Gold Good Citizenship Award Dinner (January 2010)
"Martha Washington" and Mt. Vernon Executive Director James Rees
welcomed members and their guests to the gala event.
Pictured (L to R) are Vice President F. Paul Briggs, Mrs. Mary Walker, Mr. Rees,
Mrs. Washington, Immediate Past President David M. Walker, and Mrs. Gina Briggs.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs General Eric Shinseki
-- the guest of honor -- arrived at Mt. Vernon.
Chapter President Robert F. Carr presided over the award ceremony.
Chapter President Robert Carr presented the Meritorious Service Medal
to Immediate Past President David M. Walker.
Immediate Past President David M. Walker presented the SAR Gold Good Citizenship Medal
to General Eric Shinseki with NASSAR Genealogist General Joseph W. Dooley
and VASSAR President William L. Simpson Jr.
On the podium with Chapter President Robert F. Carr were (L to R) Immediate Past President
David M. Walker, former Comptroller General of the United States; General Eric Shinseki,
the 7th Secretary of Veterans Affairs; NASSAR Genealogist General Joseph W. Dooley;
VASSAR President William L. Simpson Jr.; and Chapter Chaplain Dr. Donald F. Reynolds.
The Honorable Eric Shinseki, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, addressed the assembled
members and guests. He spoke about his 38 years of service in the United States Army,
the challenges facing the Veterans Administration, and his special concern for homeless veterans.
Among the over 100 members and guests in attendance were (L to R)
Past Chapter Vice President W. Vernon McHargue Jr., Mrs. Anita McHargue,
Chapter Treasurer Michael J. Elston, and Mrs. Julie Elston.
After the speech, attendees enjoyed a wonderful dinner at the Mount Vernon Inn.