The Reception and Informal Get-together convened at 7:30 p.m. Friday with President William Iley "Bill" Chenault, Jr. calling the meeting to order. 1^st Vice President Elizabeth Ann "Libby" Chenault led the attendees in reading the Chenault Prayer. Secretary/Treasurer, Barbara Chenault MacManus, a former long-time resident of San Antonio now residing in Fredericksburg, Texas, welcomed attendees to San Antonio and encouraged them to visit the beautiful parks and other sites in the area and sample the culture. President Bill made several announcements and gave an overview of the reunion activities. He announced that a Saturday afternoon presentation had been added for those interested. Rev. John Cabell Chenault would be telling his story of the voyage of Estienne and his wife on the Nassau to America. The presentation would be taped to capture it for those unable to attend. Ann Chenault led the group in singing The Chenault Hello.

Barbara MacManus introduced the program for the session entitled, "Visitors from The Alamo." Two gentlemen, Mike Waters and Rocky Lawrence, entered the room dressed as Jim Bowie and "the doctor" to entertain and inform attendees about the circumstances encountered by those brave Texans who defended The Alamo. They also shared information about the weapons they were carrying that were typical of the weapons available to the defenders and Mexican soldiers. "Jim Bowie" allowed attendees to view his knife, but did not pass it around as they had done with their guns.

Judge Jean Chenault Logue and Elizabeth Ann "Libby" Chenault recognized the family groups present. Members of the groups were asked to come to the front of the room, introduce themselves and pose for photos by our own paparazzi.

President Bill Chenault opened the Saturday morning session with the call to order at 9:00. The invocation was given by B. J. Chenault. Libby introduced family groups who were not present the Friday night and photos were taken of each group. President Bill made a few announcements and then invited Barbara to come forward and introduce the guest speaker.

Dr. Jesus F. De la Teha, PhD, presented the story of "Why Maria Trinidad and Urbano Can’t Get Married: Social Relations in Colonial San Antonio." Through the relating of the love story and Maria’s family’s intervention in her effort to wed Urbano, attendees learned how racial, social, and political factors in old San Antonio combined to prevent the wedding of the story’s key figures.

Following a brief break, Judge Jim Chenault told a humorous story about an American veteran who returned to France. Then, President Bill Chenault introduced cousin Ed Chenault who told about his trip to China and the high esteem of the Chinese people he encountered for Gen. Claire Chennault. Barbara reminded the group of the association’s desire to have Tex Hill who flew with the General in China speak at the reunion in Colorado Springs and his subsequent decline due to another commitment. Since then, he has passed away.

The business meeting of the Chenault Family National Association was called to order at 11:15 a.m., Saturday, 19 July 2008, by President Bill Chenault. B. J. Chenault gave the invocation. President Bill then introduced all of the current officers.

Secretary/Treasurer Barbara MacManus gave the Financial Report and asked if there were any changes or corrections to either the report or the minutes of the 2007 Reunion which appeared in the newsletter. Motions were made and seconded to approve both the Financial Report and Minutes as covered. Both were approved.

President Bill Chenault then called for the Committee Reports, beginning with the Red Book Committee. Gus and Donna Mellick and Sue Chenault came forward and provided attendees with the status of the project. After Sue thanked everyone for their patience with the effort which was much greater than had been envisioned due in part to the vast amount of information about the family that has been discovered in the past 4-5 years. Gus advised that a copy of the index is on view in the Hospitality Room for anyone wishing to check out their number for the new book. A majority of the individuals have new numbers due to renumbering to correct previously assigned numbers due to corrections and additions in birth order of siblings. Donna announced that the book would be ready to submit to a publisher for printing and binding by the end of July. Availability of the finished book is then dependent on press time window and binder time in the publisher’s shop. Gus explained that all pre-paid book orders will be given priority as the finished books are received.

Before leaving the podium, Sue provided an update on the value of the internet site. Inquiries through the site have resulted in new members for the association and attendees at the reunion. Also, historical information being sought by various individuals outside the association has been provided including information on Elijah Chenault, the first law enforcement officer in the United States to die in the line of duty in Alexandria, Virginia in the early 1800's.

