Sandstrom (deceased July 29, 2024) and Sharon Aldrich (deceased August 2024.) 

The proposal was voted and passed.

2) Carl Hill warned that there are still false emails being sent out in his name.

3) We have been informed by our District Vice President that the SAR Carrington Chapter has agree to donate $3,000.00 for a granite bench commemorating the 250 anniversaries of the American Revolution in 2026. The bench total cost at this time from Texas Gravestone (281-503-2400) who is providing such a benchfrom other SAR chapters that will be placed at the SAR State memorial is $5,500.00. This cost includes the cost of manufacturing the bench, a granite slab for the bench to be placed upon and deliver and setting of the slab and bench.

It is suggested by Art Byram, VP of our District #7, that Alexander Hodge Chapter #49 and the Carrington Chapter could be recognized on this new bench with donations from each Chapter. It is proposed that the bench would be presented to Houston Christin College to sit outside of the Independence Hall building on the Houston, TX campus.

A diagram of the proposed bench with all engravings was reviewed and available.

4) Carl Hill also bought up the need to start next year planning with the Carrington Chapter and with our District VP, the hosting of the Fall State Business Meeting here in Houston, TX. The Chapter is in the need of a chairman to head up this service opportunity. Along with the bench placement. The idea was put forth of arranging for this State Business Meeting to be held at the Houston Christian College Independence Hall facility and have a dedication ceremony for the above mentioned granite bench.

5) In the first quarter of 2025, the Alexander Hodge SAR Chapter is looking to share a table presentation with our sister DAR Alexander Hodge Chapter at the Del-Web retirement community. The purpose is for promoting the organizations for new membership. Our Chapter was invited to attend this with the DAR Chapter.

Upcoming Service Event Opportunities:

1) The DAR Alexander Hodge Chapter will be having their 2024 “National Wreaths Across America Day” sale and the wreath laying event coming December 14th, 2024. The SAR Chapter supported this event in the past with buying wreaths and providing a Color Guard during the day of the laying of the wreaths. A brochure will be presented at the November SAR Chapter meeting for the purchase of these wreaths by SAR Chapter members and by our SAR Chapter. 

Carl has also agreed to provide an SAR Color Guard for the DAR Wreath Laying ceremony December 14 th , 2024. Any Alexander Hodge Chapter #49 member that would like to participate in this Color Guard, please contact Carl Hill with your interest.

2) The Chapter is looking to renew having visits to the VA hospital twice a year. This was a tradition started with Fred Boatman when he was our Chapter president. In these visits small gifts to the veterans in the hospital where provided. (personal care items, puzzles, etc.) These visits where normally arrange during the year and not during holidays. A large part of the population of the Veterans hospital are paraplegics veterans. The next visit is being planned for February 2025.

3) Carl also bought up other community service opportunities that have been completed in the past that need a Chapter Chairman assigned to coordinate these other service opportunities for our SAR Chapter. 

Beside the Outstanding JROTC Cadet Award that Carl has facilitated in the past, there is an Essay Contest for Grade 9-12, an Americanism Poster Contest Grades 3-5, and an Eagle Scout Program that the Chapter has sponsored in the past. There are six other programs that the Chapter have not sponsored in the past.

4) Mike Green bought up an opportunity for the Alexander Hodge Chapter to award local police, EMS and fire department personnel with various SAR awards that are available. Mike discussed with Sargent Fitzgerald of the Sugar Land Police Department the possibility of using the Sugarland 100 Club banquet scheduled for January 17th 2025 and a venue to present these awards on behalf of the Alexander Hodge Chapter #49. The officers agreed that this would be an excellent opportunity for the Chapter to get more community exposure, but a person must be chosen to lead a committee for this Chapter to communicate with the 100 Club if they would allow these presentations at their banquet and coordinate the selection and nomination of the public servants that would deserve such awards.

