May 2023

Thank you to all the members who attended our April 22 meeting held as a joint program with the American Heritage Partners. Those in attendance were treated to an engaging conversation and presentation by Professor Caroline Winterer, the Chair of the Stanford History.

Department about American Enlightenment. Our country began with the Declaration of Independence and the seven words “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness”.

Winterer explored the concept of Happiness from the perspective of our founding fathers and drew comparisons between their concept of common happiness or common good for all, versus the current state of the pursuit of individual happiness. The conversation was thought provoking for those attending. Questions were raised as to how we might reignite the concept of common happiness in today’s America where political factions choose to demand laws and policies that support their minority groups view of happiness without consideration of the goal of the common good for all. One attendee referenced John F. Kennedy’s famous comment, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country” as an example of placing the focus on everyone considering the common good or a communal pursuit of happiness.

For anyone wanting more about this, Professor Winterer's book, American Enlightenments: Pursuing Happiness in the Age of Reason is available through Amazon

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As a co-sponsor of the event, The Sacramento Chapter of the SAR presented Professor Winterer with a liberty bell and a certificate.

Jon Wroten

In lieu of our normal April chapter meeting, members of the local chapters of the SAR attended a luncheon at the Grand Sheraton Hotel in Sacramento hosted by American Heritage Partners that featured guest speaker Professor Caroline Winterer, Chair of Stanford University’s history department.

Professor Winterer gave a very interesting talk on how Americans in the 18^th century came to be “enlightened” in their own American way, that emphasized the “pursuit of public happiness”, the concept written into our Declaration of Independence.

The SAR had a strong representation at this event: From the Gold Country Chapter, President David Gilliard, and Secretary Ron Barker. From the Sacramento Chapter, CASSAR Executive VP Don Littlefield; Chapter Executive VP Jon Wroten; Chaplain Larry Niekamp; CASSAR Historian Scott Brooks; Chapter Secretary Jim Faulkinbury, School Guard Coordinator, Carl Ahlberg, Color Guard Commander David Beach, VP meetings Larry Brasher; VP Programs Craig Anderson; Past President Mark Stevenson; and Don Sparks.

The Sacramento Chapter had an informational table where we distributed America 250 pins, membership and youth program brochures, and pocket U.S. Constitutions. Don Littlefield and Craig Anderson presented Professor Winterer a Certificate of Appreciation and replica Liberty Bell from the Sons of the American Revolution.

Representatives from other historical linage societies were also in attendance. 

Craig Anderson presents DAR member, Kimm Richwine the Bronze SAR America 250 Medal for her work in Sacramento Chapter's School Guard Program. Kimm is the 1st Vice Regent of the Charlotte Parkhurst Chapter in Folsom, CA.

CASSAR Executive VP Don Littlefield presents a donation from the Sacramento Chapter to the Charlotte Parkhurst Chapter Regent Bobbi Bennet.

Sacramento Chapter School Guard

DETERDING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

The Sacramento School Guard kicked off their 2023 school presentations at Mary Deterding Elementary School in Carmichael on April 11th. 100 5th graders and their treachers attended the assembly. The presenters were Craig Anderson, Kimm Richwine (1st Vice Regent, Charlotte Parkhurst Chapter DAR) and Carl Ahlberg.



MISSON AVE OPEN SCHOOL

Kimm Richwine discusses the role of women in the American Revolution.

Carl Ahlberg discusses Washingtons Army at Valley Forge

Americanism Poster Contest

Our chapter's winning poster came from Gold Ridge Elementary School in Folsom. The student who created the poster is Grayson Cooper from Ms. Koelzer’s Fifth Grade Classroom. Grayson’s poster will compete this weekend in the California Society’s contest up against other chapters offerings.

This poster won 1st Place in the state competition and will compete at the national level.

SAR Flag Certificate Presentations

Carl Ahlberg presents a SAR Flag Certificate to Cheri Anderson of Mission Ave Open Elementary School

Don Littlefield presents a SAR Flag Certificate to Bobbi Bennett, Regent of the Charlotte Parkhurst Chapter DAR in Folsom, CA.

Carl Ahlberg presents a SAR Flag Certificate to Rachel LaPage of Orangevale Open Elementary School

SACRAMENTO CHAPTER SAR MAY MEETING 

Wednesday May 17th, 2023

OLD SPAGHETTI FACTORY, 1625 WATT AVE.

6:00 – 7:00 CHECK-IN AND SOCIAL HOUR

MEETING BEGINS PROMPTLY AT 7:00PM

Our May, 2023 Sacramento Chapter meeting will be held at 6:00 PM on Wednesday May 17th at the Old Spaghetti Factory, 1625 Watt Ave., Sacramento.  (Near Arden) The Old Spaghetti Factory is offering us a great meeting facility, convenient parking, and competitive pricing. 

Our May meeting is our Youth Awards dinner and we will be honoring our 2022 Outstanding JROTC cadet and the winner of the Chapter and State Americanism Poster Contest. We will have as our special guest, Brandon Villardi, the CASSAR Color Guard Commander, and Chairman of the CASSAR ROTC/ JROTC Program.

Dinners include crisp salad, hot fresh baked bread, entrée, and spumoni ice cream for dessert. Entree choices are: Baked Lasagna, Fettuccine Alfredo, or Sicilian Meatballs. Please contact Either Wes Anderson (Phone (530) 312-0917 -email wesleyann2@comcast.net) or Craig Anderson Phone (916)257-7892 - email craigandersonsar@gmail.com for reservations:

Meal prices remain at $30 per person, cash or check payable at the door. For those who wish to reserve and pay by credit card, Click on the Button below to make your reservation online. Transaction fees apply

The National Society Sons of the American Revolution awards the JROTC Medal to foster the principles of the “Citizen Soldier” as exemplified by the Minutemen of the Revolutionary War days.

This award is presented to JROTC Cadets who are selected by their commanding officers for having a high degree of merit with respect to leadership qualities, military bearing, and general excellence.

Each year our program chairman, Roy Adkins coordinates with schools to schedule these presentations; he relies on our chapter volunteers to help with these presentations. If you can help, please contact Roy at lifeswindo@aol.com or (916) 687-6735.

The presentations are very simple; the awards are mailed to the schools in advance so all you must do is attend the school event, and personally present the award to the cadet - about an hour of your time. 

We have a few more schools to schedule, but we need presenters for the two schools listed below.If you can help, please contact Roy as soon as possible.

The Sacramento Color Guard was invited to post the Colors at the April meeting of the Charlotte Parkhurst chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Color Guardsmen present were Commander David Beach, Jim Faulkinbury, Don Littlefield, and Craig Anderson.

June 24th, 2023: The Folsom Hometown Parade

October 21, 2023: DAR District Meeting, American Legion Hall in Placerville at 10:00 a.m

December 16th, 2023: Wreaths Across America with The Charlotte Parkhurst Chapter DAR at the veteran's hall, 1300 Forest Ave. Folsom Ca.



Save the date: Saturday June 17th 2023. Howe Community Park in Sacramento. Details will be coming soon.