THE TEXIANThe Official Publication of The Sons of the Republic of Texas

VOL 11 NUMBER 1 JANUARY 2017

PRESIDENT GENERAL’S MESSAGE

Bob Steakley, KSJ

The latter months of each year provide opportunities for families and friends to gather for some wonderful times. Memories are made as it should be as the change of seasons progresses. I like the smells of the first frost, the first snow day and a smoked turkey from Tyler.

It was crisp in Tomball for the

WHAT’S INSIDE2016 Tomball Holiday Parade ..1, 3

President General’s Message ....1, 3

Janet’s Korner ...............................2

Constitution Changes ........................3

New SRT Members .......................4

Annual Christmas Parade but warmed some as First Lady Carol and I rode in the 98 Olds with Sir Knight Denton at the wheel. A grand time was topped off with a great lunch and meeting with the Sam Houston Chapter. The Alamo Chapter Christmas Banquet in San Antonio was a real honor for me. Swearing in new leadership is important for the continuance of an active chapter. Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of that process. Goliad Chapter is active again and participation in that event

was an honor. You missed a real treat at the

Presidio La Bahia Award. Peaches was unable to attend this year and Kevin Knox led us in “Silent Night”. Kevin’s strong voice resounded in the perfect acoustics of the chapel and was enjoyed by all, putting us in the Christmas spirit. This was Sir Knight and Past Presidents General Scott Dunbar’s last presentation of the award after many years of presiding over the Presidio La Bahia

cont. pg. 3

Chapter News .............................5,6

In Memoriam ................................5

Registration Annual Meeting ........7Calendar of Events ........................8

The Sons of the Republic of Texas participated in the 51st Annual Tomball Holiday Parade on Saturday, November 19, 2016. It was a beautiful crisp fall morning as the SRT, DRT and Texas Army participated in the Parade for the 16th consecutive year. We had the largest turnout in our history with DRT and SRT members from the SRT Lone Star, Sam Houston, San Jacinto, Sidney Sherman and Jesse Chisolm Chapters, and the DRT Presidents of Texas Chapter along with 24 family members.

Everyone met at the Tomball Museum to decorate the floats with historical Texas flags and signs and then proceed down Tomball’s two-mile main street.

The Color Guard led with muskets and they waved to the large crowd and shook the hands of the veterans they went past. Sir Knight Bob Steakley, KSJ and his wife Carol followed in a 1966 Oldsmobile 98 driven by Denton Bryant, KSJ. The next vehicle was pulling the Rolling Thunder Cannon with 4 flags including the Come and Take It flag. Steve Manis and his wife Chaille were dressed as Mr. and Mrs. Grinch in their Grinch Mobile with three cars in tow which was a big hit with the children. Behind them were two trucks with trailers with signs reminding everyone to Observe Texas Holidays and carrying those who were riding and waving Texas flags. and carrying those who were riding and waving Texas flags. Everyone enjoyed the delicious lunch after the parade at the Pecos Mesquite Steakhouse.

2016 TOMBALL HOLIDAY PARADE

cont. pg. 3

2

Janet’s KornerBy: Janet Knox

Administrative Assistantemail: aa-srt@son-rep-texas.net

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: aa-srt-@son-rep-texas.net. She will be glad to assist you.

• Annual Meeting, March 17-19, 2017; Y.O. Ranch & Conference Center, 2033 Sidney Baker St. (Hwy 16), Kerrville, TX 78028,(830)-257-4440. King or 2 Queens Room rate $104 + tax. Cutoff date February 15, 2017. Please give the group code: The Sons of the Republic of Texas

• Dues notices have been mailed, in October. If you did not receive a dues notice or have lost it, please email me at: aa-srt@son-rep-texas.net and I will be glad to send you one. Remember you can also use PayPal to pay your dues. Your dues are now late, but pay before March 31, 2017, and you will not have to 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 over the phone.

• The deadline for nominations for Educator of the Year Award, to be presented at the Annual Meeting is February 12, 2017. Please mail to the National office. The criteria for the award is available form the National office.

.• Attention Chapter Presidents: I know everyone gets busy for the holidays, but remember your Chapter annual reports are dues the end of January 31. 2017. This will determine whether your chapter will receive a rebate check. Your report must include: new officers with mailing address, phone numbers and email addresses along with your activities during the year as well as a financial bank statement. Again, the deadline is January 31, 2017

• 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. If your chapter has or will be celebrating any events PLEASE email me at: aa-srt@son-rep-texas.net. I will be submitting the April issue for publication; the deadline for submissions April 28, 2017

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE2016 - 2017

DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES2016 - 2017

Left to Right front row: Randy Pollard, TreasurerGeneral, Edward A. Heath, First Vice PresidentGeneral; Bob Steakley, KSJ, President General;William D. Power, Second Vice President; David Stone, Chaplain General.

