|
December 2023
Happy New Year!
| |
|
Compatriots,
I hope all of you had a great holiday with your families during December. This December 16th was memorable, because we celebrated the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. While the National Society SAR was involved in the commemoration in Boston Massachusetts, our California Society SAR participated in the commemoration near San Diego. The San Diego SAR Chapter joined with local chapters of the DAR and the CAR along with the San Diego Sea Scouts to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party at Bay Front Park in Chula Vista and aboard the Tall Ship "Bill of Rights" docked in the Chula Vista marina. Congratulations to the San Diego SAR Chapter for helping organize this event. Please see photos from this event below.
Our California Society SAR again supported Wreaths Across America (WAA) events during the holidays where we lay wreaths on Veterans graves to recognize their service to our country. WAA began in 1992 when the Worcester Wreath Company sent wreaths as a tribute to veterans laid to rest in Arlington Cemetery. In 2022, Wreaths Across America and its national network of volunteers placed more than 2.7 million sponsored veterans' wreaths on headstones of our nation's service members at 3,702 participating locations. This was accomplished with the support of more than 5,000 sponsorship groups, corporation contributions, and in-kind donations from the transportation industry across the country. CASSAR is proud to take part is this event to honor our veterans. Please see the pictures of these events in this month's Compatriot.
As we look forward to a new year in 2024, it is a good time for each chapter to make plans for how they intend to fulfill our SAR mission, including "…educating and inspiring future generations about the founding principles of our country." One of the ways to do this is to support a student entry into one of our SAR Youth Education Programs. The entries are due to the relevant CASSAR Committee Chairman in February and March, so chapters can still be involved by visiting a school and identifying a candidate. I hope that each chapter can participate in at least one more youth program than they did in 2023. Please check the CASSAR website for the due dates of each program.
Happy New Year, and thank you for your service to SAR,
Jim Klingler, President
| | |
"We will remember our compatriot brothers with thanksgiving." | |
|
News from Around the California Society | |
|
Coachella Valley Chapter
Wreaths Across America
| |
|
(L-R) Chris Scott (Kern Chapter), President Chris Cerillo, Past President William Haines, and Ed Oehler
Forrest Lawn Cemetery
Cathedral City
| |
|
Harbor Chapter President James Bunker places a wreath
during Wreaths Across America
| |
|
Mother Lode Chapter
Wreaths Across America
| |
Steve Belden, President of the Mother Lode Chapter participated in Wreaths Across America both as part of the Color Guard at the VFW Hall, Folsom and the laying of wreaths at Lakeside Memorial Lawn Cemetery, Folsom, CA. | |
|
(L-R) Phil Mitchel, OC Chapter President, John Ferris, CASSAR Vice President South,
John Dodd, NSSAR President General.
CASSAR Presentation to PG Dodd.
At the December Orange County chapter meeting, John Ferris, Vice President South, standing in for CASSAR President Jim Klingler presented the California Society gift to PG Dodd. Normally, the PG gift would have been presented at our Fall meeting. The colorful shirt had pictures of the Queen Mary (our fall meeting site) all over it.
Wreaths Across America
Memory Garden Memorial Park and Mortuary, Brea, CA
| |
(L-R) Jon Burk, John Ferris, Kent Gregory, Matt Noel, Dyke Dooley
Orange County chapter members participate in
Wreaths Across America at
Memory Garden Memorial Park and Mortuary
Wreaths Across America
Santa Ana Cemetery, Santa Ana
| Members of the SAR Orange County Chapter Color Guard led by Dan McKelvie (2nd from right) joined with the American Legion to Present Colors at Santa Ana Cemetery, Santa Ana, for Wreaths Across America. | |
Dan McKelvie (center, Orange County) and Jim Olds (with the Colors, Harbor Chapter) march with the American Legion in the presentation of Colors at
Santa Ana Cemetery, Santa Ana, for Wreaths Across America.
| |
|
Redlands Chapter
DOD Viet Nam 50th Anniversary Partners
| |
|
(L-R) J Ben Hobbins, DOD Partners Redlands Chapter SAR, NFALTP
Alec Lange, DOD 50th Commemorative Western District Field Director
Redlands Chapter SAR and the National Freedom and Liberty Tree Project
are registered DOD 50th Anniversary Partners.
