Linda Gist Calvin was born and raised in Visalia California, Linda Gist Calvin is married to Jerry Calvin, a retired manager of Jostens’ Printing and Publishing. The Calvins have two sons, Brent and Brian; and six grandchildren (Lindsey Rose, Cooper Benjamin, Paige Nicole, Cade Aaron, Clio Magdalene and Rose Gold).

Linda attended College of the Sequoias and completed the business curriculum at Central Valley School of Business. She worked for Schenley Industries as Executive Secretary to the Director of Human Resources and Labor Relations before the birth of her children. She is currently the President and managing partner of the family-owned businesses.

Memberships

• National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (Honorary President General)

• Dames of the Court of Honor

• First Families of Tennessee

• National Gavel Society

Notes

Mrs. Calvin is a member of the Calvary Chapel Church of Visalia, children’s ministry; member of National Assistance League - weekly classroom reading to elementary school children, editor of the monthly newsletter; served as Cub Scout Den Mother 4 years - scouts earned National Bicentennial patches by making Braille American flags for a school for the blind.

She has served as PTA President at junior high and high school levels and received the PTA Honorary Service Award. Additionally, Mrs. Calvin has served on Visalia Unified School District Superintendent's Advisory Committee, the Advisory Committee on School Athletics, the county-wide Suicide Awareness / Prevention Council; and is a member of many school athletic booster clubs.

Linda is a third generation DAR and was inspired by the dedication of her late mother, Peggy Gist and her late sisters, Barbara Jaggers and Carol Reeder. Their involvement in DAR was definitely been a family affair, all four having served as chapter regents and as California District V Directors. Linda and her two sisters served as pages on the state and national level, were California Outstanding Juniors, and served as National Chairman of the Guest Hospitality Committee. A summary of her involvement at all levels of DAR is included below:

National DAR Service

President General 2007-2010; Recording Secretary General 2004-2007; State Regent of California 2000-2002

National Chairman: Investment 2004-2007; Constitution Week 1998-2001; DAR Good Citizens 1995-1998; Guest Hospitality 1992-1995, Acting Chairman, 1997-1998

National Vice Chairman: Finance 2004-2007; Junior American Citizens Committee in Charge of the Contest, 1986; Junior Membership Committee in Charge of the Contest, 1980-1983

National Division Vice Chairman: Honor Roll 1986-1989, Junior American Citizens 1983-1986

Congressional Committees: Personal Page to Presidents General Mrs. Donald Spicer and Mrs. Wakelee Rawson Smith; Page at Continental Congress - 7 years; member and/or Vice Chairman Marshal Committee - 10 years; member Guest Hospitality Committee - 7 years

Other: Member, Long Range Planning Commission, 1998-2004; Executive Liaison, 2004-2007; Member, DAR Speakers Staff, 1998-2007

Club affiliations: Executive Club - Life Member; National Officers Club - Life Member; State Regents Club - Organizing Corresponding Secretary, Charter and Life Member; National Chairmen's Association – President 1999-2001, First Vice President 1997-1999, Recording Secretary 1995-1997, Life Member; Outstanding Juniors Club - Organizing Vice President, Life Member; State Vice Regents Club – Life Member; National Vice Chairmen's Association – Charter and Life Member; Heritage Club - Charter Member; Founders Club - Charter Member

Recognition: California Outstanding Junior, Western Divison Winner, 1980; Kansas Outstanding Junior, 1977; Unity of Spirit Award Recipient, 1999; Golden Key Award Recipient, 1998

DAR School: Tamassee and KDS Board of Trustees 2000-2002; KDS Endowment Fund Committee 2000-2007; Tamassee Advisory Committee and Crossnore Advisory Council; National Schools Tour Participant - 1995, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2007

Units Overseas chapter affiliations: Associate member John Edwards Chapter, Mexico; New Caledonia Chapter, Canada; and Pax Romana Chapter, Italy.

