October 2023

President’s corner:

Compatriots, fall is upon us and with it comes planning for the future. Please make it a priority to attend our business meeting on Saturday, October 28^th. We need volunteers to step up and assume leadership and support roles. Additionally, we need volunteers to assist with succession planning for some of our programs if we wish to continue them. I hope to see many of you there.

Looking back on the history of the Revolution, the autumn of 1773 saw some significant events that lead to the Boston Tea Party. Below is taken courtesy of the Massachusetts Historical Society (https://www.masshist.org/revolution/teaparty.php , accessed 9/29/2023).

On 5 March 1770, Parliament rescinded the Townshend duties on four of the five commodities that had been taxed; the duty on tea remained in force. Outraged patriots sought to shore up sagging efforts to boycott tea by appealing to merchants (nonimportation) and the citizenry (nonconsumption). But people loved their tea, and their resolve weakened.

In the spring of 1773, the East India Company had a large amount of surplus tea on hand. To aid the failing company, thwart the smuggling of Dutch tea, and reassert its authority to levy taxes on the colonies, Parliament authorized the Tea Act on 10 May 1773. Tea sold in America would carry no duty for the East India Company; instead, the tea would be taxed at the point of entry in colonial ports. Consignees, or special agents, were appointed in Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, and Charleston to receive and sell the tea.

In the fall of 1773, as newspapers publish the particulars of the East India Company plan, colonists learn that the tea is coming. Protests soon circulate. Writing out of Philadelphia, "Scaevola" rebukes the tea agents, calling them political bombardiers. Refusing a summons to resign their commissions, Boston's tea agents counter that they are the true sons of liberty. Demonstrating its decided disagreement, a patriot mob storms Richard Clarke's King Street shop on 3 November.

Boston's consignees petition the governor to safeguard the tea once it arrives, but with British forces confined to Castle William since the unfortunate events of the Boston Massacre, Hutchinson is powerless to oblige. The streets belong to the opposition.

On Sunday, 28 November, the Dartmouth, carrying 114 chests of tea, arrives in Boston Harbor. A meeting, open to all Bostonians and anyone from neighboring towns who chooses to attend (a group identified as the Body), is called at Faneuil Hall. When the crowd swells, it adjourns to Old South Meeting House. The Body speaks, demanding that the tea be returned, and the assembly appoints a watch of 25 men to guard Griffin's Wharf.

From Philadelphia and New York, news arrives that anyone attempting to land the tea in those ports should beware an unwelcome visit. By 2 December, consignees have resigned in three port towns, and the taunt goes forth: Will you shrink at Boston?

By 15 December, the Eleanor and the Beaver, also both laden with tea, arrive at Griffin's Wharf. The law is clear: if the duty on the Dartmouth's tea is not paid by 17 December, the customs officer is authorized to seize the ship and its cargo. The governor, the ships' owners, and the tea consignees all refuse to return the tea to England. Voting at a 16 December meeting at Old South, the Body resolves to prevent the East India tea from being landed, stored, sold, or consumed. At the conclusion of the meeting, the crowd streams out onto the street, chasing 30 to 60 men dressed as Indians down to Griffin's Wharf. In what John Adams calls an intrepid "exertion of popular power," the men proceed to dump 342 chests of tea into the sea.

Governor Hutchinson is incensed, calling the dumping of the tea high treason. Energized by their victory, boisterous patriots urge Bostonians, "keep up your courage." When news of the event arrives there, New York celebrates Boston's Indians, as does Philadelphia. Boston, once suspect, is now praised for its steadfast opposition to tyrannical English policies.

Not all, however, applaud the Destruction of the Tea (later designated the Boston Tea Party). At the end of January, the town of Marshfield urges good and loyal subjects to speak up against the Bostonians' unlawful act. Still, in March, Indians are found destroying the tea—again. And in April, another episode raises questions whether the perpetrators are good Indians or bad Indians.



In February, the tea ship captains arrive in England and are summoned to testify before the Privy Council; since they are not able to identify individuals responsible for the destruction of the tea, the government decides to punish the entire town of Boston. Until the East India Company is reimbursed for its loss, the port of Boston will be closed.

