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Compatriots,
I love September!
It’s when everything gears up for a fantastic Fall. The temps cool down, even if it’s only in the wee hours of the morning! We get to go to bed after dark instead of when it’s still light out. The kids get back into school. Order returns. And, it’s when our Chapters return to monthly meetings, our youth programs crank-up, and we as SAR members give back in the way of service to our communities.
One important topic to be addressed in September is getting ahead of our annual dues collection process. Since we’re still a manual dues collection organization it’s important that you, our membership, put it on your calendar to pay your 2025 annual dues as soon as you receive your notice. Please, I beg of you, do not wait until November! Pay your annual dues in September or October and help us avoid sending follow-up emails, making phone calls, and sending text messages. It’s unfair, and miserable for our Secretary Chris Cerillo to still be working the rosters and reconciliation in December when he should be relaxing and celebrating the Holiday Season.
The annual Board of Managers Meeting will be held October 24-26, 2024 in Bakersfield, CA at the Doubletree by Hilton. While the Yosemite Chapter is the official host, they have partnered with the Kern Chapter to put on a terrific event and at less cost to you, our members. We need every Chapter to be represented to ensure that decisions made reflect the voice and interests of all Chapters. All members are invited and encouraged to attend, not just Chapter officers, so get online, book your room, register for the meeting, and get ready to pack your bags to Bakersfield.
The Summer Edition of the SAR Magazine should be published by the time you receive this edition of the California Compatriot. Please read through it at your leisure. It covers our July Congress in Lancaster, PA and provides other fascinating articles of interest on the struggle for independence by the American Colonies. In addition, it provides updates on the buildout of the SAR Education Center and Museum at our national headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky. With your support, this years-long projects will be ready by our nation’s semi-quincentennial in July 2026.
Before I end this Presidents Message, I would like to give a shoutout to our compatriots in the San Diego Chapter. They spent this year working on Grave Marking Ceremony for 18 Spanish Soldados buried in three distinct cemeteries in and around Mission Valley. The three events were held back-to-back-to-back on August 31, 2024. I thank compatriots Jim McAdory, Fred Hall, Ted Parsons, Doug Wright, Rob Welch, Michael Hirman, and Claudine Moore (DAR) for their commitment to making this event happen.
In closing, please remember we are a society of gentlemen having a common bond in our patriot ancestors. We should always respect those whose views differ from our own, whether in public or private. By doing so, we will truly be a nonpolitical organization that is viewed favorably by the public and that will help us attract and retain members.
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Don Littlefield
President
California Society Sons of the American Revolution
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SAR Mission Statement
The Sons of the American Revolution honors our Revolutionary War patriot ancestors by promoting patriotism, serving our communities, and educating and inspiring future generations about the founding principles of our country.
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America 250th
Anniversary Recognition Program
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Currently: 178 Bronze, 115 Silver and 54 Gold
Many of you are already on SAR California's Honor Roll. To see your name and the recognition you have earned, go to our website Honor Roll – California SAR If you have any questions about the Honor Roll or how to enroll in the program, contact John Ferris.
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Do you know about the NSSAR Liberty Tree Project? To date, there have been 79 trees planted across the United States. You and your chapter can take part of this historic program. Click the link Liberty Tree Project to find out how! | |
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PG Manning’s America 250 Daily Minute
Did you ever want to know what happened on this day back in the revolutionary war time when your patriot ancestors were alive? If so, subscribe to PG Manning's America 250 Daily Minute. Contact John Ferris, Executive Vice President at jrf1776@outlook.com for details.
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Decade of the American Revolution
Beginning with the Boston Tea Party and ending with the Paris Peace Treaty; 1773 to 1783 is known as the Decade of the American Revolution. Click the link and find out what you can look forward to and participate in in the coming years.
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Fall Leadership
Registration for the upcoming Leadership Meeting in Louisville is now open. Click the link for details on hotel and registration information.