State DAR Service: Elected California Honorary State Regent for life, 2002; State Regent, 2000-2002; State Vice Regent, 1998-2000; State Recording Secretary, 1996-1998; State Chaplain, 1994-1996; State Chaplain, 1991-1992 (Filled unexpired term); District Director – 1992-1994 District Treasurer, 1990-1992

State Chairmanships: Constitution Week, 1990-92; Vice Chairman, 1988-90; DAR Magazine Committee 1986-88; Vice Chairman, 1984-86; Editor of the California Clarion, 1996-1998; Protocol, 1992-1998; California Congressional Tea 1999 and 2000; Manual of Procedures 1998-2000, Vice Chairman 1990-1992; Marshal Committee – 4 years; State Conference Committee Secretary 1985; Advisor to the State Regent, 2002-2004, 2006-2008; Advisor to the State Board, 2004-2006

Page: State Chairman or Vice Chairman, Page Committee – 8 years; Page – 10 years

Club affiliations: Past & Present Regents Association - Secretary and Vice President; State Officers’ Club - Life Member; Cameo Club - Life Member; Past and Present Pages Association

Recognition: California’s first Outstanding Chapter Regent,1989

Chapter DAR Service: Kaweah Chapter Regent – 1978-1980, 1988-1990; First Vice Regent (2 terms); Recording Secretary (3 terms) and numerous chairmanships, including American History, Constitution Week, DAR Good Citizens and Junior Membership. In order to remain an active member when her husband was transferred, Linda transferred her membership to Bellefonte Chapter, Pennsylvania in 1972, to John Haupt Chapter, Kansas in 1974, representing both chapters as a page at state conference and Continental Congress before transferring back to Kaweah Chapter, California in 1977.

SAR: Martha Washington Award, Daughters of Liberty Award, and Medal of Appreciation Recipient

N.S.C.A.R.: Kaweah Society C.A.R. Senior Society President, 1970-72 and 2004-2006; National Life Promoter (#836); State Golden Patriot; presented National Endowment Fund pin by Kaweah Society C.A.R. and Kaweah Chapter DAR

Thomas Clifton Etter, Jr., a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the son of Thomas Clifton Etter and Mildred Evelyn Phillips Etter. He was educated at the Episcopal Academy in his early years, and was graduated with a B.A. in History from the University of Pennsylvania; an MBA in Finance Temple University School of Business; a J.D. at Widener University Law School; and an LL.M. at Georgetown University Law School.

Mr. Etter served in the First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry (Troop A, 104th Cavalry, PA Army National Guard). He is married to the former Susan Mary Frances Atkins, and is currently a practicing attorney for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, DC. Mr. Etter was formerly a stockbroker in Philadelphia.

Memberships

• General Society of Colonial Wars (current Governor General)

• General Society of the Cincinnati (Secretary of the Pennsylvania Society)

• General Society of Sons of the Revolution (past General President)

• Hereditary Order of Descendants of the Loyalists and Patriot of the American Revolution (Honorary Governor General)

• National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (former President of the District of Columbia Society)

• General Society of the War of 1812 (former President of the District of Columbia Society)

• National Huguenot Society (former President of the Washington, D.C. Society)

• Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (Associate Companion)

• Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War

• National Order of the Blue and Gray

• Society of the Sons of Saint George of Philadelphia

• Society of the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick of Philadelphia

• Scotch-Irish Society of the United States

• United States Cavalry Association

• Veteran Corps of Artillery of the State of New York

• National Gavel Society

Chivalric Orders

• Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem (bestowed by Elizabeth II, Queen of England; Officer Companion)

• Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem (Grand Cross; past Prior, Priory of King Saint Charles the Martyr, Washington, DC)

Other Notes

Mr. Etter attends the Church of the Resurrection (Episcopal) in Alexandria, Virginia. He also belongs to the American Legion’s Augustus P. Gardner Post No. 18 of Washington, DC of which he is a Past Commander, and the Alexander-Washington Lodge No. 22, AF&AM, of Alexandria, Virginia of which George Washington once served as the Worshipful Master.

Barrett Lee McKown, son of Harold E. and and Della McCready McKown, was born in Wheeling, West Virginia. Professor McKown was graduated from the University of Maryland, where he received his Bachelor of Science. He then received his Master of Biological Science degree from the American University. Professor McKown married Anne Willson Grim in 1965. They currently reside in Edgewater, Maryland.

