February 2023

Another opportunity to meet with our SAR Compatriots is our upcoming 148^th Annual Meeting of the members of the California Society of the SAR on April 14-15, 2023 at the Orange County Hilton Hotel in Costa Mesa, CA. The meeting registration form and hotel reservation link are posted on our website at: https://www.californiasar.org/event/148th-annual-meeting-of-the-california-society/

Some of you who have never been to a State SAR meeting may wonder what happens there and why it is relevant to you. Our SAR Chapter Presidents, State Officers and Committee Chairmen are required to attend the Annual Meeting, and give a report of their activities during the preceding year. This is a great opportunity for our Chapter and State leaders to hear from their counterparts about what has been successful for them in engaging their membership and to pick up some new ideas.

The meeting also features a Friday luncheon to honor public service employees who have distinguished themselves, including fire fighters and police officers. It is inspiring to hear their stories and to honor them for their service to keep us safe.

On Saturday, we have a luncheon to honor our youth awards winners. We invite the State winners of our High School Oration and Essay contests, Eagle Scout contests, JROTC and Sea Cadet programs, as well as our Valley Forge History Teacher program to receive their awards and to hear about their accomplishments. Here we are meeting the next generation of our country’s leaders.

Finally, on Saturday evening, we conclude with a banquet to honor our SAR members who have distinguished themselves in the past year. We are a volunteer organization, and we need members to participate to survive and thrive, so this is a chance to recognize those who have contributed to the California SAR.

We also have a guest speaker at the banquet. This year the speaker is Pepperdine University History and Law Professor Edward J. Larson, who has written several books on the American Revolutionary period, including “The Return of George Washington”, “Franklin and Washington”, and his most recent book, “American Inheritance”.

The Annual Meeting of CASSAR will be an exciting time to greet our old friends, to meet new friends, and to learn more about our SAR. I urge everyone to attend, and I look forward to seeing you there.

Thank you for your service to SAR,

Jim Klingler, President

REGISTER NOW

CASSAR 148th Annual Meeting scheduled for April 14-15, 2023

The 148th Annual Meeting of the Members of the California Society of the Sons of the American Revolution will be held April 14 & 15, 2023 at the Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa, 3050 Bristol ST., Costa Mesa, CA. To make reservations CLICK HERE or, call (714) 540-7000. The Group code is CASSAR. The special room rate $155/night; parking is $18/night. Follow this link to the Meeting Registration.

MASSING of the COLORS

Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills

February 19, 2023

Master of Ceremonies and Sons of Liberty Chapter President Troy Munday delivers remarks

South Coast Color Guard Members Attending Massing of the Colors

(Pictured L-R) Shane Gates; Nolan Forrest; Scott Whitman; Kevin Forrest

News from around the State

Four of the participants at February 4, 2023 Meeting of the Eagle Chapter held at Veterans of Foreign Awards on Diaz Road, Temecula, California 

Harbor Chapter in Action

Promoting California Society America 250 SAR

John Ferris, CASSAR Vice President South, recently had the opportunity to visit the Harbor Chapter monthly business meeting. Held in an Italian Restaurant upstairs in an old building in the historic district the place was alive with character. Although there was much laughter and comradery just prior to the meeting, President James Bunker brought the meeting to order, and the business commenced. President Bunker began by addressing this day in Revolutionary War History where he gave a brief mention of the British Parliament’s act of Feb. 9, 1775, proclaiming Massachusetts to be in a state of rebellion.

(L-R) Harry Bellows, President James Bunker, Jamie Bellows

Repeatedly, John heard mention of SAR’s emphasis on “America250”. Almost all of the activities the President and the other officers spoke about were associated with America250. The constant participation from the members was infectious and the whole atmosphere was one of collaboration and encouragement to get other members to participate. President Bunker can also be very persuasive in soliciting chapter participation in the program and it is evident he has made “America 250” a priority for Harbor Chapter meetings. He also incentivizes member participation by giving those who present a America250 Minute a California Society America 250 Challenge Coin as both a sign of gratitude and as a way to promote the program.

Brothers Harry and Jamie Bellows, gave a short presentation on their patriot ancestor and the journey needed to document and become a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. Great job Jamie and Harry! You and the Harbor Chapter certainly have the 250 Spirit. Other Chapter Members have presented on the Southern Gambit, the Battle of Fort Washington, the Continental Navy, Pyle’s Defeat, the Siege of Fort Stanwix, and the Battle of Eutaw Springs to name a few.

