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Fellow Compatriots,
From the redwood forests of Northern California to the sun-drenched communities of the south, your California Society is alive, active, and making an impact that would make our patriot ancestors proud. This has been a year unlike any other. A year in which the energy, the commitment, and the sheer patriotism of our chapters have been on full display and as I look back on what we have accomplished together, I find myself humbled and inspired in equal measure.
Across this great state, compatriots have shown up in remarkable ways. America 250 celebrations have drawn communities together and rekindled pride in our founding story. Education seminars have brought the lessons of the Revolution into classrooms and civic halls. Color Guard presentations have graced ceremonies and events with the dignity and honor they deserve. Whether in Sacramento or San Diego, Fresno or Fullerton, the California Society is out there, living the values and ideals upon which this organization was built. This is not what we aspire to be. This is what we already are.
“From Northern to Southern California, our chapters are living the values and ideals of our great Society.”
As we continue to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, we carry a second and equally meaningful milestone alongside it: the 150th anniversary of the Sons of Revolutionary Sires, the California predecessor organization that became the Society we know and love today. One hundred and fifty years of California compatriots gathering in common cause, honoring the same patriots, telling the same story. We are the living continuation of that legacy, and this year gives us a rare and beautiful opportunity to reflect on just how far we have come — and to recommit ourselves to carrying it forward for the next 150 years.
On that note, I am thrilled to share that registration for our Fall Board of Managers meeting is now open, and the schedule of events is coming together beautifully. We will gather in San Francisco in November, and I can tell you that this will be a meeting worth making the trip for.
Friday evening will set the tone for the entire weekend with a Morning Civil War tour of Alcatraz, hosted by the Sons of the Union, celebratory dinner honoring the 150th anniversary of our great Society. There will also be non-voting business items on Friday to keep the meeting itself focused and efficient. Saturday will be the heart of the gathering, with the bulk of our formal meeting business conducted alongside the programming, conversation, and fellowship that make these events so meaningful. The spirit of this BOM is simple: camaraderie, fun, and a little business mixed in. That is exactly the kind of meeting I want to host, and exactly the kind of gathering our compatriots have earned.
If you have not yet registered, please do so soon. San Francisco in November, a 150th anniversary celebration, and the company of the finest compatriots in the nation. I cannot think of a better way to close out a historic year for CA SAR. I look forward to seeing every one of you there.
As always, I want to close by saying what I mean sincerely and without reservation: thank you. Thank you for showing up to the events, for organizing the ceremonies, for teaching the history, for planting the Liberty Trees, for donning the Color Guard uniform, and for doing the quiet daily work that keeps this Society strong. You are the reason CA SAR is what it is, and you are the reason its future is so bright.
It is the honor of my life to serve as your president. I will see you in San Francisco.
Yours in patriotism and service,
Randy Dhindsa
137th President, California Society
Sons of the American Revolution
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California's Own 1776
The Presidio of San Francisco Turns 250
While the Thirteen Colonies were declaring independence on the East Coast in the summer of 1776, an entirely different empire was quietly staking its claim on the West Coast — one that would shape the future of California and, eventually, the nation the Sons of the American Revolution exists to honor.
The Anza Expedition
In the fall of 1775, Spanish Lieutenant Colonel Juan Bautista de Anza set out from Tubac, in present-day Arizona, leading roughly 240 men, women, and children — soldiers, colonists, and their families — on a grueling 1,200-mile overland trek to establish Spain's northernmost foothold in Alta California. By March 1776, an advance party under Anza reached the tip of the San Francisco peninsula and scouted sites for two institutions that would anchor Spanish colonial life in the region: a mission and a presidio (fort).
Anza himself turned back for Mexico, leaving Lieutenant José Joaquín Moraga to finish the job. Moraga's party arrived at the peninsula in late June 1776, and on June 29 celebrated the first Mass at the site that would become Mission San Francisco de Asís — known today as Mission Dolores — just days before the Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia.
A Fort Dedicated to the King
That fall, Moraga's soldiers finished constructing a fortified garrison overlooking the Golden Gate. On September 17, 1776, El Presidio de San Francisco was formally blessed and dedicated in the name of King Carlos III of Spain — the exact date now marked as the Presidio's founding.
The Presidio's mission was to guard San Francisco Bay against British, Russian, and French incursion into Alta California, a vast Spanish province stretching across what is now California, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado. It went on to serve as a military post for the next 218 years, passing from Spain to Mexico in 1821 and finally to the United States in 1846 — remaining an active U.S. Army post through the Civil War, both World Wars, and the Cold War before becoming a National Park Service site in 1994.
Why It Belongs in Our America 250 Story
It's easy to think of 1776 as an exclusively East Coast story. The Presidio's founding is a reminder that Spain was simultaneously building its own American empire the very same year — and that Spain's rivalry with Britain would not stay confined to California. Within a few years, Spanish arms, supplies, and eventually open warfare against Britain in the Gulf Coast and Mississippi Valley (under commanders like Bernardo de Gálvez) would materially aid the American cause, a connection our own chapters have highlighted through DAR's Queen Sofía Spanish Institute partnership. The Presidio stands as a California-rooted entry point into that often-overlooked chapter of Revolutionary-era history.
Mark the Date
September 17, 2026 marks the exact 250th anniversary of the Presidio's founding. The Presidio Historical Association is marking the occasion at the historic Presidio Theatre with the premiere of Documenting Anza by Bike — a film following one man's bicycle journey retracing the Anza expedition route from Sonora, Mexico, to the Presidio — followed by a champagne reception for the fort's 250th birthday.
For compatriots planning America 250 programming or "this month in history" features, the Presidio offers a compelling way to widen the lens on 1776 beyond Lexington, Concord, and Philadelphia — and to show that California's roots in that founding year run every bit as deep.
