Compatriots and Friends
Greetings, as always, I hope this message finds you safe and well. It is election day as I write this, and our Country celebrates our independence by selecting our leaders by popular vote. It’s always a time to reflect and celebrate this activity which was guaranteed by our Constitution. The voting process was different this year based on the safety protocols initiated by our local leaders as a result of the virus. I hope each of you were able to exercise your voting privileges without much impact. This day, and voting, always makes my smile and I reflect on the sacrifices of so many who made it possible for me to do so.
Our October Zoom meeting was well attended with 28 members and guests. We were honored to have our local DAR chapter Regents attend and a few Chapter SAR presidents from Northern California also joined in. Our own Compatriot Jim Faulkinbury was our guest speaker and described the trials and tribulations of his ancestor and great-great uncle who served as a Deputy US Marshall in the late 1800’s under Judge Parker in Fort Smith Arkansas. Judge Parker was a law and order type who ruled the court with a no-nonsense approach earning the title of the “Hanging Judge.” Jim’s presentation was well-received and very interesting.
This month we will open nominations for our elected officers, and we are still looking for members to volunteer for appointed positions. Please consider volunteering, our chapter works well when more members are involved and active. We have a variety of positions that need to be filled and actively worked so please consider helping your chapter with fulfil our obligations.
This month our speaker will be Kent Gregory, who will describe the many artifacts the SAR has within its collection that date back to the American Revolutions. This presentation should be very interesting.
I hope you will consider joining us on November 16th for our next chapter Zoom meeting. We look forward to these chances to socialize, exchange greetings and well wishes with you. If you have never tried this process, give it a chance you will be glad you did, I guarantee it!
See you on the cellphone!
Del Hanson
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SAR Historical Artifacts
Dr. Gregory will speak to us about the SAR Historical Artifacts being held in the SAR Museum in Louisville, KY.
Kent Gregory was a teacher in California public schools for 38 years, and taught evening classes at Chapman University, Pepperdine University, and USC. Since joining the SAR, he has served as a Chapter Registrar, Chapter President, California Society President, Vice President, and an Invested Funds Trustee.
Active at the National Society level since 2011, Dr. Gregory has served as Alternate Trustee, Trustee, Recording Secretary, Vice President General – Western District, and on the Executive Committee. Currently he is the Chairman of the SAR Museum Board.
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California SAR Americanism Poster Contest Entry Wins 3rd Place at NSSAR
California SAR President Don Littlefield was privileged to present Sydney Wilson, Oak Chan Elementary School, Folsom, CA with the National Society SAR Americanism Poster Contest Third Place Certificate and prize money check of $125.00. Sydney, now a Sixth Grade Student attending Junior High, was thrilled to return to her school to be recognized by the Sons of the American Revolution as were her parents and her Fifth Grade Teacher Hallie Wallace. The Americanism Poster Contest thrives in California!
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November 2020 Sacramento Chapter Meeting
Time: Nov 16, 2020 06:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
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Archer Chapman Frey
We were saddened to learn of the passing of Compatriot Archer Chapman Frey recently via a returned dues noticed marked “deceased”. He was a CASSAR Life Member whose application to join the Sons of the American Revolution was approved on August 31, 2004. His patriot ancestor was Nathaniel Gunn, 2nd who was a 1st Lt. in Capt. Moses Havey's 5th Company of the Hampshire County, Massachusetts Regiment commanded by Lt. Col. Samuel Williams. He was appointed on 10 May 1776.
Archer Chapman Frey was born on April 14, 1931, in San Gabriel, California, spending his childhood there and in Arcadia, California. He graduated from Orange Coast College in 1957 and from the US Army Command and General Staff College in 1973. Archer was retired from the United States Army. His service began in 1945 when he joined the California High School Cadet Corps. In 1949 he joined the Fortieth Infantry Division and was mobilized in September 1950 for the Korean War where the division replaced the 25th Infantry Division in combat. Archer served in the field artillery where his first duty was battery bugler and his last as battalion commander and also served with the Department of Defense in the Pentagon.