Left to Right back row: Robert Kendall, KSJ, PPG, Executive Committeeman; John W. Knox, Executive Committeeman, Kenneth W. Pfeiffer, SecretaryGeneral, L. Clay Fisher, Historian General andJanet Knox, Administrative Assistant.

Left to Right front row; Bob Steakley, KSJ, Frontier District; George Nelson, Brazos Valley District;Arthur Evans, Gulf Coast District, andWilliam D. Power, North East District.

Left To Right back row: Jim Massingill, Heart of Texas District; Ronald W. Brown, KSJ, San Jacinto District and Tim Gibson, North Central District.

(Not pictured: Michael Young, Post Oak District.)

3

PRESIDENT GENERAL’S MESSAGEcont. from pg. 1

2016 TOMBALL HOLIDAY PARADEOne of Tomball’s best restaurants. The Sam Houston Chapter had

a large contingent this year and used the opportunity to conduct their November meeting. A good time was had by all who participated and members of the SRT who did not make it this year are invited to join us next year.

cont. from pg. 1

The following Constitution and Bylaws changes have been approved by the SRT Executive Committee, pending, final approval by the general membership on March 18, 2017, at the annual meeting:

Constitution changes: Modified and added: Article XV Section 15.2 Honors. Modified: (a) The following honor may be presented by the President General, at his sole discretion, as set forth in the Bylaws. President General’s List Added: (b) The following honor may be presented to any Member who served on active duty in any branch of the United States armed services or is currently enlisted. Veteran Medal

SRT Bylaws changes: Section 10.2 Honors. (a) . . . unchangedAdded: (b) Veteran Medal. The Veteran Medal is available, at Member’s cost, to any Member who served on active duty in any branch of the United States armed services, as evidenced by a copy of the individual’s DD-214, or, similar qualifying documents or, is currently enlisted, as evidenced by a copy of the individual’s government orders for assignment.

Book Award. Thank you, Scott, for your service on this SRT Event. It was with some sadness that I accepted the resignation of William “Buddy” Power, 2nd Vice President General.

Buddy cited several reasons, one of which is more attention is needed for his growing company. Buddy will remain active in SRT and continue to support the organization and work with and renew his chapter’s activity. Thanks Buddy.

Carol and I will be traveling to The Piney Woods Chapter, Tyler and The Sam Houston Chapter, Katy for visits and installation of chapter officers and a trip to Richmond for the Lamar event. Remember the SRT Honor Days coming before the annual meeting.

If you have not made your reservation for the 95th Annual Meeting, please do so before the cutoff date. Check “The Texian” for information. First Vice President General Ed Heath continues to make final arrangements. There will be a Ladies activity Saturday afternoon.

Attendance at the annual meeting is an important event in the operation and life of SRT. It is the one time each year that the entire membership can assemble to take an active part in the organization. A plus is to meet your fellow compatriots, make new friends and see someone you might not have seen in a while. I encourage each member to consider coming to this 95th Annual Meeting of The Sons of the Republic of Texas. 95 years ago our founding compatriots held the first annual meeting. I believe those compatriots expected and believed that the Sons that followed them would not fail to assemble once each year on or before April 21st, San Jacinto Day, plan and attend an annual meeting to carry out the business, planning and union of the organization. See you in Kerrville!

