Compatriots,
Happy New Year! I am looking forward to a smooth and timely annual membership reconciliation process, and a great start to the new year, based on the training provided by our State Secretary Fred Schuster.
Congratulations to the following individuals who were awarded the Lafayette Medal for volunteer service hours to the NSSAR. Thanks to their on-going efforts and the leadership of Compatriots Terry Briggs and Randy Dhindsa, the California Society is very close to having all post 1987-member application information entered in the new on-line system. Those who received the award from the National Society were:
- Terry Briggs – 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, 1 Silver and 1 Gold Oak Leaf Cluster
- Derek Brown – Medal and 1 Silver and 1 Gold Oak Leaf Cluster
- Janet Brown – Medal and 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
- Wilson Crider – Medal and 2 Bronze Oak leaf Clusters
- Randy Dhindsa – Medal and 1 Bronze Oak leaf Cluster
- Thomas Douglas – Medal
- Jim Faulkenbury – Medal and 1 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster
- Russell Hayes – Medal
- Melvin Howell – Medal and 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
- Michael Mann – Medal
- Adam Morrell – Medal
- Michael Muetz – Medal
- Ronald Raider – Medal and 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
- Paul Sapp – Medal
- Robert Shroyer – 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
- Owen Stiles – Medal and 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
- Harry Stover Jr. – Medal and 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
- Jeffery Sylvan – 1 Bronze Oak leaf Cluster
- Ward Williamson – Medal and 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster.
I would also like to thank our members, especially the Chapter and State Officers whose hard work and dedication have led us throughout the past year. I know that same spirit will continue as we prepare to celebrate America’s 250.
Libertas et patria,
Brian Stephens
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America 250 Events
On December 13th, Compatriot Jim Faulkinbury gave a 45 min talk about the flags of the American Revolution to a Sons in Retirement (SIR) group. His presentation included a discussion of 17 flags beginning with the British Red Ensign going chronologically to the French Alliance Flag and then finally to the 15 stripe Star Spangled Banner flag to show how Congress modified their 1812 plans of adding a star and stripe for each new state and went back to 13 stripes for the 1818 flag. Jim was assisted by Bob Fitzgerald and Don Sparks of American Legion Post 862. Jim’s presentation was well received and resulted in a request to do the same program at a local Eskaton Village retirement community.
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In December’s Compatriot, I mentioned the America 250th Anniversary Minute. This is a way every chapter meeting can become an America 250th SAR event. It is an easy way to go about our day to day business, but never forget the history which our patriot ancestors forged.
The Orange County Chapter has created two America 250 Minute presentations that are available to anyone who asks. I know the Harbor Chapter is working on creating presentations as well.
We need volunteers to create brief “scripts” that can be read at any of our chapter meetings or any meeting such as DAR, Lions, Chamber of Commerce, CAR, various clubs, etc. These scripts should be a page to a page and a half. I suggest using the SAR Revolutionary War Master Event List for topics. All scripts will be made available to the Society through the website, so there never will be a reason not to have the chapter meeting a 250 event. If you are interested, please contact John Ferris at jrf1776@outlook.com or 714 270-7092.
When these scripts are read, it is vital to remember that we are not listening to a cold, impartial history 250 years old. We are listening to family stories that go back many generations heard in the room with many cousins at our side, though they may be distant cousins and possibly not yet known to us. This country’s birth is our shared history which made a profound difference in the world for good. Let’s take advantage of this time to remember, learn and celebrate.
John Ferris
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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; I urge you to meet your fellow compatriots, join them in their chapter programs, and become an active member of your chapter and state society. I am looking forward to meeting and working with you in the future.
D. Craig Anderson, Executive Vice President, California Society
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Compatriot Challenge
Have you visited the Patriot Research System (PRS)?
Is your Patriot in the PRS and is his/her data accurate?
Are you connected to your Patriot and is your Lineage entered?
Is your Patriot’s burial documented?
The Patriot Records Committee has worked the last four years to develop and present the SAR application information, grave registry, and patriot biographies online. We have transcribed 90% of the available applications. Our product will be the basis for involving researchers interested in their patriot ancestry as we approach the 250th anniversary. Now we need to challenge the SAR membership to make this product better.
You may submit corrections or additions to your Patriot's information by submitting a Patriots Graves and Biographies Report to GARY O. GREEN, Lt Col, USAF (Ret) Chairman, Patriot Records Committee https://sarpatriots.sar.org/
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CASSAR Secretary, Fred Schuster is hosting a series of virtual sessions for chapter secretaries and other interested chapter officers each month on Zoom. The next session will be on January 12th at 6:30PM.