The SAR Mission 

“Patriotism - History – Education”

Sacramento Chapter's 1776 Book Challenge is Officially Underway.

The 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence is just around the corner - July 4th, 2026. Our goal is to provide at least 1776 books to classrooms written for 5th grade students that inspire patriotism and a love of our American Heritage. Each teacher will receive a classroom set of books that can be used for years to come.

Teachers participating in the program will make these books available to their students and encourage them to read and report out on what they have read. Where possible, teachers can select the books that they want for their classrooms.

We need your help!

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.

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:

Our fundraising Progress Through September 2023

OR

You may donate by credit card at the following link.

(Transaction Fees Apply)

Members of the SAR celebrated Constitution Day at Folsom City Lions Park. Steve Belden of the Mother Lode Chapter, and Don Littlefield, Jim Faulkinbury, David Beach, and Craig Anderson of the Sacramento Chapter manned the SAR Booth and spent an enjoyable day meeting the public at an this inspirational event that was highlighted with interesting speakers and live music.

Photo by Susan Maxwell Skinner

 L-R Steve Belden. Jim Faulkinbury, Sacramento County Supervisor, Sue Frost, David Beach, and Don Littlefield

SAR Education and Youth Programs

The California Society SAR sponsors two teachers each year to attend Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge's week long graduate teacher workshops at their campus near Valley Forge, PA. This year's workshop focused on the Revolutionary War in the South and included tours of many historical sites. The two teachers who were selected were Allie Sahli from Lodi and Janey Moffitt from Loomis. They were guests of honor at our September meeting and gave us an interesting overview of their experiences and impressions during this workshop.

The California Society SAR and the Sacramento Chapter, sponsors four students each year to attend a four day Spirit of America Youth Leadership Program at Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge. One of the students, Jaycee Carter, and her Mother Tera were also our guests at our September meeting. Tera was a chaperone on this trip and shared a mother's perspective of the program; Kaycee shared her impressions of the programs, and she also attended a week long SLiPP (Student Learning in Public Policy) program a Freedom's Foundation' campus.

L-R Craig Anderson, Allie Sahli, Janey Moffitt, Kaycee Carter, Tera Carter

From these guests, we learned that these programs are very powerful and have a great impact on the attendees. Kaycee was inspired by her experiences to plan to attend college in the area of Valley Forge. Our teachers felt that their experiences walking the ground where our ancestors fought and died will have a profound influence on their teaching of American History.

My message to SAR members is that your support of the SAR and these programs truly have a positive impact on the students, educators and our communities and supports the Historical , Patriotic, and Educational Mission of the National Society Sons of the American Revolution.

Craig Anderson

Chairman, CASSAR SOA Youth Leadership Program

Vice President, Programs Sacramento Chapter



Youth Protection Training

It's NSSAR policy for all members involved in youth programs to hold a valid youth Protection Training Certificates: chapter officers, chapter committee members in youth programs, and color guard members are included in this group. DAR members who particiapate in our programs are also required to take this training. The training just takes a few minutes and the certificate is valid for 3years.

Sacramento Chapter October Meeting

9AM October28th, 2023

Our October, members only, business meeting has been moved to Saturday, October 28^th at 9AM at Cattlemen’s Restaurant in Rancho Cordova. Light refreshments will be provided. We will have as special guest, Rob Moore, Vice President General, Western Region. It will be a great opportunity for Rob to meet our members and for us to showcase the great programs our chapter has been involved in. We hope to see you there.

Sacramento Chapter America 250 Honor Roll lists SAR Members and our Partners in Patriotism who have participated in our chapter's America 250 program. Thanks to everyone for their hard work! If you have questions and would like to participate, please contact Craig Anderson craigandersonsar@gmail.com Click on the button below to view a video overview of the program.

VP Anderson called the September Meeting to order at 6:45 PM. Chaplain Larry Niekamp gave the invocation and Gary Morgan led the Pledge of Allegiance.

VP Anderson presented a brief overview of the SAR for the benefit of the meeting guests:

“SAR is the largest male lineage organization in the United States and consists of 50 state-level societies with more than 500 local chapters, several international societies (including Canada, France, Germany, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom), and over 33,000 members. Prominent SAR members have included sixteen U.S. presidents, U.S. senators and representatives, local business, and community leaders, as well as foreign dignitaries such as Sir Winston Churchill, and Kings Juan Carlos I and Felipe VI of Spain.

