A meeting of the Lt. Nathan Gann Chapter, S. A. R., was held at 7 PM Thursday, March 17th, 2005 at the Golden Corral Restaurant in Lufkin, Texas. Members and guests arrived after 6 PM to eat prior to the meeting.

Prior to the meeting Preston passed a member rosette to David Larned..

Members attending were: Fred Jacobs, Tom H. Gann, Fred Preston, Lester Sparks, Fred Hutson, David Adams and David Larned. Members then introduced their guests which  were Mary and Sam Griffin, Vicki Gann, Honora Jacobs, Mildred Sparks, Betty Preston, Agnes Hutson, Carman Larned the speaker Gerald Goodwin.  We also had Zach Watson and parents Van and Karen and Bailey Watson, Phoebe Roberts, Abby Gail McCarty and parents Kevin and Mary Gail McCarty and Jerry and Max McCarty, and their teacher, Elizabeth Foster. We had 7 members and 18 guests in attendance.

President Fred Preston called the meeting to order. Chaplain Lester Sparks gave the invocation. Sam Griffin led the assemblage in the pledge to the U.S. Flag and the SAR Flag all standing and in unison.

Preston asked for a motion to accept the January minutes.  Tom Gann made the motion and Fred Jacobs seconded.  The motion carried.

Treasurer, Jeff Corbett, was on spring break, no report.

Under Old Business, Preston called David Adams to the front and presented him with a certificate and pin as past Chapter President.  David served as President 1986 to 1991 and again from 1995 to 1996.  David has also been active in CAR, serving as Senior State Chairman of the Endowment Fund Committee of the CAR in 2004.

President Preston presenting a Certificate and Pin or Past President to David Adams.

President Preston then talked about the Poster Contest and its purpose.  This year the students were to depict Washington Crossing the Delaware on Christmas eve 1776.   He then discussed the flag that might have been used but apparently no one knows what flag if any was displayed.  A print out showing about 21 different flags that were in use between about 1773 and 1781 was passed around.

At this point, the Poster Chairman, David Adams, called the 3rd place winner up, Abby Gail McCarty and presented her a Certificate.  Then Phoebe Roberts was presented the 2nd place Certificate and Zach Watson received the 1st place Certificate.  All of the students were from St. Cyprian's 5th grade history class under Elizabeth Foster.  The award was to be Savings Bonds but they will not be available for about 3 weeks.  1st place receives 3-$50 bonds, 2nd place 2-$50 bonds and 3rd place 1-$50 bond. 

From L to R. 1st place winner, Zach Watson, 2nd place, Phoebe Roberts and 3rd place Abby Gail McCarty.

St. Cyprians 5th grade History Teacher, Elizabeth Foster.

New Business:  Preston said he would like the members to consider a motion at the May meeting for the purchase of Eagles for the top of the flag poles.   Fred Jacobs made a motion that we purchase the Eagles and Tom Gann seconded.  Motion carried.

Fred Preston then introduced the speaker for the evening, Gerald Goodwin.  Gerald is a native of Angelina County, going to school in Central to the 8th grade then moving to Lufkin where he graduated in 1958.  Worked in many places and served in the army on two occasions. Gerald graduated from SFA in 1966, attended Law School at the Univ. of Houston and graduated in 1971.  He was Asst. Dist. Attorney in Harris County on '72 and '73, then Asst. Dist. Attorney in Lufkin in 1974.  In January 1975 he became District Attorney of Angelina Co. until 1990. In 1990 he became District Judge and held that position until March of 2001.

Past District Attorney and District Judge, Gerald Goodwin.

Gerald talked about the Jury system which he strongly supports.  As he said it isn't perfect but it is very good.  Talked about some cases that were unusual, like the hot coffee suit against McDonalds.  Some may have thought this was ridiculous but after hearing some of the evidence it really wasn't.

Preston thanked Gerald and everyone attending,  He reminded those present of the May 19th meeting and then led the assemblage in the SAR Closing Admonition, all standing and in unison.

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:00 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

President Fred Preston