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

Sycamore Shoals State Park Ranger, Chad Bogart, gave the 38 members and guests an excellent presentation about the unique history of the Sycamore Shoals settlement and its role as the muster site for the Overmountain Men, who spearheaded the defeat of Major Partick Ferguson’s forces at Kings Mountain on October 7, 1780.

President Steve Greene and Chad Bogart

Registrar Mike Burkhart reported one new member and one member who recently passed away leaving our membership at 88 members.

ColorGuard Commander Garry Linton presented the Chapter with the Membership Retention and Flag Certificate Streamers received at the recent State Meeting.

Garry Linton

Grave Marking Chair Craig Issacson is anticipating a significant number of folks being in attendance for the Five-Patriot Grave Making Event, on April 27, 2024, at 11:00 am. at the Newfound Baptist Church in Leicester, North Carolina. District One DAR Chapter (10 Chapters), 8-9 SAR Chapters, a large Color Guard and Musket contingent, and a bugler and drummer will be on hand to honor these five Patriots. Also, many family and friends will be in attendance. Americanism/Flag Committee Chairman Steve Greene presented a Flag Certificate to the Weaverville Community Center. Education Committee Chairman Ron Chapman has upcoming presentations at two community centers. JROTC Committee Chairman Larry Chapman has been in contact in 2024 with the 11 schools we have worked with in the past. Awards Committee Chairman Lance Dickinson will give the Certificate of Appreciation to today’s speaker. Chapter Historian Ken Weglarz reported on the Chapter’s events and recognitions for the month of March. He announced that copies of the 2023 “Year in Review” books will soon be available for a one-time ordering event (for about $30 per copy). Both Ken and Webmaster Ron Hillabrand reminded the Chapter that the Historian’s Report and other regularly updated information about SAR and DAR events are on the NCSSAR website and the Blue Ridge Chapter page on Facebook. New members Robert B. Wood III, Robert B. Wood IV, and Jack Spiceland were inducted today.

Greene, Spiceland, Callaway, Wood III, Eakins

The Chapter recognized Craig Issacson for receiving the Silver Patriot Medal at the recent State BOM. This is the highest award NCSSAR can confer on a Compatriot. Craig credits the Blue Ridge Chapter for this honor.

Craig Issacson

John Boyd presented the Halifax Resolves Streamer to the Chapter from that commemoration event.

Greene Boyd

President Steve Greene presented the following Chapter Awards today: Henry Knox Award to Larry Chapman,  an Oak Leaf Cluster, and a Martha Washington Medal to Jill Chapman.

                                                                                                                                                        Greene and Larry Chapman                          Greene and Jill Chapman

Also, a Five-Year Membership Certificate was awarded to Brett Callaway.

Callaway and Greene

A Forty-Year Member Certificate to David Simler who was not in attendance will be mailed to David.

Vice President Garry Linton announced that Bill Eakins, Jr. has agreed to do the USS Stark Report and David Linton will do the Americanism Report.

John Roper volunteered to become one of the Chapter’s Genealogists. We still need another Genealogist to help with our growing Chapter. We are also seeking volunteers for the following roles: Treasurer, Membership Chairman, and Assistants for the various Officers and Committee Chairs. Our Chapter Meeting on Saturday, August 10th will be at the Mills River Park Pavilion at 11:00 a.m. It will be a casual barbecue and social event with few or no agenda items. Our December Chapter Meeting/Awards Luncheon will be held on the first Saturday, December 7, 2024. On the second Saturday, December 14, 2024, our Color Guard will participate in the Wreaths Across America in Hendersonville, North Carolina.

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 all the freedoms we have today.