The Presidio Chapter held its October meeting at the historic Casebolt House located in Cow Hollow neighborhood of San Francisco. Clear blue skies covered the city while the Blue Angels flew overhead in honor of Fleet Week.

The meeting was a special occasion, as speaker Martha Vallejo McGettigan was presented with a special gift. Laura Nichols, friend of Judy Kimball, and member of the La Puerta de Oro-Chapter San Francisco, sent a First edition book entitled, Vallejo Son of California, for the Presidio Chapter to present to Martha. It was purchased in 1972 by Laura’s husband at a garage sale and had been stored in her garage ever since. The book was published in 1944, authored by Myrtle M. McKittrick, and signed by the author. What made this book so special is that it was once owned by Martha’s grandmother, Francisca Vallejo McGettigan. Martha’s grandmother had signed the book and labeled it as her own. Inscribed on the first few pages was a letter to her children about the book. Below is an excerpt from the table of contents page:

“I hope all my children will take time and trouble to peruse this little volume from first page to the last, and take the facts here recorded in the spirit which they were written. So many historians have cast aspirations upon this “Son of California” that it is a joy to find one who gives the Spanish Californians’ a fair hearing. Hold your “chins up” and walk Spanish; your great-grandfather was a man to be proud of!

Francisca Vallejo McGettigan
1944”

Regent Christina Ramos had the pleasure of presenting to Martha the sixty-eight year old book, which had been lost to her family. Martha was delighted to receive her grandmother’s book.

The chapter also had the privilege to recognize Marilyn Gilmer for her 20 years of service with a certificate and 20 year pin from Hamilton. The presentation was especially meaningful as Marilyn’s daughter Katherine Gilmer was in attendance.

As well as recognizing years of service, the chapter welcomed 5 new members. This was a historic event as these five members are family, and four out of the five were in attendance. Daughter Kate Jay from Santa Barbara was unable to attend. Registrar Judy Kimball processed all the applications so they would have consecutive national numbers. Mother Joan Maxwell and her daughter Ginger Parcell flew from Lake Forest, Illinois, daughter Lauren Lamm of San Francisco, and daughter Jennifer Shoup from Colorado. Joan, Ginger, Lauren, and Jennifer, stood together to receive the Oath of Membership.

Submitted by: Christina Ramos