Mason receives Distinguished Service Award

The Wiregrass Chapter Georgia Society Sons of the American Revolution held its monthly meeting along with the Governor David Emanuel/Adam Brinson Chapter DAR Thursday night, December 12, at the First Methodist Church Social Hall at 6 p.m. With Regent Eddie Kay Lewis presiding, there were 53 in attendance. After the Blessing and the Pledge to the U.S. Flag, Regent Eddie Kay asked everyone to enjoy the buffet meal. Following the meal, Regent Eddie Kay asked the Wiregrass President Steve Burke to come up for the SAR Chapter’s annual special award. The late Fred D. Womack was the founder of the Wiregrass Chapter in Swainsboro. Out of Fred’s desire for personal fulfillment with increased knowledge of the American Revolution and a desire to make a difference in his community, the idea to charter a SAR Chapter in Swainsboro evolved. To carry Compatriot Fred’s legacy, the Board of managers decided a great way to honor Fred was to name their Annual Award for our most outstanding chapter member after him. An incumbent Chapter President may present just one Distinguished Service Medal during each year’s term of office to a compatriot in recognition for that Compatriot’s conspicuous service to the Chapter during the past year. No other approval is needed, and a compatriot may receive this medal only once. No oak leaf clusters are authorized. President Steve asked Richard Gary Mason to come forward with his wife Teresa to pin his medal and Judy Womack presented Gary with the certificate named after her late husband, Fred. Here is just a little that Steve read about Gary before he excepted the Fred D. Womack Wiregrass Chapter Distinguished Service Medal. “Compatriot Gary has brought a level of professionalism to our Chapter that most SAR Chapters don’t have. Compatriot Gary became a member on July 29, 2016, along with his son, Richard Payne Mason. Gary got real active right out of the gate. He purchased a Continental uniform, then a militia uniform and also a Brown Bess 75 Cal. Musket. Since then, he has participated in the Brier Creek Battlefield Events, Elijah Clarke Hornet Nests Event, Kettle Creek Battlefield events, Ebenezer Heritage Events, Siege of Savannah Events, Fort Morris “Come and take It” events, Frederica Naval Battle Events, Constitution Day Events and the Siege of Augusta Events. Gary also participated in the July 4, 2022, event in Continental Uniform with President Wilder Smith, Jr. and Dess Smith III at the First Methodist Church. Compatriot Gary participated in many Patriots Grave Marking’s around the State of Georgia.”

‘);