The regular monthly luncheon meeting of the General George S. Patton, Jr., Chapter SAR was held Friday, 12 June 2009, in the Garden Room of Marie Callender’s Restaurant, 1295 S. Victoria Ave., Ventura, CA. The meeting was called to order by Chapter President Ward White with Chaplain Gary Smith giving the Invocation, followed by the Pledge to the Flag and the Pledge to the SAR. In attendance were twenty-three compatriots: President Ward White, Vice President Bob Taylor, Secretary Gil Anema, Registrar George Horne, Treasurer Bill Bays, Past Presidents Bill Henry, Steve Hurst, and Ron Risley, Chaplain Gary Smith, Bill Hurley, Bob Colbern, Ken Lynch, Dick McMullen, Burt Jacobs, Eric Strassforth, David Bosworth, Dr. Robert Jordan, Ed Holt, Lou Kreuzer, Hale Hamilton, Joe Coffman, Dr. Garland Middleton and Richard Caldwell. The eleven guests included George Abrams, Garrett Colbern, and Ms. Vickie Schmaeman (compatriot Joel Schmaeman’s mother), and compatriots’ wives Dr. Sunny McMullen, Nancy Jacobs, Mrs. Karen Bosworth, Mrs. Bernie Smith, Mrs. Shirley Hamilton, Mrs. Patty Coffman, Mrs. Rosalee Middleton, and Mrs. Elain Colbern.

Reports: Reports were given by the following officers:

The presentation of the minutes for the meeting of 8 May was delayed until the Secretary’s arrival.

Treasurer Bill Bays presented the financial report, which was approved as read.

Registrar George Horne presented the registrar’s report. The DAR genealogical reports used for SAR membership are being more restrictively used, with each ancestor listed requiring verification by SAR. Conversely, DAR has never accepted SAR genealogical reports for membership. Joel Schmaeman had two supplemental applications returned due to non-verified DAR reports. This is an issue for the National Congress in July, while CASSAR is against this restriction. Travis King’s application is at National, while Eric and Alan Middleton’s have been submitted to National. Bing Smith is to be reinstated; Richard Manzer’s application requires a death certificate, which has been ordered. The application for Steve Stocks is being prepared; while Charles Bates will become an Associate Member in July. The supplemental application for Garland Middleton is at National. For updated status, George recommended checking the National website. George has purchased a CD containing the ancestor listing through 2003, and is available for the membership.

Compatriot Eric Strassforth was presented and sworn in as a member of the SAR, based on his ancestor, William Hammond, MA Militia Commission.

Old Business:

Garland Middleton presented a report on the Memorial Day ceremony at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park 25 May. The Chapter’s Color Guard was publically honored by the chapter for their participation. Gary Smith reported on the wreath laying at Conejo Mountain Cemetery.

The Spirit of America awards were presented yesterday during the graduation ceremonies for four Pleasant Valley School District middle schools in Camarillo. Garland Middleton, Ward White, Gary Smith, Bob Taylor and Gil Anema reported on their presentations.

New Business:

Bill Hurley reported on his visit back to his home town of Weymouth, MA, where he discovered and photographed the doors of the Town Hall, wherein are recorded all of the names of the local participants in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. Bill intends to put these lists into the internet for the use of others.

Bill Hurley reported out for the Law Enforcement Committee that a candidate has been selected from a list of 15 to be presented with the Law Enforcement Medal award. The candidate is Dennis Carpenter of Thousand Oaks, who has recently been selected as the Chief Deputy. The Chapter approved the recommended candidate.

Ron Risley recommended Jason Kay of Engine Company 4 in Ventura for the Fire Safety Medal award. The Chapter approved the recommendation.

Hale Hamilton requested the Chapter Color Guard for presenting the colors at a patriotic dinner to be held at the Ventura Baptist Church 14 July. Preparations will be finalized via email.

Ward White announced the fifth annual summer barbecue Saturday, 1 August, noon to 4 PM, at John & Karen Dodd’s home in Orange County.

Following the lunch recess, Secretary Gil Anema presented the minutes of the 8 May chapter meeting, which was approved as read.

Steve Hurst recommended the ROTC units be invited to the next Massing of the Colors, and will pay for their supper at the Smoke House.

Ron Risley reported the Form 990N will be filed in June.

Compatriot Ed Holt reported on patriotic activities in the Conejo Valley. From Sun through Fri, the Youth Leadership Conference will be conducted at CLU, with a banquet on Thu. The Red, White and Blue Ball will be held at the Ronald Reagan Library on Sat, 20 June, starting at 6 PM. The USAF will be honored, with LtCol Leonard Thorsness, Medal of Honor, POW Viet Nam conflict, as the honoree. If any are interested in attending either event, please contact Ed.

Program: Steve Hurst introduced our speaker, Steve Schleder, who spoke on “Fighting to Restore Ventura’s Stolen Past”, providing a thumbnail review of the attempt to restore Cemetery Park to its former status as a pioneer cemetery in Ventura, and upcoming events requiring volunteer participation. He detailed similar episodes at the Ventura Mission, and in Whittier and San Diego. With representative headstones, photos and maps, it was a compelling presentation.

Next Meeting: Friday, 10 July 2009.

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

Respectfully submitted by
Gil Anema, Chapter Secretary