Unlike many organizations, Sons of the American Revolution are united by a unique thread – heritage.

"You must be able to trace your ancestry back to someone who served or aided in the Revolutionary War," Texas Society President James Heath of the group's membership criteria.

More than 50 registered members, including elected office holders from several local, state and national chapters, converged on Longview on Saturday for a State Board of Managers meeting to address policy. The weekend event was highlighted by a dinner with speaker Warren Hunt, whose keynote address focused on Francis Marion, a South Carolina native known as the "Swamp Fox" for his elusive tactics from British soldiers during the war.

Heath, who also has roots in South Carolina, said the Sons are equivalent to the Daughters of the American Revolution. "We're actually older than the DAR, but they're a lot bigger."

Prospective members must perform genealogical work to prove their revolutionary ancestry. The group has about 2,500 members in Texas alone, making up nearly a tenth of the more than 27,500 members across the nation.

Heath said the Sons are looking to stretch its black and American Indian membership rolls.

"We have not gotten many African-Americans because it's tougher to trace their ancestry," he said. "We would like to expand that way if we can. The easiest way to track that ancestry is through wills."

The Sons, whose primary goal is to "be sure that America's history of the Revolutionary War and the Constitution stays before the public," Heath said, offers myriad recognition programs for youth. Medals and scholarships are given at the state, local and national levels to ROTC cadets, essay and oration contest winners and Eagle Scouts as well as a state history teacher award, given to an educator who does "something truly outstanding to advance America's heritage," he said. Students in the past year's award winner built a log cabin that is still in use.

East Texas Chapter 57, with 52 registered members in Longview, hosted Saturday's event. Chapter President Gary Fletcher said the group meets on the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Johnny Cace's Restaurant.

"I think it made me more aware of the American heritage, and it has shown me that our forefathers were concerned with Jesus Christ in founding this country," said Herschel Lumbley, East Texas Chapter secretary and treasurer, and a member since 2001. "I love doing the research that was required in qualifying for the organization. That's truly how it's changed me."