April 2024

Greeting Compatriots and Friends,

April is upon us and marks the start of Spring and new beginnings.

The California State SAR Annual Meeting is literally just a few weeks away. Our Chapter has the honor of being the host Chapter and our fellow compatriot, Don Littlefield will be sworn in as President for the California Society of the SAR. The annual meeting details are on our Chapter website. I encourage you to consider attending this valuable event which will be held April 26^th and 27^th in Burlingame. It is a wonderful opportunity to engage, connect and learn.

Reflecting on our March meeting a few nights ago, it was very well attended with both new and old faces and a lot of lively conversation. Our guest speaker, Gretchen Johnson, a 5^th grade teacher described how our 1776 Book Challenge has provided a valuable classroom set of books for her students. They are currently reading Sophie’s War. Gretchen described how the story was not only teaching Revolutionary War history, but also facilitating discussions in the classroom related to her Ukrainian and Russian students and helping them to understand how they are now Americans and helping to foster friendships.

Finally, I strongly encourage you to mark your calendars and plan to attend our May 8^th Chapter Meeting at the Old Spaghetti Factory on Watt. We have an excellent program honoring youth. We will hear from our ROTC winners. I remember last year's program which was both moving and inspiring hearing the promise of the future from the perspective of our youth. We are all contributing to creating a better future through the activities of the SAR. Please join us.

Thank you for all that you have done, and all that you will do. Let’s make 2024 a great year for the Sacramento Chapter of the SAR. We can only do this with YOU.

In Fellowship,

Jon Wroten, President

2024 ROTC/ JROTC Program

The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) awards the ROTC Medal to foster the principle of the “citizen-soldier,” exemplified by the Minutemen of Revolutionary War days. This award is presented by an SAR Chapter, State-level Society, or the National Society to ROTC or JROTC cadets who are selected for having a high degree of merit with respect to leadership qualities, military bearing, and general excellence. The recipients are selected by the Commanding Officer of the ROTC or JROTC unit, who is given full latitude in making the selection.

The Sacramento Chapter has an outstanding program within the California Society that has been chaired by Compatriot Roy Adkins for over 10 years. In that time, he has built a great program that has recognized and awarded SAR ROTC and JROTC medals and certificates to many outstanding cadets in our community. Sacramento Chapter cadets have been recognized at the state level and one of our cadets has won a SAR national award. 

Roy currently has 15 high school units in our program, 2 Sea Cadet Divisions, and 3 college units. Our chairman works closely with the program commanding officers to identify qualifying cadets, prepares the medals and certificates for presentation, and mails them to the schools. 

It is important to our Chapter that these SAR awards are personally presented to these cadets by SAR chapter member volunteers. 

We need your help! Please volunteer to help present these awards this year. It will take an hour of your time and you will have a lasting, meaningful impact on the cadet receiving this award. Roy provides the medals and certificates to the school in advance of the ceremonies, so all you must do is attend, personally present the award to the cadet, and pose for a photo op. The schedule for presenting these awards is dictated by the school so if you are willing to help, contact Roy via email and let him know. As the school schedule develops, Roy will poll the volunteers to see who is available for each event. 

Below is the schedule so far this year; it will be updated as schools advise us of their schedule.  This program is only as good as you make it; please join me in being a JROTC presenter this year. Contact Roy Adkins at lifeswindo@aol.com and let him know how you can help.

Sacramento Chapter School Guard

Sacramento School Guard 2006

Our 2024 program of historical presentations in elementary schools by the Sacramento School Guard members will kick off on April 2nd at Orangevale Open K-8. Our current staff is led by Carl Ahlberg and includes Larry Brasher, Kimm Richwine DAR and Helena Hurst DAR.

This is the 26th year Sacramento SAR and DAR members have provide these programs to 5th grade assemblies in the greater Sacramento Area. Beginning in 1998, chapter members led by Chuck Highbaugh and Tom Chilton have given our students a peek into what life was like in colonial America and were presenting to over 3000 students per year.

Carl Ahlberg is looking for more Patriots to staff two teams that would allow us to reach more schools during the spring semester. This is a great opportunity for you to carry on your patriot ancestor's legacy by sharing their stories with our students. These stories have a great impact showing students what life was like in the 18th century and the prices paid for their freedoms. If you can help or would like more information, contact Carl Ahlberg icahlberg@sbcglobal.net or phone (916) 624-3917 or Craig Anderson craigandersonsar@gmail.com or (916)257-7892.

The following are two articles written by Ryan Rose that appeared in the June 2, 2004 edition of the Eldorado Hills Telegraph.

SAR Reenactment

By Ryan Rose

June 2, 2004 edition of the Eldorado Hills Telegraph

At elementary schools throughout the region, a group of old soldiers are waging a war. Storming cafeterias with muskets and cannonballs, these militiamen called for reinforcements from the pre-teen audience. Soldiers moved through the crowd, engaging the tweens in conversation and combat. Picking volunteers at random, the "colonists" draft fifth-gradersinto America's first full-fledged fighting force: the Continental Army. "The Redcoats are coming, the Redcoats are coming!"

Ignore the calendars on the wall - right now its 1776 and the American Colonies are at war with the British. The ragtag army takes shape...

Please Donate

You Can Make a Difference in our Community

Join the 1776 Book Challenge by donating funds that will enable us to purchase books for this program. For each $10 donated, we will place a book plate with your name or your business name in each book.

Donors may elect to sponsor 1 or more 5th grade classrooms with a donation of $350 each by specifying the teacher's name and school.

If you would like to volunteer to help with this project, contact:

• Carl Ahlberg (916)624-3917 - icahlberg@sbcglobal.net
• Craig Anderson (916)257-7892 - craigandersonsar@gmail.com.