Bob Steakley, KSJPresident General SRT

4

NEW SRT MEMBERS

Donald Lamar Padget William Duncan Irvine Allardt, TNBritt Lee Porter Jacob de Cordova El Paso, TXKevin Michael Green 1 James W. Powell Katy, TXStewart Morris, Jr. 1 Judge William Henry Stewart Houston, TXMichael Allen Pryor 1 Lydia Allen Stewart Allcorn Houston, TXRichard Dean Hodges 2 Joseph Ehlinger Texas City, TXRichard Dean Hodges 2 Dilue Rose Harris Texas City, TXRyan Charles Cade 6 James Francis Trotti Angleton, TXNelson Eldridge Leopold III 6 Robert Cummins Fulgham West Colimbia, TXHarry Ferdinand Bliss III 7 Eliphalet Lester Arnold Abernathy , TXJoshua Martin Cortez 7 Jose Maria Escobar y de Basque San Marcos, TXJames Albert Hurst 7 Thomas Davis Williams Boerne,TXRobert Kumler Landis III 7 Eliphalet Lester Arnold Oquossoc, MESonny Slade Mann 7 William R. Caruthers Tynan, TXWilliam Zev Pryor 8 Absalom L. Watts Palmer, TXStuart Wier Ford 10 James William Bailey Houston, TXLoal Fred Struck 11 Andrew Jackson Blackburn Arlington, TXDavid Luke Knox 12 Nancy Elizabeth Ritter Fayetteville, ARMarvin Bailey Morgan 12 Drucilla King Cockerham Lane Kincaid Lakeway, TXMarvin Bailey Morgan 12 David Greer Kincaid Lakeway, TXMarvin Bailey Morgan 12 Louisa Richardson Tackett Lakeway TXMarvin Bailey Morgan 12 John Hilyard Tackett Lakeway, TXMarvin Bailey Morgan 12 Sarah Jane Tackett-Davis Lakeway, TXRobert Lee Hailey 14 Rebecca Robinett Kelley Hailey Franklin, TXRandy Scott Langley 18 Josephus Moore Marshall, TXDavid Alan Rabenau 18 Parom Redding Wilson Webster Grove, MODavid Ramirez 23 Amnuel Flores East Barnard, TXJames Lee Schulze Jr. 25 Richard Ballew Kingwood , TXLorenz Joseph Henzen 26 John Fries Ovalo, TXKenneth Willhoite Watson 26 Jacob Walker Amarillo, TXJudge James David Bird 29 Daniel Bird Bird Gonzales, TXThor Eric Chester 29 Jesse Jesse Evans Victoria, TXHarry Anderson Daniel 36 Nancy Boren Ruckersville, VAClay Crowell Conoly 40 James M. Smith Bandera, TXMatthew Leonard Deal 40 Caleb Maule San Antonio, TXLeonard Edward Deal, Jr. 40 Caleb Maule San Antonio, TXGregory Bryon Tom 40 John Files Tom Boerne, TXErrol Alan Flannery 47 David Crockett Granbury, TXDavid Allen Palmer 47 Alexander Newton Graham Fort Worth, TXGraham Allen Palmer 47 Alexander Newton Graham Fort Worth, TXMitchell Brown Fountain 49 Benjamin Harkness Center, TXTimothy Carl Baylor 50 William Miller Baylor Elgin, TXZachary Taylor Bass 52 Cornelius Cooper Tyler, TXThomas Julius Prather 53 Johann Freidrich Hollien Milino, FLOwen Thomas Edens 58 James Clinton Neill Conroe, TXJohn Michael Jinks 58 Ann Raney Montgomery, TXRobert Dan Eubank, Jr. 59 Collin McKinney Akin, Sr. Frisco, TXRobert Dan Eubank 59 Collin McKinney Akin, Sr. Trinidad, TXAlexander Murdock Eubank 59 Collin McKinney Akin, Sr. Frisco, TX

5

Name Chapter Hometown

In Memoriam

Paul GervaisBell 1 Houston, TXJerral Duane Blair 36 Fort Worth, TXWalter Lewis Boyd 13 Waco, TXBrig. Gen. James L. Crouch 12 San Antonio, TX Jackson Ormand Miller Jr. 35 Bay City, TX Thomas M. O’Connor 16 Victoria, TX Vance Howard Roberts 56 Lufkin, TX James Frederick Scott 36 Fort Worth, TX Jimmy Leslie Steele 59 Athens, TX James Thomas Walker 8 Dallas, TX Travis Burke Willbanks 1 Houston, TX Otis Willis English Jr. 29 Lubbock, TX Joel Oscar Alfred Flores 58 Mansfield, TX John Edwin Frederick Gaston 19 Nacogdoches, TX Charles Grady McKnight 8 Corinth, TX

BATTLE OF CONCEPCIONOnce again the Alamo Chapter commemorated the

October 1835 Battle of Concepcion at the monument near the Mission. David Jauer, Ken Pfeiffer, Tommie Wood, Al Davis, John Meehan, Bob Benavides, Dick Weitzel, Robert Bohmfalk, Steve Lancaster, Jason Chall, Ed Heath, Tom Jones, Al McCutcheon and Roger Duncan (photographer) attended. Bob Benavides gave a presentation on the battle with handouts including a map of the battle site, an aerial image with battle positions superimposed and a transcript of the battle report to Gen. S.F. Austin from commanders James

Bowie and J.W. Fannin.

ALAMO CHAPTER HISTORIC PROJECT

Alamo Chapter President, Dick Weitzel and Sergeant-at-Arms, Al Davis completed the 180th anniversary chapter historic fundraising project at San Jacinto April 21st, 2016.

The project consisted of raising 400 Texas flags at seven historic sites on the 180th anniversary of each event. The events/sites included: Gonzales ‘Come and Take It’, October 2nd; Battle of Concepcion, October 28th; Battle of Bexar, December 11th; Washington-on-the-Brazos “Independence Declaration”, March 2nd; The Alamo, March 6th; Goliad Massacre, March 27th; and The Battle of San Jacinto, April 21st. More than twenty chapter members participated in the project with Pamphlet and Certificate of Authenticity design and printing as well as travel to and photographic documentation of the flag raising events.

