Message from the President General

From SAR Magazine, Winter 2014

Compatriots,

I hope you all had a blessed and Merry Christmas, and that the SAR and all of us will have a prosperous and Happy New Year.

On behalf of the National Society, I have written letters of support to U.S. Rep. Pete Olson (R-Texas) and Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) for bills each is sponsoring in the U.S. House (H.R. 1209) and U.S. Senate (S. 381), respectively. The bills would provide for awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the “Doolittle Raiders” for outstanding heroism, valor, skill and service to the United States in the bombings of Tokyo during World War II. As many of you know, retired Lt. Col. Richard E. Cole of Texas, who was Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle’s co-pilot, was recently inducted into the SAR (see the Fall 2013 issue of The SAR Magazine, page 7).

A few years ago, the Historic Sites and Celebrations Committee was merged with the Reenactors Committee. Several reenactors have approached me about separating what are really two distinct functions. I agree, and accordingly, I have re-established the Reenactors & Living History Liaison Committee. Bob Cunningham of the Indiana Society will serve as chairman.

For years, the Delaware Society has been active in The American Legion’s Boys State program. Involvement in Boys State is consistent with one of the purposes of the SAR, since it may inspire boys and young men with a better understanding of the principles of government founded by our forefathers. I believe it would be good for the SAR and The American Legion if other state societies could emulate what the Delaware Society does with Boys State, as practicable. Accordingly, I have established a Boys State Committee to encourage SAR state societies to support and become involved in The American Legion’s Boys State programs. This new committee will be chaired by Lyman Brenner of the DESSAR.

I met with Dr. Michael L. Lomax over breakfast. Dr. Lomax is the president of the United Negro College Fund and also a new member of the SAR, along with his brother, Mark. Dr. Lomax and I reviewed the various efforts the Sarah’s made to reach out to African-American men who are descended from Revolutionary War patriots. We also discussed ways in which the SAR might attract more men of color with qualifying ancestors and documented lineages to join us. Our outreach to all potential new members continues.

My travels around the country have continued. In October in Yorktown, Va., I participated in the annual commemoration of the Battle of Yorktown, and the celebration of Lord Cornwallis’ surrender to Gen. George Washington. I’ve participated in this commemoration for many years, and as usual, the Virginia Society did a great job. Special thanks to Wayne Rouse, Pete Davenport and Walt Neville for organizing and pulling off another terrific AR commemoration of this momentous event of the Revolution.

As part of my visit to Grand Rapids, Mich., for the Greatlakes District meeting, I participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the grave of President Gerald R. Ford, whose100th birthday was being celebrated throughout 2013. Ford was a member of the SAR and was inducted into the Society in the Oval Office during his term as president. I truly admire this great man and am grateful to VPG Joe Conger, President Robert Sprague and the Michigan Society for arranging this tribute to him.

November found me in the West a good deal. First, I visited the California Society for its Board of Managers Meeting in El Segundo, and then I visited the New Mexico and Arizona societies. I had the pleasure and high honor observing as the co-grand marshal of the Tucson Veterans Day Parade. I enjoyed myself tremendously in California, New Mexico and Arizona, and am especially grateful to Karl Jacobs, Jim Gill, VPG Warren Alter, President Mike Barger, Compatriots, I hope you all had a blessed and Merry Christmas, and that the SAR and all of us will have a prosperous and Happy New Year.

On behalf of the National Society, I have written letters of support to U.S. Rep. Pete Olson (R-Texas) and Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) for bills each is sponsoring in the U.S. House (H.R. 1209) and U.S. Senate (S. 381),respectively. The bills would provide for awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the “Doolittle Raiders” for outstanding heroism, valor, skill and service to the United States in the bombings of Tokyo during World War II. As many of you know, retired Lt. Col. Richard E. Cole of Texas, who was Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle’s co-pilot, was recently inducted into the SAR (see the Fall 2013 issue of The SAR Magazine, page 7).

A few years ago, the Historic Sites and Celebrations Committee was merged with the Reenactors Committee. Several reenactors have approached me about separating what are really two distinct functions. I agree, and accordingly, I have re-established the Reenactors & Living History Liaison Committee. Bob Cunningham of the Indiana Society will serve as chairman.

