Welcome to the Coweta Falls Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.
COWETA FALLS CHAPTER HISTORY
COWETA FALLS CHAPTER, SAR: HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY FIGURES OF 40 YEARS 1976-2016, with added years to 2019.
[Note about sources: Chapter papers now in the Columbus State University Archives contain great scrapbooks from the early 1980s; regrettably, chapter meeting minutes,
Annual Reports and BOM minutes are missing for most years.]
I. Founding and Early Years
The Bicentennial of the United States-1976-gave impetus to the founding of a chapter of SAR in Columbus. A group of men began meeting at the Bradley Library in Jan.
1976 to consider forming a local Chapter of the Son of the American Revolution. Temporary officers were chosen and recruitment of potential members started.
Ten months of action and applications followed.
Chapter Name: Why "Coweta Falls"? This is a historic point on the fall line of the Chattahoochee River: the Indian town of Coweta was located nearby;
Oglethorpe visited here in 1739 to make a treaty with the Creek Indians; much later the town of Columbus founded (1828) at the Falls.
The Falls provided power for the cotton mills and marked the starting point for navigation southward on the River.
"Coweta Falls" made a fitting name for the new Chapter.
In May, 1976, the organizers presented a "letter of intent" to the Georgia Society and received approval. The flurry of recruiting and membership applications paid off:
on 23 October 1976, the President of the Georgia Society presented the Charter of the Coweta Falls Chapter.
The first chapter president had a historically echoing name: Lt. Col. Samuel Henry Adams. [Installation Program and Charter Members names are in the Archives.]
Charter Members: 62 in number, four of whom, as of August 2019, are still with us: [Cecil Curtis, Ed Neal, Charlie Maupin, Leon Belk]
II. ODDS & ENDS of 40 plus Years
The Chapter has had 10 presidents and eight different meeting places: the Bradley Library (Columbus Public Library), Morrison's, Ryan's, a Whitesville Rd. cafe,
a buffet steak place on Macon Rd., The Estate, the Downtown Marriott Hotel, and the Hilton Garden Inn.
Membership ranged from 62 in 1976 to 213 in 2006, to 149 in 2016.
Attendance: ranging from around 12-15 in early years, to 50-60 in early 2000s, to 20-30 lately.
Programs: mostly good, some inspiring, a few dismal.
Chapter Board of Managers: during most of 1990s and early 2000s met in late afternoon at a Burger King meeting room on Wynnton Road; now at North Branch Library or
Columbus Public Library.
Christmas Banquets ranged from the very up-scale Big Eddy Club to church fellowship halls. For the last few years banquets are held in the Green Island Country Club,
thanks to Joe Tarpley.
III. SOME PRESIDENTS THROUGH THE YEARS
[Note: Chapter records, now in the CSU Archives, do not provide the names of several early presidents; GASSAR records deposited at the Atlanta History Center
were too disorganized to be easily searched in 2016.]
HOMER E. WRIGHT, Lt. Col. (b. 1912, Wisconsin; d. Columbus, GA 1995).
He had 31 years' service in US Army, including WW II and post-war administration of Vienna, Austria. He earned a Ph.D. in history at the University of Georgia
and became professor of history at Troy State University, Ft. Benning. He is remembered as modest, hard-working, and firmly committed to SAR.
An active recruiter and member of the core group of founders,
he was Chapter President 1978-1980 and again 1992-1993.
He served as President of the Georgia Society; and Vice President General of the South Atlantic District of NSSAR. Appointed by the governor as a member of
the State of Georgia 250th Anniversary Commission. He received the NSSAR's highest award, the Minuteman Award in 1990. Homer Wright was active in the Lions
Club and other civic groups. He is buried in Ft. Benning Main Cemetery
JAMES L. HOLMAN (b. 1921, d. Nov. 2000)
Jimmy Holman was an indefatigable recruiter of members and tenacious when he found a prospect. From his positon in a Columbus bank, as a member of the Kiwanis
Club of Columbus, and of St. Luke United Methodist Church, he found and successfully steered men into SAR.
He was Chapter President from 1988-1992 and very active in the Georgia Society; he became president of the Georgia Society in 1992-93. Incidentally, he was followed
in that office by Bob Galer: Columbus, Georgia, was thus the location two years in succession of the GASSAR Annual Meeting. He left his mark on the Georgia Society by
winning many contentious by-laws fights at state meetings. Jimmy received several state and national awards.