6

The charter for Goliad’s La Bahia Chapter was presented at a ceremony on October 15, 2016, culminating many months of work by the members of the chapter.

The charter for the La Bahia Chapter 25, Goliad, Texas, presented by Secretary General Ken Pfeiffer (left) to Chapter President Bill Christopher (center) and President General Bob Steakley (right).

Several members of the Executive Committee were present to witness and make the presentation. President General Bob Steakley, First Vice President General Edward Heath, Second Vice President General Buddy Power, Secretary General Kenneth Pfeiffer, Past President General Scott Dunbar and District Representative Arthur Evans all made the trip. The ceremony was conducted at the Chapel in the Presidio La Bahia. Seven of the 19 current members of the La Bahia Chapter were also present, along with two with applications pending.

Chapter officers,(left to right) Secretary/Treasurer Jimmy Schulze, Vice President Walter Breeding and President Bill Christopher, are charged with their duties by President General Bob Steakley.

Prior to the charter ceremony, the local chapter members, Executive Committee members and guests were treated to a luncheon hosted by the Presidio La Bahia Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas.

La Bahia Chapter #25 Chartered

7

95th ANNUAL MEETING FOR 2017 WILL BE HELD IN Kerrville

Make hotel reservations by calling: Y. O Ranch & Conference Center, 2033 Sidney Baker St (Hwy 16), Kerrville, TX 78028; 1-830-457-4440. Room Rate Queen/Queen $104 +Tax: King $104. + Tax; Cut-off for rooms is February 15, 2017

Schedule of Events

Friday, March 17, 2017

4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Hospitality Room; Is on your own

Saturday, March 18, 2017

8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Executive Committee Meeting (any member is welcome to

attend but may not vote)

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Knights of the Order of San Jacinto (KSJ only)

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Summerfield G. Roberts Award Luncheon (members & guests) Dress: Jacket and Tie

2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Ladies Tour of James Avery- Jewelry

2:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Annual Meeting

(Members only)

4:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. SRT Foundation Meeting 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Awards Banquet Dress: Black Tie (optional)

Sunday, March 19, 2076

9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Executive Committee Meeting _________________________________________________________________________________________________

SRT REGISTRATION FORM This form must be received by February 17, 2017 SRT Registration (required, for member only) $25.00 per member = $ _______

Friday Night Hospitality $5.00 pp X #_____ = $ ________

SGR Luncheon $25.00 pp X #_____ = $ _______ Annual Meeting (members only) Indicate #_______ Ladies Tour Indicate #________ Annual Awards Banquet $35.00 pp X #_____ = $________ Grand Total: Make checks payable to SRT in the total amount of $__________________ Names of those attending:_______________________________________________________________ Mail to: SRT Office, 1717 8th Street, Bay City, TX 77414 by February 17, 2017

Contact us at:SRT Office: www.srttexas.org Email: aa-srt@son-rep-texas.net1717 Eighth Street, Bay City, TX 77414Phone: (979) 245-6644 Fax: (979) 244-3819

1717 Eighth StreetBay City, TX 77414

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

ANNUAL MEETINGMarch 17-19, 2017 Y.O Ranch & Conference Center, 2033 Sidney Baker St. (Hwy 16), Kerrville, TX 78028 (830) 257-4440; King or 2 Queens; Room rate $104.+tax; Cutoff date is February 15, 2017. Please give the group code: The Sons of the Republic of Texas.

Calendar of Events2017 Quarterly Meetings

June 2-3, 2017 Hampton Inn & Suites, 240 Hasler Blvd., Bastrop, TX 78602; (844) 281-5623; King or Double Queen, Room Rate $109.+ tax; Cutoff date May 2, 2017 Please give this Group code; SOR.

2017 SRT Events

March 2 Texas Independence DayMarch 6 Fall of the AlamoMarch 27 Goliad MassacreApril 21 San Jacinto DayAugust 5 Texas Ranger DaySeptember 17 Texian Navy Day on the Battleship TexasOctober 2 Battle of GonzalesNovember 3 Stephen F. Austin’s Birthday (Father of Texas)

SAM HOUSTON COLOR PRINT NOW AVAILABLE

Order your unframed, 18” x 24” color print for $30, including shipping. This beautiful print is a reproduction of the `856 photograph by Fredrick of New York City when Houston was a member of the United States Senate. A Pre-printed 2” purple border gives the appearance of a real mat, thereby eliminating the need for expensive matting; the mat accentuates Senator Houston’s purple velvet coat.Please call the national office.The matted area includes a printed nameplate:

SAM HOUSTON1793-1863

# of Prints ______ @ $30.00 each $___________

Name __________________________________Address __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________

(Insurance $1.10 per print)