From Cleveland Daily Banner: SAR chapter has busy November and December
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The Col. Benjamin Cleveland Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution recently held its annual meeting at the Elks Club.
Tennessee Society SAR President-Elect Charles Dammann spoke on “SAR: Who Are We?”
He said the society was created as the National Society, Sons of the Revolution in 1876 then as the “Sons of Revolutionary Sires.” It was incorporated in April 1889 as the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. He also talked about the special act of Congress in June 1906, signed by President Theodore Roosevelt.
The Tennessee society was created in 1889 in Nashville. From 1889 until 1922, there were no chapters in the Tennessee Society; all were at-large.
In 1923 the first chapter was installed which was the Andrew Jackson Chapter in Nashville, the second was the John Sevier Chapter in Chattanooga in 1925, and the others then followed. At present there are 20 chapters in the Tennessee Society.
Dammann said the national headquarters of the SAR was in Washington, D.C., from 1927-1979. At that time the headquarters moved to Louisville, Ky., and took over the old Masonic Grand Lodge Building there. This building has now become too small, and in 2010 the first phase of the new building site, consisting of the new library, was dedicated. It is on west Main Street across the street from Louisville Slugger business.
Fundraising is continuing through the efforts of the Center for the Advancement of America’s Heritage to finish the completion of the final phases of the new Headquarters building on west Main Street in the museum district.
Dammann explained the various objectives, programs and activities of the SAR at the national, regional, state and chapters levels.
The visitors attending this meeting from the John Sevier Chapter in Chattanooga were Past State President Bill Eubank, Past State President and dual member John Echerd, Jim Carter and wife, Phyllis, (DAR member), and guest speaker Dammann and wife, Marilyn (DAR member).
Visiting SAR members of the Ocoee Chapter in Cleveland were Marilyn McReynolds, Harriet Caldwell, Regent Linda Foster, Jo Webb, Maggie Evans, and prospective member Gussie Ridgeway. Also recognized were Debbie Arp, Virginia Orr and Katye Beard, and the many wonderful wives present. Prospective members attending were Dan Crook, Bill Brown, Harrison Brown and Bill McClure.
Three new members, Larry W. Grant, the Rev. J. William Beard and Jeffrey A. Byrd, were sworn-in, and membership certificates presented by Stan Evans. Stone gave them the history of the Society rosette, and presented each a rosette as new members.
They each said a few words showing their appreciation for those helping them become members of this prestigious society.
East Tennessee Vice President Claude Hardison spoke on several issues and recent events in which the chapter has been involved, including the Gen. Cleveland statue fundraising efforts, the installation of the new State of Franklin chapter, the Christmas parade and several Color Guards efforts.
He also spoke on the recent growth of the chapter. He presented two chapter member certificates from the State of Franklin Chapter to Van Deacon and David Hicks.
Evans encouraged all members to attend the Wreaths Across America program. Chapter members taking part included Kevin Brooks, Evans, Stone, Allen, Hardison, Hicks and Jack Murphy. Cleveland resident Bill Norwood will also be involved. This year the chapter bought more than 80 wreaths, which will be part of the ones that will be laid.
Hunter McLain read a letter from President Tommy McLain, his grandfather, expressing his regrets for not being able to attend this annual meeting, and his appreciation for how the chapter officers and members have come forth and kept the chapter running in his absence.
He also reflected on the progress of his grandfather’s general health, and how he had lost about 49 pounds. Hunter stated he really appreciates all cards, calls and visits from members and friends.
All members present signed a get-well card for chapter member James McLain, who is battling cancer of the esophagus.
This year Certificates of Recognition went to chapter officers and members: Joe Brock, Colloms, Lynn Freeman, Bob George, Stone, Roy Queen, Deacon, Hal Taylor, Sam Allen and Doug Carpenter.
A special Bronze Good Citizenship Medal was presented to Jim May for all his work in assisting Freeman and Evans in the recruiting of new members.
Evans stated that May was a large contributor to the recent climb to 126 chapter members, and the 18 new applications in the system to be worked at National.
This year’s past president Brian Webb presented the “Stanley A. Evans Outstanding Service Award” to the member who the past chapter presidents chose for his untiring service to the chapter in 2011. The recipient for 2011 was Stone.
Webb was the one who developed this special chapter award in 2006 presenting it then to its first recipient, Evans.
Newman presented to Stone the first-place “Civics Honors” trophy the chapter won in the recent Cleveland Christmas Parade.
Allen, chairman for the Christmas Parade float, working with volunteers, prepared Newman’s large cannon, caisson and trailer as the float for the chapter’s entry into the Cleveland Christmas Parade on Dec. 4. Those involved in the preparation and parade were chapter members Allen, Newman, Evans, Hardison, Chris Carter, Taylor, Stone and Hiwassee chapter member Jason Wright. Two ladies, Maggie Evans and Harriet Caldwell, rode on the float during the parade in period dress.
On Nov. 11, Veterans Day, the chapter Color Guard paraded and posted the Colors for the Cleveland Middle School’s special Veteran’s Day Program. Participating were Evans, Stone, Hardison and Allen.
The chapter Color Guard participated in a special program at First Baptist Church Nov. 15. This most impressive program was the Cleveland Community Concert Band, who honored veterans of all wars, starting with the Revolutionary War up to the present Afghanistan and Iraq wars. Those participating were Stan Evans, Hardison, James Stone and Allen. There was total darkness in the church when the Colors and flags were paraded and posted, with only a light shining on the Color Guard, creating a most interesting effect.
Dammann installed the chapter officers for 2012. The elected/appointed officers were:
President: James K. Stone
1st Vice President: C. Van Deacon
2nd Vice President: David L. Whaley
Secretary: Joe E. Brock
Treasurer: Doug E. Carpenter
Genealigist/Registrar: E. Lynn Freeman
Chaplain: Eddie G. Cartwright
Sergeant-at Arms: Sam H. Allen
Historian: Robert L. George
Chancellor: Jim S. Webb
Dammann presented the chapter gavel to Stone, and placed the president’s ribbon around his neck. As the newly installed chapter president, Stone then gave his incoming speech.
First Vice President James Stone called the meeting to order. The invocation was given by Judge Carl Colloms, which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. flag led by Judge Van Deacon, the pledge to the SAR flag led by Phil Newman and the pledge to the Tennessee flag led by Dave Whaley.
Stone announced the next meeting will be held Jan. 8. He closed the meeting with Evans leading the recessional. Colloms gave the benediction, and the closing gavel was struck.
