This past summer, our Past President attended the National SAR 134th Congress, in Lancaster, PA. This article was written by Jerry Gross, capturing his experience as a first-time attendee.
From the SAR Summer 2024 Magazine.
I have been a member of the SAR since January 2013, and I attended the 134th Congress in Lancaster, Penn., as a “Green Dot.”
You may be asking, “What is a Green Dot?” Well, short and simple, it’s a sticker placed on the nametag of a member who is attending Congress for the first time. After I went through the registration line, my Kansas Delegation noticed that I wasn’t given my Green Dot and encouraged me to go get it. I am glad that I did.
I was one of nearly 40 Green Dots in Lancaster. There are no initiations but many opportunities to meet other members for networking, see first-hand the social and business aspects of the SAR, attend numerous breakout sessions, take historic tours, and explore the host city.
I contacted several SAR members who are now helping with applications of family members in Ohio, coordinating a possible marking of one of my Patriot Ancestors in West Virginia, and starting a new chapter in my hometown of Weston, MO. I also made connections with many others by sharing lessons learned on educational outreach, chapter functions and procedures.
The business sessions of Congress did not disappoint, as I was able to see how the policies and procedures impact the SAR goals and objectives. We voted on bylaws and funding and participated in elections. I even was asked to be an observer at the ballot drop for contested elections.
As a history teacher and genealogist, I wasn’t going to miss out on the educational opportunities. I was able to attend the tours to York and Philadelphia. At York, I attended a 250th bench dedication, visited a museum, browsed through some genealogical records to search for my Hessian soldier ancestor, and visited the courthouse where the Second Continental Congress met to officially use the phrase, “United States of America.” As you can imagine, Philadelphia was just as impressive, with a visit to Independence Hall and the American Revolution Museum. I admit that seeing Gen. George Washington’s headquarters tent made me teary eyed.
While many of you cannot attend a Congress, I highly encourage you to try. You will make long-lasting friendships, renew old ones and make connections that can help you with your local chapter and state society.
My hat’s off to the Pennsylvania Society, and I look forward to attending the 135th Congress in Connecticut.
Compatriot Jerry Gross
Henry Leavenworth Chapter, Kansas SAR