February 21, 2019 - Mark Twain Visits Charlotte for President's Day
America's most beloved author and humorist, Mark Twain, visited our chapter's annual President's Day Community Dinner this evening in Charlotte.
229 guests enjoyed a wonderful social dinner and the humorous presentation from Mr. Twain, who was portrayed by Curtis Odell from Hodgenville, KY (the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln). Next year's guest is President Theodore Roosevelt.
January 26, 2019 - 238th Anniversary of the Battle of Cowan's Ford
The Mecklenburg chapter hosted the Annual Battle of Cowan's Ford commemoration ceremony today with a crowd in excess of 150 people at Hopewell Presbyterian Church in Huntersville, NC.
Our guest presenter was Jeremiah DeGennaro, site manager for the Alamance Battleground State Historic Site. His presentation was "Why They Fought: Prelude to Revolution in the North Carolina Backcountry - 1765 to 1771." (pictured below)
Chapter members in attendance included Steve McKee, Ray Maxson, Tony Zeiss, Jim Tatum, Greg Catledge, Jim Wood and others. Program chairman Steve McKee (pictured below) calls the ceremony an "outstanding success!"
January 19, 2019 - 238th Anniversary of the Battle of Cowpens
Ray Maxson from our chapter represented Mecklenburg at the 238th Anniversary of the Battle of Cowpens today.
About 100 people were in attendance, many from the DAR with many SAR members from around the region.
The ceremony was moved from Cowpens National Park to an auditorium in nearby Gaffney, SC. In the photo below, Ray and Helen Maxson visit the Cowpens monument inside the Cowpens National Battlefield Park.
December 15, 2018 - Wreaths Across America
Members of our Mecklenburg chapter participated in the annual Wreaths Across America event held today in our area at East Forest Lawn Cemetery in Matthews, NC.
In attendance at the event were Jim Tatum, Ed Tomey, Steve McKee, Jay Joyce and Neil Hohmann. This year the cemetery received over 750 wreaths to lay on Veteran's graves.
November 18, 2018 - New CAR Chapter Chartering Ceremony
Members of our Mecklenburg chapter Color Guard provided the Colors for the chartering ceremony of the newest CAR (Children of the American Revolution) chapter in Stanfield, NC. The new CAR chapter name is the COL Adam Alexander chapter, CAR. The ceremony was held at the Berea Baptist Church in Stanfield, NC. Members of the Mecklenburg chapter in attendance included Jim Tatum, Jim Wood, John Allen and Steve McKee.
November 15, 2018 - Annual Chapter Meeting & Elections
Our chapter held our annual chapter meeting this evening to present awards to outstanding members, to elect new chapter leadership and to enjoy some fine bluegrass music.
Chapter president Dave Alls honored all of our chapter members who have served our country through military service. Each member received their official SAR military service medal and certificate.
Several chapter members were then honored with SAR and Chapter awards, including Jim Tatum, John Allen and Stephen McKee (in photo above). Compatriot McKee was awarded the chapter's Outstanding Member of the Year for his work at the Cowan's Ford program and throughout the year. Tony also mentioned that our monthly chapter lunches will be commencing again in 2019...but this time they will be held at The Waldhorn German Restaurant!
Our chapter elections were held where Tony Zeiss (in photo above) was elected as our new chapter president. Tony delivered some remarks following his installation focused on growing our chapter toward the 200 member mark over the next two years and providing more transparency to chapter members on chapter finances.
The evening then concluded with an outstanding performance by the incredible musical talent from the members of The Little Big String Band. They put on a tremendous performance for the group!
November 10, 2018 - Charlotte Veterans Day Parade
The Mecklenburg Chapter Color Guard led the Charlotte Veterans Day Parade again this year through the streets of Uptown Charlotte. This year we had two very special young people join us for the parade. Landon Knestrick, our chapter's youngest member, and Peyton McKee, chapter vice president Steve McKee's daughter.
Other SAR members in attendance included Ray Maxson, Greg Catledge, Neil Hohmann, Steve McKee, Bill McCown, Tom Phlegar, Ken Luckey and Jay Joyce.
November 3, 2018 - 33 Patriots Monument Unveiling
Our chapter staged the unveiling ceremony for the 33 Patriots Monument to conclude the year's fundraising campaign to purchase and install the new monument at Centre Presbyterian Church in Mooresville, NC.
Several hundred SAR, DAR, CAR, community organizations and the general public attended the indoor service to hear new chapter president Tony Zeiss deliver a presentation on some of the Patriot's stories who are buried in the cemetery.
Everybody then moved outdoors for the official unveiling ceremony of the monument, which is located inside the church cemetery under a grove of trees. In the photo above, Jenny Tolson, regent of the Mecklenburg Chapter, NSDAR, officially unveils the Monument as Mecklenburg SAR chapter members Stephen McKee, at left, and Jim Tatum, at right, handle the Honor Guard duties.
