Compatriots,
Thanks to everyone who attended our 148th Annual Fall Board of Managers meeting at The Queen Mary Hotel in Long Beach. I want to especially thank the Harbor SAR Chapter for hosting a great meeting. We will be providing more information about the meeting in the next California Compatriot.
This month all members should be receiving a notice from your respective Chapter Secretaries to renew your dues for next year. It is very important to respond to this notice promptly, so your Chapter Secretary can finalize your chapter’s reconciliation report of active members. Your Chapter Secretary then sends his report to the State Secretary who consolidates all 24 CASSAR chapters and submits our State report to National SAR. As you can imagine, this process takes time, so you can help our state Society by responding promptly to your Chapter Secretary’s notice.
CASSAR is doing well on adding new members. When I became CASSAR President in October 2022, I challenged the Chapters to each add at least 2 new members in the coming year, or a total of 48 new members. We have surpassed that goal with the addition of 56 members in the past 12 months. Congratulations to all of you for your great work in building our Society. Let’s keep the momentum going for next year.
If you have questions about building and retaining members, our SAR Membership Committee has published a Membership Recruitment, Retention and Reinstatement Guide that will assist you at this link: https://www.sar.org/committees/membership-committee/. I urge you to read it and apply it to your chapter.
Also, if you have questions about preparing new member applications, please attend the upcoming Zoom meeting with our CASSAR Genealogist, David Morrow, on December 6 at 7:30 pm.
Thank you for your service to SAR,
Jim Klingler, President
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"We will remember our compatriot brothers with thanksgiving."
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News from the National Society | |
SAR 250th Anniversary
Henry Rifle
Boston Tea Party Edition
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In honor of the 250th Anniversary of the Revolution, a special commemorative rifle will be offered annually for the next 10 years, beginning in 2023. Each edition will be offered for approximately 1 year, depicting a different scene from the American Revolution. A portion of the proceeds from each rifle sold go to support the SAR Education Center and Museum in Louisville, Kentucky.
If you are interested in purchasing the 250th Anniversary Henry Rifle - Boston Tea Party Edition, visit your local Cabela's® or Bass Pro Shops® and provide the sales clerk the SKU number: 3815337.
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News from Around the California Society | |
Coachella Valley Vice President Ray L. Allen presents new member Compatriot Michael Edward Hopkins with his SAR Membership Certificate. | |
Compatriot Benny White presents the SAR Flag Certificate
to American Legion post 216
Eagle Chapter Color Guard Commander Benny White also promoted and participated as color guard commander in Massing of Colors and Balboa Park with San Diego SAR Chapter. He is also getting Eagle Chapter entered into the Veterans Day Parade in Murietta, on November 11, 2023.
Massing of the Colors
Balboa Park, San Diego
October 14, 2023
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Matthew and Wayne Rogers participated along with members of the San Diego Chapter | |
Gold Country Chapter
The Gold Country Chapter met for breakfast on October 21 at The Original Mels Diner in Auburn Ca. President Dave Gilliard opened the meeting. Special guests include Western District Vice President General Rob Moore and CASSAR Executive Vice President Don Littlefield. After a few items of business, Dave presented the following America 250 Minute.
America 250 Minute
Francis Salvador - The Jewish Paul Revere
presented by: Dave Gilliard, October 21, 2023
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In 1776 persons of Jewish heritage were still a small part of the population in America, but many took an active role in the Revolution. One company of soldiers in South Carolina had so many Jewish soldiers that it was called the “Jews’ Company.” Haym Salomon, a Polish Jew who came to America in 1772, joined the Sons of Liberty in New York and became one of the greatest financiers of the Revolution, giving his entire fortune, over $500,000 to the cause of Independence. | |
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One patriot, Francis Salvador, was known as the Jewish Paul Revere. Salvador arrived in South Carolina from London in 1773 and soon involved himself in patriot causes, being elected to the South Carolina General Assembly and as delegate to South Carolina’s revolutionary Provincial Congress, patriots who led the colony’s resistance to the British Crown.
When war broke out, the British made an alliance with the nearby Cherokees. At the beginning of 1776, the Cherokee allies of the British began brutal raids on frontier settlements, murdering women and children, stealing livestock and burning homes. On July 1, they launched attacks in the Ninety-Six District. When Salvador heard of the attacks, he rode 30 miles to alert the militia and settlers in the area, ending up at the home of Andrew Williamson (1730-1786), a Major in the South Carolina militia who later became a Brigadier General in the Continental Army.
Days later, Major Williamson, Francis Salvador, and 330 militia men fell into an ambush at the Keowee River. Salvador was severely wounded and fell from his horse into the bushes where he was found and scalped while still alive.
Williamson recounted approaching Salvador after the battle: Quote: “When I came up to him after dislodging the enemy and speaking to him, he asked whether I had beaten the enemy. I told him ‘Yes.’ He said he was glad of it and shook me by the hand and bade me farewell and said he would die in a few minutes.” Francis Salvador was 29 years old when he died, the first Jewish person known to have died for the cause of American independence.
