27 Jun - 1 Jul 2015 Louisville, KY
CMM members and wives at NSSAR's 125th Annual Congress. Seated, left to right: past President General Ed Butler, Cat Schwetke, past President General Steve Leishman, Janet Leishman. Standing left to right: CMM President Bill Schwetke, past President Lance Lyngar, New Mexico SAR President Andrew Lyngar, Jim Mitchell. Not pictured are President General Lindsey Brock and his wife Billie, and Kentucky SAR past President Doug Collins and his wife Alison.
Two regular members and six dual members of the CMM with four wives were among the 540 compatriots and wives who attended the National Society's 125th Annual Congress in Louisville, Kentucky this past week. A lot was accomplished and we saw CMM member Lindsey Brock pass the torch of President General. The main events started on Saturday with a tour of General George Rogers Clark's home in Indiana, a visit to his sister's home, Locust Grove, KY, where he died, and a memorial service at the grave yard at Locust Grove.
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Saturday evening the Kentucky SAR hosted a reception at SAR Headquarters.
Sunday
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Cathedral of the Assumption
The highlight of Sunday was the memorial service, which began with the Color Guard marching from the Galt Hotel to the Cathedral of the Assumption, followed by the Memorial Service at the Cathedral.
CMM past President Lance Lyngar marches with the NSSAR Color Guard on 4th Street in Louisville.
Monday
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell addresses the opening session of the 125th Annual Congress.
The General Session of the 125th Congress began with the Color Guard posting the colors with CMM past President Lance Lyngar and CMM President Bill Schwetke participating in the Color Guard. Then the first speaker to address the General Session was Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a member of the SAR.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
The General Session was recessed for lunch so that all could attend the Youth Awards Presentation Lunch.
Youth Awards Presentation Lunch.
In the evening the Congress convened again for Recognition Night. The highlight of the evening for the CMM was the presentation of the National Society Medal of Distinguished Service to Doug Collins. Doug is a dual member of the CMM and for the past year has been both the Kentucky SAR President and the International District Vice President General.
Doug Collins receives the National Society Medal of Distinguished Service from PG Lindsey Brock. Both are CMM dual members.
Tuesday
Tuesday began for the CMM delegates to the Congress with the North & Middle Atlantic States Districts Breakfast. At the breakfast we heard from the various candidates for national office in preparation for the election Tuesday afternoon.
The General Session was highlighted in a lively debate over increasing national dues by five dollars, effective 01 January 2016. After a heated debate the measure narrowly passed.
In the afternoon the delegates voted for candidates in contested races. The most notable outcome in a contested race for the Virginia Society was the election of Virginia SAR 2nd Vice President Mike Elston to the SAR Foundation Board.
The results of the elections for SAR general officers were:
President General _________________ Thomas E. Lawrence, TX
Secretary General__________________J. Michael Tomme, Sr., GA
Treasurer General__________________Larry T. Guzy, GA
Chancellor General_________________Davis L. Wright, DE
Genealogist General________________John D. Sinks, PhD, DC
Registrar General___________________Russel F. DeVenney, Jr., MO
Historian General___________________John T. "Jack" Manning, NH
Librarian General___________________C. Bruce Pickette, AL
Surgeon General____________________Larry M. Leslie, MD, KY
Chaplain General____________________Rev. Dr. James C. Taylor, TX
Tuesday evening was the President General's Banquet. Immediately before the banquet the Virginia SAR delegates and wives gathered for a picture, followed by the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter delegates and wives (picture is above at the beginning of this post).
The General Session was highlighted in a lively debate over increasing national dues by five dollars, effective 01 January 2016. After a heated debate the measure narrowly passed.
In the afternoon the delegates voted for candidates in contested races. The most notable outcome in a contested race for the Virginia Society was the election of Virginia SAR 2nd Vice President Mike Elston to the SAR Foundation Board.
The results of the elections for SAR general officers were:
President General _________________ Thomas E. Lawrence, TX
Secretary General__________________J. Michael Tomme, Sr., GA
Treasurer General__________________Larry T. Guzy, GA
Chancellor General_________________Davis L. Wright, DE
Genealogist General________________John D. Sinks, PhD, DC
Registrar General___________________Russel F. DeVenney, Jr., MO
Historian General___________________John T. "Jack" Manning, NH
Librarian General___________________C. Bruce Pickette, AL
Surgeon General____________________Larry M. Leslie, MD, KY
Chaplain General____________________Rev. Dr. James C. Taylor, TX
Tuesday evening was the President General's Banquet. Immediately before the banquet the Virginia SAR delegates and wives gathered for a picture, followed by the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter delegates and wives (picture is above at the beginning of this post).
Virginia SAR delegates and wives.
Wednesday
Wednesday began with a brief final session, which concluded the business of the Congress. In the afternoon Lance Lyngar and Bill Schwetke attended training on the new online system for SAR applications. The online application is running in beta form and can be used, but the application must still be printed on watermarked acid free paper for submission, at least for now. Expect an opportunity to see this in action at the BOM Meeting in August.
Wednesday evening was the Installation Banquet for the new general officers and vice presidents general. President General Thomas Eugene Lawrence of Texas delivered his inaugural speech and announced a renewed emphasis on education. We look forward to supporting him in this effort.
Wednesday evening was the Installation Banquet for the new general officers and vice presidents general. President General Thomas Eugene Lawrence of Texas delivered his inaugural speech and announced a renewed emphasis on education. We look forward to supporting him in this effort.
2015-2016 President General Judge Thomas Eugene Lawrence
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