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As SAR members, we trace our lineage to ancestors who fought on the side of the Americans in the Revolutionary War. The Betsy Ross Flag, which is one of the most recognizable flags from the Revolutionary War era, is a precursor of our Stars and Stripes flag today. Metaphorically speaking, American history is in our DNA.
Granted, flags do not have DNA, but they provide a unique perspective for exploring our history.
We stood beside our desks and, with right hands over our hearts, recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag which hung in the front of the classroom. The words of that ceremony, which took place each morning at Thousand Oaks School in Berkeley, California, took on special meaning. Several classmates had fathers who were serving overseas in the armed forces; the Second World War was close to us.
In the first grade, we learned the story of Betsy Ross who had sewn the first Stars and Stripes flag for George Washington. Thestory is an American classic.
Betsy Ross was a seamstress who lived in Philadelphia. She met with George Washington and was asked to create a flag for the united colonies. Betsy Ross’ story was summarized years later in a paper which was read to the Historical Society of Philadelphia in March 1870, by her grandson William Canby. Canby was only 11 years old when his grandmother died in 1836, but he claimed that he heard her story of the creation of the first American Revolution flag from her own lips.
Canby attributes three distinct elements of the design to grandmother’s expertise:
1. That the width of the flag should be one third longer than the height
2. That the stars should be arranged in a pattern such as a circle or a star
3. That the stars should be 5-pointed rather than the 6-pointed ones favored by
Washington
William Canby’s recitation entered the public realm when it was published in the July 1873 issue of Harper’s New Monthly Magazine. Harper’s article contains the same facts as the Canby story, except that it placed the events in 1777 instead of 1776. This altered date may have been an editorial exercise to align the story with the Flag Resolution of 1777. Critics questioned the authenticity of Canby’s story, noting that no record of Betsy Ross’ procurement of materials or other activity associated with the creation of the flag exists, although she kept meticulous records of all other business matters.
History is highly subjective; there are seldom complete answers. That no written records exist does not disprove William Canby’s claim. Betsy Ross’s story is certainly credible; it just cannot be proven. The Betsy Ross Flag story has been accepted as truth by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
While the authenticity of the Betsy Ross story might be questioned by scholars, our historic flag carries her name today.
The Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act on June 14, 1777. This legislation established an official flag for the new nation and provided a description as follows:
“Resolved, That the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes,
alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue
field, representing a new Constellation.”
The description of the flag in the resolution was not concise. Some have argued that the Betsy Ross Flag was in use at the at the time and known to everyone. The resolution, therefore, would not have needed a detailed description and was intended only to confirm the flag’s acceptance. Although vexillology has identified several flags which may have contributed to the design of our Stars and Stripes, Americans honor the fourteenth day of June as Flag Day.
The Revolutionary War ended with the British surrender at Yorktown on October 19, 1781. But thirty years later, the British forces would return to American soil for a rematch known as the War of 1812. Major George Armistead was the commanding officer of Fort McHenry, an American stronghold on Locust Point close to Baltimore, Maryland. Anticipating an attack by British forces, he requested a flag “so large that the British will have no difficulty seeing it from a distance.” Mary Pickersgill, a well-known seamstress/flag maker in Baltimore, took up the challenge.
The flag she created was the largest garrison flag ever flown, requiring over 300 yards of fabric to create her finished piece. Once the stars were placed, the flag was turned over, and the blue canton field behind each star was cut out and the field was bound on the reverse side, creating a two-sided flag. The finished flag measured 30 feet in height with a length of 42 feet. It featured stripes two feet wide and stars which stretched 24 inches from point to point. At that time, it was the practice to add one star and one stripe for each new state. Her flag, therefore, had 15 stars and 15 stripes recognizing the recent admission of Vermont and Kentucky to the Union. Records document that the government paid $405.90 for the primary flag and $168.54 for a second flag to be used in bad weather. The larger garrison flag weighed 50 pounds and required 9 men to hoist it on a 90-foot pole.