| |
|
Redwood Empire Chapter
Wreaths Across America
| |
(L-R) TJ Chapter: Jeff Nibert & Derek Brown; RE Chapter: Bill Nay, Bill Van Valkenberg, James Mann (Jr. member), his dad Jonathan Mann (flag), Michael Nay, Peter Goyhenetche
Sonoma County - Mountain Cemetery
| |
Redwood Empire Chapter Celebrates its
50th Anniversary
| |
Redwood Empire President Bill Nay receives a framed copy of the
Congressional Record honoring the Redwood Empire Chapter SAR for 50 years of work honoring the Patriots of the American Revolution from Rebecca Hermosillo, Senior District Representative, for Congressman Mike Thompson
| |
(R-L) Thomas Jefferson Chapter Secretary Stephen Renouf and
Redwood Empire Chapter President Bill Nay
display the
Redwood Empire Charter and copy of the Congressional Record
| |
(L-R) Janet & Derek Brown, Redwood Empire President Bill Nay,
Jeff Nibert, and Stephen & Joy Renouf
| |
|
(L-R) Chapter President Michael Mann; Kenya Davis-Hays, PhD; David Leonard, Historian
Christmas Party
Canyon Crest Country Club
At their December Christmas Party, the Riverside Chapter was privileged to have Kenya Davis-Hays, PhD, Professor of History, California Baptist University, as Keynote Speaker. She spoke on the "Morale during the hard winters of the American Revolution and the leadership of General George Washington."
Special guests included Don Littlefield, John Ferris, Mary Katherine Coovert, Brian and Diane Stephens.
Veterans Day
| |
Make ready... Present... Fire!
CASSAR Joint Chapter Firing Team and Color Guard
| |
CASSAR Joint Chapter Firing Team and Color Guard
(L-R) Mark Kramer (Riverside), Bruce Wearda (Kern), Brian Stephens (Riverside),
David Leonard (Riverside), John Ferris (Orange), Kevin Forrest (South Coast),
Jim Olds (Harbor), John Richardson (Harbor), Nolan Forrest (South Coast),
Duncan Campbell (San Diego), Brandon Villardi (Harbor)
| |
Veterans Day Expo Booth
(L-R) Brian Stephens, David Leonard, a lady that wanted to hold our musket,
Henry Lucas, and Mike Mann (in the sunglasses)
| |
|
Sacramento Chapter
Wreaths Across America
| |
|
Wreaths Across America Week
Kick-off Event
California State Capitol
On Monday, December 11, the SAR joined with DAR Gold Trail Chapter Regent Elyse MacKenzie (above left) to kick-off Wreaths Across America Week
at the California State Capitol. Don Littlefield read the SAR Proclamation.
| |
DAR Charlotte Parkhurst Chapter Regent Bobbi Bennett at the Wreaths Across America Week kick-off event of at the California State Capitol on Monday, December 11. | |
CAR Charlotte Parkhurst Chapter WAA Chair Cynthia Gibbs with Don Littlefield at the Folsom City Council Meeting December 12, receiving the City of Folsom WAA proclamation. | |
The Sacramento Color Guard at Wreaths Across America, VFW Hall, Folsom, CA | |
(L-R) Steve Belden, Phil Noble, Jim Faulkinbury, Don Littlefield, Carl Ahlberg, David Beach
Color Guard preparing to Present the Colors
| |
SAR Proclamation
Don Littlefield read the SAR Proclamation declaring
December 16, 2023
Wreaths Across America Day
at the VFW Post 6604, Folsom
| |
|
|
A large turnout was present to help lay the 700 wreaths at
Lakeside Memorial Lawn Cemetery, Folsom
| |
|
San Diego Chapter
250th Anniversary Boston Tea Party
| |
|
Sea Scouts from San Diego South Bay dressed in period attire
and threw crates of tea off the stern of the Tall Ship “Bill of Rights”.
Photo courtesy of Richard Schulte, coolsandiegosights.com
The San Diego SAR Chapter joined with local chapters of the DAR and the CAR along with the San Diego Sea Scouts to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party on December 16, 2023. The event was held at Bay Front Park in Chula Vista and aboard the Tall Ship “Bill of Rights” docked in the Chula Vista marina.
| |
Students from Nora Bowman’s 8th Grade American History class at Innovations Academy in San Diego re-enacted the
Sons of Liberty meeting at the Old South Meeting House.
| |
CASSAR Members attending the event
(L-R) Jim Klingler, PFC Phillip Hirman USMC, Michael Hirman, John Ferris,
Duncan Campbell, Ted Parsons, Robert Fagley, Alan Winters,
Jim McAdory and Gene Moore.
| |
|
Santa Barbara Chapter
Wreaths Across America
| |
(L-R) Robert Niehaus, Michael Fox, Athena McCandis, Jeff Weinbender and Russell McCandis
Members of the Santa Barbara Chapter participate in
Wreaths Across America at Santa Barbara Cemetery.
| Boston Tea Party Anniversary | |
(L-R) Michael Fox, Vivian Jones, Robert Niehaus,
Athena McCandis, Russell McCandis, Jeff Weinbender
The Santa Barbara Chapter celebrated the 250th anniversary of the
Boston Tea Party by meeting up at Stearns Wharf then marching to the edge of the wharf and distributing American flags to the public.
| |
(L-R) Robert Niehaus, Dennis McGaughey, Jeff Weinbender
and Steve Swain assemble after the Santa Barbara Veterans Day Parade.