SAR members have also answered their country’s call in every major American conflict beginning with the battle of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775, and continuing to the present day, including Operation Desert Storm, Bosnia, and the recent actions in Afghanistan and Iraq. SAR members have received the highest awards America can bestow, including the Medal of Honor.

We, as SAR members, are the custodians of the freedoms handed down to us by our Revolutionary War ancestors and we preserve that gift by promoting patriotism, serving our communities, and educating and inspiring future generations about the founding principles of our country.”

VP Anderson introduced Chapter officers, Committee chairmen and guests.

• Past Present Jim Faulkinbury, past president, and current CASSAR President Elect Don Littlefield, VP Meetings Larry Brasher, and ROTC.
• JROTC Chairman Roy Adkins.
• Sandy Parker, Regent of the Sacramento Chapter DAR and her husband Ron, and Karen Faulkinbury member of the Gold Trail Chapter, DAR
•  Prospective Members Col. Tom Carpenter USAF Ret and Tim Mihalakos.
•  Guests of honor were Allie Sahli and sister her Tori; Janey Moffitt and Mother Raynette Fuentes; SOA and SLiPP Student Kaycee Carter and mother Tera.
• VP Anderson also recognized members Ron and Patty Proffer, Neil Elvick, and Andy Tufts, a chapter member who lives in Portland, OR.

VP Anderson introduced the SAR America 250 Program: “On July 4^th, 2026, we will celebrate the 250-year anniversary of the ratification of the Declaration of Independence and the establishment of the United States; our SAR America 250 program is focused on educating and inspiring our communities about the events that led to the creation of our great democracy. Each meeting, one of our members presents a short presentation of a historical event of the American Revolution.

Compatriot Brooks came forward and presented a brief history of the Taunton Flag.

VP Larry Brasher came forward and gave a brief background on graduate teacher and student programs and introduced teachers Allie Sahli and Janey Moffitt and student Kaycee Carter and her mother Tera. All these individuals were sponsored in these programs by the SAR.

Our guest speakers gave inspirational presentations of their experiences and impressions of these programs. VP Anderson commented that our learning from these their presentations was that SAR members truly make a difference in the lives of our students and teachers through their generosity in supporting these programs and providing our teachers and students these learning opportunities.

Carl Ahlberg came forward and introduced Sacramento Chapter 1776 Book Challenge. The Sacramento Chapter will donate 1776 historical books to teachers to aid their teaching of the American Revolution. The cornerstone of this program is to provide teachers with a library of historical books that they select (one for each student) that will aid them in teaching the history of the American Revolution. Our chapter is actively soliciting donations and is looking to partner with local DAR chapters and other SAR chapters in this program. Carl announced that we will be making book donations to the classrooms of Allie Sahli and Janey Moffitt. The feedback from both Allie and Janey that was these book donations will be a huge aid for them teaching American history.

CASSAR Executive VP, Don Littlefield came forward and gave a brief announcement about the CASSAR 2024 annual meeting that will be hosted by the Sacramento Chapter and held in Burlingame, CA. He encouraged members to support this meeting and make their hotel reservations early.

VP Anderson made some brief announcements:

• Meeting at Cattlemen’s Saturday October 28^th at 9AM– our guest will be Rob Moore, VP General Western Region for the NSSAR.
• November meeting will be held at the Old Spaghetti factory Wed November 15th. We will award the SAR Medal of Heroism to Compatriot John Mohamed.Wreaths Across America – December 16^th
• Three members who will be celebrating birthdays next week: Don Littlefield and Ron Hollis on Wed 9/27 and David Beach on Friday 9/29.

A motion was made and seconded to adjourn. Don Littlefield gave the recessional and Chaplain Larry Niekamp gave the Benediction. VP Anderson led the singing of “God Bless America.”

The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 PM

Respectfully submitted,

Craig Anderson

VP Programs

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

November 11, 2023: Veterans Day Parade Folsom, CA at 9:00AM.

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



Community Events