This was the flag Francis Scott Key observed during the British naval attack on Fort McHenry. On the morning of September 14, 1814, Key marveled that Mary Pickersgill’s creation had survived the brutal bombardment of the preceding night and wrote a poem titled “Defence of Fort M’Henry,” which was later set to music. “The Star-Spangled Banner” was recognized for official use by the United States Navy in 1889 and was decreed our national anthem by a congressional resolution on March 3, 1931.
The Stars and Stripes had come of age. The tattered remains of that epic garrison flag are a national treasure. The display can be seen in the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.
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SAR annual dues notices have been mailed to allwas members. If you have not received your dues notice, contact Craig Anderson immediately. [email protected] or (916)257-7892.
Dues remittances are due by November 30th Please note that according to our state bylaws, "members will be considered delinquent in payment of annual dues after December 15th and shall automatically be suspended and shall be dropped from membership after December 31."
As always, your donations are gratefully accepted and will further our youth programs. The Sacramento Chapter SAR; a 501(c)(3) non profit charitable organization EIN # 68-0004288
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Del Hansen called the meeting to order at 6:30pm
Invocation: George Taylor; Pledge of Allegiance: Michael Hull;
Pledge to the SAR: Phil Noble
Del Hansen introduced National and State Officers, Past Presidents – Jim Faulkinbury Past President, Sacramento Chapter,
Genealogist General, Natl. Society, Minuteman Class of 2019, Don Littlefield, California Society President, Past President,
Sacramento Chapter, Craig Anderson, Vice President North California Society, Past President Sacramento Chapter, Tom Chilton, Past President Sacramento Chapter, Former California Society Registrar for four years, Russ Kaiser, Past President Sacramento Chapter, Northern California Color Guard Adjutant.
Introduce Guests – William Van Valkenburg Redwood Empire Chapter President, John Hendon, Yosemite Chapter; Mel Howell, Delta Chapter President; President SAR, Dallas Love, Regent, DAR Rio Consumes Chapter, Elk Grove, CA, Carol Zobel, Regent, DAR Emigrant Trail Chapter, Auburn, CA, Pat Pedersen, Regent, DAR Gold Trial Chapter, Roseville, CA, Marilyn Chilton, Sacramento Chapter DAR, California Society Ladies Aux Member and former Treasurer for the Ladies Aux.
Chapter President’s opening comments – Del reflected on tonight’s Invocation prayer and how we are all going through tuff times now with the pandemic. We are all forced to a certain degree of isolation and have to socialize more online.
Old Business: Don Littlefield gave an update to the members on Wreaths Across America which is scheduled for Saturday December 19th at 9am. We don’t know yet if they will allow public ceremonies at Veterans Cemeteries. The Nov BOM meeting in Santa Rosa has been cancelled, and it will be held via a Zoom video conference on Saturday November 14th.
Dues Collection (Batch-1) – Russ Kaiser has received 61 checks as of October 19, 2020 totaling $6,125.
Mark Mozdy gave a Secretary Report/update - Current status of our chapter (new members, transfers, deaths, reinstatements.We have had one reinstatement/transfer from the Redding Chapter. Michael Henderson Harger. He has been added to the Roster. We received a Deceased return to sender when we mailed the dues notice to Archer Chapman Frey. A death report has been sent to the CASSAR and the Sacramento Reconciliation file has been updated to reflected this information. Christopher Donald Johnson has transferred to the Phoenix SAR. The Reconciliation report (transfer out) has been updated. We have three New Member Inquires; Charles Moss, Robert Chatham, Eugene Robles.
