Blue Ridge Chapter Meeting April 8, 2023

Ron Hillabrand
Posted in: News

Chartered 21 April 1928 in Asheville, North Carolina, later became the Blue Ridge Chapter, and is the oldest active Chapter in Western North Carolina.

Registrar Mike Burkhart stated our chapter now has 90 members with more membership applications pending. President Steve Greene challenged the chapter to grow to 100 members by the end of this year. Color Guard Commander Garry Linton shared two upcoming Color Guard appearances at the Naturalization Ceremony in Asheville on April 21, 2023, and the State Elks Meeting on May 6, 2023. The gravesite for Patriot James Andrew Miller was located in Hendersonville and he will be honored soon after we clear the overgrowth. Western Region Vice President Craig Isaacson has written up a thorough Grave Marking Manual for future use. Americanism/Flag Committee Chairman J.R. Rogers would like to present at least eight Flag Certificates this year and is actively looking for candidates. Education Committee Chairman Garry Linton the SAR Education Outreach App is available and simple to download. Our Education Committee will present a program to the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OllI) at UNCA on Friday, November 3, 2023, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. JROTC Committee Chairman Larry Chapman asked for volunteers to present certificates and medals at participating schools.

 

President Greene and Awards Chairman Lance Dickinson presented the Fifty-five-year Membership Certificate and Pin to Tom Rightmyer and to DAR Chapter Regent Brenda Canter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

             Craig Isaacson and Steve Greene presented Lance Dickinson with the Bronze Color Guard Medal.

President Steve Greene recognized his wife Julia Greene with a “Wife of SAR Member” Pin for her support to our Chapter’s President in his duties.

 

Secretary Paul Gass, Steve Greene, and Craig Isaacson received Supplemental Patriot Ancestor Certificates.

Frank Ronald Reece and Curtiss Lance Poteat were inducted as new members into the Chapter by President Greene. Frank Ronald Reece is pictured here

 

We were honored to have as today’s guest speaker, who had just completed his first week in office, as NCSSAR President, Steve Van Pelt. He commended the Blue Ridge Chapter for its work and growth. He then discussed NCSSAR’s current priorities of growth, leadership, service, communication, and statewide teamwork. He finished up with some brief comments about his family history and Patriot ancestors.

 

 

DAR guests with Steve Van Pel

Our next Chapter Meeting will be held on June 10, 2023, at the J&S Cafeteria in Asheville at 11:00 a.m.

It is easy to see that the Blue Ridge Chapter is an active, energetic, busy chapter that is always looking for new members to help us reach our challenging goals for the recognition of the sacrifices our Patriots made for us to enjoy the freedoms we have today.