Meeting Schedule
SAR Secretary Forum/ Training monthly on the Second Wednesday:
- Jan 12, 2022 06:30 PM
- Feb 9, 2022 06:30 PM
- Mar 9, 2022 06:30 PM
- Apr 13, 2022 06:30 PM
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147th Annual Meeting
The 147 Annual Spring Meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn Downtown-Arena on April 21st through 23rd 2022. Room rates are $129 per night and parking is $10/day. The Holiday Inn Downtown-Arena is located adjacent to Golden One Center and is within easy walking distance of shopping and historic “Old Town Sacramento”
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The National Society, requires that all members who participate in SAR youth and education programs that interface with students under the age of 18, successfully complete SAR Youth Protection Training. We had formerly utilized the training offered by the Boy Scouts of America, but subsequently, the SAR has developed its own training program that is geared specifically to the programs that we conduct. The process is very simple; the training can be taken on-line in about 20 minutes, and the certificate is valid for three years.
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Wreaths Across America Day, Desert Memorial Park, Cathedral City, CA.
1000 wreaths were placed on Veterans Graves of which 300 were donated by Coachella Valley SAR Chapter and its members. President Chris Cerillo read the CASSAR Wreaths Across America Proclamation to great applause. Photo left to right: Ed Oehler, Chaplain; Chris Cerillo, President; Ray Allen, Vice-President Elect; Bill Haines, Secretary.
The George Washington uniform that Bill Haines is wearing is on loan from Past CASSAR President and Past NSSAR President General Larry J. Magerkurth.
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On December 18th, Lee’s Legion of Orange County Chapter was supported by members of the Harbor Chapter (HC) to present Colors at the Brea Memorial Cemetery’s Wreaths Across America ceremony. Guardsmen from Left to Right: John Ferris, CASSAR Color Guard Commander Brandon Villardi (HC), Jim Klingler, Keven Bidenkap (HC), James Gill (HC), Jim Olds (HC), Dan McKelvie, Kent Gregory and Hans Hunt (not shown.) Liz Ferris also attended and supported the guard by taking pictures.
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A contingent of the Lee’s Legion also participated in Wreaths Across America at Westminster Memorial Park and Mortuary. In attendance from left to right: Dan McMillan, Mark Torres, John Blake, Spencer Torres, and Larry Hansen. |
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Redwood Empire Chapter President Bill Nay reading the PG Proclamation at the Sonoma Veterans Memorial Cemetery. |
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PRESIDENT
BRIAN R. STEPHENS
briandi777@aol.com
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
D. CRAIG ANDERSON
craigandersonsar@gmail.com
VICE PRESIDENT, SOUTH
JAMES KLINGLER
klingler@sbcglobal.net
VICE PRESIDENT, NORTH
WILLIAM VAN VALKENBURG
VICE PRESIDENT, MEMBERSHIP
James C. Bunker
jmbnkmailbox-californiaSAR@yahoo.com
SECRETARY
FRED SCHUSTER
schuster6789@aol.com
TREASURER
JOHN FERRIS
Jrf1776@outlook.com
REGISTRAR
OWEN R. STILES
ostiles45@gmail.com
CHANCELLOR
JOHN L. DODD, ESQ.
johnldodd@twc.com
GENEALOGIST
TERRY L. BRIGGS
tlbaia@comcast.net
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HISTORIAN
VACANT
CHAPLAIN
RT. REV. LOUIS V. CARLSON, JR.
loucarlson@sbcglobal.net
SURGEON
DR. MATTHEW BOWDISH, MD
matthewsbowdish@gmail.com
TRUSTEE OF THE INVESTED FUNDS
(2020-2023)
STEPHEN RENOUF
usina@aol.com
TRUSTEE OF THE INVESTED FUNDS
(2019-2022)
DR. M. KENT GREGORY
drkentgregory@earthlink.net
TRUSTEE OF THE INVESTED FUNDS
(2021-2024)
JOHN L. DODD, ESQ.
johnldodd@twc.com
PAST PRESIDENT
DONALD B. LITTLEFIELD
NATIONAL TRUSTEE
ROBERT TAYLOR
tartar-taylor@att.net
ALTERNATE NATIONAL TRUSTEE
BRIAN STEPHENS
briandi777@aol.com
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Cyber Scams
If you receive an email from a purported Compatriot in need of help that is unsigned, with no personal contact information seeking contributions to any type of fundraising site; or an email ad-dressing you by name from another member of your Chapter requesting the expenditure of funds or the purchase of gift cards, consider it a hoax. These messages are getting more sophisticated and may even include the unauthorized use of the SAR logo and/or a pseudo SAR email address.
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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: D. Craig Anderson
craigandersonsar@gmail.com
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