December 2025

Urgent: 2026 Sacramento Chapter SAR Dues

Compatriots, this serves as an important reminder regarding the Sacramento Chapter SAR dues for the year 2026. Dues were due on November 30th, and as of now, 41 members have not paid for next year. The chapter depends on your dues and donations to maintain and support the many valuable programs that help advance the SAR mission, including promoting patriotism, serving our communities, and educating future generations about the founding principles of our country.

Renewal Instructions

If you have overlooked your dues notice, we strongly encourage you to renew your dues as soon as possible. The easiest way to renew your membership is by Credit Card at: SAR Sacramento - 2026 Annual Membership Dues. Or, mail a check for $95 to:

SAR Sacramento Chapter, PO Box 6664, Folsom, CA 95763-6664.

Important Deadlines

Please be aware that the California Society SAR requires us to suspend the membership of compatriots who have unpaid dues on December 15th, 2025. Additionally, those who remain unpaid will be dropped from our membership rolls on January 1st, 2026.

HIGHLIGHTS

A summary of Compatriot Russ Kaiser remarks on the state of our chapter color guard:

The Importance and Evolution of Our Chapter Color Guard



 My Introduction to the Color Guard

The first color guard event I attended was Wreaths Across America at the Dixon Cemetery. Although I had not yet been officially sworn in, I chose to participate, and shortly thereafter, I joined the Color Guard. This initial experience left a lasting impression on me, highlighting the significance and impact of the Color Guard within our organization and the broader community.

Leadership and Service

Following my entry, I took on increasing responsibilities. I served as the Chapter Color Guard Commander and later became the Northern California Color Guard Adjutant, assisting the State Color Guard Commander. These roles deepened my appreciation for the Color Guard’s mission and influence.

The Vital Role of the Color Guard

From the beginning, I recognized how essential the Color Guard is and the effect it has on the general public. The Color Guard truly represents the face of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR). At every event, regardless of its nature, the Color Guard consistently draws attention and inspires questions about our organization and our values. This visibility plays an important role in educating the public and promoting our mission.

Changes in Membership and Activities

When I first joined, the Color Guard comprised over a dozen active members. We participated in several parades each year and presented the colors at a variety of ceremonies, including DAR Conferences, Eagle Scout Award Ceremonies, Gold Star Mother’s events, military change of command ceremonies, and even at a business grand opening. Over time, our numbers have declined, and we now have about six members, with only three or four actively participating. Factors such as age, injuries, and scheduling challenges have contributed to this reduction.

Looking Ahead: A Call to Action

Our current Color Guard Commander, David Beach, will be stepping down at the end of this year. Next July marks the 250th anniversary of the ratification of the Declaration of Independence, and America 250 celebrations have already begun across the United States. These commemorations will continue for the next seven years. This is a pivotal time for the SAR to take a leading role in these celebrations, and for the Sacramento Chapter—the largest in California—to truly stand out. However, we are now operating with a minimal number of Color Guardsmen, even as requests for our participation continue to grow. Your Chapter Color Guard needs your involvement more than ever.

Russ Kaiser

Past President 2013, 2014, 2022

Past Color Guard Commander

Past CASSAR Color Guard Adjutant North

Guest Speaker: Alex Vassar, Communications Manager.California State Library

Topic: Preservation of State Records

Alex Vassar began his role as Communications Manager for the California State Library in May 2017. Prior to his arrival at the Library, Alex worked for the State of California since 2007 when he was selected as a California Senate Fellow. Since then, he worked for both houses of the California Legislature and the State Board of Equalization before joining the California State Library.

Alex manages the State Library’s Communications Office which handles media inquiries and shares news about the library through press releases and the library’s social media outlets. The office also manages the library’s public events and schedules tours of the historic Library and Courts Building.

Alex holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Southern California.

December Dinner Meeting

Wednesday, December 10, 2025

6:30 PM Social - 7:00 PM Dinner

The Officers Club, McClellan Airport

3410 Westover St. McClellan, CA 95652

Dinner Entrée:

Mixed Green Salad

Slow Grilled Sliced Tri Tip with Rosemary Jus

Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Chef’s Seasonal Vegetables

Fresh Baked Rolls & Butter

Price:  $40.00 per meal

** IMPORTANT **

Meal reservations are guaranteed and must be made no later than

5 PM December 1, 2025. Sorry, no refunds.

ADVANCE RESERVATIONS and PAYMENT by Credit Card preferred.

Click on the button below:

Or, you can make reservations by sending an email to: Craig Anderson at craigandersonsar@gmail.com and paying by Cash or Check at the at door.

Reservations made by email are reservations to be paid.

SAR-DAR-CAR Compatriots and Friends of the SAR

THANK YOU!

We just passed our 2 year anniversary of our 1776 Book Challenge program, and we are pleased to report, thanks to your support and donations, it has been a huge success. Click on the thumbnail below for a progress report and donor acknowledgements.

Carl Ahlberg, Kimm Richwine, David Dance, and Craig Anderson gave a historical presentation to students at the Vinewood Elementary School in Lodi. We presented three classroom sets of books to three teachers.

The Students at Vinewood gave us thank you cards for our book donations.

Classroom sets of books were donated to Quarry Trail Elementary

Classroom sets of books were donated to St. Rose Elementary

Welcome to the Sacramento Chapter. We look forward to working with you to further the mission of the SAR.

Folsom Veterans Day Parade

City of Shasta Lake Veterans Day Parade

Redding Detachment SAR @ Northern California Veterans Cemetery, Igo, CA

L-R: Richard Grace (Prospective); SAR Members John Szychulda, Kevin Knapp, Fred Loveland

SAR National Event

250th Anniversary of the

Declaration of Independence

Philadelphia, PA

America’s Birthplace – “Ring It On”

July 2-6, 2026

Upcoming Color Guard Events

December 8th 2025 12:00PM Wreath Across America Kickoff Event - Massing of the Colors. West Steps of the State Capitol.



Compatriots: The following is a list of Color Guard events across the state for the rest of 2025. If you are interested is in some of these and earning points for a SAR Color Guard Medal, contact Brandon Villardi (bvillardi@gmail.com) or Kevin Forest (Kevinnu93@gmail.com)

• December 13th - Wreaths Across America - Multiple Locations
• Harbor Chapter - Muster 08:00 - LA National Cemetery *Firing Event*

The Sacramento Courier is the official newsletter of the Sacramento Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution. Unless explicitly. stated, the opinions expressed herein are the opinion of the authors, and not necessarily those of the Sacramento Chapter SAR.

Editor Craig Anderson