After a brief interval Jimmy was again chapter president and sometimes combined it with the office of registrar 1993-94, and from 1995 until his death in 2000.
Compatriots around Georgia jokingly referred to him as Coweta's "president for life."
Under his leadership, Allegiance Sunday (in July, nearest the Fourth), followed by lunch at the Country Club of Columbus, became an annual event, well-attended.
Also, the annual Christmas Banquet, held on two occasions at the Big Eddy Club, and at other times at the St. Paul UMC Fellowship Hall, St. Luke UMC Fellowship Hall.
The Banquet was then held at the Estate on Macon Road, before returning to one of the Country Clubs.
Jimmy Holman was never happier than when distributing awards and medals. One now deceased member joked that if you showed up and breathed deeply you risked getting a
medal or an oak leaf cluster.
Grave markings, naturalization ceremonies, Constitution Week, and the Eagle Scout Banquet of the Chattahoochee Council were major events in a Holman presidency. In this
connection, the work of Charlie Bausch with Scouting should be mentioned. Jimmy also encouraged Compatriot Hershel Harden in the big project of the Cooper
Cemetery Restoration-1989. Hershel raised the money-lot of it from his own pocket.
But his big thing was keeping the membership growing until Coweta Falls was the second largest chapter in Georgia, eclipsed only by Atlanta. Some of us will remember him
pushing the wearing of the blazer patch on our jackets (he kept a batch on hand for sale).
Jimmy Holman's funeral was attended by a host of Georgia Society dignitaries and as well as his Coweta Falls Compatriots. His widow often said that SAR was "Jimmy's heart".
That was really true: nearly ten years as chapter president! His tombstone in Riverdale Cemetery has not yet been marked by SAR.
BILLY HILTON THOMPSON (b. 1917, d. 2014, age 97)
(President 2001-2002, 2002-2003)
Many Chapter members knew and loved Billy Thompson. He became a member in 1988 and first served as Sergeant-at-arms. He assumed the Chapter Presidency in 2001 at a
crucial time in the chapter's life. It was challenging to follow Jimmy Holman, but Billy, in his quiet and unassuming way was more than equal to the task.
He was determined that chapter membership should grow and that Coweta must surpass the Atlanta chapter in number of compatriots.
Aided by his equally determined wife, Mary, Billy recruited and encouraged others to recruit new members. By the time he finished his second year as president our
membership reached 173.
Billy, aided by the expert guidance of Herman Tovey and Floyd Avery, successfully presided over the chapter's Silver Anniversary in October, 2001, with a gala banquet
at the Columbus Convention and Trade Center. NSSAR President General James Westlake was the main speaker to the 125 compatriots and guests. Deceased Chapter Presidents
Homer Wright and James Holman were honored on the program.
Billy took major roles in the Georgia Society on the Board of Managers and as a regional vice president for two years. Billy Thompson became the icon for the Georgia
Society's Americanism program. As Committee Chairman, he was unstoppable in e-mails, phone calls, and letters to compatriots around the state encouraging them to support
flag certificates, elementary school posters, and other activities. He was so successful that the Georgia Society's Americanism Award is now named the Billy H. Thompson
Americanism Award.
In October, 2003, Billy and Herman Tovey, Coweta member and past state chaplain, presented the State Society with a mounted brass bell to be used at memorial services
for deceased compatriots at the annual state meeting. Billy remains in our memories as a gentle but very effective leader.
HUGH I. RODGERS, President: 2003-2005; 2012-2014
A member of SAR since 1988, he had served as vice president with Billy Thompson as President. In the Georgia Society he was a Regional Vice President, Chairman
of the Knight Essay Contest for several years and since 2013 Chairman of the Library Committee. He received the Liberty Medal and the Patriot Medal in addition to many chapter awards. Chapter meetings were held at the Estate and special events such as Allegiance Sunday continued at St Thomas Episcopal Church and St. Mathew Lutheran Church. Maintaining membership, good chapter meeting programs and strong attendance at regular chapter meetings were a focus. The annual Christmas Banquet successfully continued. He supported the annual Naturalization Ceremony led by Compatriot Federal Judge Clay Land each September. During his time in office, 50-Year Membership Pins were presented to Compatriots Dr. Augustus Baldwin Dudley, Jr., and COL (ret) Francis W. Bonner. The grave of deceased compatriot Charles Eason Hall was marked with appropriate ceremony and attended by State President James Starling. Rodgers now serves as Chapter Genealogist.
