I hope you had a terrific Thanksgiving and were able to spend time with your loved ones and reflect on how much we all have to be thankful for. Especially the freedoms we enjoy due to the sacrifices of our patriot ancestors. I am thankful that the hard work and planning by members of the Riverside Chapter resulted in a great 146th Annual Board of Managers Meeting at the Mission Inn. I am also thankful that 18 of our 24 Chapters had at least one representative present and 8 National Officers were in attendance.
A complete meeting summary can be found in this edition of the Compatriot and the meeting minutes will be posted on the CASSAR website shortly. The meeting highlights included. Hearing from and endorsing candidates for national office, including CA Compatriot John Dodd. Adoption of a budget for next year and a new Outstanding Chapter Award Program. Creation of a Committee to determine feasibility and costs for CASSAR to increase Old Life Member Funding to Chapters and the premiere of a 30 second America 250 Public Service Announcement by Compatriot David Gilliard. The presentation of a Fire Service, EMS, and Heroism Medal at the Friday Public Service Luncheon. The presentation by our Valley Forge Teacher, Janey Moffit sponsored by the Gold Country Chapter at the Saturday Luncheon; and our Banquet Speaker David Morrow, Esq. Sons of Liberty Chapter Secretary who gave an outstanding presentation on Free People of Color and Their Untold Stories.
Plus, the presentation of the following medals. Liberty Medal and Certificate to Anthony Chakurian and David Cofer Jr. Liberty Medal Oak Leaf Cluster and Certificate to Compatriots Kerry Adams, Terry Briggs, Derek Brown, James Fosdyck, Kent Gregory (3), David Grinnell, Russell Haynes, Leon Smith (2), Eddie Smith, and Owen Stiles (2). SAR Silver Roger Sherman Medal to Terry Briggs and Craig Anderson; SAR Meritorious Service Medal to John Dodd; and the SAR State Medal of Distinguished Service to Mark Kramer. The Daughters of Liberty Medal was presented to Ann Adams at the Ladies Auxiliary meeting, attended by 26 Ladies, and their banquet raffle raised over $500.00 for the CASSAR.
Yes, Diane and I have a lot to be thankful for, including all our SAR Friends and for being a small part of all that you are doing to keep the SAR relevant in today’s world.
In Patria,
Brian Stephens
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America 250 Events
At the November meeting of the Orange County Chapter, its committee on America 250 SAR launched it’s “America 250 Minute” program. Its goal is to make every chapter meeting an America 250 event.
The 250 Minute is a short presentation lasting approximately 5 minutes on a specific event in our Revolutionary War period. The presentation increases the awareness of those present of the challenges, struggles and sacrifices by our colonial ancestors in giving birth to our nation.
The 250 Minute was presented by John Ferris on the Battle of Alamance which took place on May 16, 1771 and was the final battle of the Regulator Movement, a rebellion in Colonial North Carolina over issues of taxation and local control, considered by some to be the opening salvo of the American Revolution.
By making the chapter meeting a 250 event, not only is awareness of our great patriotic history increased, but participants also have the opportunity to earn points in the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution Recognition Program. Remember, this is a program not just for SAR, but for all those who attend.
Contact the CASSAR America 250 SAR Committee with any questions.
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Compatriots, our 2022 chapter, state, and National dues should have been submitted to your chapter by the end of November. If you haven't paid your dues, please do so by December 15th to make sure you are not dropped from our membership roster. A member will be considered delinquent if payment of annual dues is not received by December 15th and they will be automatically be suspended, and dropped from membership after December 31, 2021. If you have not received your dues notice, please contact your chapter representive as soon as possible.
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IMPORTANT NOTICE
BEGINNING JANUARY 1ST 2022, WE WILL DISTRIBUTE THE CALIFORNIA COMPATRIOT IN ELECTRONIC VERSION ONLY, AND IT WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE. WE WILL NOT MAIL HARDCOPIES OF THE CALIFORNIA COMPATRIOT NEWSLETTER TO OUR MEMBERSHIP.
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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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CASSAR Secretary, Fred Schuster will host a series of virtual sessions for chapter secretaries and other interested chapter officers each month on Zoom. The next session will be on December 8th at 6:30PM.
Fred will discuss the three pages of the Reconciliation Report that relate to transfers (in and out of California, Chapter to Chapter transfers, and Reinstatement/Transfers) and how they should be reported on the Reconciliation Report. Also included will be a discussion of important dates and the change of managers form.
Meeting Schedule
SAR Secretary Forum/ Training monthly on the Second Wednesday:
- Dec 8, 2021 06:30 PM
- 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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Are you a Descended of Henry Adams, "The Immigrant"?
At the Fall Meeting in Riverside, just chatting at the dinner table, we discovered four (4) of us are "Cousins" all descending from Henry! Ray Raser (San Diego), Jim Klingler (Orange), Larry Wood (Orange), and Tom Adams (Mother Lode).
Henry Adams arrived from England and settled in Braintree Massachusetts in 1632 with his wife, eight (8) sons and a daughter. (The Adams presidents are descended from the seventh son, Joseph.)
Are you a descendant of Henry Adams? If so, let Tom Adams known, and tell him which one of the 8 sons of Henry you descended from, and he will add you to the list of Cousins!
Tom Adams, 916.600.7211 tomadams1776@yahoo.com
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The Riverside Chapter Team: (L-R) Henry Lucas, David Leonard, Roger Cooper, Mark Kramer, Michael Mann, Diane Stephens, Brian Stephens.
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Palm Springs Veterans Day Parade: l to r Coachella Valley Officers and friends, Curt Lane, Ben Hobbins, David Grinnell in car, Victor Ranieri, Ashley Hobbins, Bill Haines, and Ed Oehler. |
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President Christopher Cerillo presents David Grinnell with the National Liberty Award. |
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On Veterans Day, the Harbor Chapter posted colors at Green Hills Cemetery in Rancho Palos Verdes. The event was hosted by two DAR chapters. The Guardsmen from left to right: John Ferris, Jim Olds, Kent Gregory, Brandon Villardi (CASSAR Color Guard Commander) and Brian Merrill.It was a moving event with many veterans coming to speak. |
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Yosemite Chapter President Randy Dhindsa center. On his right, Yosemite Chapter Sgt at Arms/ Color Guard Commander, Scott Nichols and on his left is Jim Riley, prospective SAR member. (application is pending) |
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President Mel Howell presenting a certificate of appreciation to guest speaker Compatriot Randy Haight. |
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Redwood Empire President receives the Vietnam Service Commemoration pin from Regent Karen Schwartz of the Arrowhead Valley DAR and his cousin Leslie Irish. |
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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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