President General 1991 - 1992: George H. Brandau, MD

George H. Brandau, M.D. was installed in Kansas City as President General at the 101st Annual Congress in 1991. Prior to serving as President General, Dr. Brandau served as Secretary General, Registrar General and Surgeon General. He was Vice-President General for the Foreign District-Western Hemisphere (two terms), President and National Trustee of the Texas Society and President of the Paul Carrington Chapter in Texas. He was affiliated with a number of national committees including Long Range Planning (Chairman 1989-90), Medical Advisory (Chairman 1988-89), Audit, Budget and Finance, as well as Nominating, Membership Retention, Handbook and Patriotic Action. 

President General 1997 - 1998: Carl Hoffmann

BIO:  I am a Florida native (Plant City, FL) graduate of Northwestern (BS 1951), and Yale University JD 1957, Fulbright Scholar to Australia 1958. Adjunct Professor of Business Law, University of  North Florida and a retired member of the Virginia, DC and Florida Bars.

My wife Patricia and I live in Anna Maria, Florida, and we  have four children, Debby Love, Sandy Mc Namee, Bill and David Hoffmann (twins) and six grandchildren.

My Year As PG by Carl Hoffmann 1997-1998

JROTC

One of my proudest accomplishments was the establishment of the enhanced JROTC. SAR had supported
The ROTC for decades. During a visit in 1996 to the TXSSAR at Tyler, Texas, I was visiting with Col. Martin (USA ret.) . He told me how the Texas Society was actively promoting the Junior ROTC. Then, I talked to an Army Senior Instructor at a Jacksonville, Florida High School  who showed me statistics that cadets in the JROTC program tested from 20 to 25% higher academically than their peers. Question. Why is this so??? The answer is found in the three selfs, IE;

• Self Discipline,
• Self Confidence and
• Self Esteem

The curriculum of all JROTC programs promote all of these traits.  The Instructors, retired officers  and non coms,  act as role models to these young high school students. The students become a “community” within the school as one female senior Lieutenant told me. A non com told me the students will discuss issues and problem with them that they don’t discuss with the faculty. Hence we see the their instructors serve in the capacity of role models to these young impressionable students at a critical time in their lives or to use the Latin phrase “in loco parentis”.

At our first national award ceremony at the Orlando Congress in 1998, the winner was a female Cambodian immigrant who became the commander of her cadet regiment in Seattle Washington.

The Youth Luncheons  show case the winners of our Oration, Essay, Eagle Scout and JROTC contests.

These  youth contests are a core activity of  the NSSAR in our culture today and deserve our full support.

LADIES AUXILLARY

The establishment of our Ladies Auxiliary at the national level was an important achievement begun during my tenure as Chancellor General. Again on a visit to the CASSAR, meeting in Riverside, California, I experienced the energy and enthusiasm of their ladies auxiliary when I was asked to buy a lottery ticket by a WOSSAR. That led to the revelation that these California Ladies had already raised $12,000 to help pay for the Saturday  Evening Reception at the forthcoming San Francisco Congress.

With the assistance of the California President. I drafted  an amendment to our NSSAR Bylaws to allow
For a Ladies Auxiliary at our national society level which was approved at the next Congress. These ladies have made and are making a great contribution to our future CAAH.

TECHNOLOGY

In 1997 our society was woefully lacking in modern technology for communications, accounting and word processing functions. I asked Sam Boone a young lawyer from Gainesville, Florida  to take the lead in the effort to improve our equipment and training of staff. With the invaluable help of Mike Scroggins and headquarters staff, significant advances were made on the budget available. The first step was to purchase a new switchboard and increase  the number of incoming lines so SARS wouldn’t get a busy signal when calling Louisville.

GERMANY

In May 1998, after a meeting with the French Society in Paris, we led a delegation to Germany to recognize four German born patriots for their contributions to the War for Independence. In Magdeburg we had a ceremony honoring Baron Von Steuben who trained our soldiers at Valley Forge. Near Nurnberg, German Officials joined in honoring Gen. Baron De Kalb, killed at the battle of Camden, SC.

We were joined by  6 German Army Paratroop Officers in Zweibrucken to honor Wilhelm and Christian Forbach for their services in leading the Duke’s German regiment in the charge on Redoubt Nine at Yorktown. Their father, the Duke of Zweibrucken sent his regiment to America at the request of the King of  France.              
 

President General 2005 - 2006: Roland G. Downing, PhD

Biography

He was raised in Nashville, Tennessee where he played high school football and was president of the student body.  He graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1953 with a major in Organic Chemistry and a commission as an officer in the United States Navy.  He served 3 years at sea during the Korean War before returning to civilian life.  He remained in the naval Ready Reserve for over 20 years, retiring with the rank of Captain.

He earned his PhD Degree in Organic Chemistry in 1961 from Vanderbilt and became a research chemist with the DuPont Company at its Research complex in Wilmington, Delaware.  He retired from the chemical industry in 1993.  During his career he played an important role in the development of improved chemical processes for nylon manufacture.  He became a lifelong friend with fellow chemist William C. Drinkard, Jr. who later joined the SAR and donated $1,000,000 to the Center for Advancing America’s Heritage.  Dr. Drinkard saw “American exceptionalism” as key in the cultural education of future generations.