The Harbor Chapter is just one of the many California Society Chapters on the 250 bandwagon. Make sure your chapter is an active part of Americas 250. 

Need more information? Contact John Ferris, jrf1776@outlook.com. Go 250!

Orange County Chapter

Country Music Singer Travis Tritt inducted into SAR

American country music singer and songwriter Travis Tritt along with his sons

Tarian and Tristan were inducted as members of the Sons of the American Revolution

on February 1, 2023, by SAR Secretary General John L. Dodd.

(L-R) Tarian, Tristan, and Travis Tritt with

NSSAR Secretary General John L. Dodd (Orange County)

Redwood Empire Chapter

Bay Regional — California Academic Decathlon

Redwood Empire Chapter President Bill Nay volunteered to participate and present at the Bay Region, California Academic Decathlon hosted by the Solano Office of Education.

Following the event, Ken Scarberry, Director of Youth Development for the Solano County Office of Education remarked to Bill:

"My favorite memory among many of them is

when you walked into the Gym and the entire

crowd started cheering and applauding!!! It

was a “Revolutionary Rush!” and I’m certain

the guests were excited to go back in time

and see you in uniform!!!!"

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED !!!

Volunteers are needed for the California State Finals Competition to be held on March 25, 2023, at the Marriott, Santa Clara.

More information.

One of the biggest benefits of the 250^th Anniversary Recognition Program is the outreach potential. The only way SAR will have an impact on Society is through outreach. One chapter that is making a difference through outreach is Sacramento.

Member Jim Faulkinbury (a 250 Gold recipient himself) has been presenting America250 Minutes for over a year to different outside groups, increasing the awareness of our Revolutionary past to young and old alike.

Specifically, Jim with support from the Sacramento Chapter, has been working with the Capital Society C.A.R. Educating them about the 250^th Anniversary Recognition Program, the Capital Society is now presenting an American 250 Minute at every meeting. Many members of the Capital Society have already earned Bronze medals.

Jim Faulkinbury (left) presenting Bronze Medals to Emily Boling (center), Sr. President of the Capital Society and Anna Carlson (right), President of the Capital Society C.A. R.

Others who attend the meetings are also working on the Bronze Medal. Many of these are the DAR moms in attendance. This program is enthusiastically received and, most important, all are learning about their revolutionary past gaining a greater appreciation for the freedoms they now enjoy. And, by the way, they are having fun do this.

Jim has also presented the program to his local American Legion Post and has enlisted a couple of members, who have also received the Bronze Medal, to help with spreading the word to other organizations they belong to such as the Sons in Retirement. Again, the program was enthusiastically received. 

There are so many ways for us to spread the America 250. Whether it is the Brochure Contest, the Poster Contest, the Essay Contest, our chapter meetings, our visits to the DAR or Veterans groups. It just takes one of us, like Jim and the Sacramento Chapter, to just do it. 

For ideas on how you can make a difference in the celebration of our 250^th, contact John Ferris at jrf1776@outlook.com.

Sacramento Chapter Color Guard

Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge

Awards Banquet

(Above) Thomas Jefferson as portrayed by Steven Edenbo

On Saturday, February 25, the Sacramento Chapter Color Guard was privileged to pose for pictures and present the Colors at the Sacramento Chapter Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge Awards Banquet attended by 330 guests. The Keynote Speaker was Thomas Jefferson as portrayed by Steven Edenbo.

Below is the Sacramento Chapter Color Guard with Kimm Richwine, 1st Vice Regent, Charlotte Parkhurst Chapter (Folsom), DAR.

(Below L-R) Don Littlefield, Craig Anderson, Kimm Richwine, Jim Faulkinbury, Carl Ahlberg.

(L-R) Don Littlefield, Craig Anderson, Kimm Richwine, Jim Faulkinbury, Carl Ahlberg.

Wreaths Across America

Mobile Education Exhibit Tour

Rolls Through Northern California

Don Littlefield (above), CASSAR Vice President North (Sacramento Chapter) and Bill Nay (below), Redwood Empire Chapter president, partnered with DAR Charlotte Parkhurst Chapter (Folsom) and Chief Solano Chapter (Vacaville) to add color, awareness, and America 250 education to the Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit as it came through Northern California in February.

