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

The chapter approved the 2024 Chapter Expense Budget. There is an immediate need for a new Chapter Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer. Registrar Mike Burkhart reported we have one new member and three strong applications at National. Two members are ready for reinstatement. There is an immediate need for an active Chapter Genealogist or two. We also have an immediate need for a Membership Committee Chairman. Color Guard Commander Garry Linton encouraged more of its members to get a firelock certification through the State Commander to discharge powder arms at Grave Markings and other events. Grave Marking Chairman Craig Isaacson stated that plans are being made to conduct five Grave Markings in a single event at the Newfound Baptist Church in Leicester, NC in late April. J.R. Rogers will continue as Chairman of the Americanism/Flag Committee. Education Committee Chairman Garry Linton is busy contacting area schools about making presentations about the SAR. The JROTC Chairman Larry Chapman will contact the eleven JROTC Commanders in our area. Awards Chairman Lance Dickinson was commended by President Greene for the excellent work he did for the December Awards Presentations. Chapter Historian Ken Weglarz reviewed the Chapter’s activities and recognitions so far this year. He and Karen Newhall have produced a book of the Year in Review for the Blue Ridge Chapter that was dedicated in Memory of Jim Brush. It was viewed and well received by all present at this meeting. An additional copy was presented to President Greene in honor of his leadership.

Steve Greene Ken Weglarz

President Greene and Vice President Garry Linton inducted new member Stephen Weyman Brooks into the SAR.

Steve Greene Stephen Brooks and Mrs. Brooks

Tom Long received the Bronze Henry Knox Medal

Craig Isaacson received the Length of Service Certificate (Thirty Years)

At the April NCSSAR meeting, Craig Isaacson will receive the Silver Patriot Medal (the highest Award presented at the State level). He also noted that Jeff Miller of Hendersonville received the Gold (National) Citizenship Award from SAR, for founding Honor Flights. This recognition was initiated by the Blue Ridge Chapter when John Robinson was Chapter President, circa 2008-09. President Greene introduced two prospective new members Jim Litton and Bob Wood whose applications are in process at NSSAR.

Former Chapter President John Boyd gave a very well-documented program on “The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, May 20, 1775,” which is commemorated on the North Carolina Flag and State Seal.

John Boyd

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 have all the freedoms we have today.