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National Ladies Auxiliary SAR

National Ladies Auxiliary, Sons of the American Revolution

 

 

Last modified:
September 17, 2022

July 2022, 132nd Congress, Savannah, GA

Dave and I returned from Savannah and a wonderful Congress. A deep Southern curtsey to the Georgia Society for hosting this outstanding event!

We arrived on Friday afternoon so Dave could finish out his 3½ years as Recording Secretary, attending the Executive Board and Foundation meetings on Saturday. I was left to my own devises. I used the wonderfully outfitted Fitness Center and the Indoor Pool at the Hyatt before we began our busy week. On Sunday, Dave and I took an “Old Town Trolley” tour of Savannah. We learned all about the founding of Savannah in 1733 by General James Oglethorpe. It was named after England's King George II. Oglethorpe put four restrictions on the new colony - No Catholics, No Alcohol, No Slavery and No Lawyers! On Sunday evening we were welcomed by our Georgia hosts to a heavy hors d'oeuvres reception at the Hyatt. At around 650 registered attendees this was the largest Congress in recent years.

Monday’s activities included the Memorial Service and the First Lady’s Tea. The 2022 Rumbaugh Orations Contest eliminations in the morning and finals in the evening resulted in first place being awarded to James Schultz from Kansas. James competed with 15 other state winners to earn his 2022 national title.

On Tuesday, following greetings by dignitaries and the opening ceremonies, the Incoming NLASAR board met prior to and then with the current board at 10:30 AM with the usual officer reports and business discussions. Following the Youth Awards Luncheon honoring the special outstanding students including the Eagle Scout, JROTC and Essay Awards, the Ladies Auxiliary meeting was held with about 100 attendees. To support the SAR Education Center and Museum, members voted to donate $10,000 to the development fund. The featured speaker was Sue Petres, who kept the audience engaged with her animated talk on the life of Juliette Gordon Low, the “Daisy of Savannah” and founder of the Girl Scouts of America. She based the Girl Scouts on the Girl Guides in England and was inspired by Robert Baden-Powell. Monday evening was Recognition Night where the new Minute Men and those previously receiving this prestigious award were presented followed by the distribution of state and chapter awards.

Wednesday was the NLASAR Ladies Luncheon held at the Savannah Golf Club, a beautiful facility. Our lovely ladies were decked out in their Sunday best - some with hats for this festive occasion which was hosted by Past First Lady Janet Leishman. Emily Beck, from Georgia Coastal Heritage, was our featured speaker. Following the luncheon, funds were raised by the auctioning of baskets donated by state auxiliaries and individuals. For the first time, the Auxiliary sold “gently used” and “new” formalwear and colonial wear for men, women, and children in the Ladies Hospitality Room in the hotel. We will have a report in September at the SAR Leadership Meeting in Louisville, KY about how well we did. The elegant President General’s Banquet closed out Wednesday evening. The new NLASAR Board was installed by PG Davis Wright after dinner.

Tours were offered on Sunday and Thursday. Some of the places to tour were Ft Morris where Col McIntosh invited Delegates of the Sons of the American Revolution to Come and Take IT. The Historic Midway Church and Museum. They had a 5-Patriot Grave Marking at Midway. You could take an open-air Trolley Tour of Savannah or a Tour of the 8th Air Force Museum. There were SAR Bench dedications at Johnson Square and at Tricentennial Park. Thursday ended with the formal President General’s Installation Banquet in the evening closing the 132nd Annual SAR Congress. Pictures will be posted shortly of Congress on the Events page of our website.

Thank you to all the Georgia ladies who hosted our hospitality room. It was great to meet so many ladies this year as we formed new friendships and renewed friendships from across the country. While enjoying snacks and rest there. If you were unable to attend, please mark your calendar to attend the 133rd Congress in Orlando, Florida next year on 13-20 July 2023. You won’t want to miss it. Our next meeting is at Fall Leadership in Louisville 29 Sept – 02 Oct 2022. We look forward to gathering together again among friends whose interests we share.

Pat Wilson-Perkins
President, NLASAR (2022-2024)

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