[Minutes for the TXSSAR Arlington Chapter meeting: May 9, 2015] Page: 2 of 2
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G. Awards
Secretary Roger Wehr gave a brief review of the recent JROTC awards and thanked those who were able to make presentations at the local
high schools on behalf of our chapter.
H. Independence Day "4th of July" Parade
Event Co-ordinator Ray Wehr described the theme of the upcoming parade as the 50th Anniversary Parade conducted by Arlington, Texas.
He noted that this parade is the largest Independence Day Parade in the state of Texas. Our chapter's application to participate in this parade
is in process. It is likely that that there will be two floats entered by our group: one for SAR and one for DAR. Based on past experience, the
Bus barn will be the likely site for storage and construction of the floats. There will likely be seating capacity for sixteen. Members should
begin thinking whether they would like to participate in this event riding or walking. Many of the materials from the previous year's parade are
still available. The trailer from the Fort Worth SAR chapter may be available for this upcoming parade.
IX. New Business
David Friels announced that there will be a short program by Lt. Mike Taylor in the upcoming June chapter meeting.
X. Guest Lecture by Ron Carter: Thomas Paine, "The American Crisis" & "Common Sense"
The following points were made during Ron Carter's lecture:
1. Thomas Paine is largely known for his popular pamphlet series signed "Common Sense" which begins with the famous quote: "These are
the times that try men's souls."
2. Thomas Paine was born in England in 1737 and apprenticed under his father -a corsetmaker. Paine used this skill to make sails for
ships.
3. One of Paine's occupations was to serve as an excise tax collector; however, he would only collect taxes from those individuals whom he
did not like.
4. As a writer of broadsides, Paine caught the attention of Benjamin Franklin who saw the potential of Paine in stirring up the revolutionary
sentiments of the American colonists. Franklin wrote a letter of introduction on Paine's behalf to Dr. Benjamin Rush - founder of the
Pennsylvania Medical School and the "Father of Modern Psychiatry."
5. Through Dr. Benjamin Rush, the pamphlet series "Common Sense" is released to unnamed publishers. Publishers of such works could
also be subjected to charges of treason.
6. Even though the first publication of Paine's work sold immediately, Paine made no income from this work, which he considered to be his
gift to the American people. 500,000 copies of the work were sold in the American colonies which had a population of 1,500,000.
7. Thomas Paine served as a private in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. Paine also went to France during the French
Revolution but ended up being thrown in prison.
8. James Monroe, the American ambassador to France, negotiated Paine's release from a French prison and smuggled him back to the
United States.
9. Thomas Paine's writings after the American Revolution came under attack due to an anti-religion theme; nonetheless, the Quakers came
to his rescue in his failing years.
10. The state of New York gave land to Thomas Paine, and today in Rome, New York, there is a monument to the author of "The American
Crisis."
XI. Meeting Adjournment, SAR Closing Admonition & Benediction
At approximately 10:05 a.m. a motion was made to adjourn the meeting. President David Friels concluded the meeting with the SAR closing admonition
and Chaplain Bill Covington gave the benediction.
XII. Attendance Summary & Next Meeting Information
Attendance for the May meeting included three guests and ten chapter members: John Anderson, Ron Carter, William Covington, David Friels, Grant
Hamilton, Kevin Jorrey, Sonny Parks, Dennis Walton, Ray Wehr, & Roger Wehr.
Our next chapter meeting is scheduled for June 13, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. at the First Dixie Cafe located at 2400 West Pioneer Parkway, Suite 105,
Pantego, Texas 76013.
Roger Wehr
TXSSAR Arlington Chapter Secretary
www.txssar.orq/Arlington
wehr(auta.eduPage 2 of 2
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Texas Society Sons of the American Revolution, Arlington Chapter 7. [Minutes for the TXSSAR Arlington Chapter meeting: May 9, 2015], text, May 9, 2015; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1835193/m1/2/: accessed June 8, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.