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Next Years Congress
July 12–July 18, 2025
Mohegan Sun Resort, Uncasville, CT
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NSSAR YOUTH VIDEO CONTEST
CASSAR has a new Chairman
Recently, Bruce Wearda of the Kern Chapter, accepted the appointment by President Don Littlefield to be the states inaugural Video Contest Chairman. This contest has generated a lot of excitement nationally and it is hoped that California will be an annual contributor to the contest.
Bruce is looking for those of you who want to help by being a chapter chair of the program. For those of you wanting to see the rules, it is here for your review.
Please consider getting involved with the new youth contest. More details can be learned by contacting with Bruce Wearda, CASSAR Video Contest Chairman or John Ferris, Executive Vice President.
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Surgeon General's Notebook
Attached is the current edition of the Surgeon General's Notebook. It concerns the use of the internet as a source of medical information. It discusses the things you should be aware of before accepting any online medical advice.
Future additions will include vitamins, supplements and homeopathic treatments; advice for improving your immune system; the importance of sleep as we get older; protecting yourself against falls; an update on prostate cancer; and the use of online devices and apps for managing your health.
These topics were based on the recommendations from compatriots like you. Any other suggestions please send them to me.
John Turley, MD
Surgeon General
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Revolutionary War Rarities
The Sons of the American Revolution harks back to a wonderfully rich history that many of us are not completely aware of. Revolutionary War Rarities brings those odd and rarely told stories of the American Revolution to life in a short and interesting format. Click the link and for the next 10-15 minutes prepare to learn and enjoy.
And don't forget to subscribe and click the like button. Doing so will help the entire SAR become more accessible to the American public.
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George Washington Endowment Fund
George Washington Fellows have elected through their single gift or annual installment payment plan to give a $1000.00 membership donation to the George Washington Endowment Fund. Becoming a George Washington Fellow is not limited to SAR members. Spouses, children, grandchildren, nephews, and nieces are all eligible. And once a George Washington Fellow, you are always listed as a George Washington Fellow. Your donation is a perpetual gift which never dies, it is working to support the SAR in perpetuity.
https://www.sarfoundation.org/ways-to-give/george-washington-endowment-fund/
GWEF status as of 8-29-2024
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SAR California Chapter History | |
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The following article is written by Stephen Renouf (inset). It is taken from the book:
The History of the California Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, Vol. 1 (1875-1926) by Stephen R. Renouf, Editor.
This year, the Gold Country Chapter celebrates the centennial of the founding of their parent chapter, the Auburn Chapter, on September 24, 1924. Next year, the Thomas Jefferson Chapter celebrates the centennial of the founding of their parent chapter, the Alameda County Chapter, on October 6, 1925; and the San Francisco Chapter celebrates the centennial of their founding on October 7, 1925. The Thomas Jefferson Chapter plans to hold a 100th Anniversary Dinner in October 1925. With the upcoming anniversaries, it is a good time to review the formation of the first nine chapters of the California Society.
The California Society of the Sons of the American Revolution pre-dates the founding of the Sons of the American Revolution in 1889. In 1875, the Sons of Revolutionary Sires was founded in San Francisco. Following the founding of the Sons of the American Revolution, the Sons of Revolutionary Sires voted on March 22, 1890, to join the SAR and change their name to the California Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. By this time, the society had members not just in San Francisco, but also in Southern California. On July 4, 1894, the California Society organized the Southern California Society in San Diego as a subordinate society. This society acquired the members of the California Society who lived in the southern half of the state. Around 1906, the Southern California Society refused to pay dues to the parent California Society, and the California Society suspended their charter, and dropped all their members for non-payment of dues.
The failure of the Southern California Society, and the spread of members outside of San Francisco following the 1906 Earthquake, led to the decision to form local chapters so members could hold local meetings. There were nine local chapters formed between 1908 and 1926.
The first chapter was the Los Angeles Chapter, chartered on September 4, 1908. The chapter went inactive around 1915 and was reactivated in 1925. The chapter lasted seventy more years, before the charter was revoked by the California Society on April 16,1995.