WILLIAM M. HAY President: 2005-07; 2008-2012; 2014-2015
Bill Hay has played a large role in Chapter life since he became a member in 1998. He served as Registrar, Vice President, and general go-getter before becoming President
in 2005 for his first term which lasted two years. After one year out of harness, he pulled the Coweta wagon again from 2008-2012 and again 2014-2015 for a total of 7 years.
He has been the longest serving president since James Holman.
During his time in office, the strong recruitment of new members continued, aided especially by the genealogical work of Richard Simpson and Registrars Malcolm Forte and
John McCutcheon. In January 2006, membership passed the 200 mark, reaching a peak of 213 by September 2006.
An early member of the local and state Color Guard, Bill contributed to successful grave markings in the local area and across the state. He arranged for a distinctive
banner to be used at ceremonies such as the annual Memorial Day Observance. He played a major role assisting Bob Galer in developing and bringing to completion the Monument to the Revolutionary War Infantryman at the National Infantry Museum by 2009.
Bill began and led the chapter's major educational outreach; for several years he and other members of the "3 amigos" (Neil Gillis and John Mccutcheon, went to any
elementary school, even before the successful Traveling Trunk program. Each year several hundred (sometime over 1,000) elementary students and their teachers learned
about the colonial and revolutionary history of their country. In 2016, 3,009 attended these sessions. Bill's team of presenters besides McCutcheon and Neil Gillis, Chuck Hall,
Danny Ginter and David Fox. (Danny Ginter has assumed leadership of this program since 2016.)
Bill also labored on the state Board of Managers and chaired the state Americanism Committee. In 2009 he was recognized with the state society's highest award, the Patriot Medal.
RECENT PRESIDENTS
David E. Fox (2015-2017). Assisted Bob Galer with fundraising for refurbishing the Revolutionary War Infantryman Monument site at the National Infantry Museum.
He led recognition of the Chapter's 40th Anniversary: Special Pins were presented to Charter Members Edward W. Neal, Sr., Charles A. Maupin, and Leon P. Belk.
J. Daniel McMichael (2017-2019) He led the chapter in many Color Guard appearances at grave markings and at Memorial Day and Veterans Day events, locally and around
the state. He also reenacted scenes from the lives of Gen. Nathanael Greene and Gen. George Washington. He encouraged Compatriot Don Williams to revive and reconfigure the
Chapter web page (www.cowetafallssar.com) and established a Facebook presence. He was effective in getting Coweta Falls recognized in Harris County's patriotic and memorial
events by helping to form the Hamilton Legion and its musket squad.
Danny N. Ginter (2019--2021) as he assumed the duties of chapter president he continued his personal action as leader of the "Traveling Trunk" presentations at local
elementary schools and has attracted many participants in the annual poster contest. Because of his prior DAV work, he has renewed Bob Galer's and John House's focus
on support for veterans. He encouraged the chapter's work on the Stark Report activities coordinated by Tom Lokey. The future of Coweta Falls Chapter looks bright.
{See updates following Section IV.}
IV. SOME OUTSTANDING CHAPTER COMPATRIOTS
ROBERT F. GALER (July 19, 1918, d. 22 June 2017); LTC, ret.
Bob Galer -member of the chapter since 1987; held several chapter offices and moved into Georgia Society activity. He followed Jimmy Holman as President of the Georgia
Society in 1993-94; became an early member of the Color Guard with his distinctive "over the mountain" uniform. He went on to activity with the National Society and was
elected Vice President General of the South Atlantic District. He was a National Trustee, Chairman of the Historic Sites and Celebrations Committee; graves identification
and publication of reference work. He was a regular attendee at quarterly meetings at national HQ and at many National Congresses. Bob received many prestigious state and
national awards including the highest, the Minuteman Award.
In early 1990s he spearheaded the drive to make Kettle Creek the premier Georgia Society project. He and Herman Tovey produced the first Kettle Creek Battle brochure.
This pioneered the way for the Georgia Revolutionary War Trail project which produced excellent brochures on the Galer model. In 2004, Bob was chair for the planning of
the 225th Anniversary Ceremonies of Revolutionary War Days in Washington, GA, and Kettle Creek Battle memorial wreath presentations. Then, with his active support,
the Kettle Creek Battlefield Association was born a few years later.
