California Society of the Sons of the American Revolution Gen. George S. Patton, Jr., Chapter Minutes of the April 9, 2004, Meeting

The Friday, 9 April 2004, meeting of the General George S. Patton, Jr., Chapter of the CASSAR was held in the library of the Berylwood Officers Club, being called to order by Chapter President J. Stephen Hurst. Following the pledge and the invocation, members adjourned to the buffet. In attendance were six compatriots: President J. Stephen Hurst, Ron Risley, Joe Coffman, Don Wooldridge, Richard Caldwell, and Robert Taylor; and one guest, Rosemarie Risley. President Hurst reconvened the meeting at 12:35 p.m.

The minutes for 12 March 2004 were distributed and approved as written.

It was noted the Knight essay contest winner, Mr. Brad Cramer, sent a thank you letter to the chapter, acknowledging receipt of his award. He did not win at the state meeting, where the winner received a monetary award and had his essay read at the Saturday evening meeting.

The $100 donation by compatriot Richard Caldwell to the CAR Western Regional Meeting of the Children of the American Revolution was acknowledged with thanks by Mrs. Spence.

The Treasurer’s report was distributed and accepted with no changes. A rebate check for $110 was received from state for the Chapter’s eleven life members.

The Registrar’s report was presented and approved as written. Jim Shepherd’s application with supplemental is still in the approval process. Cory Slater’s certificate was received and, due to his inability to be in attendance for a formal presentation, was mailed to him. It was noted that the fee for Life Membership has been changed.

Old Business:

Results of the State annual meeting at Chico were reported. A sheet showing the new Life Membership fees was presented for information. The California SAR roster is now available on CD, with all applications from the initial one through 1958 (1 – 3999) being scanned in. Next meeting will be in Monterey this fall, with next year’s spring session being hosted by South Coast Chapter in Orange County. Compatriot Ron Risley accepted the task of managing the trustee-invested money for the State. President Hurst was impressed by one compatriot at the meeting who had the original drum his drummer boy ancestor used during the Revolutionary War.

New Business:

Boy Scout Jonathan R. Wilson has received his Eagle Rank, and will be presented with a Chapter certificate to commemorate the event at a ceremony in Simi 7 April 2004.

Naval Cadet Antonio Zavala of Port Hueneme High School has been selected to receive the JROTC medal, which will be presented at 1000, Wednesday, 12 May 2004 at Hueneme High School.

Following a short biography by compatriot Joe Coffman, it was moved by Joe and approved to accept retired pastor Larry DeWitt for the silver Good Citizenship award for his efforts to provide for the local community.

The need for a current Chapter history was discussed, and compatriot Ron Risley volunteered to undertake the effort.

The Chapter program was the presentation of a short video from the Mt. Vernon Project, entitled “To Keep Him First”. The project is for the construction of an underground visitors center. A certificate of appreciation was received for the Chapter’s donation last year. Following the presentation, it was moved by compatriot Ron Risley and approved that a donation of $100 be provided in support of the project.

An Easter drawing was held for the award of a potted flower, won by compatriot Don Wooldridge.

The meeting was adjourned at 1340 following the SAR recessional and Benediction.

Respectfully submitted, Robert Taylor, Chapter Secretary.