The second chapter was the San Diego Chapter Number 2, charted on June 8, 1910, with many former compatriots who had been dropped for non-payment when the Southern California Society was suspended. On March 29, 1918, the California Society voted to drop the “Number 2” from the chapter name, renaming the chapter San Diego Chapter. The chapter has been active since 1910 and is the oldest of the current chapters.
The third chapter was the San Jose Chapter, chartered on August 28, 1922. The chapter went inactive around 1961.
The fourth chapter was the Stockton Chapter, chartered on September 29, 1922. The chapter’s charter was suspended in 1925.
The fifth chapter was the Sacramento Chapter, chartered on October 30, 1922. The chapter went inactive around 1960. The Sacramento Chapter was re-chartered on January 29, 1968, and has remained active.
The sixth chapter was the Auburn Chapter, chartered on September 24, 1924. The chapter went inactive around 1959. After being inactive for 35 years, the Auburn Chapter was re-activated on April 15,1994. The chapter was re-named as the Gold Country Chapter on November 7, 1998, and has remained active.
The seventh chapter was the Alameda County Chapter, chartered on October 6, 1925. The chapter was re-chartered as the Oakland Chapter on January 13, 1958. The chapter was re-named the Thomas Jefferson Chapter on November 7, 1992, and has remained active.
The eighth chapter was the San Francisco Chapter, chartered on October 7, 1925. The chapter has been active since 1925.
The ninth chapter was the Peninsula Chapter, chartered on November 2, 1926. After a couple of years, the chapter went inactive in 1931. The chapter was re-chartered on September 15, 1954, but went inactive around 1961.
There were no more chapters formed until 1941. Of the original nine chapters, only five still exist – San Diego, Sacramento, Gold Country, Thomas Jefferson, and San Francisco.
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149th Board of Managers Meeting
October 25-26, 2024
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Our upcoming Board of Mangers meeting will be in Bakersfield. This is a great chance to see many compatriots from the Kern Chapter. You can now make hotel reservations to stay by clicking the following link CASSAR BOM Fall Meeting.
Registration is now open at 149th BOM Registration.
Group Rate for Rooms expires October 3, 2024.
Reservation for Meal Deadline is noon October 15, 2024.
Please check the CASSAR website -- https://www.californiasar.org/event/149-bom-meeting/ -- for the latest meeting registration information.
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California Patriot Grave Marking!
On Saturday, August 31, 2024, the San Diego Chapter in conjunction with the California Society of the Sons of American Revolution conducted three patriot grave marking events. The San Diego Chapter, led by President Jim McAdory, conducted research and discovered 18 Spanish soldiers that gave a donation to the American Revolutionary War and who were buried in San Diego County. Many were buried near the Presidio and the former location of the San Diego Mission.
The names of the Spanish soldiers honored were Juan Angel Amarillas, Phelipe Berna, Jose Manuel Bustamente, Guillermo Carrillo, Raymundo Jose Carrillo, Fray Juan Figuer, Jose Manuel Caneda, Joaquin Guerrero, Joaquin Higuera, Jose Tadeo Sanchez, Francisco Serrano, Jose Miguel Silvas, Tomas Maria Camacho, Alejandro Antonio Gonzales, Juan Pablo Grijalva, Gaspar Lopez, Jose Ygnacio de Jesus Lopez, and Juan Francisco Lopez Y Mora.
In addition to the Spanish soldiers many of the Kumeyaay Nation also made the donation but the names of the Kumeyaay are presently unknown.
The three ceremonies were led by California President Don Littlefield. Compatriots from the San Diego, Orange County, Redlands, Riverside, Kern, Harbor, South Coast and General George S Patton Chapters attended.
Special guests included:
Lawrence E Morrow, Esq. Viceconsul Honoraria de Espania en San Diego
Rosuara Picasso, Consul Honoraria de Espania en San Diego
Jesus Benayas, President, House of Spain
By clicking the above names, you may find the speeches given at the ceremony.