Grave Markings: Total of 17 graves; the five Hammett family graves in Wilkes County, and in 2010 the grave of African-American Austin Dabney in Pike County; the
other 11 in Muscogee and surrounding counties. Most of the marking ceremonies attended by Georgia Color Guard. He got the chapter involved in "Wreaths across America"
to decorate graves in Fort Mitchell National Cemetery.
The Revolutionary War Infantryman Monument at the National Infantry Museum: A lot of chapter members including Bill Hay and others worked on this, but Bob Galer was the
heart and soul of the project from initial discussions in 2006 to completion in 2009. Gen. White from the NIM located the monument at the head of the Avenue of Honor-prime spot!
State, National, and local SAR compatriots contributed time and money (over $20,000) to the project-an important grant was secured with the help of charter member Edward Neal.
The formal dedication on Mar. 13, 2009, attracted National and Georgia SAR officers and Color Guard along with other state and local officials. Compatriot Col. Ralph Puckett
gave the dedicatory address.
Bob Galer was truly a dedicated Coweta Falls Compatriot. He was buried with full military and SAR honors in Linwood Cemetery.
HERMAN TOVEY (1944-2003)
A native of Charleston, SC, he became a member of SAR before moving to Columbus. He was an early figure in the Georgia Society State Color Guard, held state office
including State Chaplain. He was a vital behind-the-scenes figure in the administration of the Georgia Society and in developing the Source Book. He became Treasurer
of Coweta Falls Chapter. With his computer and IT skills he developed the Chapter Handbook into its present format. The 25th Anniversary event was inconceivable without him.
He also turned Jimmy Holman's monthly meeting announcement flyer into the Minuteman which became a vital chapter communication device. Publication continued by John McCutcheon,
Bill Hay, and Richard Andrews until recently when John House, and in 2019, Bill Pruitt, took on the task. Unfortunately, cancer cut Tovey's life short at the age of 59 in Sept.
2003. His funeral at St. Paul's UMC was attended by state color guard and State President Gillette. Herman is buried in Charleston, SC.
REV. DAN GATES (1949-2010)
When Pastor Dan Gates became a member of Coweta Falls Chapter he immediately went to work. He voluntarily and alone maintained the Cooper Cemetery and always supported
veterans' activities, especially Viet Nam War vets. Dan had served in the war and had unusual rapport with vets of that conflict. When in charge of the Americanism program,
Rev. Dan achieved the unusual task of delivering 5 flag certificates across Columbus on one Flag Day. He served as chapter chaplain, provided chapter programs,
enriched the chapter's Memorial Day event, arranging for speakers and printing the programs. Wearing his colonial pastor's costume, he cut a striking figure and delivered great
addresses. He also started a chapter web page packed with good information. (Now recently restored after an unfortunate lapse). He was elected Georgia Society Chaplain in 2003
and set about organizing a Chaplaincy Corps which became a model encouraged by the NSSAR for other state societies to emulate. Dan's many contributions were capped by the
State Society's "Patriots Award" in 2007, the highest state recognition. Pastor Dan's unique service was cut short by cancer at age 61.
RICHARD R. SIMPSON, COL (ret), 1930-2013.
Colonel Simpson served Coweta Falls Chapter as Genealogist for more than fifteen years before his death on 8 March 2013. Much of the current chapter membership
exists because of his careful painstaking research to authenticate patriot ancestors. His thorough work made the tasks of the Registrars easier:
Bill Hay. Malcolm Forte and John McCutcheon all enjoyed good relationships with Richard Simpson and benefited from his labors. Richard liked to introduce new
members at chapter meetings and tell something about their patriot ancestors. Colonel Simpson served in the US Army for 32 years after graduating from Clemson College.
He held command positions in both the Korean and Viet Nam Wars. Richard was a very patient and generally quiet man, but not one to suffer fools gladly. On rare occasions,
when provoked by an issue, Simpson enlivened chapter board of managers meetings. He always gave a moving tribute to the men he had served with in Viet Nam at the chapter's
Memorial Day ceremonies. Richard Simpson set a high standard as SAR compatriot and genealogist.
