Compatriot K.C. Jones of Jefferson City, Missouri approached Col. James A. Shelby on March 21, 1985. Col. Shelby was the newly installed President of the Missouri Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. Mr. Jones stated that he wanted to start a SAR chapter in Jefferson City, Missouri. After a meeting held at Jefferson City Country Club in May, 1985, it was determined that there was an excellent opportunity and sufficient interest to start a SAR chapter in Jefferson City. After much hard work by organizing President K.C. Jones, organizing Secretary Gary W. Beahan and others, the Christopher Casey Chapter received its charter on October 24, 1985 from the Missouri Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (MOSSAR).
Charter members of the chapter were as follows: August Fredrick Barnhouse, Gary William Beahan, Herbert Lee Capps, Charles Joseph Hitz, John Robert Howland, Miller Thomas Hunter, Kleber Conway Jones, Jr., Gordon Wendel Jones, Rev. Charles Leo Kepler, Russell P. Keyes, Duncan E. Kincheloe, III, Jeffrey Kyle Morse, Steven Vincent Morse, Hugo Vernel Ochsner, Francis Wimmial Quick, John Clifford Scruggs, Dr. Dudley Thompson and Cullen Hoyt Wilson.
On July 4, 1986, the Christopher Casey Chapter in conjunction with the Jane Randolph Jefferson Chapter, NSDAR, held a marker ceremony at the grave of the chapter’s namesake, Christopher Casey. Christopher Casey is buried in the City Cemetery on the Gordon lot in Jefferson City. He was born around 1755/1762 and died August 2, 1840. His revolutionary war service was in South Carolina. He became one of the early settlers of Jefferson City, Missouri.
Throughout the years, the Christopher Casey Chapter and the Jane Randolph Jefferson Chapter, NSDAR, have held joint ceremonial programs. Both organizations have simultaneously participated in grave marker ceremonies and meals celebrating special events such as chapter anniversaries and Patriots Day.
During the May 1987 meeting, Captain William Swineburg of the Missouri State Water Patrol was presented the Law Enforcement Commendation Medal for his successful criminal investigations at the Lake of the Ozarks.
In celebration of Flag Day, on June 14, 1987, members of the Christopher Casey Chapter and the Jane Randolph Chapter, NSDAR, held a Bar-B-Q at McClung Park in Jefferson City. On July 4, 1987, the two chapters placed an SAR marker at the grave of Revolutionary War Veteran John Gordon at the City Cemetery in Jefferson City.
For two consecutive years 1987 and 1988, the Christopher Casey Chapter’s nominee won MOSSAR’s Eagle Scout Award. The chapter was proud to have sponsored such outstanding young men from the chapter for this state award.
The October 1988 meeting celebrated the third anniversary of the chapter. Among the distinguished guests present for the occasion was MOSSAR President Lawrence Loker. President Loker did his impersonation of General George Washington.
The meeting included the presentation of the SAR Law Enforcement Commendation Medal and Certificate to Jefferson City Police Sergeant Ray Bledsoe. The award recognized Sergeant Bledsoe for outstanding work in the areas of public relations and safety.
At the December 1988 meeting Major C. O. Parker (retired) was presented with the SAR Law Enforcement Medal.
The Christopher Casey Chapter in conjunction with the Braxton C. Pollard Chapter placed a marker at the grave of Revolutionary War Soldier, John Sears. The ceremony took place at the Hurt Cemetery west of Mexico and east of Mt. Airey.
Through the years, the Christopher Casey Chapter has presented several awards and recognitions to deserving individuals. The chapter has given Law Enforcement Commendation Awards, Eagle Scout Scholarship Awards, Fire Department Commendation Awards, Sea Cadet Commendation Awards and other Meritorious Service Awards. Annually the chapter presents Good Citizenship Medals and History Awards to students in area high schools for outstanding achievement in the study of early American history. The chapter annually celebrates Patriots Day in April. Past Patriot Day Award recipients are listed on Exhibit 1.
A list of the Chapter’s officers since inception is attached hereto as Exhibit 2. Three chapter presidents later became state presidents of the Missouri Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. They are Mark Schreiber, Bob Comer and Cliff Olsen. Ed Gray, a chapter member and past president, has achieved recognition from the National Society, Sons of the American Revolution. Ed received the Minuteman Award in 2000. The Minuteman Award is the highest award presented at the National Congress in Boston. The award is given to a member for distinguished service to SAR on the national level.
Steeped in the tradition of doing good things that promote freedom, patriotism, justice and liberty, the Christopher Casey Chapter intends that its efforts will promote a better city, state and nation and preserve the memory of the sacrifices made by our founding fathers who gave us our Constitution, the Bill of Rights, an independent Supreme Court, and a Nation of Free men.
Exhibit 1: Patriots Day Award Recipients
Exhibit 2: Officer History
“O! ye that love mankind! Ye that dare oppose not only the tyranny, but the tyrant, stand forth!”
Thomas Paine