In 1952, he married Norma Wright.  In 2009, their family  comprised of 3 children, Roger, Pamela Sullivan and Lee Anne Dougherty, 8 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

My Role as a Leader in the Sons of the American Revolution

  
When I joined the Delaware Society in 1989, I was proudly motivated by having recently discovered that I had patriot ancestors in South Carolina who fought for independence.  I knew nothing about the SAR as an organization.  I was also negatively motivated by the trend in the popular culture towards revisionism and multiculturalism - “isms” that would destroy American cultural unity.  Our National Society had also become alarmed and had established a task force to “Preserve United States History.”  I adopted the SAR as the organization that “could make a difference.”  Since that time I have held essentially all the local and national leadership positions and tirelessly done my best to move the SAR from simply being a 100 year old lineage organization to one that practices outreach education using modern educational and communication techniques - one that employs professionals and produces content for modern media use.

Below are quotes and descriptions from my leadership that illustrate what I believe is a successful model for making the SAR a much more influential force in molding modern American culture.

SAR Magazine, Summer 2005 :    “The 115th Congress in Louisville was a great success and delegates left with a sense of unity and optimism regarding the steps being taken to fulfill the missions set forth in our Constitution.  Specifically I am referring to the ones concerning outreach education, “…to inspire … the community-at-large with a more profound reverence for the principles of the government founded by our forefathers … to foster true patriotism, to maintain and extend the institutions of American freedom … .”

“Many of our members recognize the critical role the SAR must play in teaching Americanism now that government agencies and schools are failing to do so.  Fortunately, those of us in the SAR can still teach the value of unity in one American identity, and we can still teach the value of United States nationhood versus the impractical notions of multiculturalism and of world government.  We can – and we will – teach that it is special and good to be an American.

“Our missions are clear and all of us are patriotic Americans who are immensely proud of what our ancestors accomplished.  Unfortunately, only about 15% of membership participates in activities other than supporting the organization by paying dues.  Everyone’s membership is highly valued, but I cannot help but think how much more effective our Society would be if the participatory portion grew to 30%.  ….

“The SAR Foundation commissioned a study of our member’s perceptions of the SAR.  The results were not a surprise, but they were very therapeutic  - coming as they did from professionals who specialize in this type of work.  The study indicated that approximately 85% of our members (“certificate members”) are not knowledgeable about the SAR and its activities.  In general, we are all proud of our membership because of what our ancestor did, but only a small portion of us are proud of our membership because of what the SAR does today.  The reason for this disparity could be that the value of active SAR membership has not been taught to all members. ….

“The Center for Advancing America’s Heritage (CAAH) is the name used to describe the proposed expanded headquarters complex.  This includes our current headquarters building as well as the new library.  It will house all headquarters functions including an expanded museum and library, the web communications equipment and the educational outreach staff.  The purpose of the Center is to teach Americans the modern significance of our Revolutionary history and to perpetuate American freedom.”

The Distinguished Patriotic Leadership Award - We established this new award to further our influence in the community.  It was given twice during my term - to the San Diego Padres NL Baseball Organization and to the National Museum of Patriotism in Atlanta.  The award is always given in a prestigious ceremony at the recipients headquarters to the chief executive and owner in full view of the employees.  The local state or chapter organization nominates the recipient and arranges for the ceremony.  An ancillary purpose is for the NSSAR to develop a relationship with the owner, usually a person of considerable wealth and influence with the hope of furthering our mission.  For example, we met Nick Snider owner of the National Museum of Patriotism who provided invaluable insight concerning the location of our Center.  He was in the planning stages of moving his museum to a higher foot-traffic area in Atlanta.  I remember his advice well, “if you are interested in influencing people with your museum and educational galleries remember three things -location, location and location!“

SAR Magazine, Winter 2006 - “…. (For our mission statement, see above.)  Our prophetic Compatriot Founders wrote these phrases a hundred years ago.  They are in our Congressional Charter and are signed by Compatriot Theodore Roosevelt, President of the United States.  All our educational, historical and patriotic programs are based on the above charges.

“Today the SAR is on the front lines of a culture war between, on one hand, patriotic citizens who believe America is a force for good in this world and who are inspired by the lessons of our founding and on the other hand, those who opt out of the mainstream culture, are destructively critical and attempt to soothe us with talk of “impossible dreams” such as multiculturalism and world government.  These naysayers reject teaching our youth about the subjects in the above paragraph.  Instead, they revise history to suit their insidious agendas, teach feelings (guilt/blame) in place of facts and burden students with doubt without offering viable alternatives.  Unfortunately they are the thought leaders in most of our country’s educational systems.  This is why the educational mission of the SAR and other patriotic private organizations has risen to top priority in recent years.  Winning this culture war is the major justification for the Six (now read “Ten”) Million Dollar Capital Campaign. …. “

SAR Magazine, Spring 2005 - “Organizational Changes Envisioned - Success at this new role for the National Society will require some minor organizational changes.  It requires our members to think of National in a different way.  You can think of it as a culture change of sorts. The National Society will be producing educational outreach programs, staffed by professional educators and communicators and supported in part by grants.

