Chapter History
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SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
The Sons of the American Revolution was incorporated in 1890, in Connecticut and chartered by the United States Congress in 1906. Initially the national NSSAR Headquarters were located in Washington, D.C., but in 1980 the headquarters moved to Louisville, Kentucky. The current membership is approximately 28,000 active members. The purpose of the SAR is to perpetuate the memory of the men, who by their services or sacrifices during the War of the American Revolution achieved the Independence of the American people. The objectives of the SAR are declared to be patriotic, historical and educational. There are 50 state societies and also societies in France, Canada, Germany, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The NSSAR website can be accessed at sar.org.
The Kentucky Society of Sons of the American Revolution, KYSSAR, performs administrative matters, keeps a copy of the original applications, establishes and collects state, national and chapter dues. The current KYSSAR membership is approximately 800 active members. These members are in 15 local chapters in different areas of the State. Three other chapter locations have been approved pending the requirement that they obtain approval for 10 member for their respective locations. These three locations are Greenup County; Trigg County, Cadiz, KY; Somerset, Pulaski County,KY. The KYSSAR website can be accessed at kyssar.org.
The Big Sandy Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution currently includes members from Pike, Floyd, Knott, Johnson, Lawrence and Boyd Counties Kentucky. With the National Society approval of seven new members in April, 2011, the current membership is 18 active members. There are more application under review and pending approval by the NSSAR. It is the primary objective of this chapter to recuit as many new members as possible in order that the Patriots either buried or with ancestors from this area are approved, recognized and added to the KYSSAR data base thus perpetuate the memory of Revolutionary War Patriots.
From dated correspondence it appears that a chapter was organized prior to October 1960 at Ashland, KY and at that time was known as The Ashland Society #7. In March 1990 correspondence lists the name as The Ashland Chapter. The March 1992 membership list shows the same members in the Big Sandy Chapter. Therefore, sometime between the above dates there was a chapter name change.
For persons that may be interested in joining this society and help promote fellowship among the descendants of Revolutionary War Patriots, you are invited to visit the Membership Requirements Section of this website.
CURRENT NEWS - 2013
MARCH 9th, 2013 SPRING MEETING KENTUCKY SOCIETY SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
The Kentucky Society Sons of the American Revolution (KYSSAR) held their annual spring meeting Saturday March 9th, 2013 in Northern Kentucky. Most of the 18 statewide chapters were represented including the local Big Sandy Chapter. The Big Sandy Chapter was represented by Dr. Larry Leslie, President; Samuel Hatcher, Treasurer; Roger Ratliff, Secretary; Jason Reichenbach, Chancellor and Gary Howard, Registrar.
The Big Sandy SAR Chapter was recognized and presented with the GRADY R. ROWNTREE AWARD for the KYSSAR Chapter with the most new members (39) and also with the COLGAN NORMAN AWARD for the Chapter with the largest % increase in membership (118%). These awards were presented by the KYSSAR State President, Harry D. Geimeier. With the addition of these new members the local chapter now has a total of 71 members.
Additionally, two members of the Big Sandy Chapter were sworn in as State KYSSAR Officers. Dr Larry M. Leslie will be the 2013 State Surgeon and Jason C. Reichenbach will be the 2013 State Chancellor. This is a first and an honor for our local chapter to have members to be elected and installed as State Officers. See attached picture. Dr Leslie is the third from left and Jason Reichenbach is the fifth from the loft
The next meeting of the Big Sandy Chapter is scheduled for April 13th 2013, at 10:00 AM at thet Jenny Wiley May Lodge Prestonsburg, KY. The Big Sandy Chapter of KYSSAR had its first representative enter the Knight Essay contest. This is a statewide contest to pick one essay to enter the National contest. Our representative came in third and will be recognized and presented with various metals and awards.
If anyone would like to learn more about the local SAR chapter you are invited to attend this meeting.
CURRENT NEWS - 2012
On January 28, 2012 during the regular meeting of the Big Sandy Chapter Sons of the American Revotion, it was announced by KYSSAR Forest Chilton, that at the end of 2011 the Big Sandy Chapter had increased its membership to 33, an increase of 18 from 2010. These 18 new members represent the most new members and the largest percentage increase of any chapter in the State of Kentucky.
On Octiber 8, 2011 at the Kentucky Society Sons of the American Revolution's Fall state meeting the Big Sandy Chapter's Secretary and Registar Gary Howard was elected State Vice President for the year 1912 -1913.