Not the Only California Site Turning 250
The Presidio wasn't alone. 1776 was a remarkably busy year for Spanish California, and several of the sites founded that year are marking their own 250th anniversaries in 2026:
- Mission San Francisco de Asís (Mission Dolores) — Founded by the same Anza/Moraga expedition as the Presidio, with the first Mass celebrated on June 29, 1776, and formal dedication on October 9, 1776. It is the oldest surviving building in San Francisco.
- Mission San Juan Capistrano — Founded November 1, 1776 by Fr. Junípero Serra, the seventh of California's 21 missions and one of the best-known landmarks in Orange County. The mission is holding a "Romance of the Mission" benefit gala on September 18, 2026, along with a full year of 250th-anniversary programming open to the public.
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Mission San Diego de Alcalá — California's first mission, founded in 1769, was burned to the ground in a Kumeyaay revolt in November 1775. Missionaries did not return to rebuild until July 1776, erecting a temporary church that October — making 2026 a 250th anniversary of the mission's rebuilding and survival, rather than its original founding.
Between the Presidio, Mission Dolores, San Juan Capistrano, and San Diego de Alcalá, four major Alta California sites all trace their founding to the same remarkable year as the Declaration of Independence — a reminder that 1776 shaped California every bit as much as it shaped the original thirteen colonies. Of the four, San Juan Capistrano offers the most convenient opportunity for Southern California compatriots to mark the occasion in person.
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The New Jersey Society, Sons of the American Revolution, invites you to celebrate Washington Crossing at 250!
Join fellow Compatriots this holiday season in the Ten Crucial Days Historic Area, where Washington's vision for victory changed the course of the Revolution.
Walk in the footsteps of history across Washington Crossing (PA), Washington Landing (NJ), the Trenton Battle Monument, the Old Barracks Museum, Mill Hill Park, and the site of the Battle of Assunpink Creek. Visit Princeton Battlefield and the Stony Brook Quaker Meeting House and pay tribute at the homes and burial sites of Declaration of Independence signers John Witherspoon and Richard Stockton. Explore historic Nassau Hall and enjoy classic colonial charm at the Nassau Inn — with great food and great holiday shopping close at hand.
While the crossing itself took place on December 25th, Washington Crossing is pulling out all the stops for a pre-holiday commemoration of the 250th anniversary — with tours, talks, tastings, and toasts running December 11–13.
Come celebrate with your fellow Compatriots at Christmastime, in the very place where history was made.
Click below for the full event schedule, Hotel Accommodations and Reenactment Participation
Washington Crossing and the Ten Crucial Days 250 — New Jersey Society, Sons of the American Revolution
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This Month in Revolutionary History
September 1776, 250 Years Ago
September 11, 1776 — The Staten Island Peace Conference
As British forces regrouped after the Battle of Long Island, Admiral Lord Richard Howe requested a face-to-face meeting with the Continental Congress in one final attempt to avoid all-out war. Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Edward Rutledge met Howe at the Billop House on Staten Island — but with independence already declared, there was nothing left to negotiate. The conference ended in a few hours, and the war continued.
September 15, 1776 — New York City Falls
British troops landed at Kip's Bay and swept up Manhattan, forcing Washington's army to retreat north. New York City would remain under British occupation for the rest of the war — just over seven years, until Evacuation Day on November 25, 1783, the longest occupation of any American city during the Revolution.
September 16, 1776 — Battle of Harlem Heights
One day after losing the city, Washington's army turned and fought — and won. The skirmish near present-day Morningside Heights was small in scale but large in importance, proving to a shaken Continental Army that they could stand toe-to-toe with British regulars.
September 21, 1776 — The Great Fire of New York
A fire of still-debated origin tore through roughly a quarter of British-occupied New York City, destroying hundreds of buildings including Trinity Church. British authorities suspected Patriot arson; no one was ever conclusively proven responsible.
September 22, 1776 — Nathan Hale's Execution
Captured behind enemy lines while gathering intelligence for Washington, 21-year-old Captain Nathan Hale was hanged without trial in Manhattan. He is reported to have declared, in his final moments, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country" — a line no eyewitness transcript confirms verbatim, but one that has endured for two and a half centuries as a symbol of Revolutionary sacrifice.
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Education Center and Museum
SAR Education Center & Museum — Now Under Construction!
Construction is underway on the SAR Education Center and Museum on Main Street in Louisville, KY. Designed with interactive galleries by Solid Light, Inc., the museum will take visitors on an immersive journey through the entire American Revolution — featuring digital displays, large-scale multimedia exhibits, and pieces from the SAR's archival collection.
Naming opportunities are still available, and gifts at every level help bring this once-in-a-lifetime project to life.
Learn More & Support the Museum →
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NSSAR Announces
IT Fundraising Campaign
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — 20 August 2026 — The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (NSSAR) has announced a major fundraising effort to modernize its information technology (IT) systems.
The President General has established a fundraising goal of $3 million to support IT upgrades including records digitization, payments software, national dues billing, paperless applications and related database upgrades.
The Records Digitization Project is needed to preserve the extensive collection of genealogical records maintained at our National Headquarters. We have reached a critical point as the Society’s physical archival storage vault is at capacity at more than three and a half million pages.
Copies of supporting documents can be purchased from the Society; however, locating, reproducing, and delivering paper records is a time-consuming and inefficient process. The Records Digitization Project will help preserve these historically significant materials and prepare us for making these records easier to retrieve and provide to members and researchers.
Standards for scanning, digitization, preservation, and indexing are currently being developed to ensure the records are processed accurately and remain accessible for future generations. The Request for Proposal (RFP) for the digitization project will be released to vendors in August 2026.
