2017 SAR Congress

Knoxville, TN

July 6-13

Compatriots of the Tennessee Sons of the American Revolution

 

 

I wish to express my overwhelming gratitude to and my deep pride in all of you who stepped up to make the Sons of the American Revolution’s National Congress held in Knoxville one that will be celebrated for years to come.

 

We had the honor to host the largest Congress ever. Larger than Williamsburg! From the opening Host Reception to the last meeting on Thursday, the Congress went off almost flawlessly. When we did have a minor glitch, there was always someone there to step up.

 

I received so many positive comments from our fellow compatriots regarding the tours to Sycamore Shoals, Cumberland Gap, and Oak Ridge. People raved about the outstanding Host Reception and the incredible barbeque, the music, the Fort, etc. So many came up to me and spoke about how smoothly everything had run…. from registration, to food quality at catered events, to meeting venues, to buses being on time. Several people commented on the fact that, whenever they needed something, there was always a TNSAR volunteer at our tables.

 

We could not have pulled this off without a dedicated team of volunteers. My heartfelt thanks to those of you who were there throughout the entire Congress taking care of business. Some very long days. And, to those of you who took time out of your busy lives to man a shift or two, thank you for stepping up.

 

What I witnessed over the past ten days made me so proud to be a Tennessee SAR compatriot. Huzzah!!!

 

David Johnston

President

Tennessee Sons of the American Revolution
Left/Right:

Wednesday, President General Mike Tomme was helping to unload supplies in preperation for Congress.		 Left:

Wednesday, National Congress Planning Chairman Paul Callanan was helping to unload supplies in preperation for Congress.


















Thursday, welcoming guests from across the United States and France.


















Compatriots waiting to begin one of many bus tours on Thursday.















Above: Making preperations for the Host Society Reception being held Saturday night.

Right:  Inside James White's Fort during Saturday night's Host Society Reception






























The Host Society Reception at James White's fort was a success, feeding over 600 people, and enternaining guests with bluegrass music.
On Sunday, a Memorial Service was to be held at the First Baptist Church.  As the color guard marched to the Church, Tennessee SAR's State President David Johnston was interviewed by a local television station.
Color Guard photo taken in front of the First Baptist Church.

















On Monday the Opening session of Congress began.  Above is a photo from that session of TN SAR State President David Johnston, Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett, and President General Mike Tomme














The 2017 National Congress had a record number of entries in the Youth Orations Contest.



















After a Tuesday filled with meetings and presentations, the Compatriots gathered at the Knoxville Convention Center for the President General's Banquet.



















The guest speaker for the President General's Banquet was Pulitzer Prize winning author Jon Meachum.















Tennessee SAR and two other States held a three-way tie for the Walter Buchanan Meek Award.  This award is presented to the States who have recruited the most George Washington Fellows.















And the rifle winner is....TN SAR's very own Raymond Clapsadle!

















After Congress sessions ended on Wednesday, the President General's installation Banquet was held.  During the banquet gifts were presented to the First Lady.















Above a silk scarf bearing the Great Seal of the United States was one of the many gifts presented to the First Lady.






Several gifts were also presented to President General Mike Tomme.















The four color guardsmen who escorted Washington's signet ring in the installation banquet.















President General Mike Tomme preparing to place Washington's signet ring upon the new President General's finger.



The transition of office from Past President General Mike Tomme to President General Larry Guzy.