We thank the SAR, DAR and CAR for your generous support during the fundraising and also at the event. These wonderful chapters include the Mecklenburg Chapter, NSDAR, Alexandriana Chapter, NSDAR, the Battle of Shallow Ford Chapter, NSDAR, the Blue Ridge Chapter, SAR, the Capt. George Dickey Chapter, SAR, the Col. Alexander Erwin Chapter, SAR, the George Washington Endowment Fund, SAR, the Mary Slocumb Chapter, NSDAR, the Nathanael Greene chapter, NSDAR, the Otway Burns chapter, NSDAR, the Peter Smith Chapter, NSDAR, the Stamp Defiance Chapter, NSDAR, and the Susanna Coutanch Evans Chapter, NSDAR. Also a special thanks to our chapter president Dave Alls for coordinating and managing the event. Thank you for your generosity and your support. The Monument could never have been purchased or installed without your contributions.
October 7, 2018 - 238th Anniversary of the Battle of Kings Mountain
Mecklenburg chapter members Jim Wood, Jim Tatum and Ray Maxson participated in the SAR National event during the 238th Anniversary of the Battle of Kings Mountain today. SAR, DAR, CAR and other patriotic organizations gathered on top of Kings Mountain to honor the Patriots who bravely fought at this battle. In the photo below, left to right, Ray Maxson, Jim Wood, Jack Bowman (president, Catawba Valley SAR chapter), George Strunk (NCSSAR State President) and Jim Tatum pose for a photo during the ceremony.
September 28, 2018 - Chapter Members Attend River Crossing
Mecklenburg chapter members John Allen and Jim Tatum had the opportunity to participate in the Overmountain Men Militia crossing of the Catawba River at Greenlee Ford near Morganton, NC. When the British invaded the back country of the South during 1780, the local Patriot militia took a stand. At Sycamore Shoals, TN, a militia unit assembled from the VA and TN area.
The 1100 men began their journey to cross the Appalachian Mountains to defeat the British. Along their route through NC communities today known as Wilkes County, Spruce Pines, Marion, Morganton, Gilbertown, Cowpens, SC, and Gaffney, SC, joined the force.
Each year members of the Overmountain Victory Trail Association walk this trail in honor of this historic event; and 21 Patriots who made the crossing of the river were killed during the battle at Kings Mountain. A huge crowd attended from the local communities and throughout the state. Catawba Valley SAR chapter president Jack Bowman attended and was instrumental in getting the SAR involved for this first year.
August 11, 2018 - Tryon Resolves Annual Celebration
Members of the Mecklenburg chapter Color Guard participated in the 244th Annual Commemoration of the Signing of the Tryon Resolves today at the Tryonota Volunteer Fire Department in Bessemer City, NC. More than 100 celebrants gathered to participate in the program and pay respects to the Patriots who signed the Resolves. Members of the Mecklenburg chapter who participated were Jim Wood, Jim Tatum and Ray Maxson.
July 31, 2018 - Color Guard at DAR State Meeting
Our Mecklenburg chapter Color Guard provided services today at the North Carolina DAR state meeting at the Gaston Country Club. Over 100 DAR members were in attendance. Providing the Colors from our chapter were John Allen, Neil Hohmann, Ray Maxson and Jim Tatum.
July 7, 2018 - Dual Patriot Grave Marking with DAR Chapter
Our Mecklenburg chapter co-hosted a dual Patriot grave marking ceremony with the Eleanor Wilson Chapter, DAR, from Washington, D.C. at the Steel Creek Presbyterian Church today. The graves of Revolutionary War Patriots Eleanor Wilson and Robert Wilson were rededicated. The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence Chapter DAR assisted in the local planning of the ceremony. Our chapter members provided the Color Guard and included Jim Tatum, Stephen McKee, Jim Wood, John Allen, Ray Maxson, Greg Catledge and Tom Phlegar.
July 4, 2018 - New U.S. Citizen Naturalization Ceremony
Members of our Mecklenburg chapter provided official Color Guard duties for the annual U.S. New Citizen Naturalization Ceremony held today at the Charlotte Museum of History. Approximately 20 new citizens took the oath of citizenship and received their official U.S. citizen paperwork. Mecklenburg chapter members John Allen, Jim Tatum, Jim Wood, Greg Catledge, Bill McCown, Neil Hohmann, Tom Phlegar and Jay Joyce.
June 9, 2018 - 238th Anniversary of Ramsour's Mill
The 238th Anniversary of Ramsour's Mill was held today in Lincolnton, NC. Members of the Mecklenburg chapter attended to support the SAR national event and Color Guard. Our attending members included Jim Wood, Jim Tatum, Neil Hohmann and Ray Maxson.