President Bill Chenault introduced Jerry Chenault, chairman of the Site Selection Committee, who announced the proposed site for the 2009 Reunion was Augusta, Georgia. He covered information he had gathered on the site regarding hotel accommodations and said that local cousins, Tommy and Linda Brown, had agreed to help with the arrangements. A motion to approve the site was made and seconded, and the motion was approved. Jerry then announced that for the 2010 Reunion, he had done preliminary work scouting out Kansas City. However, a request was received from the floor to direct efforts toward consideration of Richmond, Virginia. Cabell Chenault and Ed Chenault volunteered to work on the Site Selection Committee with Jerry to determine resources in Richmond. Also, Jerry will be looking at sites for the 2011 Reunion that include Kansas City and Chattanoogo, TN.

In the absence of John Blackwell Chenault, chairman of the Nominating Committee, 1^st Vice President Libby Chenault reported the slate of officers recommended for the coming year. The recommendation proposed and approved included Libby Chenault, President; Jerry Chenault, 1^st Vice President; Ed Chenault, 2^nd Vice President, Barbara Chenault MacManus, Secretary/Treasurer.

President Bill covered appointments of individuals to the various committees with Sue Chenault continuing as Historian and chairing the Genealogy Committee with its members remaining the same; Jerry Chenault continuing to chair the Site Selection Committee, with Cabell Chenault and Ed Chenault as committee members; John Blackwell Chenault continuing to chair the Nominating Committee; and Judge Jean Logue continuing to chair the Bylaws Committee. Barbara announced that Sue Chenault would assume the responsibility for compiling the annual newsletter, as well as updating the web site.

As no other new business was offered for discussion, President Bill adjourned the meeting at 12:30 p.m.

The Annual Banquet began at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, 19 July 2008, with President Bill Chenault presiding. The invocation was given by Dr. John Cabell Chenault, III. President Bill Chenault introduced those at the head table.

President Bill Chenault introduced the keynote speaker, Dr. Felix Almaraz, PhD, who gave a presentation entitled, "Early Cultural Origins of San Antonio" in which he explained the prevailing reasons why the early explorers and settlers chose the sites for various settlements in the area and ultimately San Antonio. He provided a great deal of information about the various social and political influences on the development of San Antonio leading up to the nineteenth century.

The results of Silent Auction were announced and Certificates of Appreciation and Special Awards were presented by President Bill Chenault, assisted by the Secretary/Treasurer, Barbara Chenault MacManus.

Following the "Passing of The Bread Basket," the newly elected officers were installed by Judge Jean Chenault Logue, assisted by Barbara Chenault MacManus. Out-going President Bill Chenault expressed his pleasure at having served as President and thanked all those who had worked with him during the year. He then passed the gavel to the newly installed President, Libby Chenault, who said she looked forward to the coming year as President.

The annual Chenault Family Memorial Service began at 9:00 a.m., Sunday, 20 July 2008, officiated by B. J. Chenault, who gave the greeting and call to worship. Ann Chenault led the hymn, "America The Beautiful" followed by the invocation by Beth Chenault. Ann Chenault and the Chenault Choir sang "Hymn of Promise" preceding the reading of the Memorial Honor Roll by Bill Chenault. The Prayer of Remembrance was given by Dr. John Cabell Chenault, III, D.D.

Ann led the hymn, "This Is A Day of New Beginnings" after which the Communion Service was led by B. J. Chenault. He then delivered the devotional message, "More Meaningful Prayer Life" after which Ann and the choir sang The Huguenot Hymn, "La Cevenole" in English.

Dr. John Cabell Chenault, III, led the reading of the Affirmation of Faith (The Apostles’ Creed), and Ann led the singing of "America" (My Country ‘Tis of Thee).

The Reunion was adjourned until the third weekend of July 2009.

Respectfully submitted,

Carolyn Sue Chenault