“Let me summarize the key points I have made.  Times have changed and we must adapt to this modern reality.  Our Country needs us more than ever before, but to be successful in our mission we must adopt new methods.  These new methods must rely on modern mass media techniques, which require management of a centralized staff of professionals.  The idea is converting the National Society into an educational institution of sorts.  The tool is educational outreach programs to students and teachers and the community-at-large via a dedicated interactive website.  The name of this institution is The Center for Advancing America’s Heritage.”

I would like to conclude this report on my leadership role in the SAR by quoting a former President General, the late B. Rice Aston in his “I bid you farewell” message before his death. 

“These words dictate what the Sons of the American Revolution ought to be, what it can be, and what it must be: the preserver and standard bearer of our heritage and a humble messenger to the world of the blessings of freedom, liberty, and opportunity.”
 

President General 2007 - 2008: Bruce A Wilcox

I am a native of Michigan and entered the US Naval Academy from that state. Upon graduation in 1958 I was commissioned into the Navy and became a Naval Aviator. During my  career I served in various maritime patrol squadrons with operational deployments to the Mediterranean, Atlantic, and Pacific theaters. Shore assignments included graduate school where I earned an MS Degree in Aeronautical Engineering, faculty duty at the US Naval Academy, and various research and development related assignments. After my retirement from the Navy in 1978 I served as a Defense Consultant until April, 2006, when I retired from active employment.   

In 1958 I married Theresa Schey of Morrisville, Pennsylvania, who has actively supported my military career and has vigorously supported my SAR activities. We have lived in Alexandria, Virginia, since 1971. We have three children, eight grandchildren, and one great grandchild. I have been active with my Naval Academy Class organization serving as President of the Washington Chapter since 1990. 

I joined the Sons of the American Revolution in 1982 after genealogical research revealed that I descended from Capt John Hedges, his son Robert, and John Fitzgerald all of whom served in the American Revolution in the Virginia Militia. After serving in all chapter and major offices in the Virginia Society, I became active at the National level where I served as Virginia Trustee, Librarian General (three terms), Historian General (two terms), Registrar General, Treasurer General, Secretary General, and President General from July 2007 to July 2008. I served on the Executive Committee in 2008-2009 and am on the NSSAR Foundation for the period 2008-2011. I have served on and chaired many national committees. My awards include the Minuteman Award, Gold Good Citizenship Medal, War Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal, Patriot Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Silver Good Citizenship Medal (two awards), Virginia Society Medal (three awards), and Bronze Good Citizenship Medal, and Liberty Medal.

During my term as PG, in addition to visits to most of the districts and many states and chapters I led an SAR tour of 40 compatriots and guests to Scotland to visit and celebrate many sites important to John Paul Jones, father of the American Navy. My most significant accomplishment was initiation and development of a project to move the NSSAR Headquarters, library, and Center for Advancing America’s Heritage to a new location in the downtown area of Louisville. The project was initially approved by the Trustees in the Fall of 2007. A plan was developed and a building was purchased following approval by the Trustees at the Spring Meeting of 2008. During the remainder of my term a design team was organized and a design developed for the entire project. At the end of my term the task of raising sufficient funds to start construction was passed to my successor, David Appleby. I remained active as project manager of the effort and finally, after sufficient funds were raised to cover the initial phase of the project, a resolution was passed by the 2009 Congress to authorize construction of the library portion of the Center for Advancing America’s Heritage. The contract was signed and construction initiated on August 25, 2009. I look forward to the day when the CAAH is finally finished and serving as an American Revolution learning center for Louisville and the entire nation.

President General 2009 - 2010: Judge Edward F. Butler

Judge Edward F. “Ed” Butler is a native of Memphis, TN.    Ed was an active member of the Sigma Chi social fraternity at Ole Miss.  In 2005 the Sigma Chi Fraternity recognized him as a “Significant Sig” (along with John Wayne).  The Mississippi Governor presented him with a medal as the outstanding cadet from the Army, Navy and Air Force R.O.T.C. units in 1957.  At Ole Miss he was elected into the honorary leadership fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega.

Accomplishments of the 2009-2010 Leadership Team (by PG Butler)

• In August, 2009, we negotiated a construction contract for the build-out of the new 17,000 square feet NSSAR Library in Louisville, KY.   Construction was completed under budget.
• We negotiated an invitation from the Smithsonian Museum to become an Affiliate Smithsonian Museum once our new CAAH facility is completed.  
• We organized the SAR Annual Conference on the American Revolution, inviting scholars to present papers, and to later publish those articles.  We appointed our first SAR Distinguished Scholar.
• For the first time ever we conducted the SAR Conference on the American Revolution at the United States Military Academy.