Professor McKown has enjoyed an illustrious teaching career in secondary education. He taught biology at Suitland High School 1957-1961 and at DuVal High School 1961-1970; and taught biology, zoology, anatomy and physiology at the Anne Arundel Community College 1970-1994, after which he retired with thirty-seven years teaching experience. He served as Chairman of the College Science Division 1974-1978; as Assistant Professor of Biology 1970-1973; as Associate Professor of Biology 1973-1979; and as Professor of Biology 1979-1994. He was named Professor of Biology Emeritus in 1994.

Memberships

• National Gavel Society (President; former Treasurer)

• General Society of Colonial Wars (member of the Maryland Society)

• Order of Founders and Patriots of America (former Governor of the Maryland Society)

• Society of the War of 1812 in the State of Maryland (Treasurer)

• National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (recipient of the Minute Man Award; former Vice President General of the Mid-Atlantic District; former President of the Maryland Society)

• National Society Sons of Colonial New England (Honorary Governor General)

• Continental Society Sons of Indian Wars (former Secretary General)

• National Society Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims (former Captain General: former Governor of the Maryland Branch)

• National Huguenot Society (former President of the Maryland Society)

• National Society Sons of American Colonists (former Chaplain General)

• Society of Mareen Duvall Descendants (Registrar)

• Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War

• National Order of the Blue and Grey

• Saint Andrews Society of Baltimore

• Saint George's Society of Baltimore

Chivalric Orders

• The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem (Officer, bestowed by Elizabeth II, Queen of England)

Notes

Professor McKown was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel by Governor Brereton C. Jones in 1990. He has served on the Board of Trustees of the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Public Library since 1983; and served as President from 1991-1994. He is a member of the Maryland Military Monuments Commission, having been appointed by the Governor of Maryland in 1994. Professor McKown serves as Archivist for the National Congress of Patriotic Organizations and as President of the Naval Academy Parents' and Sponsors' Club of Maryland.

George Forrest Pragoff was born in Wilmington, Delaware. He attended Wilmington Friends School and the Lawrenceville School, after which he was graduated from Princeton University with his Bachelor of Arts degree.

Now retired, Mr. Pragoff was the Vice President at AIM Mutual Funds during his career. He is married to Page Harrison Pragoff, and they have two sons, David Harrison Forrest Pragoff and Edward Scott Pragoff. The Pragoffs reside in Centreville, Delaware.

Memberships

• Society of the Cincinnati (President General)

• Delaware State Society of the Cincinnati (former President)

Other Notes

Mr. Pragoff enjoys golf, fishing, hunting and travel. He is on the Board of Governors of the Wilmington Club, is a Director at the Aurora Gun Club, and a member of the Vicmead Hunt Club. Mr. Pragoff also serves on the Vestry of Episcopal Church of the Advent in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.

Colonel James Ewell Brown "J.E.B." Stuart IV and his wife, Mary Louise resided in Richmond, Virginia. They had three children; Elizabeth Pelham; J.E.B. V; and John Alexander; as well as five grandchildren, one of whom is J.E.B. Stuart VI. 

Colonel Stuart was an Investment Associate with Merrill Lynch in Richmond. He was a graduate of the University of Virginia, with a Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He received a Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering from North Carolina State University. He also obtained degrees from the Army Command General Staff College, and the Army War College.

In 1958 he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S Army through ROTC and served a period of almost 27 years until his retirement from the Army in early 1985. Prior to joining Merrill Lynch, he was associated with the Regional Brokerage Firm of Branch Cabell and its two successor firms Tucker Anthony and RBC Dain Rauscher. From 1985 to 1991, he served as a Chief Industrial Engineer with Figgie International in Richmond, Virginia.

Early Army career assignments included duties as a project officer on the staff of the Army Ordnance Missile Command in Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, as well as a Staff Officer, 2nd Logistical Command, Fort Lee, Virginia.

