The first quarter of this year has been busy!
Working with the Frontier Museum of the United States Army Foundation, we completed our Bylaws and submitted the application for our 501c3 certification. With two significant planning sessions scheduled for the month of April. The first is all about fundraising and the second will be on public relations, so we’re picking up steam as the organizational efforts continue and we move ever closer to our goal of building a new museum in Leavenworth.
I was sworn in as the Treasurer for the Henry Leavenworth Chapter of SAR during the March dinner meeting. At that same event, I was awarded the Roger Sherman Bronze Medal for service rendered in the past year and I spoke about the 249th anniversary of the British march on Lexington and Concord – an event more commonly known as the “Shot Heard Round The World.”
Our George Washington Birthday Celebration took place on 17 February at the Holiday Inn – Overland Park West. Attended by almost 240 members and guests, the event was a success and proves to be one of great interest to many compatriots across the Kansas City metropolis. The event is hosted by local chapters representing the Sons of the American Revolution and the Daughters of the American Revolution in this area. In keeping with switching between the states of Kansas and Missouri every other year, the 2025 event will take place in Independence at the Hilton Garden Inn with food catering done by The Hereford House. We anticipate a large turnout and another great event! During the March meeting of our Planning Committee, I was elected into the position of General Chair in addition to my Treasurer duties. The Planning Committee will be meeting again in May to continue this great work!
Last February I was also honored to speak at the Vietnam Veteran’s Chapter 75 in Leavenworth, where I told the story of my cousin, Gordon J. Lippman, an American hero of 3 wars during the 20th Century. This past week, in March, I was invited to give the same talk at the Sons of the Confederate Veterans Camp, meeting at Zarda’s BBQ in Overland Park.
Earlier in March, the Marine Corps League inducted me into their local unit. The Marine Corps and I share a birthday, so I guess it’s about time I joined the League.
My writing exploits continue with Two Stitches and A Patch moving toward release by the first of June. The Mid-Continent Library invited me to submit a fictional short-story for inclusion in their 2025 Anthology, which is a collection of local author’s works.
My friend Terry Megli, and I, will be setting up a Kickstarter go-fund-me event to generate pre-release orders on his book. So look for that announcement coming out soon.
The football book called, Best Year of Our Lives, is on track for a January 2025 publication.
My story about the 100 year centennial of City Union Mission is moving toward that organization’s 100-year anniversary later this year in September.
Last but not least, I’m editing a manuscript authored by a Navy sailor who survived the 1968 voyage of the U.S.S. Pueblo.
Other contract discussions are in the mix and if you know someone who is interested in telling their story, have them reach out to me at the Contact Us link on this site. I’ll do what I can to help them out!
Busy first quarter. Busy year. Stay tuned for more but in the meantime, leave a comment here or on my Facebook or LinkedIn pages.