THE NATIONAL SOCIETY, SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
VICE PRESIDENT GENERAL’S REPORT
Filing Date: February 6, 2013
DISTRICT: PACIFIC
VPG: Robert F. Doughty
MEETINGS ATTENDED:
Attended services for four departed compatriots.
REPORT & RECOMENDATIONS:
The Pacific District reports 100% participation in the SAR Flag Certificate program; every Chapter and every State presented at least one Flag Certificate in 2012. Efforts continue to explore the feasibility of hosting a National Congress in the Pacific Northwest sometime after the year 2018; a Steering Committee report is expected at the annual Pacific District Meeting in April, 2013. A Pacific District web page is up and running on the SAR National Web Site comparable with other District Web Sites thanks to our Webmaster, David Devin (Oregon Society). Guidelines and protocols have been developed for the new Pacific District Joint Treasurer position thanks to Compatriot Roger Swim (Oregon Society) and Craig Lawson (Washington Society). Ongoing throughout the Pacific District is promoting and encouraging attendance at Leadership meetings and National Congresses, and participation in various programs such as the NLA Patriots Project, Americanism Elementary School Poster Contest, Knight Essay Contest, and Tom & Betty Lawrence History Teacher Award.
The Alaska Society, led by State President Walter John, met twice in Anchorage to visit and discuss SAR activities and programs such as the Flag Certificate, the Americanism Elementary School Poster Contest, and the Tom & Betty Lawrence History Teacher Award. They participated in the annual Alaska DAR/SAR luncheon meeting November 3, 2012, sponsored by the DAR Sleeping Lady Chapter. The keynote speaker, John Usibelli of the Usibelli coal mine namesake near Healy, Alaska, provided an interesting perspective of growing-up in the interior and of the coal mining industry in Alaska. During this meeting, State President Walter John presented a WWII War Service Medal to Compatriot Jack Easley who helped found the Alaska Society SAR in the 1950’s and is an early Alaska Society President. Compatriot Harvey Rookus, our second Alaska Compatriot with WWII service, also a former Alaska State President, was unable to attend the luncheon so after the meeting a group of us went to Harvey’s home to present him with his WWII War Service Medal. Compatriot John Rogers was presented the SAR Meritorious Service Metal having done a terrific job in his duties as Alaska Society Registrar. His organizational skills, knowledge of genealogy, and willingness to help prospective members, gained six new members this year representing a 25% increase in membership, plus adding a Compatriot from the Washington Society as a dual member, and submitting five supplementals in 2012. The Alaska Society’s new internet web site on the SAR National Web Page is comparable with other State Society web sites, thanks to Compatriot Dale See and his computer skills. In April are the annual SAR JROTC Awards Banquets for Anchorage area high schools and the four high schools in Fairbanks.
The Oregon Society, Eugene Melvin, State President, continues to raise funds to add a Revolutionary War Monument to Beaverton, Oregon’s Memorial Park; the ORSSAR C.A.R. is a significant contributor by assisting with fund-raising, thanks to Jennifer Devin. Compatriot Robert Bogardus heads an effort to develop a suitable medal for Oregon Society’s 125th Anniversary, June 6, 2016. One of our Scouts will compete for the NSSAR King Eagle Scout Award and will surely win because he’s that good. The ORSSAR Color Guard participated in numerous events, including massing of the colors at the Portland National Guard Armory, American Legion Veterans Day proceedings in Beaverton, and Portland’s Veterans Day Parade. The Lewis & Clark Chapter developed a “Teaching Trunk” filled with colonial paraphernalia for elementary school presentations thanks to Compatriots Mark Robertson and Fred Heiserman. Republic Chapter members assembled Christmas packages to send to Marines deployed overseas. ORSSAR Chapters regularly network with DAR Chapters. Scanning and digitizing historical Chapter documents is a program on the ORSSAR near horizon.
The Washington Society’s financial challenge regarding the pending collapse of their State Life Member Fund is almost resolved, thanks to the leadership of State President Jim Lindley. Most Life Members understand the situation and are willing to help with the resolution. A new Chapter called “George Washington” was chartered January 12, 2013 in Mount Vernon, Washington, about 55 miles north of Seattle; an appropriately named Chapter located in an appropriately named village, thanks to the dedication of Compatriot John Ernest. Planning by Compatriot Doug Nelson progresses nicely to host the 2013 Pacific District Meeting at which PG Leishman is expected to attend. Since the Fall Leadership Conference, the Washington Society Color Guard participated in 26 colonial historical presentations in local elementary schools and community organizations where teachers and leaders eagerly welcome our Compatriots in uniform and their colonial paraphernalia. Colonial history presenters are in high demand in Washington elementary schools thanks to the efforts of Doug Nelson, Bob O’Neal, Stan Wills and Gale Palmer. The Washington Society Color Guard also participated in 30 uniformed parades, ceremonies and events since the Fall Leadership Conference, for a total of 90 uniformed events in 2012. The Eastern Washington Regiment under Major Stan Wills participated in 41 events while the Western Washington Regiment under Commander Bob O’Neal participated in 49 events.
Particularly noteworthy is the John Paul Jones Chapter, under inspiration and leadership of Compatriot Mick Hersey, “recruited” more than 50 volunteers from the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) to clean-up, restore and preserve Veteran’s Memorials throughout Kitsap County, Washington. Mick was instrumental at getting Lowe’s Hardware to donate supplies and materials for these projects; the most significant was restoration of, and organizing a rededication ceremony for, the refurbished Tomb of the Unknown Soldier replica in Ivy Green Cemetery in Bremerton, Washington. After a full day with over 200 volunteers, the surrounding area was reconstructed and landscaped under volunteer contractor Mr. Todd Best and volunteer architect/designer Mr. Josh Fisher.
Also interesting to note, the Mid-Columbia Chapter holds their monthly meetings at the Pasco, Washington Public Library, after which in the library they conduct living history classes, with period flags, cursive writing with quill pens, uniforms of the Revolutionary Army, guidance for tracing ancestors to the colonial period, etc. This Library class is free, open to the public, and well-attended.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert F. Doughty
Vice President General, Pacific District