For years, the Delaware Society has been active in The American Legion’s Boys State program. Involvement in Boys State is consistent with one of the purposes of the SAR, since it may inspire boys and young men with a better understanding of the principles of government founded by our forefathers. I believe it would be good for the SAR and The American Legion if other state societies could emulate what the Delaware Society does with Boys State, as practicable. Accordingly, I have established a Boys State Committee to encourage SAR state societies to support and become involved in The American Legion’s Boys State programs. This new committee will be chaired by Lyman Brenner of the DESSAR.

I met with Dr. Michael L. Lomax over breakfast. Dr. Lomax is the president of the United Negro College Fund and also a new member of the SAR, along with his brother, Mark. Dr. Lomax and I reviewed the various efforts the SAR has made to reach out to African-American men who are descended from Revolutionary War patriots. We also discussed ways in which the SAR might attract more men of color with qualifying ancestors and documented lineages to join us. Our outreach to all potential new members continues.

My travels around the country have continued. In October in Yorktown, Va., I participated in the annual commemoration of the Battle of Yorktown, and the celebration of Lord Cornwallis’ surrender to Gen. George Washington. I’ve participated in this commemoration for many years, and as usual, the Virginia Society did a great President Art Cantrell, Walt and Will Baker and Andrew Lyngar. Gentlemen, you all did an excellent job, and I commend you.

A week after Veterans Day, I participated with the Virginia Society of the Children of the American Revolution in its annual wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the American Revolution. Although I have participated in this event for many years, it was particularly meaningful this year because the president of the V.S.C.A.R. is Chaz Leiss, whose application for junior membership in the SAR I prepared when he was a little boy. I am very proud of Chaz. I am also grateful to Pete Davenport and the Virginia Society SAR Color Guard for their support of this event.

SAR Foundation President Sam Powell and I met with former NSDAR President General Merry Ann T. Wright to discuss the SAR’s fundraising efforts. PG Wright is quite accomplished in this field, and while she was President General, she led the DAR in raising millions of dollars. I am happy to report that PG Wright has accepted my invitation to serve as an honorary member of the SAR Foundation Board.

on the banks of the Ohio River in scenic Parkersburg, W.Va., I attended a lunch of the DAR and SAR state societies of West Virginia and Ohio. I commend Bob Fish for organizing this event and serving as a gracious host. The Virginia Society hosted its third commemoration of the Battle of Great Bridge during the same weekend that the Delaware Society celebrated Ratification Day. I spent a lot of time behind the wheel, but I was able to attend both events. Kudos to Tom Whetstone, president of the Norfolk Chapter, and to George Jones, president of the Delaware Society, for organizing these fantastic events.

November and December brought a bevy of balls. While I was unable to attend the DC Society’s Potomac Ball, VPG Scott Shewmaker represented the NSSAR on my behalf.

Thank you, Scott. Even so, I was able to attend the reception the night before. Congratulations to DCSSAR President Rob Pollock, Dick Patten and Cindy Hays for this festive affair. Two weeks later, I was the guest of the Maryland Society at its Patriots Ball. I commend MDSSAR President J. Patrick Warner for organizing and executing an elegant event. Finally, the weekend before Christmas, I was treated twosome wonderful Southern hospitality at the South Carolina Society’s Colonial Ball. Greg Ohanian and his lovely wife, Barbara, did an outstanding job, and their hard work produced a wonderful ball. Thank you, Greg and Barbara.

The VASSAR held a banquet in honor of retired U.S. Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers, where he was presented the SAR Gold Good Citizenship Medal. The George Washington Chapter of the VASSAR has been hosting similar banquets for years, and as before, did a wonderful job. Congratulations to Scott Wagoner, Dwight Whitney and Mike Elston. At the commemoration of the Battleof Cowpens, I presented a wreath onbehalf of the NSSAR. Once again, MarkAnthony and the SCSSAR did anexcellent job!

At the annual meeting of the Georgia Society, I installed its new officers. I commend James Stalling, who has been a great president of the GASSAR. James has been succeeded by Roger Coursey, who I know will do affine job as well.

I continue to be amazed and moved by the dedication and hard work Oeser compatriots all over the country. Thank you all. May the Lord bless you; may He bless the SAR; and may Herbless the United States of America.

Fraternally,

Joseph Dooley

President General, 2014-2015