SAR Central District Meeting Draws National Officers – Erlanger, KY
Central District VPG Thomas Payne
On November 4th and 5th, 2016, Sons of the American Revolution compatriots gathered in Erlanger, Kentucky for the 2016 Central District SAR Meeting, hosted by the Kentucky Society and Vice President General Thomas Payne. Attendees from the member Societies of Kentucky, West Virginia, Ohio, and Indiana were represented at the two-day event.
State Presidents in attendance and providing reports were: Dr. Larry Leslie of the Kentucky Society; William Lester of the West Virginia Society; Col. (Ret) Donald C. Mcgraw, Jr. of the Ohio Society; and Wayne Eels of the Indiana Society.
Ohio Society President Col. (Ret) Donald C. McGraw, Jr.
The Ohio contingent included Donald C. McGraw, Jr. (Cincinnati); Dick Fetzer (Western Reserve), Tim Ward (Northeastern Ohio), Paul M. Wilkie (Cincinnati), Tony Robinson (Camp Charlotte), Mike Gunn (Cincinnati), Jim Schaffer (Cincinnati), Steve Frash (Marietta), and Elwin Spray (Richard Montgomery).
Central District Vice President General Thomas Payne (Kentucky) chaired the Saturday morning business meeting, which included updates to the Central District Bylaws, and the nomination of West Virginia Society’s Bob Fish (Parkersburg – former WV State President) as the incoming Vice President General for the 2017-2018 term. Also addressed were endorsements for national officers; presentations, reports and conversations on current activities from national officers; and future plans, including movement towards a more (all) electronic version of the registration forms.
SAR President General J. Michael Tomme, Sr.
National Society officers accompanying President General J. Michael Tomme, Jr. (dual Ohio and Georgia member) to the event included Past President Generals Lindsey Brock (Florida) and J. David Sympson (Kentucky); Secretary General Larry Guzy (Georgia); Historian General Jack Manning (New Hampshire); Genealogist General John Sinks (District of Columbia); Surgeon General Dr. Larry Leslie (Kentucky); Librarian General Bruce Pickette; and Inspector General Tim Ward (Ohio). Also present were former Vice President Generals: Paul M. Wilkie (Central – OH); Tony Robinson (Central – OH); Elwin Spray (Western – HI); Robert Cunningham (Central – IN); Dr. T. Rex Legler (Central – IN); and Finlay J. Coles (Central – WV).
The Saturday evening banquet was headlined by remarks and appreciation from Vice President General Tom Payne, and greetings from President General Mike Tomme, Sr. The keynote speaker was Steve Vest, who is editor of the SAR Magazine, as well as editor and publisher of the Kentucky Monthly Magazine.
A combined Color Guard of guardsmen from the Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and West Virginia Societies presented the National Colors for the event.
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