Gainesville resident Ed Rigel Sr. was recently installed as the President of the Lyman Hall Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution at the annual meeting of the chapter in Gainesville. The chapter has more than 50 members and is one of the leading chapters in the state. Rigel joined the organization as a descendant of Pvt. Cornelius Vanderbilt, a member of the Militia of Orange County, New York during the American Revolution.

Rigel also serves as senior vice president of the Georgia Society, which has more than 1,200 members and 29 chapters in Georgia. Additionally, Rigel commands the award-winning Georgia Society Color Guard.

Activities of the SAR include a variety of programs to promote the patriotic, educational and historical interests resulting from the American Revolution.

The next meeting of the Lyman Hall Chapter will be at at 6:30 p.m. March 24 for dinner at the Elks Club, 1547 Riverside Drive, Gainesville. Men and boys who are interested in documenting their relationship to their American Revolutionary ancestors and in joining an active group with similar interest, are encouraged to contact the Chapter Registrar Hall Martin at 770-503-0913 or registrar@lymanhallsar.org