5) The Saint Lawence Catholic Church in Sugar Land, TX Boy Scout, Girl Scout and Cub Scout organization has inquired about the Alexander Hodge Chapters SAR Flag ceremony presentation. Jacobs Counts the Scout Master at 832-541-2789 has inquired for 2025.

Other News:

The next Alexander Hodge Chapter #49 meeting will be held at the Spring Creek BBQ restaurant on HW6 south in Sugarland, TX on November 26th, 2024 at 07:00. Come early to eat some great BBQ and get a good seat. 

The speaker will be Mel Oller on the Masonic Masons role with most of the Founders of the United States.

End of Business Report

prepared by Steve Barber, Chapter Secretary

Opportunties List - to be included on November Newsletter

 Members, associated family members, and friends of Alexander Hodge Chapter

In the coming Issue, will be a List of areas where HELP is needed.  Help can be provided on a short-term basis in order to successfully promote programs primarily targeting young people or veterans and first responders in the areas of Missouri City, Sugarland, and Stafford.

Multiple Members can volunteer to work only one aspect of any of the SAR Programs.  Perhaps, promoting the Program/Programs within just one of the Cities.

The main effort for the youth is to communicate the existence of SAR Programs and be a contact from the Chapter.  

Programs are for: Grades 9-12 (3 separate ones); a JROTC (Grade 11); Eagle Scout (bef age 19); Grades 3-5; Grades 6-9; Grades 10-12 & College Freshmen; Grades 7-12; and a History Teacher of Year Award for Grades 7-12.

All deserve to be championed.  

However, The Poster Contest is one which is fun to promote and to judge. The Americanism Poster Contest is open to student in Grades 3-5 who are in public school, parochial schools, home-schooled, Scouting, or CAR (children of the American Revolution).   The Poster Theme is "Revolutionary War Event".  The Chapter will judge any entries from the targeted area of Missouri City, Sugarland, and Stafford.   Each Chapter can select one Poster per 50 that they judge and forward it to the State Level.

 At the State Level, the following placed Posters win a Cash Award.  1st Place - $300 Cash; 2nd Place - $200 Cash; 3rd Place - $150 Cash; 4th and 5th Place - $100 Cash.   

 

Program Details:

Posters will be judged by the following criteria:

1. Does the poster express the annual theme?


2. Does the poster show originality by the student?


3. Does the poster show evidence of research?


4. Does the poster show artistic merit and creativity?


5. Does the poster accurately reflect the historical event?


6. Is the poster neat and visually pleasing?

Instructions to participants:

• Poster will be on standard poster board (22" x 28")
• Any media of drawing material may be used, and students may paste unpublished material (not commercially printed) on their boards.
• No three dimensional posters will be accepted.
• No group project posters.  Each poster must be done by one individual student.
• All entries must have the following information taped to the back of the poster:
  Student's Name, Address, Home Telephone, Age, Grade, Name of School, Name of Teacher, and Sponsoring SAR Chapter.  The front of the poster must not be signed.

 Instructions to Chapter:

The National Entry Form and parental consent form need to be in the hands of the contest chairman by March 1st.  

Each Chapter will be responsible for bringing their winning poster to the Texas SAR Annual Meeting.  If you cannot attend send poster to:

Texas SAR Americanism Poster Contest Chairman Wayne Courreges at:  Poster@texassar.org

SAR Chapter representative – mailing instructions are available on the private Texas SAR site by clicking here.

Newsletter plans -- November Issue under development

 Fellow Compatriots,

I have been developing the November Newsletter over the last several weeks.  I hope to have it out soon as soon as I receive a few key contributions.

I have added a few new items and pages which I think you will enjoy.  Here is the Table of Contents as it currently stands.

                                                Page

President’s Message                   2

Opportunities                           3

A Chapter Remembrance          4

IN MEMORIUM                    5

September Speaker                  6

Flag Retirement Certificates. 7-8

  +Missouri City Police Dept

  +Missouri City Fire Sta. 1

  +Sugar Land Fire Sta. 1

Certificate of Commendation     9

War Correspondence                10

Dinner Meeting

State/National News