A meeting of the Lt. Nathan Gann Chapter, S. A. R., was held at 7 PM Thursday,   November 15, 2007 at the Golden Corral Restaurant in Lufkin, Texas. Members and guests arrived after 6 PM to eat prior to the meeting.

President Fred Preston called the meeting to order and asked Chaplain Lester Sparks   to give the invocation.  Preston then led the assemblage in the pledges to the American Flag and the SAR Flag.

Members present were:  Fred Preston, Tom Gann, Mike Everheart, Martin Netherland, Lester Sparks, Fred Hutson, Fred Jacobs, Jeff Corbett, Ray Spivey and Vance Roberts.   Preston introduced the guests which included Betty Preston, Vicki Gann,   Bessie Spivey, Mildred Sparks *, June Everheart,  Sue Roberts*, Agnes Hutson, Honora Jacobs, J. Neal Naranjo II, Ben and Ellen Pyle, Sam and Mary Griffin.   In all there were 10 members and 13 guests. (* denotes DAR)

Foreground: Lester Sparks, then Sue and Vance Roberts, Fred and Agnes Hutson and on left Ben and Ellen Pyle.

Tom Gann made a motion to accept the minutes and Fred Jacobs seconded, motion carried.

Jeff gave the treasurer's report and I believe he said we had a little over $1,000 in our checking account but he didn't have the figure on the CD account.  We received $9.50 for Harold Newsom's renewal and I submitted a statement for $183.37 covering war service medals, 4 more rosettes, a 3' x 6' banner for use in parades and dinners for our Eagle winner in May.

OLD BUSINESS:

The picture of Lester didn't come out any good from the September meeting and we did not have the certificates, so we did it over again.

At this time Preston read about Lester Sparks military service.  Lester was drafted in 1942 and served on Guam helping to build an airforce base.  Later sailed to Okinawa where troops were gathering for the invasion of Japan.  The atomic bomb was dropped in August 1945 and there was no longer any need for an invasion.  Preston presented Lester with a War Service medal, WWII bar and certificate.  To be eligible for the medal, the member must have served during time of war and been in a combat zone.   Eleven of the 34 members served in the military but only two are eligible for the War Service Medal.  Lester came forward and was presented with the medal and the certificate.

Preston presenting Certificate and Medal to Lester Sparks for his service in World War II.

Preston then called Vance Roberts.  Vance enlisted in the Navy for 4 years in January 1951.  He was in Mine Pack and later sailed on the U.S.S. Murrelet.  In December 1954 they sailed to Korea and were sweeping mines off the coast.  They cut mines loose then went 1/2 mile away and blew them up.  Soon found out they needed to be 1 mile away.  Were occasionally shelled from a gun position on a mountain in north Korea.  Presented the medal and certificate to Vance with the Korea service bar.

Medal and Certificate presented to Vance Roberts for his service in the Korean War

Preston, Neal Naranjo and J. Neal Naranjo II participated in Honor America night and also in the Veterans Parade on Nov. 9 and 10.  A picture was in the front page of the newspaper showing the three of us saluting.  J. Neal Naranjo II was in a drummer's outfit complete with buckle shoes and tricorn hat.  He has an application and is expected to join our chapter soon. Each branch of the service was represented and posted their flags. No one was present to represent the Coast Guard so I carried their flag instead of the SAR Flag.

J.Neal II with drum, Neal Naranjo and Preston prior to Honor America Night festivities.

Posting the colors. Naranjo on far right carried Betsy Ross flag, Preston carried Coast Guard Flag.

St. Cyprian's School and Harmony Hill Christian School have been contacted a second time about the poster contest.  Neal was to contact Pineywoods Academy.

Talked to Mike Cotton, troop leader for troop 518 and he said he had a couple of eligible Eagles this year but had not heard anything from Weismuller.

NEW BUSINESS:

Robert William Prendergast, Bob Poland's grandson, is working on an application.   Currently in college.  J. Neal Naranjo II has an application and I have been bugging Kevin McKay about joining.  Kevin's mother is in DAR so it would be no problem at all.

Preston reminded everyone to get their dues paid and not put it off because they would probably forget or lose the invoice.

At this time Preston introduced the speaker, Morris Weeks.  Morris is a welding instructor and part time teacher of ancient civilization at Lamar.  He was also our speaker in September talking about Indian weapons and utensils.  Thought he was going to talk about Revolutionary weapons but the talk was about Civil War weapons and items soldiers carried into battle.  Morris is a reinactor and in fact will be reinacting this Saturday.  Morris brought in a flint lock rifle and demonstrated the loading procedure and manual of arms.  Rifle weighs 12.5 pounds and gets rather heavy.

Morris in Confederate uniform with all the gear. Will be in reenactment Sat. 11_17.

Rifle used in Civil War. Weighs 12.5 pounds and had an effective range of 1 mile.

Preston thanked Morris for coming here from Beaumont and a very good talk.  Don't know what the subject will be for the January meeting.  Our illustrious VP is on a cruise at the present time.  Tough job but someone has to do it.

Preston led the assemblage in the Closing Admonition and asked for a motion to adjourn.   Meeting was concluded about 8:10 PM.  Next meeting January 17, 2008. 

Respectfully submitted, Fred Preston