His first overseas assignment was as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer and later as Commanding Officer of the 528th Transportation Aircraft Maintenance Company in the Panama Canal Zone. This assignment was followed by duty with the 14th Transportation Battalion, (Aircraft Maintenance Supply) in Vietnam where he served as the Battalion Aircraft Maintenance Officer. Next, he served as an Executive Officer of the 716th Transportation Railway Group, Fort Eustis, Virginia, followed by another overseas one-year tour as a Logistical Advisor to the Vietnamese Joint General Staff.

Later assignments included Department Chairman in the U.S. Army Logistics Management Center, Fort Lee, Virginia; Chief Logistics Advisor in the Military Assistance Advisory Group in Iran; Commander, 548th Supply and Service Battalion, Fort McClellan, Alabama; and Commander of the Transportation Engineering Agency, Fort Eustis, Virginia. From 1983 to 1985 he served on the Army General Staff as the Chief of Operations and Plans Division, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff (logistics), Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

Awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Meritorious Service Medal with an oak leaf cluster, and the Army Commendation Medal. Foreign decorations include the Vietnamese Honor Medal 1st Class and the Vietnamese Air Medal.

Memberships

• Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Virginia

• One Hundred Living Descendants of Blood Royal

• Order of Indian Wars in the United States

• Order of Descendants of Colonial Cavaliers

• Jamestowne Society

• General Society Sons of the Revolution (former President of the Virginia Society)

• Order of the Southern Cross (former Commander-in-Chief)

• Military Order of the Stars and Bars

• Sons of Confederate Veterans

Other Notes

Colonel Stuart was a member of St. James’s Episcopal Church in Richmond, Virginia. He was also a member of The Country Club of Virginia in Richmond and The Metropolitan Club in Washington, D.C. He enjoyed playing Golf.

Presley McDonald Merritt Wagoner, a native of Mobile, Alabama, is the daughter of Dr. Charles Wesley Merritt and Mary Martha Presley. Mrs. Wagoner attended Brenau Women's College in Gainesville, Georgia, where she graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Spanish. She is married to Dr. Joel Morris Wagoner, with whom she has two sons and a daughter; Merritt, Andrew and Mary Elizabeth.

Memberships

• National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (Honorary President General)

• National Gavel Society

• National Society of the Colonial Dames of America

• Jamestowne Society

• Plantagenet Society

• Colonial Order of the Crown

• Sovereign Colonial Society Americans of Royal Descent

• National Society Magna Charta Dames

Other Notes

Mrs. Wagoner is active in a number of charitable, professional and civic organizations including:

• Dental Auxiliary: Auxiliary to American Dental Association

• Auxiliary to West Virginia Dental Association

• New River Dental Auxiliary, President, Secretary-Treasurer

• Participant in Raleigh County, West Virginia, Health Department Dental Screening Program

• Garden Club: Azalea Garden Club, Beckley, West Virginia, President, Corresponding Secretary

• Laurel Hill Garden Club, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

• Beckley Junior Woman's Club, Executive Board, Public Affairs Committee

• VA Hospital Program Coordinator

• Beckley Community Concert Association: Membership Chairman, Board of Directors

• Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia: Advisory Committee, Board of Directors Fund; Raising Committee, Long Range Planning Committee

• Beckley Area Foundation: Grants Committee, Advisory Committee

• PTA: President, Crescent Elementary School

• Secretary, Raleigh County PTA, P.T.O. Council

• Virginia Episcopal School, Lynchburg, Virginia: Co-Chairman, Community Committee of Parents' Association

• Co-President, Parents' Association

• Beckley Alumnae Chapter Delta Delta Delta, President, Secretary, Reference Chairman

• Docent, Wildwood House Museum

• Cub Scouts, Adult leader

• VA Hospital Volunteer

• Brenau University Board of Trustees

• Parents' Council, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

• St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Beckley, West Virginia: Sunday School and Bible School Teacher, Altar Guild

• St. Stephen's Episcopal Day School: Preschool teacher (19 years)

• Member, Chapel of the Cross Episcopal Church, Chapel Hill, North Carolina