THE TEXIAN The Official Publication of The Sons of the Republic of Texas VOL 11 NUMBER 2 JUNE 2017 SRT TEXAS HISTORY ESSAY AWARDS PRESENTED AT SAN JACINTO APRIL 21, 2017 For the 77th year, the Sons of the Republic of Texas, awarded scholarships to graduating high school seniors. The topic this year was “Stephen F. Austin, the father of Texas”. Forty essays were received this year, predominately from Texas high school students, however essays were also received from New York, Kentucky, Massachusetts and Washington State. Each of the three essay winners received a check to attend the college of their choice. They were awarded a commemorative medallion and plaque presented by President General, Bob Steakley, KSJ. In addition, each winner received a Texas flag flown over the Texas capitol Picture: Left to Right. Mr. Denton Bryant, on Texas Independence Day, March 2, 2017 and a commemorative “come and KSJ, Chairman SRT Texas History take it” cannon ball fired at Gonzales, Texas. Essay Contest. The Sons of the Republic Denton Bryant, KSJ, chairman of the annual Texas History Essay Contest, of Texas, Barry Stuart, Second Place Winner, George Ranch High School, announced the winners during the San Jacinto Day ceremony. Richmond, Texas, Kary Ann Searle, The first place winner was Kary Ann Searle, from J.E. Taylor high school in First Place Winner, Taylor High School, Katy, Texas. She received a $ 4,000 award. She is a member of the National Katy, Texas, Tony Tran, Memorial Honor Society and has been recognized for her perfect attendance among senior High School, Tomball, Texas, Mr. Bob Steakley, KSJ, President General, The students in her high school. She is a member of the marching and concert bands. Sons of The Republic of Texas. She plans to attend Lone Star College and then transfer to the cont. pg. 3 PRESIDENT GENERAL’S MESSAGE is evidence of this effort. I hope it overviewed the future progress on was enjoyable for all who attended. the O’Connor Spanish Collection. Wear the 95th SRT pin with pride and A special time was to recognize strive to keep this great organization our veterans. It was a pleasure to moving forward. Summerfield G. recognize the Executive Committee Roberts Book Award was announced and District Representative for during the Summerfield G. Roberts their help, guidance and support. Luncheon as well as The Teacher of Buddy Power, recipient of the the Year who was most deserving of SRT Distinguished Service Award, her recognition. It was an honor to was most helpful is securing the present the new SRT Veteran Medal Summerlee Grant for the O’Conner Bob Steakley, KSJ to SRT members. The Banquet was Collection. Congratulations to Sir Time flies when busy or involved enjoyable. Dean Hendrix, UTSA, and such was the case during my cont. pg. 3 first term as President General. SRT WHAT’S INSIDE is a collective effort of compatriots Texas History Essay ................. 1-3 In Memoriam ................................6 who are dedicated to the SRT President General’s Message .... 1-3 Texian Navy Day ........................11 mission, goal and purpose. The Janet’s Korner ...............................3 Annual Meeting ....................12, 13 historic 95th Continuous Annual New SRT Members ................... 4-5 Calendar of Events ......................16 Meeting at the Y. O. Ranch Hotel Chapter News .............. 6-10, 14, 15 and Conference Center in Kerrville EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE JANET’S Korner By: Janet Knox 2017 - 2018 Administrative Assistant email: [email protected] 1717 Eighth Street • Bay City, Texas 77414 (979) 245-6644 • The website is under construction. We hope to have it up and running soon. We know the store is not working correctly, so if you cannot get on the store, please just send a check for your dues. Please be patient and if you need any information please call the National office or email Janet: [email protected]. She will be glad to assist you. Left to Right front row: Randy Pollard, Treasurer General, Edward A. Heath, First Vice President • Chapters that sent in their chapter report will be receiving General; Bob Steakley, KSJ, President General; rebate soon. For those who did not send your yearly William D. Power, Second Vice President; David Stone, Chaplain General. reports in January 31, 2017, remember to send them out for 2018. You will be getting an email as a reminder. Left to Right back row: Robert Kendall, KSJ, PPG, Executive Committeeman; John W. Knox, Executive • Second Dues notices have been mailed. If you did not Committeeman, Kenneth W. Pfeiffer, Secretary receive a dues notice or have lost it, please email me at; General, L. Clay Fisher, Historian General and Janet Knox, Administrative Assistant. [email protected] and I will be glad to send you one. Your dues are now late, pay the reinstatement fee which is $50.00 plus $40.00 for the current 2017 dues. The National office does not take credit card payments DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES over the phone. 