The Records Digitization Project is an important initial component for the Paperless Application Process currently under development. The paperless application process will propel us into the future, decrease the mailing expenses for chapters and state societies, help decrease pended applications for missing signatures and incorrect payments, and help decrease genealogy processing time.
The development of a comprehensive payment strategy for NSSAR to enable a Point of Sale (POS) systems for the museum, continue the NSSAR store, as well as the development of the online payment platform would also provide the ability to collect application fees, dues, reinstatements, sale of digital records, etc with the potential to disperse money not just to the National Society; but also enrolled State Societies and their Chapters.
All financial transactions will flow directly into the new accounting system making our finance department more efficient. This new system will be required for the national dues billing, paperless application software and all other revenue streams. The national dues billing system will begin by only collecting national, state and chapter dues. This will help decrease our drops and increase our overall membership.
There are many other projects needed to modernize our IT systems and processes and these all require funding. We encourage our members, state societies, chapters, genealogists, historians, and supporters of historic preservation to contribute to this important undertaking.
Contributions may be made through the SAR website. Donors should visit SAR.org, click the blue Donate button, and select IT Special Purpose Fund from the drop-down menu. Join the SAR now in support of this important project to make our processes more efficient.
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Revolutionary War Rarities
Have you seen it? If not, you're missing out on one of the best-kept secrets in the SAR world. Revolutionary War Rarities is the official podcast from the Sons of the American Revolution, and it's exactly what it sounds like: a deep dive into the weird, wild, and wonderful corners of the Revolution that never made it into your high school textbook. Forget the stuff you already know — this show digs up the rarely-told stories, the overlooked characters, and the "wait, that actually happened?" moments that make our founding era so much richer than the highlight reel.
A new episode drops every two weeks, so there's always something fresh waiting for you, and it's available on all the major podcast apps — plus you can catch it on YouTube. If you're the kind of Compatriot who loves a good history rabbit hole (and let's be honest, if you're in SAR, you probably are), do yourself a favor and subscribe. It's a fun, easy way to sharpen your Revolutionary War trivia game and impress everyone at the next chapter meeting. Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/@revolutionarywarrarities790
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As I mentioned in last month’s “Western District News,” our Society’s President General Allen Greenly has made clear to the VPG’s that the Society’s Strategic Plan is a top priority for all of our state societies to implement to the best of their abilities. As I write this, I am involved in various data-gathering exercises designed to track our District’s membership trends, as well as member retention. These are two of the most important focal points of the Strategic Plan. The Executive Committee has asked all of the VPG’s to provide preliminary statistics on these items for its review, and I will be doing that shortly. The good news is that on a combined basis, the District is doing well in both categories. Here are some high-level statistics on our membership trends over the period January 5, 2023 to January 4, 2026, and the corresponding percentage increases or decreases in membership over the three years:
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| 1/5 2023 | 1/4 2026 | % incr/decr | | CA SAR | 1603 | 1666 | 4% | | NV SAR | 160 | 183 | 15% | | HI SAR | 30 | 21 | -30% | | Totals | 1793 | 1870 | 4% | | | |
The Strategic Plan aims to have all state societies achieve 3% membership growth by 2028, so our 4% combined membership growth in the last three years already achieves that goal. We just need to meet or exceed that percentage for the next few years!
As for member retention, the Strategic Plan’s target is 95% retention by 2030. Here’s what our District numbers look like for the three-year period 2023-2025:
- 2023 88.9%
- 2024 85.6%
- 2025 91.8%
Once again, the overall District performance over the three-year period is very solid, but we still have a way to go to achieve the target goal of 95%.
Besides statistics, the Plan has various other goals and objectives to be achieved over the next few years. With input from District Secretary John Ferris, I have chosen to focus on three of those goals during my term of office: youth education, increasing our Color Guard participation, and the creation of “Signature Events” by each of our chapters. Over the next 10 months I will be visiting with as many chapters as possible to talk about how we can increase our activity in each of these areas. In the meantime, I’ve created this handy logo to remind us all of the Western District’s mission, which is “Getting to YES!”
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Finally, please save the date for the next Western District Zoom meeting, which will take place as part of the California SAR’s Board of Managers meeting on November 7 in San Francisco. The Zoom meeting will start at 2 pm Pacific Time, and will be available to all District members. I will be posting an agenda for the meeting on the Western District website (wdsar.org), approximately 3 weeks prior to the scheduled District meeting date. I invite everyone to join us!
Patriotically
Jonathan "Jay" Dickey
Vice President General Western District 2026-2027
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A Message from the Executive Vice President
Compatriots,
Twenty-five years ago this September, our nation lost 2,977 Americans in the attacks of September 11, 2001. A quarter century has passed, but the weight of that day has not lessened. As Sons of the American Revolution, we carry a special responsibility to honor those who gave everything in service and sacrifice, whether in 1776 or in 2001, and this milestone anniversary is a fitting moment for every chapter to pause, reflect, and act.
Earlier this year, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation's "Steel Across America" tour brought an authentic beam recovered from the World Trade Center's South Tower through California, with stops at Naval Base Coronado, the USS Midway Museum, West Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Simi Valley, and San Francisco, part of a nationwide journey of more than 10,500 miles before the beam returns to Ground Zero on September 11.
Beyond that tour, California is home to numerous permanent memorials where compatriots and their families can pay their respects year-round. You'll find a list of them, organized by region, following this message.
I encourage every chapter to mark this 25th anniversary in a visible way:
- Attend a local ceremony on or around September 11. Many cities and fire departments host public remembrance events.
- Organize a chapter visit or wreath-laying at a nearby memorial.
- Offer Color Guard participation at a city or county ceremony, where appropriate and welcomed by event organizers.
- Share your chapter's participation with the Compatriot for a future issue. I want to hear how California SAR honored this milestone.
