The regular monthly luncheon meeting of the General George S. Patton, Jr., Chapter SAR was held Friday, 12 December 2008, in the Garden Room of Marie Callender’s Restaurant, 1295 S. Victoria Ave., Ventura, CA. The meeting was called to order by Chapter President Bill Henry with Compatriot Gary Smith giving the Invocation, followed by the Pledge to the Flag and the Pledge to the SAR. In attendance were eighteen compatriots: President Bill Henry, Vice President Ward White, Registrar Ron Risley, Past Presidents Steve Hurst, Dick Hawley and Hale Hamilton, Frank Budroe, Bob Taylor, Gary Smith, Ken Lynch, Bob Colbern, Bill Bays, David Bosworth, Ed Holt, Richard McMullen, Garland Middleton, Gil Anema, Burt and Nancy Jacob, Louis Kreuzer, and George Horne. The nine guests included potential member Alan Henson, and compatriots’ wives Mrs. Rosemarie Risley, Mrs. Shirley Hamilton, Mrs. Elizabeth Horne, Mrs. Bernie Smith, Mrs. Willette Budroe, Mrs. Elaine Colbern, Dr. Sunny McMullen, and Mrs. Karen Bosworth.

Reports: Reports were given by the following officers:

The Secretary Bob Taylor presented the minutes of the 10 October chapter meeting, which were approved as amended. The amendment was a name correction for James vice Richard McCard, member of the General Society of the War of 1812.

Chaplain Gary Smith had nothing to report.

The Registrar Ron Risley presented the registrar’s report. Regarding the annual membership dues report, the chapter is doing well. Changes from last month’s Registrar’s report included the membership application for Louis Kreuzer II (patriot ancestor Pvt Griffin Lewis, VA) was approved by NSSAR 5 Nov; closed. The membership application for Garland Middleton (patriot ancestor Private Jacob Butler, Sussex Co, DE) was received by NSSAR 1 Dec, and is pending. The supplemental application for Richard McMullen (patriot ancestor Private Benjamin Force, Dutchess Co, NY, militia) was approved by NSSAR 12 Nov; closed. The supplemental application for Gary Smith (patriot ancestor Capt. Matthew Cole) requires additional documentation; pending. Ron presented some observations on the Chapter’s health, including the facts that a normal chapter will experience periods of growth and decline, and a chapter is healthiest where the membership is helping support the officers’ workloads.

President Henry presented new member Louis H. Kreuzer II with his membership certificate (patriot ancestor Pvt. Griffin Lewis, VA) and swearing in, and presented Richard McMullen with his supplemental membership certificate (patriot ancestor Pvt. Benjamin Force, Dutchess Co., NY, militia).

The Treasurer Richard Caldwell is on vacation and there was no report. Bill Bays reported the turnover of Treasurer responsibilities has not yet been completed. The year-end report will be included in the Jan. report.

Standing committee reports:
Recognition: President Henry reported the Knight Essay contest essays are due 9 Jan. Ward White and Ron Risley will assist President Henry in evaluating the essays.

Old Business: The Chapter’s new website is: http://pattonpatriots.org/. The AOL site was no longer supported by AOL, and it was noted spammers had infiltrated and flooded addresses with spam mail. President Henry authorized the shift in sites, and it was moved and approved to reimburse the webmaster for the $120.45 incurred expense.

New Business: The program for the 9 Jan 2009 meeting will be a highly-recommended History Channel video titled: Washington, The Warrior.

The annual Christmas drawing was held to select the lucky winners of Rosemarie Risley’s Christmas gifts, and the fortunate recipients were Gil Anema, Bob Taylor, and Alan Henson.

Program: Ron Risley presented the annual Christmas address, concentrating on Christmas festivities as practiced by George Washington at Mount Vernon, which was a 12-day holiday ending 6 January. Ron further contrasted the Christmas of 1776 (Battle of Trenton) and 1777 (Valley Forge). Ron stated that freedom comes with a high price, and noted our military is still involved away from home in Iraq this Christmas.

President Henry thanked the officers for their support this past year, and turned the gavel over to Dick Hawley for the installation and swearing in of the officers for 2009. Following the installation, Ward White emphasized he would be the spokesman for the membership, soliciting their inputs.

Closing: The meeting was adjourned following the SAR recessional and the benediction by Gary Smith.

Respectfully submitted by,

Robert Taylor, Chapter Secretary.