2017 - 2018 • Remember; All active duty personnel, your dues are waived. Please notify the National office by email, postal service or telephone. • You can view “The Texian” newsletter on the website for free. You may also purchase “The Texian”: and it will be mailed to you for a fee of $20.00 a year. Please contact the National office. • I would like to thank you for the articles and pictures you are sending for your newsletter; they have been GREAT. I need YOUR help with articles and pictures. Left to Right: Ron Brown,KSJ.,San Jacinto If your chapter has or will be celebrating any events District; Mike Wilson, Lone Star District; PLEASE email me at: [email protected]. I will be Bob Steakley, KSJ., Frontier District; submitting the August issue for publication; the deadline William Power, North East District; for submissions July 21, 2017 Richard Weitzel, Heart of Texas District. (Not pictured; Devin Lindsey, North Central District and Mike Young, Post Oak District.) 2 SRT TEXAS HISTORY ESSAY AWARDS PRESENTED AT SAN JACINTO APRIL 21, 2017 cont. from pg. 1 University of Houston to major in Elementary Education and History so that she can qualify to teach seventh grade Texas History. The second place winner was Barry Stuart who is graduating from George Ranch high school in Richmond, Texas received a $3,000 award. In addition to his academic achievements he is active in speech and debate where he qualified for state competition. He plans to major in psychology at the University of Texas in Dallas, Texas. The third place winner was Tony Tran of Memorial high school in Tomball, Texas. He received a $2,000 award and maintains straight A grades in his senior class. He is active in seven clubs including the National Honor Society, Key Club and is a volunteer in his church. His favorite subject is Calculus and he plans to major in Petroleum Engineering at the University of Houston in Houston, Texas. cont. from pg. 1 PRESIDENT GENERAL’S MESSAGE Knight Randy Pollard. Also the ladies tour, from reports, was enjoyable. Sir Knight Vaughn Oliver PPG addressed a vital concern for all of SRT, membership retention. This is the opportunity for involvement of the membership at the chapter level and where SRT needs to get busy. I encourage each chapter to plan for and complete an activity around each of our SRT Honor Days at least at the local level. Meet underneath a Texas Flag pole at your court house, fire house, city hall, school or any place of prominence to observe these honor days involving as many members and public as possible. I hesitate on this statement, but for the good of our organization, do not let your chapter become a meet and eat chapter. I fully realize that there are chapters that are certainly not in the afore mentioned category and are doing a commendable job. Evaluate your chapter involvement and see where it can best continue with the mission, goal and purpose of SRT. San Jacinto Day, Texas Ranger Day, Texian Navy Day, Gonzales “Come and take it” and Stephen F. Austin’s Birthday are opportunities for your chapter to observe these honor days. “Texian Navy Day”, pull the cover off that boat, crank up the Evinrude, fly a TEXAS Flag and go “motor boatin’ ” around your favorite lake and observe the day with as many as you can get to cruise with you. No lake close by, utilize the county roads trailering your boat behind flying a Lone Star Flag – As CW McCall said, “Looks like we’ve got us a convoy”. Check out the “Lost Creek Settlement” article, the Goliad Massacre (1st time for me) and the other articles in this issue. Next issue should have an article of your chapter’s activities. Recently I was in Breckenridge and coming up Comanche, to talk about chartering a SRT chapter. The interest in SRT is out there and somehow, some way, our organization is of interest to towns and communities. The June Executive Committee Meeting will be in Bastrop June 2nd and 3rd and is open to all SRT members. We will get together on Friday evening somewhere to “chew the fat” and I hope you will plan to attend. Check for information in this and every edition of “The Texian”. San Jacinto Day was a joy to attend. Presentation of awards to our SRT High School Essay Winners was a real pleasure to Katy, Barry and Tony. Thanks to Sir Knight Denton Bryant for chairing this committee. Sir Knight Pollard was busy making sure this Honor Day was a success. My first Quarterly Executive Meeting was in Brenham hosted by Past President General Sir Knight Leonard Cloud.