Never forget, and thank you, as always, for your service to this Society.
In Liberty,
Brandon Villardi
Executive Vice President / President Elect
California Society, Sons of the American Revolution
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California 9/11 Memorials
(Just to list a few)
Northern California
Sacramento -9/11 Memorial, Cal Expo Grounds — 1541 Exposition Boulevard, North Sacramento Erected in 2007. More info: https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=52673
Clovis - California 9/11 Memorial — Clovis (Never Forget Lane) Open 24/7, free to the public. Includes a Flight 93 tribute and a sapling from the original Survivor Tree, gifted by the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. Annual ceremony held each September 11. More info: https://california911memorial.com/
Sacramento - California State Fair 9/11 Memorial Plaza — Cal Expo, Sacramento Granite sphere fountain engraved with victims' names, carillon bells and tower, Pentagon and Twin Towers replicas. Undergoing a 25th-anniversary restoration campaign. More info: https://calfairfoundation.org/9-11-memorial/
Los Gatos - Flame of Liberty Memorial — Los Gatos Civic Center, 110 E. Main Street, Los Gatos Hosts an annual 9/11 ceremony organized by the Veterans Memorial and Support Foundation.
Fremont Fire Department 9/11 Memorial — Fremont Contains metal recovered from the Twin Towers.
San Jose - Oak Hill Memorial Park 9/11 Memorial — San Jose A memorial site at the historic cemetery/memorial park.
San Jose 9/11 Memorial (VOICES Center for Resilience) — 300 Curtner Avenue, San Jose A national "living memorial" site maintained by VOICES Center for Resilience. More info: https://voicescenter.org/living-memorial/memorials/san-jose-911-memorial
Southern California
Bakersfield 9/11 Memorial — Bakersfield Fire Station 15, 1315 Buena Vista Road, Bakersfield A 22-foot steel beam from the World Trade Center, secured directly from FDNY, brought to Bakersfield on a 12-day cross-country journey funded by local donations and nonprofit support. Includes photos, a memorial tree grown from World Trade Center tree seedlings, and a bench dedicated to Betty Ong, a Bakersfield resident and flight attendant on American Airlines Flight 11. Unveiled September 11, 2016. Hosts two annual ceremonies each September 11. More info: https://bfdhistory.com/bakersfield-9-11-memorial/
Beverly Hills 9/11 Memorial Garden — 445 N. Rexford Drive, Beverly Hills Exterior memorial with a plaque and a WTC steel girder; site of the city's annual remembrance ceremony. More info: https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/911-victims-to-be-honored-in-several-events-across-la-orange-counties/
Santa Ana - Fairhaven Memorial Park — Santa Ana Annual "2,200 Steps" walk honoring the 343 firefighters lost. More info: https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/southern-california-911-remembrance-ceremonies-los-angeles/
Los Angeles - Frank Hotchkin Memorial Training Center — Elysian Park, Los Angeles Site of the LAFD's official annual ceremony, including a 10-Bells tribute. More info: https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/911-victims-to-be-honored-in-several-events-across-la-orange-counties/
Huntington Beach 9/11 Memorial — Near the entrance to Huntington Beach City Council Chambers Pentagon-shaped base with black granite Twin Tower slabs, "We Will Never Forget" in brass letters, a WTC steel beam section, and the names of the four hijacked flights. Built with steel gifted by FDNY and the Port Authority PD of NY/NJ. More info: https://www.edwardpinchiff.com/archives/huntington-beach-911-memorial/
Manhattan Beach 9/11 Memorial — 15th Street & Valley Drive, Manhattan Beach Designed by a Manhattan Beach Rotary Club-led team. More info: https://patch.com/california/manhattanbeach/9-11-memorial-manhattan-beach
Murrieta 9/11 Memorial — Town Square Park (Juniper Street side), Murrieta Site of an annual "Sunset 9/11 Service."
Orange County Fire Authority 9/11 Memorial — OCFA Operations & Training Center 1,300-pound steel beam from WTC Tower 2. More info: https://voiceofoc.org/2025/09/orange-county-remembers-9-11/
Malibu - Pepperdine University Heroes Garden — Malibu 14,880-square-foot outdoor memorial garden. More info: https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/southland-to-mark-911-anniversary/
Rosemead - Reflect Memorial — Rosemead City Hall Civic Plaza Sculpture by artist Heath Satow: two silver hands formed from doves (one per victim) holding a WTC steel beam. More info: https://www.foxnews.com/us/9-11-museums-memorials
San Diego 9/11 Memorial — Fire Station 21, Pacific Beach, San Diego A sculpture depicting two replica World Trade Center towers, crafted by a San Diego firefighter, with a section of actual WTC steel between them. Engraved with the names of over 400 first responders lost. Site of an annual community remembrance ceremony each September 11.
San Luis Obispo 9/11 Memorial — Fire Station #1, 2160 Santa Barbara Avenue, San Luis Obispo Dedicated in 2015; designed by artist Kathleen Caricof. Features a 1,500-pound steel beam from the World Trade Center surrounded by 403 metal posts — one for each first responder lost, red for firefighters and black for police. Annual Day of Remembrance ceremony held each September 11. More info: https://www.slocity.org/Home/Components/News/News/10703/2359
Sherman Oaks Fire Station 9/11 Memorial Fountain — Sherman Oaks (LAFD Station 88) California's only certified 9/11 memorial with artifacts from both the WTC and the Pentagon — a 750-pound steel girder and a block of Pentagon limestone. More info: https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/southland-to-mark-911-anniversary/
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California Society Needs You:
Volunteer Opportunities at Every Level
Every volunteer organization runs on the same fuel: people willing to give a little of their time. The California Society is no exception, and right now we have real opportunities — big and small — for compatriots who want to get more involved.