He became an SAR member in 1996 and served the San Diego Chapter as Historian, Treasurer, Secretary, 2nd Vice President, 1st Vice President and in 2004 he was elected as the Chapter’s President. He and his wife Mary attended at least six National Congresses, 15 NSSAR Trustee/Leadership meetings at the National Society’s Headquarters and in 2010 he and Mary travelled with a SAR group to Spain where they attended an audience with His Royal Highness Don Felipe, the Prince of Asturias at the Royal Palace of Zarzuela.

Phil was awarded the SAR Patriot Medal in 2007 by the California Society.

Admiral William R. Furlong Award

If over 1/2 of the chapters in our Society, present at least one flag certificate each, the state will receive the Admiral William R. Furlong Award. While the award is not the goal, the outreach to the community is.

Putting a smile on someone’s face and making them proud to be an American is what the Flag Certificate is all about. We are in a unique time in American history due to the America 250th celebration and we should do all we can to be a major part of that celebration.

The California Society still has a few months to reach its 1/2 chapters goal for the award. Lets challenge ourselves to not only meet the goal, but to begin an outreach/engagement campaign using Flag Certificates. This is something all of us can do. 



SAR 133rd Annual Congress Hotel Reservations

Registration is now open for the SAR 133^rd Annual Congress at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando, FL, July 14-20, 2023. Request reservations for the "Sons of the American Revolution." Group code: NSSAR2023. 

Below is the link for the online registration.

The Rosen Plaza toll free number is 1-800-627-8258. 

Note: The hotel is SOLD-OUT for Wednesday, July 19, 2023. To be placed on a waiting list contact Paul Callanan at 704-756-0363 or LTCMRSC@aol.com.

If you book online, the default date is set to 12 July. To change your arrival date click on the calendar icon next to the date. You can also adjust the departure date by clicking on the calendar icon in the departure section.  

Guarantee Policy

All reservations are required to be guaranteed with a valid credit card . Please be advised that five days prior to your arrival, an authorization equivalent to a one night’s room and tax charge will be processed on your card. Authorizations on a debit card will place a hold on funds within your bank account at the time of authorization. 

Cancel Policy

Cancellation required at least 5 days prior to arrival to avoid a charge of one night's room and tax. As a reminder, the reservations cut-off date is Monday, June 12, 2023, or until the contracted room block is sold out, whichever comes first. At 5:00PM on the cut-off date, any rooms remaining in your block will be released back to the hotel for general sale. At that point, any new bookings will be accepted based on hotel availability. 

If you have any questions, please contact Paul Callanan at 704-756-0363 or LTCMRSC@aol.com.

and to

Revolutionary War Rarities

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Congratulations!  Welcome to the California Society, Sons of the American Revolution. We are honored that you have elected to join our society of descendants of those patriots and heroes who gave us our freedoms. The California Society conducts many patriotic, historical, and educational programs in our communities, and we rely heavily on our member volunteers to keep them strong and vibrant.

If you haven’t yet been, you will shortly be contacted by a representative of your chapter; We urge you to meet your fellow compatriots, join them in their chapter programs, and become an active member of your chapter and state society. We are looking forward to meeting and working with you in the future.

• Apr 14-15 — 148th CASSAR Annual Meeting, Costa Mesa
• Jul 4 — Independence Day
• Jul 15-20 — SAR 133rd National Congress, Orlando
• Nov 3-4 — 148th CASSAR Board of Managers Meeting

The National Society, requires any member who participates in SAR programs and interacts with youth under the age of 18, to successfully complete SAR Youth Protection Training. Training is online, takes about 20 minutes, and is valid for three years.

Send your certificate of completion to Dan McKelvie: mckelvie@sbcglobal.net.

CALL FOR ARTICLES — March 20, 2023 Deadline

Please send news of events and high resolution digital photos to

Don Littlefield at dblittlefield@comcast.net

— RELEASE FORMS —

All photos or or other materials that show or name any minor under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a signed Release Form.

Cyber Scams

If you receive an email, text, or voice mail from a purported Officer or Compatriot seeking any type of financial assistance, consider it a hoax. Phishing messages are becomming more sophisticated and may include the unauthorized use of the SAR logo, a compatriot's name, or a pseudo SAR email address. Stop -- Think -- Verify 

The California Compatriot is the official newsletter of the California Society, Sons of the American Revolution. Unless explicitly stated, the opinions expressed herein are the opinions of the authors and not necessarily those of the California Society SAR.

Editor: Donald B Littlefield

craigandersonsar@gmail.com