CHARLES EASON HALL, SR. (1951-2009)
A charter member of Coweta Falls and decades-long activist with Children of the American Revolution. He served on the Boards of both SAR and C.A.R. Coweta's strong
position as supporter of C.A.R rests on the foundation laid by Charles Hall. His tradition is continued by his son Charles E. Hall, Jr. and by Compatriot Robert W. Moore,
both of whom are active on local, state, and national levels.
FLOYD AVERY (1927-2010)
Genial, ready with a quip and a joke, he kept meeting loose and his compatriots cheerful. He managed major chapter events, especially the Christmas Banquets at the
Columbus Country Club and at the Estate. He was assisted in decorations by Lucille Lambert. Older chapter members still miss his jovial presence.
WAYNE CARTLEDGE
Became a member in 1998 and a faithful and efficient Chapter Treasurer for 16 years (since 2003). He is one of the longest serving officers of the Chapter. He wears a
second hat as Assistant Secretary and keeps our membership rolls up to date. He also managed the printing and distribution of the Minuteman for a several years. He has
been our go-to guy for photography and nearly all things technical in print and electronics. He received the Silver Good Citizenship Medal in 2020.
The listing of these Compatriots does not underestimate the hard work of so many here unnamed Chapter members. Coweta Falls has been blessed by the loyal and dedicated
service of compatriots who answered the call to give and serve over the years since our founding in 1976.
Updates to this chapter history will be made annually.
COWETA FALLS CHAPTER HISTORY: The Year 2020
Danny Ginter continued as President for a second year. The year 2020 was unusual due to the pandemic Corona virus known as Covid-19 which severely limited group activities.
In person chapter meetings were held five months; one month was canceled; the chapter met the other months via Webex or Zoom. V-P Tommy Powell handled a difficult program
schedule very well. Pres. Ginter led a much needed revision and updating of the chapter's Constitution and By-Laws.
Chapter member Dan McMichael was elected Regional Vice President for the West Region of the Georgia Society at its Annual Conference in January 2020.
Dan McMichael received the state society's highest award, the Patriot Medal, at that time, while Wayne Cartledge, Robert Moore and Hugh Rodgers received the
Silver Good Citizenship Medal.
Despite the pandemic the Chapter experienced membership growth and ended the year with 139 compatriots on the roll. Roger Buterbaugh actively recruited prospective members.
The chapter lost two compatriots: George Lawrence, who died at the age of 99 on 4 April, and Robert Andrews who died on 5 Dec.
Although limited because of the pandemic, the chapter continued its education outreach through Traveling Trunk presentations to elementary schools and other groups,
reaching a total of 488 people. Pres. Ginter took the lead in this activity. He also facilitated production of a video of the Traveling Trunk presentation for use
locally and on YouTube. The Coweta Falls Traveling Trunk has now been viewed nationally.
Coweta Falls presented the SAR Medal to an Eagle Scout and the bronze JROTC Medal to local high school student cadets. The Chapter also conducted a successful
Poster Contest and in December supported the Knight Essay Contest. Contestant Raga Yarlagadda of Columbus High School, was the chapter level winner; she received a
certificate and cash award.
Coweta Falls Chapter conferred the Law Enforcement Medal on Judge Arthur Smith, District Attorney Julia Slater and retiring Columbus Chief of Police Ricky Boren.
With members of the Color guard in attendance, the Chapter presented the Wounded Warrior Coin and Certificate to CSM (ret) William Copley at the SAR Revolutionary War
Infantryman Monument at the National Infantry Museum.
Members of the Chapter Color Guard participated in several Georgia Society activities and events in Pine Mountain, Manchester and Columbus.
Compatriot Dan McMichael provided leadership for many of these actions. Editor Bill Pruitt recorded these and other chapter activities through photos and articles in The Minuteman.
The chapter's 10th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony at Park Hill Cemetery was unusual due to the distancing required by the Covid-19 virus. President Ginter conducted an
impressive ceremony marked by musket salutes and a vehicle parade to the Veterans section of the cemetery. Much of the ceremony was captured on video for a local TV station.
Compatriot Tom Lokey chaired the chapter's active Veterans Committee. The chapter closed out the year by financially supporting the "Wreaths across America" program.
[This chapter history is based on a talk given by Dr. Hugh I. Rodgers on 13 October 2016 for the 40th Anniversary Chapter Meeting at the Hilton Garden Inn; updated in February 2021.]