State Officer Positions
Do you have a skillset that could help the California Society? We need volunteers to fill officer roles at the state level. If you're interested in running for a state office, contact Nominating Committee Chairman and Past State President Don Littlefield at dblittlefield@comcast.net.
Committee Support
We also have several committees that need support. You don't have to be the chair — vice chair roles are open, and even simply helping with end-of-season contest judging makes a real difference. Committees are a great way to get involved without a heavy time commitment. Each youth program committee typically holds an end-of-year contest that needs judges to review essays and applications — a perfect low-commitment starting point. Other committee positions do require more time but offer a chance to shape programs that matter to our mission.
For committee opportunities, email President Randy Dhindsa or EVP Brandon Villardi to find out how you can help.
For a list of positions, check out our state website at Officers – California SAR
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How Chapters Can Help Each Other Find
Great Speakers
Every chapter meeting needs a good program, and every chapter program VP knows the scramble that comes with filling next month's calendar. But here's something worth remembering: the compatriot who gave a fantastic talk on the Battle of Saratoga at one-chapter last spring might be exactly who another chapter across the state is looking for right now — they just don't know he exists.
California SAR actually already has the beginnings of a solution: the CASSAR Chapter Speakers Bureau, a list of compatriots and outside experts willing to present at chapter meetings. It's a great resource, but it hasn't been updated in some time, and many chapters don't know it's there. Rather than let a good idea gather dust, now's the time to refresh it — and make it something every chapter actually uses.
That's the gap a shared, current speaker resource can close. When chapters pool information about who's available to present, what topics they cover, and how to reach them, everyone benefits. A chapter running low on program ideas gains access to a much wider bench of talent. A compatriot or historian who enjoys speaking gets more opportunities to share research they've put real work into. And members get a more varied, higher-quality program calendar overall — instead of the same handful of local speakers cycling through, chapters can draw from across the region or the state.
A refreshed way to submit and access speaker information
To make updating and maintaining this easier going forward, a new speaker information form has been created:
📋 Speaker List Submission Form
Both speakers and chapter secretaries (or program VPs, depending on your chapter's structure) can use it to submit or update information — speaker name, subject matter, contact info, and any notes on travel distance or availability. Whoever handles programming for your chapter is encouraged to:
- Submit speakers they know or have hosted who'd be willing to present elsewhere
- Check the list first when planning upcoming programs, rather than starting from scratch
- Pass the form along to any compatriot with a topic worth sharing — Revolutionary War history, genealogy research, historic preservation projects, living history, you name it
A strong, current speaker network is really just another form of the mutual support SAR chapters already give each other. It takes a small amount of coordination and turns a good idea into a resource every chapter can draw on for years.
If your chapter has a speaker to recommend or a program slot to fill, reach out to whoever handles your chapter's programming, or submit through the speaker form directly.
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151st California SAR
Fall Board of Managers Meeting
San Francisco - November 5–7, 2026
Compatriots,
Mark your calendars — the 151st California SAR Fall Board of Managers Meeting is coming to San Francisco this November, and it's shaping up to be a gathering you won't want to miss. We're celebrating 150 years of the Sons of Revolutionary Sires alongside America's 250th anniversary, and there's no better place to do it than the city where it all began for our Society.
Here's a quick look at the schedule:
Thursday, November 5 –Arrival, check-in, and evening fellowship
Friday, November 6 – Morning Alcatraz History Tour exclusively for the fall BOM attendees, followed by our 150th Anniversary Dinner Cruise on the Bay (boarding 6:00 PM, departing 6:30 PM) — a three-course dinner with live music and unforgettable views
Saturday, November 7 – Full day of Board of Managers meetings and Society business
Whether you're joining us for the meetings, the tours, the cruise, or all three, we'd love to have you there. And this isn't just for members — all Compatriots, family, and friends are welcome. Bring your spouse, bring your kids, come meet fellow members and officers, and be part of the history and camaraderie that make this Society what it is.
Register Here:
https://fallbom.cheddarup.com
Hotel booking:
https://app.marriott.com/resview2?id=1783379451035&key=GRP&app=resvlink
Prefer to pay by check?
A downloadable registration form is also available.
Come be part of the history. Come be part of the celebration. Come be part of the camaraderie. We look forward to welcoming you to San Francisco!
| | Youth Programs Hightlights and Upda | | |
Hello fellow Compatriots! It is time to head back to school. That means we are ready to kick off our many youth contests. This is a great way to connect with local C.A.R Societies as well. One of these opportunities is the SAR Youth Video Contest.
In case you are not familiar with the SAR Youth Video Contest, it is time to learn. The SAR Youth Video Contest is an exciting new format where youth can share what they know about the American Revolution. They share about a person, battle, document, or event during the American struggle for independence and do it in video form. The key is to BE CREATIVE! The project could be filmed or animated. It could look like a cable news broadcast or a pretend movie trailer. Perhaps you will create a music video or even a rap battle. Show the judges you can think outside of the box.
Contact local school boards, churches, and other youth organizations for potential candidates. Don’t forget charter schools and home schoolers. All youth are encouraged to participate. (As the SAR becomes more involved with youth, it is a reminder to complete the Youth Protection Training.) In case you hadn’t heard, this past school year, California had a contestant that placed 2nd in the National Competition. We set the bar high. We need contestants to defend that title if not win the National Contest outright.
I would also like to share this is an excellent opportunity to grow membership. By participating in the SAR Youth Video Contest, the individual who represented California began further research and was able to verify
that he too is a potential member. He (and his brother) have submitted applications to the local C.A.R. Society and are now considering applications to SAR. As mentioned earlier, be creative and think outside the box.
These are great opportunities to reach potential new (younger) members.