You may donate by sending your check to Sacramento SAR, P.O. Box 6664, Folsom, CA. 95763-6664. Open and print the donation form at the link below:

OR

You may donate by credit card at the following link.

(Transaction Fees Apply)

1776 Book Challenge Progress Report Apri 2024

OUR PROGRAM DONORS

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS DONATION

TO OUR 1776 BOOK CHALLENGE

No new members this month

Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

President Jon Wroten called the Meeting to Order at 7:00 pm

Chaplain Larry Niekamp gave the Invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Tom Carpenter and the Pledge to the SAR led by Russ Kaiser.

Welcome remarks and introductions were given by President Jon Wroten. Special guests recognized were Susan Broderick, Vice President General of DAR and Gretchen Johnson, our guest speaker.

There being 20 SAR chapter members in attendance, a quorum was duly established.

1.   Compatriot Tim Mihalakos gave the 250 minutes. The story of The Rhode Island Regiment and their involvement in the Battles of Brandywine, Trenton, and Yorktown were described. The Regiment’s flag was also presented.

2.   America 250 Bronze medals were presented by President Wroten to Karen Faulkinbury, Scott Brooks, and Russ Kaiser for achieving the cumulative required points for award of the Chapter level medal and certificate.

3.   Ernie Garcia was presented the Henry Knox Medal by President Wroten for countless years of service and significant contributions to the Chapter.

4.   Scott Brooks was presented with the Roger Sherman Award by President Wroten for his dedicated service to the Chapter in multiple roles chairing the calling committee, as guardian of the flags and historian, as well as Sergeant-of-Arms.

5.   Wes Anderson was presented with the Meritorious Service Award by President Wroten for his dedicated service to the Chapter as editor of the newsletter.

6.   David Beach was presented with the Distinguish Service Medal by President Wroten for his dedicated service to the Chapter as Commander of the Color Guard.

7.   John Mohamed was presented with a Military Service Medal and Certificate by Larry Niekamp for his dedicated military service.

8.   Russ Kaiser presented certificate awards and glass steins to David Beach, Don Littlefield, and himself on behalf of the Coast Guard Commander in appreciation for the three performing Color Guard duties at the recent Change-of-Command ceremony for the local Coast Guard Stations.

9.   Dinner - A break in the program was taken to allow attendees time to socialize and enjoy their dinners.

10. Gretchen Johnson, a 5^th grade teacher at Deterding Elementary was introduced by Executive Vice President Craig Anderson. Ms. Johnson spoke to the Chapter.

about the value and benefit she and her students are receiving and enjoying from the Chapters gift of a classroom set of books, specifically, Sophie’s War.

There being no further business, the SAR Recessional was recited led by Larry Brasher, followed by Chaplain Larry Niekamp offering the Benediction. Those in attendance sang God Bless America.

President Wroten adjourned the meeting at 8:45pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Jon Wroten, President

SACRAMENTO CHAPTER MARCH MEETING

President Wroten presents a SAR Certificate of Appreciation and Liberty Bell to guest speaker Gretchen Johnson.

Russ Kaiser, David Beach, and Don Littlefield were awarded Certificates of Appreciation from the Coast Guard Auxiliary for their Color Guard appearance at their January Change of Command Ceremony.

2024 Annual Meeting of the California Society

Sons of the American Revolution

Calling all Sacramento Chapter Members

Welcome to the

California Society Sons of the American Revolution

149th Annual Meeting

April 26-27, 2024

at the

Hyatt Regency SFO

1333 Bayshore Hwy.

Burlingame, CA

Make your room reservations now.

Click on the button immediately below:

2024 Annual Meeting— Hyatt Room Reservations

A special room rate of $158 per night (single or double) is available until March 31, 2024.

Registered guests enjoy parking at $10 per day with in and out privileges.

Register for the Meeting

Register Online with a Credit Card or use the attached form and Mail-in with a Check.

Things to know before Registering

See and meet members of the Sons of the American Revolution from across California. See our CASSAR Color Guard in all of glory. Attend the business sessions on Friday and Saturday at no cost to all members and guests.

The Registration fee of $300 per person includes the Friday Public Service Luncheon, the Saturday Youth Awards Luncheon, and the Saturday evening Gala Banquet.

The à la carte options for the luncheons and the banquet are provided for individuals who can only attend only one or two of these events. Otherwise, the Registration fee of $300 covers all three of these meals.

Optional Friday evening dinner in the Tuscan Room at Il Fornaio Cucina Italiana. The cost for that dinner is $75/person. Room capacity is limited to 40 people. No host bar. Come and enjoy the camaraderie of SAR members from all over California and a few of our national officers.

Please register by March 31, 2024.

Refunds will not be made for cancellations after March 31, 2024.

Questions?

Don Littlefield at dblittlefield@comcast.net or Craig Anderson at craigandersonsar@gmail.com

Mark Your Calendars for our May Meeting

May 8th 2024, 6PM

Old Spaghetti Factory, 1625 Watt Ave., Sacramento

Our program will recognize the 1st and 2nd Place winners of our JROTC Enhanced Program. Cadets Brianna Putman and Blake Harris will be awarded the JROTC Enhanced Medalion and the Bronze Good Citizenship Medal respectively. Both students were also sponsored to attend Freedoms Foundation's Spirit of America Youth Leadership Program at Valley Forge, PA, and they will also share their experiences with our members.

This will be a great event - don't miss it!!

Freedoms Foundation Youth Awards Banquet

The Sacramento Chapter Color Guard presented the Colors at Freedoms Foundation Youth Awards Banquet at the Timber Creek Ballroom in Roseville on March 2nd. This gala event was attended by over 300 awardees and guests.

Coming Color Guard Events

No events scheduled at this time.

2024 Meeting Calendar