| |
|
South Coast Chapter
The South Coast Chapter held their final Chapter Meeting of 2023 on November 21st, and an important part of the meeting was the presentation of America 250 & Color Guard Awards.
| |
|
Scott Whitman (left) & Kevin Forrest (right)
Gold America 250 Medal Recipients
| |
|
Scott Whitman; Nolan Forrest; Jim Hernandez & Kevin Forrest
Silver America 250 Medal Recipients
| |
|
Jerry Herford & Robbie Jones
Bronze America 250 Medal Recipients
| |
|
(L-R) Kevin Forrest presents the Silver Von Steuben Medal to Nolan Forrest
California Silver Baron Von Steuben Medal
| |
|
(L-R) Kevin Forrest presents the Bronze Von Steuben Medal to
Scott Whitman and Nolan Forrest
California Bronze Baron Von Steuben Medal
| |
|
Thomas Jefferson Chapter
November Meeting
| |
James Holmes Armstead,Jr. | |
|
The Keynote Speaker was James Holmes Armstead,Jr., J.D., Ph.D., LL.D., D.Litt., D.H.L. (hc), an Army veteran, special staff assistant for legislative affairs to the Secretary of the Army, and professor of strategy and international law at the US Naval War College.
Dr. Armstead discussed the October 7th Hamas terrorist attack on Israel and the Israeli military response.
He also spoke on the war in the Ukraine and how the Ukrainians have exceeded all expectations in defending their territory from the Russian invasion.
| | |
|
(L-R) VP Glen Martin, Mark & David Kashevaroff, Dennis Brimhall,
Registrar Derek Brown and President Danny Shurtz
New SAR Members Inducted
| |
|
Thomas Jefferson Chapter joined with Redwood Empire Chapter to celebrate
Wreaths Across America
at Mountain Cemetery, Sonoma County
| |
|
Yosemite Chapter
Wreaths Across America
| |
Yosemite Chapter members sponsored 55 wreaths and placed an
additional 168 wreaths on veterans tombstones
at Veterans Liberty Cemetery, Fresno
| New SAR Compatriot Jon Russell (left) by President Scott Nichols (right). | |
New SAR Compatriot Jim Riley (left) by President Scott Nichols (right). | |
|
New SAR Compatriot Harlie Smith (left) by President Scott Nichols (right).
SAR Flag Certificate Presentations
| |
|
Front row: Jim Riley (left) and Scott Nichols (right) presenting certificate
to Bill Smittcamp, CEO, Wawona Frozen Foods
Flag Certificate Ceremony at Wawona Frozen Foods in Clovis
| |
|
Jim Riley (SAR, far left). Those individuals holding SAR Flag Certificates are Lt James Bolt of Clovis PD(3rd from left), Margarita Serrano of Clovis Youth Services (third froom right) and Fire Chief Chris Ekk of Clovis Fire (2nd from right). Scott Nichols (SAR, far right).
Flag Certificates presented to
Clovis Fire, Clovis PD, and Clovis Youth Services in Clovis
| |
|
Yosemite Chapter President Scott Nichols (center right) and Jim Riley (next right)
presenting the SAR Flag Certificate to
CVMD CEO Lorenzo Rios (center) surrounded by other CVMB Board Members.
Flag Certificate presented to
Clovis Veterans Memorial District, Clovis
| |
|
PG Manning’s America 250 Daily Minute
If you want to find out how your chapter can be apart of this celebration, contact John Ferris, Chair, America 250 SAR, at jrf1776@outlook.com .
| |
America 250 Presentation
Sister Cities Club of Newport Beach
| On December 7, John Ferris (pictured above) and Paul Garcia of the Orange County Chapter made a 250 presentation at a breakfast meeting of the Sister Cities Club of Newport Beach. | |
|
-
February 18, 2024 — Massing of the Colors
-
February 20, 2024 — George Washington's Birthday
-
April 26-27, 2024 — CASSAR Annual Meeting, Burlingame
| |
|
Every member who participates in SAR programs and interacts with youth under the age of 18, 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.
| |
|
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 !!!
| |
|
|
2024 Editor
California Compatriot
Experienced newsletter editor for editing and writing content for a diverse audience of 1500. Experience with Constant Contact, HubSpot, or Mailchimp, et al., is a plus. In addition, you must be adept at editing photos and other imagery in Adobe Photoshop or other photo editing software. This position would be best performed as a single focus, volunteer position.
Contact: Don Littlefield for more details.
| | | | |
|
CALL FOR ARTICLES — January 20, 2024 Deadline
Please send news of events and high resolution digital photos to
Don Littlefield at dblittlefield@comcast.net
— RELEASE FORMS —
All photos or or other materials that show or name any
minor under the age of 18
must be accompanied by a signed Release Form.
| |
|
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: Donald B Littlefield
| | | | |