As the California Chair of the SAR Youth Video Contest, I would like to share some of the details about the program and how Chapters and potential National Winners (we will get one) can participate. If you have questions about the program or how to establish a contest with your Chapter, please contact me at brucewearda@gmail.com
California SAR Youth Video Contest Rules
The contest is designed to give students an opportunity to explore events that shaped American History.
Contestants shall be in the 6th-12 th grade of study during the contest year.
Students MUST follow the rules carefully. Entries submitted that do not adhere to the rules will be disqualified.
Eligibility, Submissions and Deadlines The contest must be entered through a Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution near the student’s residence. If the State does not have chapters near the student’s residence or if the chapters are not participating, the contest may be entered as an At-Large contestant. Find California SAR Chapters here:
http://www.californiasar.org/chapters/
- Entries must be submitted to your local SAR Chapter prior to January 2nd. Some chapters may set an earlier due date, so check with your local chapter for their specific due date. If students do not have a local SAR Chapter, they may submit to the State Chairman Bruce Wearda by January 2nd.
- Chapters will submit their winning essays to the California State Chairman no later than January 20th.
- The winning state entry will be submitted to the National Chairman no later than February 15th.
Contest Details
Entries must contain ORIGINAL content and must be based on scholarly research of the presented topic. Content may not violate copyright laws. The subject of the entry should focus on an event, personality, document, or topic pertaining to the American Revolution. Emphasis on the 250th anniversary of the Revolution is recommended. The style, approach, and perspective are not limited.
- Annual Contest
- Eligible contestants: 6th – 12th grade students
- Video length: 3 – 5 minutes
- Individual or group projects accepted
- At least three research references are required
- Chapter deadline: January 2
Patriotically
Bruce Wearda
CA SAR / C.A.R. Liaison
Youth Video Chairman
brucewearda@gmail.com
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2026 SAR Eagle Scout Scholarship – Important Update
NSSAR Eagle Scout Committee has updated the NSSAR Eagle Scout Contest application form. It is located on the SAR High School Eagle Scout Contest page (https://www.sar.org/arthur-m-berdena-king-eagle-scout-contest/). (You may note that the sample essay on the NSSAR link was submitted by our Eagle Scout McPhie.)
Attached is a copy of the new application with my information already on it.
Please promulgate the revised form throughout your CASSAR Chapter area and ensure your Chapter applicants are using this version of the form. The form is easily identified. The footer of each page shows “Revised August 19, 2026”. In addition to clean up, this version requires the Eagle Scout Applicant to sign an attestation that “on their honor” the essay submitted is their own original work and not derived from AI.
The CASSAR Deadline for the Chapter winner has been updated to December 31st. This will allow your applicants to submit their applications to the Chapter by Early December 1 to 15 (depending on the prerogative of the chapter). Each Chapter only needs enough time to review all the applications and select the best applicant to submit to CASSAR (Bill Nay) by December 31st.
I prefer to receive the winning application in digital format as one PDF document. If you need assistance in converting to one pdf document, let me know and I will assist.
In most cases this update is being sent to the Chapter President on file currently. If you have an Eagle Scout Committee Chair, please forward this to him and send me their contact information.
If you have any questions, please reach out.
William E. Nay, Chair
CASSAR Eagle Scout Committee
fathernayture@gmail.com
| | | Name | Chapter | Date | | Gustave "Gus" Rudolph Fischer III | Orange County | August 18th | | | |
Honor Guard service in memory of
Past President Craig Anderson - Sacramento
| | California SAR United Chapter Events | | |
Beacon Project Chapter Recognition Stories
Jose Maria Amador Chapter, CA
Thomas Jefferson & San Francisco Chapters
On July 2, 2026, the Jose Maria Amador Chapter CSSDAR held an America 250 BBQ at a local public park in Pleasanton, California. This BBQ was intended to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, as well as to reach out to other like-minded organizations and prospective members. The event was a huge success: over 75 attended, including members from all seven DAR chapters in District 4, two local SAR chapters (Thomas Jefferson and San Francisco chapters SAR), and a number of prospective members and their families.
All DAR attendees enjoyed socializing with prospective members and SAR members, and brochures were handed out to anyone interested. In addition, other members of the public using the park stopped by to ask about the DAR and SAR, and members were extremely helpful in answering their questions.
Where possible, DAR chapter members will be following up with those who expressed interest in the organization.
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Cooking are Derek Brown (Thomas Jefferson Chapter) and
John Dedo (San Francisco Chapter)
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SAR Color Guard Supports America 250 Marker Dedication — Vacaville, CA
Sacramento, Redwood Empire, Delta, General George Washington
On Sunday, August 16, 2026, SAR Color Guard compatriots from four California chapters — Sacramento, Redwood Empire, Delta, and General George Washington — answered the call to serve at an America 250 marker dedication hosted by the Chief Solano Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, at Peña Adobe Regional Park in Vacaville. The marker honors the Spanish California patriots who provided donativos — financial contributions — to the cause of American independence. The park is home to the first and oldest surviving adobe home in Solano County, built by the Peña family after they followed the Anza Trail north in the early 1840s.
Color Guard participants included Mark Laramore, Don Littlefield, Mark Alvarado, and Steve Bowman (Sacramento); Bill Nay and Bill Van Valkenburg (Redwood Empire); Mike Hair and Ron Niewald (Delta); and Kevin Knapp (General George Washington). Additional SAR compatriots traveled to attend in support: George Clark of the San Jose/Silicon Valley Chapter and Danny Shurtz of the Thomas Jefferson Chapter.