All ceremonies included a musket firing.
For pictures, please see the San Diego Chapter below under the Chapter heading.
| Children of the American Revolution | |
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One of the most rewarding acts we can do in the SAR is to promote our mission of patriotism and education through the support of the Children of the American Revolution. These young men and women already know their heritage and look to us to provide inspiring examples to follow.
A great way to encourage our California C.A.R. is by supporting the annual C.S.S.C.A.R. Presidents Project. This year President Karlie Dice has chosen to partner with “Shelter to Soldier’s” a 501 (3) (c) located in Oceanside, CA. The organization saves shelter dogs and trains them as service dogs for post 9/11 veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress (PTS), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and/or Military Sexual Trauma (MST).
Your support in the purchase of a pin makes a difference in so many ways. It's a small price with a great impact.
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SAR California New Appointments | |
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On August 27th, CASSAR President Don Littlefield made the following appointments:
Please send these men your congratulations for stepping up to further serve our Society. Without men such as these, our Society would not be able to be the successful organization it is.
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On August 8th, 2024, the Harbor Chapter held another remarkable meeting. In attendance were many SAR members and guests from local DAR and C.A.R. Societies. We were privileged to welcome CASSAR President Don Littlefield, VPG of the Western District Brian Stephens, C.S.C.A.R. President Karlie Dice, and N.S.C.A.R. Western District Sr. VP Kristen Kaufman. President Dice provided updates on the C.A.R. National and State projects and honored both Chapter President Bunker and CASSAR President Littlefield with her project pins. Additionally, Karli received a certificate from the chapter in appreciation of her project supporting Veterans and victims of 9/11.
The evening's presentations featured an introduction to C.A.R. by Quinly D, President of the LA Eschscholzia Society, and a fascinating exploration of the history of the Los Angeles Railroad by Jim Shneer.
| L-R: Chapter President James Bunker, C.S.C.A.R President Karlie Dice, CASSAR President Don Littlefield | L-R: N.S.C.A.R. Western District Sr. VP Kristen Kaufman, Kate F. Lt George Nixon Society, C.S.C.A.R. President Karlie Dice, Alexa V. El Redondo Society, Quinlyn D. LA Eschscholzia Society, CASSAR President Don LIttlefield | President Karlie Dice brings greeting to the Harbor Chapter | On August 11th, the Harbor Chapter took part in the Spirit of '45 event aboard the Merchant Marine Vessel SS Lane Victory. The event featured WWII-era reenactors, a modest car show, a variety of vendors, and live music from that era. Additionally, an air attack simulation was performed. The Harbor Chapter, together with the local C.A.R. and DAR, established a recruiting table and garnered several excellent prospects for new members. It serves as a good reminder that events don't have to be related to the Revolutionary War to attract potential members. | L-R: Kelly Villardi, Alexa Villardi, Brandon Villardi, Andrew Variano, Jim Olds (Not pictured), Kathy Reeves (Not pictured), Terry Reeves (Not pictured) | |
On July 27th, the Kern Chapter was asked to speak about the American Revolution at the Beale Memorial Library’s Local History Room. Arnie Burr, Kern Chapter Education Liaison, presented a 30-minute PowerPoint program covering subjects: What is SAR? What the Kern Chapter Color Guard has done in educating students on the Revolution.
Bruce Wearda also did a presentation on the upcoming 250 Anniversary.
| Arnie Burr doing a presentation at the Beale Memorial Library. | Bruce Wearda giving an America 250-minute speech at Beale Memorial Library | |
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On Saturday, August 31st the San Diego chapter in conjunction with the California Society put on three ceremonies honoring 18 Spanish patriots and the Kumayaay people. A write up is above under the State section.
The following are pictures from the event.