New member recruitment – Don Littlefield talked about how to grow chapter membership by hiring an advertising company called Messenger Publishing Company (MPG) to place 1/8 page color ads about the Sons of America. This Company owns newspapers in six locations with over 38,000 subscribers. The cost to run the ads from Jan1 2021 to Dec 31 2021 will be $5,000 dollars. Don Littlefield made a motion to move forward with placing the ads with the Messenger Publishing Group. George Taylor seconded the motion, the motion was passed by everyone on the call. Don Littlefield will contact MPG to work out the details.
New Business Sydney Wilson was awarded third place in the NSSAR Americanism Poster Contest. It appears that most of the Veterans Day Activities have been cancelled in the Sacramento area. Our state historian, Jim Blauer, was tragically killed a couple of weeks ago while riding his bike home from Work. The Chair of the state nominating committee is looking for candidates for this position. Craig Anderson discussed requirements for Youth Protection Training.
Tonight’s Guest Speaker was Compatriot Jim Faulkinbury – Jim gave a great talk/slide show on the the life and times of his great-great uncle Henry
Newton Faulkinbury, who served as a U.S. Deputy Marshall for the Western District of Arkansas and the Indian Territory under “Hanging” Judge Parker during the era known as the wild west. Thanks for such a great presentation Jim!
CASSAR Surgeon Dr. Matt Bowdish gave a quick update on the Corona Virus. As Matt says this Virus will be around until we come up with a Vaccine hopefully sometime next year.
Recessional: Craig Anderson; Benediction: George Taylor Del Hanson adjourned the meeting at 8:00pm
Respectfully Submitted,
Mark Mozdy
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Color Guard Commander David Beach |
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Because of current COVID 19 restrictions, there are no activities planned at this time for Constitution Day, Veterans Day, or Wreaths Across America. Hopefully if restrictions on public gatherings are eased, this will change.
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December 19, 2020 - Wreaths Across America The VA has cancelled formal ceremonies for this event at Veterans Cemeteries this year.
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ZOOM Video Conference Scheduled for 9:00 AM PST, November 14, 2020
The Zoom Meeting one-click link is:
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2020 presented our chapter with a lot of challenges, and it has been my privilege to serve as your newsletter editor, VP Programs, and committee chairman for various SAR programs during this time. Special thanks to everyone in our chapter who has stepped up to keep our chapter vibrant during these trying times. Thanks to video conferencing technology, we are able to continue to meet and maintain that personal connection within our chapter.
This is the last Courier issue for 2020; Sandy and I wish everyone in our SAR family a joyous Thanksgiving, a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year. Regretfully, in early 2021 I will have to step down as your newsletter editor. My commitments as a CASSAR officer in the coming years will not allow me the time to continue. If any of our Sacramento Compatriots would like to volunteer as editor of The Courier, please contact me. It is a fun activity, it doesn’t take much time, and I would be available to support anyone interested.
We have many other positions that need to be filled. Our chapter has a well-earned reputation as one of the most active SAR Chapters in California; this was made possible by the commitment of our chapter compatriots who have stepped forward to volunteer their time to help our society; but we need more help to keep our programs healthy. If you haven’t been involved in the past, please consider helping us. You may contact me or any of the members of the executive board if you can help or if you have any questions.
Respectfully
Craig Anderson
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President
Del Hanson
Executive VP
Michael Hull
VP Programs
Craig Anderson
Secretary
Mark Mozdy
Registrar
David Cofer
Treasurer
Don Littlefiled
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Chapter
The next Chapter meeting will be held on November16th at 6:30 PM via Zoom Video Conference.
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State Society
Because of ongoing COVID restrictions, The Board of Managers Meeting of the California Society Sons of the American Revolution will be held virtually on Saturday November 14, 2020 via a Zoom video Conference.
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National Society
March 4, 2021 Leadership Meeting Louisville, KY
July 10, 2021 131st Congress
Renton, WA.
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The Sacramento Chapter SAR; a 501(c)(3) non profit charitable organization
EIN # 68-0004288
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