Ladies Auxiliary member Staci Kendrick, a Vacaville resident with five generations of Spanish heritage in Solano County, joined local compatriot Steve Bowman for the marker's dedication. An estimated 150 local enthusiasts of early American and Western history attended the ceremony, a strong showing of SAR-DAR cooperation in commemorating California's Revolutionary War-era patriots.
| | August 23rd - Guardsmen from Sacramento & General George Washington Chapters gather to pay tribute to past President Craig Anderson. | | Chapter Color Guard Events & News | | |
Member Spotlight: Your Family's Story Is the American Revolution
Habor Chapter Meeting August 13th 2026
History textbooks give us dates and battles. Our own family stories give us something textbooks never can: a direct, unbroken thread between us and the people who founded this nation. That's what made this month's Harbor Chapter meeting so special — three members didn't just talk about the American Revolution. They showed us their own connection to it.
Bob Burchette brought in "A Family Treasure — 250 Years Old": an authentic sheepskin document, complete with tax stamps and wax seals, signed and dated August 23, 1776 — 250 years ago to the month. Co-presenter Mark Barbour, Curator of The Printing Museum, drew on his expertise in 18th-century copperplate calligraphy to walk members through the intricacies of the document itself, revealing the artistry behind historic documents like this one — and the Declaration of Independence. Mark's special feature segment drew a direct line between the elegant penmanship of everyday 18th-century documents and the hand-lettered original of the Declaration itself, showing members just how much craftsmanship went into the paperwork of a revolution.
Kenneth Winiecki told the story of his patriot ancestor, Thaddeus Brown of Ashford, Connecticut, who served from Bunker Hill through 1780. At the heart of it was another 250-year-old family treasure — the 1776 diary of Obadiah Brown, written in the soldier's own hand during the siege of Boston — alongside Thaddeus's own pension records and signature. Born in 1755, Thaddeus enlisted in May 1775 in the Connecticut Regiment, served alongside General Washington, and reenlisted multiple times over the course of the war — his pension file and signature standing as a direct paper trail linking Kenneth to a soldier who lived through the war's earliest and bloodiest days.
And in the "SAR Heritage Road Trip," Jack Mulkey carried us to the Old Mulkey Meeting House in Kentucky, tracing his own family lines — Howard, Gist, Wells, and a connection to the Boone family — back to the veterans who lived through the Revolution. Once a ruined 1803 meetinghouse before being restored by WPA crews into a state historic site, the grounds' graveyard honors Revolutionary War veterans from five surrounding Kentucky counties — and along the way, Jack shared colorful family legends, from a soldier said to be the ancestor of a famous movie pirate to a Revolutionary War veteran who once cooked a memorable dinner for General Francis Marion.
What stayed with everyone in the room wasn't just the ink, wax, and parchment. It was watching a fellow member hold up a piece of their own family and say: this happened to us. A diary entry becomes real when it was written by your fourth-great-grandfather. A signature on a pension record becomes real when it's the same hand your family passed its stories down from. That's the power our chapters hold — not distant history, but living memory.
| | Harbor Chapter welcomes 7 new members | | Director of the International Printing Museum, Mark Barbour, reading from the indentured servant contract from the 1700s brought by compatriot Bob Burchett | | Compatriot Ken Winiecki gave a presentation on his patriot ancestor Thaddeus Brown | | Harbor Chapter presents SAR Color Guard Pins to Compatiot Grady Dalton, Sherie Dalton (Regent, Los Cerritos Chapter NSDAR), Pat Winiecki (Director District XIII) and Kelly Villardi (Regent, Butterfield Chapter Trail NSDAR) for their support in past parades, events and most recently the Huntington Beach Independence Day parade. | | |
Orange County Chapter Enjoys Summer BBQ,
Welcomes New Member August 15th 2026
The Orange County Chapter resurrected their annual summer Picnic, the 1st since the Pandemic, with a gathering of members and distinguished guests. A new member, Michael Long was sworn in with his date being July 4. 2026. A 250th minute was presented by Vice President Mike Matheny on the Maryland 400 at the Battle of Brooklyn Heights.
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New members. We welcome three new junior members to our Chapter; Colten, Tobin and Weston Krause, we look forward to inducting you into SAR and the San Diego Chapter.
September meeting. We are pleased to have Judge Joan Weber was a Judge of the Superior Court who served for 35 years on the bench as our September speaker. Her presentation will be “We the People” the Framework for the American Justice System. The use of the jury system juxtaposed to the British system in the U.S. Constitution.
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Judge Weber was originally appointed by Governor George Deukmejian in 1990, to the Municipal Court and elevated by Appointment by Governor Pete Wilson in 1994, to the Superior Court. She was Presiding Judge of the Superior Court Appellate Department in 1997 and Supervising Judge for the North County Division 2002-2005. She is a proud graduate of Ohio State University and Arizona State College of Law.
Most importantly she was Co-Chair of a Bench Bar event on the USS Midway to Celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence to honor the Judiciary and the Bar in July 2026.
The meeting is scheduled for September 19th, 1pm at the San Diego Family Research Center in Mission Valley, 4195 Camino del Rio S, San Diego. Signup is required and will be available at least 10 days prior to the meeting. Members and guests are invited to attend.
Call for Volunteers. We have a significant number of people that have expressed interest in joining SAR and the San Diego Chapter but need a lot of help in documenting their lineage and the service of a related Patriot. If we can help them, it will help us grow our chapter and our Registrar is asking for help. You will need to be knowledgeable of Ancestry and online searching and if possible, complete an application. If you would like to help, please contact Jim McAdory at jimmcadory@gmail.com.
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C.A.R. Southern Packet Workshop
On August 8th, the Children of the American Revolution (C.A.R.) held their Southern Packet workshop, bringing together members from across Southern California for a day of learning and engagement. The workshop gave C.A.R. members the opportunity to dive into both national and state projects and compatriotic initiatives, including American Heritage, America250, and the C.A.R.'s ongoing relationships with the SAR and DAR.