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L-R: Ben Hobbins (SD), CASSAR President Don Littlefield, Jim McAdory (SD), Fred Hall (SD), Michael Hirman (SD) | L-R: Jim McAdory (SD), Rosaura Picasso, Consul Honoraria de Espania en San Diego, CASSAR President Don Littlefield | CASSAR Color Guard with program participants. | |
L-R: Dan McKelvie, Phil Mitchell, Rob Welsh, Mike Miller, Brandon Villardi (Commander), Douglas Wright, Bruce Wearda, Jim Armstrong, John Ferris, Matt Noell
Front Row L-R: Kevin Forrest, Duncan Campbell, Jim Hernandez, Nolan Forrest, Lucas Villardi, Kevin Bidenkap, Alan Winters.
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L-R: Jim McAdory (SD), Jesus Benayas, President of House of Spain, CASSAR President Don Littlefield. | |
CASSAR Color Guard under the direction of Commander Brandon Villardi performing a musket salute. | |
The late Philip Hinshaw. It was because of his many years of research and hard work that these three grave marking events were able to happen. | |
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Upcoming Color Guard Events
Open to all Guardsmen
10/25/2024 CASSAR Board of Managers Meeting - Opening Session / Post Colors
10/26/2024 CASSAR Board of Managers Meeting - Banquet / Retire Colors
11/9/2024 Riverside A Salute to Veterans Parade *Musket Firing Event*
11/11/2024 Veterans Day
12/14/2024 Wreaths Across America
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NRA Muzzleloading Class Available
Email Instructor to reserve your spot. David Premetz slixgunr@yahoo.com
Location: Escondido Fish and Game Association 16525 Guejito Rd, Escondido, CA 92027
Date: Saturday October 26th
Time: 8:30am - 3pm (approx.).
What to Bring: You will need to bring your own Musket, Powder, and Ball for this class
Cost: $175 paid in person via cash, or check
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Color Guard Magazine
The July issue of the Color Guard Magazine may be found at SAR Color Guard Magazine. The next issue will come out in September.
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For questions concerning upcoming events or inquiries into joining the Color Guard please contact:
Brandon Villardi, SAR California Color Guard Commander
Russ Kaiser, SAR California Color Guard Adjutant North
Kevin Forrest, SAR California Color Guard Adjutant South
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September 5, '24 -- 250th Anniv of the First Continental Congress
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October 3, '24 -- Fall Leadership
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October 25-26, '24 -- 149th Fall BOM Meeting, Bakersfield, CA
- November 11, '24 -- Veterans Day
- December 14, '24 -- Wreaths Across America
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February 27, '25 -- Spring Leadership
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April 19, '25 -- 250th Anniv of Lexington and Concord
- April 25-26, '25 -- 150th Spring Annual Meeting, Costa Mesa, CA
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Every member who participates in SAR programs and interacts with youth under 18 years of age
is required to successfully complete SAR Youth Protection Training. Training is online, takes about 20 minutes, and is valid for 3 years.
Send your certificate of completion to Dan McKelvie: mckelvie@sbcglobal.net.
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"We will remember our compatriot brothers with thanksgiving."
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General George Patton .................171978 ..........Kenneth Howard Lynch
General George Washington ..........155819 ..........Robert L Trueax
Sons of Liberty ............................143569 ..........James Charles McHargue
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Cyber Scams
If you receive an email, text, or voice mail from a purported Officer or Compatriot seeking any kind of financial transaction, consider it a hoax. Phishing messages are very sophisticated and may include the unauthorized use of the SAR logo, a compatriot's name, or a pseudo SAR email address. Stop — Think — Verify !!!
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CALL FOR ARTICLES — August 22, 2024 Deadline
Please send news of events and high-resolution digital photos to:
John R Ferris at jrf1776@outlook.com
— RELEASE FORMS —
All photos or other materials that show or name any
minor under the age of 18
must be accompanied by a signed Release Form.
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The California Compatriot is the official newsletter of the California Society, Sons of the American Revolution. Unless explicitly stated, the opinions expressed herein are the opinions of the authors and not necessarily those of the California Society SAR.
Editor: John R Ferris
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