June 6, 2018 - Chapter Americanism Poster Contest Winner
Congratulations to our Mecklenburg chapter Americanism Poster contest winner Ian R. from Polo Ridge Elementary School! Ian also placed 2nd in the State contest. In the photo below, Ian receives his award and scholarship from chapter member Jim Wood while his teacher Jason Sword proudly looks on.
May 16, 2018 - New Members Inducted During 90th Birthday
More new members were inducted into our awesome chapter as we celebrated our chapter's 90th birthday during the May membership dinner meeting! Historic artist Dan Nance was our special guest and he provided a wonderful collection of stories and artwork from his Revolutionary War collection. We would like to welcome all of the new members who took their new membership oath, and thank the evening's oldest member in attendance, Curt Older, and our youngest member in attendance, Don Diegert, for cutting our chapter's 90th birthday cake! See the photos below.
March 26, 2018 - SAR Community Award Presented to CMPD Officer
The Mecklenburg chapter presented the SAR Law Enforcement Community Service Medal and Award for Outstanding Community Service to CMPD officer Wesley Rightsell today at CMPD headquarters in Charlotte. In the photo below (left to right), Mecklenburg chapter members Dave Alls, Jim Wood, Officer Rightsell, Dan Short and Guy Chamberlain pose for a photo after presenting the award.
March 17, 2018 - The 237th Anniversary of Guilford Courthouse
Members of our Mecklenburg chapter attended the 237th Anniversary of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse in Greensboro, NC today. Attending members included Jim Tatum, Jim Wood and John Allen.
February 28, 2018 - Donation to Men's Shelter of Charlotte
Mecklenburg chapter secretary Chad Lloyd visited the Men's Shelter of Charlotte today and delivered a donation in the name of past chapter member Peter Hubicki. Ann Marie Elmayan, a volunteer with the shelter, received the donation. Compatriot Hubicki was a long time advocate and supporter of the Men's Shelter of Charlotte.
February 15, 2018 - Thomas Jefferson Visits for President's Day
Our Mecklenburg chapter welcomed President Thomas Jefferson for our 5th Annual President's Day Community Dinner here in Charlotte. 256 people, mostly from the community, joined SAR and DAR members to listen to Mr. Jefferson's accounts of his early life to his most famous roles. Historical actor Bill Barker portrayed Mr. Jefferson to an attentive and responsive large crowd. The evening was a tremendous success and congratulations to our own Tom Phlegar for pulling together another memorable chapter programming event. Photos from the evening are below.
February 4, 2018 - Dedication of African American Cemetery
Mecklenburg chapter member, and new Eagle Scout, Michael Miller lead a ceremony to officially dedicate an African American Slave Cemetery on the grounds of Rehobeth United Methodist Church in Terrell, NC. Michael's Eagle Scout project was to clean the burial grounds, install sitting benches and stepping stones. With the help of his grandfather and fellow chapter member, Jim Tatum, they created over 50 stone markers to mark the graves that were found.
In the photo below, the Mecklenburg chapter Color Guard poses with Michael for a group chapter photo following the dedication and Eagle Scout ceremony.
January 27, 2018 - Cowan's Ford Anniversary
Our Mecklenburg chapter hosted the 237th Anniversary of the Battle of Cowan's Ford held at Hopewell Presbyterian Church in Huntersville, NC. Project chairman Stephen McKee successfully managed the SAR national event with support from many chapter members.
In the photo below, chapter member Jim Tatum serves as the Color Guard commander.
In the photo below, guest speaker Steve Lundeen, senior instructor and shoot boss with Project Appleseed, addresses the gathering about the history of Lexington and Concord and the willingness of "everyday" Americans to leave their farms and pick up arms.
January 13, 2018 - The 237th Anniversary at Cowpens
Members from our Mecklenburg chapter attended the 237th Anniversary of the Battle of Cowpens today. Jim Wood, Neil Hohmann, Ray Maxson, Landon Knestrick and Jim Tatum represented our chapter and participated in the combined Color Guard.
January 6, 2018 - Peter Hubicki Memorial Service
Chapter members and friends of Compatriot Peter Hubicki gathered at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church today to remember and to pay tribute. Our Color Guard rendered honors to Compatriot Hubicki and presented the patriotic floral spray in the photo. Peter was a U.S. Marine and the Marines were on hand to officially bring greetings from President Trump and present Peter's family with the U.S. Flag.
(In the photo above, chapter member Steve McKee places the U.S. Flag
at the front of the church for Peter's service. Below, members of the Color
Guard stand at attention during the service.
)
December 16, 2017 - Wreaths Across America Celebration
Our Mecklenburg chapter Color Guard attended the annual Wreaths Across America commemoration and grave marking event today. More than 1,000 cemeteries across the country participate in the program. Attending from our chapter included Dave Alls, Jim Wood, Jim Tatum, John Allen, Ray Maxson, Neil Hohmann, Guy Chamberlain and Jay Joyce.