Workshops like this one play a vital role in preparing the next generation of patriotic society members, giving young Compatriots hands-on exposure to the programs and partnerships that connect C.A.R. to the broader Sons of the American Revolution and Daughters of the American Revolution family.
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Bench & Tree Dedications Now Count as
National Color Guard Events
At its meeting in early August, the National Society SAR Executive Committee decided that SAR-sponsored bench dedications for the 250th anniversary — as well as SAR Liberty Tree dedications — are now classified as national events for Color Guard reporting purposes, retroactive from July 9, 2022, through December 31, 2033.
Please note this does not extend to NSDAR-sponsored benches or DAR Liberty Trees, unless they are co-sponsored by and include significant SAR involvement.
This is great news for our chapters that have been active in America 250 commemorations. Kern and Yosemite Chapters have both held tree and bench dedications that will now count toward their chapter points, along with any supporting chapters that participated. Individual Guardsmen can also apply these events toward their national medal.
Looking ahead, a Liberty Tree dedication co-sponsored by the SAR is scheduled for September 12th in Palo Alto and will qualify under this new policy. (See flyer below.)
If your chapter has held or is planning a bench or tree dedication, be sure to document it for Color Guard credit.
| | This will be an all-day class. We will cover the classroom portion at the home of Yosemite Chapter President Scott Nichols, then carpool out to the range, which is approximately 20 minutes away. Make sure you bring plenty of water, snacks, and sunscreen. Updates will be sent at a later time. This class typically costs $125-$150 through the NRA, but thanks to our host, Yosemite Chapter, we are able to significantly reduce the cost. Make sure you take advantage of this opportunity if you can. | | |
"Honor Flight: You Don't Need a Uniform to Show Up"
Honor Flight has quietly become one of the most powerful things our chapters can support. For veterans of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, the program flies them — at no cost — to Washington, D.C. to finally stand in front of the memorials built in their honor. For many, especially our Vietnam-era veterans, this is the first time they've ever been thanked publicly for their service. Some came home in 1968 or 1972 to silence, or worse. Honor Flight, and the crowds who show up at the airport gates, are often the "welcome home" they never got.
That's where we come in — and it doesn't take a musket, a uniform, or a Color Guard assignment to make a difference. Every Honor Flight hub in California posts its send-off and welcome-home dates and asks the public to show up: bring a flag, make a sign, clap, shake a hand, say "welcome home." You don't need to be Color Guard to stand in that crowd. Any Compatriot, spouse, or Auxiliary member who can spare an hour at the airport is doing exactly the kind of service SAR was built for — honoring those who served. If your chapter's Color Guard can present colors, all the better. But even if it can't, get your members and their families out to the gate. These veterans waited fifty years for this moment. Let's make sure they're not looking out at an empty terminal.
Check website or social media pages for schedule changes.
| | | Hub | Coverage | Next Welcome Home | Location | | Honor Flight Southland | LA, Orange & San Bernardino Counties | Sunday, Sept 27, 2026 · 5:40 PM (Southwest WN2367) | LAX, Terminal 1 Baggage Claim | | Honor Flight
San Diego | San Diego County | September 2026 (Mission #33 — exact date not yet posted) | San Diego Int'l, Terminal 2 | | Honor Flight
Bay Area | SF Bay Area to Oregon border | Sat, Sept 12, 2026 (Flight #43 lands ~evening) | SFO | | Central Valley Honor Flight | Fresno, Kings, Madera, Merced, Stanislaus, San Joaquin & more | October 2026 (mission still fundraising) | Fresno Yosemite Int'l | | Honor Flight Kern County | Bakersfield & surrounding Kern County | Fall 2026 54th mission expected Oct. | Meadows Field, Bakersfield | | Honor Flight Central Coast | SLO, Santa Barbara, Ventura | September 17th | Santa Maria Public Airport | | North Bay
Honor Flight | Marin & coastal counties north to Oregon | October 14th 5:30pm | Santa Rosa Airport | | | |
Puppets of the Revolution Bring History to Life
At our last State meeting, the California Society made a donation in support of Julia Harr's Girl Scout Gold Award project, "Puppets of the Revolution" — an initiative to educate children about the American Revolution through puppetry. With the support of CASSAR and many other generous contributors, this project has now come to life.
Compatriots and friends are invited to the first of many presentations of these new puppets, Tuesday, September 22 at 10:00 AM. All are welcome to attend, and colonial attire is encouraged for the occasion. No RSVP is required — come out and enjoy the show!
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Color Guard
2026 Handbook
| | *note you must log into SAR.org to view National files* | | For questions concerning upcoming events or inquiries into joining the Color Guard please contact our California SAR Color Guard Command staff below | | |
Have you considered serving as a California State Society SAR Officer?
The Nominating Committee is looking for candidates who are interested in serving as a California State Society SAR Officer. You can see a list of the current State officers HERE
You can read a description of the officer’s duties in our By-Laws HERE
We prefer that State officers have previous service as a Chapter Officer. If you are interested in being considered for a State Society Officer position, please contact Don Littlefield, Chairman of the Nominating Committee at: dblittlefield@comcast.net
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Cyber Scams
If you receive an email, text, or voice mail from a purported Officer or Compatriot seeking any kind of financial transaction, consider it a hoax. Phishing messages are very sophisticated and may include the unauthorized use of the SAR logo, a compatriot's name, or a pseudo SAR email address. Stop — Think — Verify !!!
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CALL FOR ARTICLES — September 28th, 2026 Deadline
Please send news of events and high-resolution digital photos to:
bvillardi@gmail.com
— RELEASE FORMS —
All photos or other materials that show or name any
minor under the age of 18
must be accompanied by a signed Release Form.
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Executive Vice President & Compatriot Editor
Brandon Villardi
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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: Brandon Villardi
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