DAKOTA SOCIETY'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Dakota Society, Sons of the
American Revolution is a chartered unit of the National Society,
Sons of the American Revolution. The Society is a non-for-profit
patriotic, educational and historical organization.
A National Charter was secured from
the United States Congress and signed into law by U. S. President
and Compatriot Theodore Roosevelt on June 09, 1906, constituting
the National Society as a national body and defining its duties
and powers.
The Dakota Society, Sons of the
American Revolution is was created from the South Dakota Society
which was first chartered on April 24, 1899. Little is known of
the organizations early years other than that at one time it was
disbanded. The North Dakota Society, chartered on February 4,
1911 was not in existence from 1965 to 1980. On May 2, 1980 National
Executive Secretary Col. R. H. Goodell Jr. suggested the possibility
of establishing closer ties between the two Dakotas. If compatriots
in both states were agreeable he proposed the formation of the
DAKOTA SOCIETY. Compatriots in both states approved theis proposal
and by action of the national board of Trustees meeting in Louisville
in october of 1980 the DAKOTA SOCIETY became a reality.
Our membership since 1980 has varied
from 46 to 69 members and now, in 2000, we have 53 members. As
we gain new members we are saddened by the loss of old members.
In the years 1997-1998 we lost seven long-time members who had
a total of 219 years of membership. One member died at the age
of 90 years after 68 years of membership! His brother died at
the age of 86 years after 64 years of membership. If you are
interested in joining our Society I will certainly help with the
application procedure. North or South residency is not required
as
many of our native sons are scattered throughout the world.
The application fee at this time amounts to $62 which includes
the first year's dues. Annual dues are $23. There is no admission
fee for Children of the American Revolution (CAR) under 22 years
of age transferring to the SAR....just his annual national dues
of $20 along with his transfer card. A son, grandson, brother,
nephew or grand nephew of a SAR or DAR member under 25 years of
age pays only a $5 fee
plus national dues of $20. We have presented SAR ROTC Medals
in the Dakotas for many years and have seen an increase in high
school recipients. In the 20 years that I have been secretary
we have presented over 200 of these medals. I, in particular,
enjoy doing this because in 1950, I received this award while
enrolled in ROTC at Iowa State College.
Keith Johnson
