This weekend was full of information, camaraderie, and progressive insight for the future for the SAR as an entire organization.  The Atlantic Middle States Association Conference for 2025 was hosted in York, PA by the Pennsylvania Society.  This society is made of up seven societies that meet once a year to discuss each state society’s recent events and outlooks, vote on National leaders, and make everyone in attendance aware of the opportunities that exist within the SAR for compatriots and the public.

The first meeting on Friday consisted of introductions as well as the already mentioned voting of National leaders.  There was good debate and discussion, with a key highlight that the current and proceeding two President Generals are aligned with similar goals and paths for the SAR.  In Harris Ferry Chapter news specifically, President Lemon was in attendance in continental attire, participated in Color Guard, provided the flags outside the registration desk, assisted in setting up the Lafayette banners, and assisted with registration of members.  All four flags (U.S., PA, SAR, SAR 250) were present for the entirety of the conference.

The morning meeting on Saturday involved the state societies discussing their accomplishments and pitfalls in the previous year to present.  An overall consensus, relayed also by National, was that the retention of existing members is proving to be an issue.  New membership seems to be steady, better for some and worse for others, but making the SAR attractive to continue membership is something that needs addressed.  HF President Lemon also attended this meeting.

Between AMSA meetings was a Harris Ferry BOM meeting in Enola.  The board met to quickly review recent events such as the cemetery project in Grantville, but also to decide and determine dates and locations of upcoming events.  To provide a quick summary for all compatriots to read, and this information is in the Summer 2025 newsletter and chapter calendar:

• Sep 20 – Constitution Day 2025 and Patriot Grave Marking Ceremony for Patriot Timothy Green
• CANCELLED:  Sep 27 – Cemetery Preservation Project at Paxton Presbyterian Churchyard
• Oct 11-13 – 250th Anniversary of the U.S. Navy and Marines
• Oct 18 – Middletown Cemetery Tour
• Nov 1 – Harris Ferry BOM Meeting
• Nov 7-8 – PASSAR 2025 Fall BOM Meeting
• Nov 15 – Veterans Day 2025 and Compatriot Grave Marking Ceremony
• Dec 13 – Wreaths Across America 2025

Some TBD events include:  an additional Patriot Grave Marking Ceremony and the Annual Meeting.

The final meeting on Saturday night was the conference dinner, with York City Mayor Michael Helfrich guest speaking and portraying as Thomas Paine.  The topic was Paine’s stay in York, PA during the time of the Revolution, helping to relay and communicate updates in a hectic time and area for the colonists.  Following his presentation was one by author and Harris Ferry compatriot Lawrence Knorr, who discussed his own book The Congress at York.  The book describes and provides biographies of the various attendees from the Continental Congress that stayed in York, PA.  Lemon again assisted with Color Guard.