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Mother Lode Chapter
Public Service Banquet
October 26, 2023
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Corrections Officer
Craig Lee (Ret.)
awarded the
SAR Medal for Heroism
for life saving actions during the Route 91 Harvest music festival in Las Vegas on October 1, 2017
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Detective
Addison Randall
Placerville Police Department
awarded the
SAR Law Enforcement Commendation Medal.
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Volunteer
Enrique Borgzinner
awarded the
SAR Law Enforcement Commendation Medal.
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Detective
Aaron Cuddeback,
El Dorado County
Sheriff Department
awarded the
SAR Law Enforcement Commendation Medal.
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Corrections Sergeant
Cameron Pomeroy
awarded the
SAR Law Enforcement Commendation Medal.
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Sheriff's Technician
Kelley Jackson
awarded the
SAR Law Enforcement
Commendation Medal.
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Color Guard Adjutant North Russ Kaiser talks about muskets of the American Revolution. | |
El Dorado County Sheriff Jeff Leikauf receives the SAR Flag Certificate
from Mother Lode Chapter and Founder, Tom Douglas
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The SAR Flag Certificate was presented to Society of Colonial Wars Governor Stephen Renouf (right) by Redlands Ben Hobbins (left). | |
The SAR Flag Certificate was presented to
John Levi Palmer Jr (left) and David L Palmer Sr. (right),
by Compatriot Rhett Jiles (center).
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At the September 19th monthly meeting, Riverside Chapter President Michael Mann gave a summary of the highlights from the NSSAR 133rd Congress held in Orlando this past July. | |
Riverside Chapter President Michael Mann inducted Compatriot John Walker as the newest member of the Riverside Chapter. | |
Sacramento Chapter
Capitol Society CAR
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(L-R) Compatriot M. Scott Brooks; Madison Olsen, Capitol Society President;
and Emily Boling, the Capitol Society Sr. President.
At the Capitol Society C.A.R. meeting on October 20, the bronze SAR America 250 Medal was presented to the Capitol Society President, Madison Olsen who has now earned the necessary points in the Capitol Society meetings.
Scott Brooks, Sacramento Chapter, presented the 250th minute on the Stamp Act Congress
Special guests at the meeting were Sophia Kaufman, California State C.A.R. President, and Sue Fitzpatrick, California C.A.R. Sr. State President.
Sacramento Chapter Business Meeting
Saturday, October 28, 2023
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(L-R) VPG Western District Rob Moore being presented a Sacramento Chapter
Challenge Coin by Sacramento Chapter President-elect Jon Wroten
Sacramento held a business meeting on Saturday, October 28, 2023, with special guest Rob Moore, Vice President General Western District, SAR.
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1776 Book Challenge
As part of the SAR America 250 campaign, September 1, 2023, the Sacramento Chapter “kicked off” its 1776 Book Challenge. The goal is to donate a total of 1776 books to local 5th grade classrooms by the 250th anniversary of the founding of our country.
Sacramento is partnering with area teachers to provide classroom sets of books written for 5th grade students that will inspire patriotism and a love of our American Heritage. A total of 54 teachers will receive classroom sets of 33 books.
Each teacher can select the books that they want to use in their classroom. Over the life span of the books, it’s estimated that more than 10,000 students will have the opportunity to learn about their American Heritage.
For more information visit:
https://sar-sacramento.org/1776BookChallenge.html
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(L-R) Gretchen Johnson, Deterding Elementary School with V.P. Programs, Craig Anderson
Craig Anderson presented Gretchen Johnson with the first copy of her 1776 Book Challenge selection Sophia's War, that she will use in her classroom.
Gretchen attended our October business meeting and spoke to our members on how important our support is to her school.
Sacramento School Guard members have a huge impact each year sharing what life was like in Colonial America. In particular, students are very enthusiastic about seeing the replica artifacts that are brought to the classroom.
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(L-R) Jon Wroten, Craig Anderson, Jim Faulkinbury, Brian Alexander, Ernie Garcia, Scott Brooks, Rob Moore, Larry Brasher (partially hidden). Don Littlefield is taking the picture.
Sacramento Chapter members listen to VPG Rob Moore discuss the George Washington Endowment Fund and how it gives back and benefits the SAR.
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(L-R) Alan Winters, Andrew Fagen, Jim McAdory, Rob Welch,
Peter Fagen, Duncan and Carolyn Campbell.
Massing of the Colors
Balboa Park
We had a great morning at the 67th Annual Massing of the Colors in Balboa Park. Our Sons American Revolution San Diego Color Guard was honored to lead the entire group of 40+ Color Guards into the ceremony. It was a wonderful patriotic event honoring our veterans and their families and celebrating 50 years since the Vietnam veterans came home in 1973.
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(L-R) Rob Welch, Carolyn and Duncan Campbell
Columbus Day
Once again Chapter members manned a booth in front of the House of USA in Balboa Park for the annual Columbus Day celebration. As you can see, they had a front row seat when the Spanish Flamingo Dancers took to the stage for their performance. We celebrated with the House of Spain which also served a Paella lunch. The traffic through the booth was small compared to other years and events, but we had about eight solid membership inquiries with several stating that they had close relatives which were already DAR members, or that they have already done the research. We had several conversations regarding America 250 and of course posed for many pictures.
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(L-R) San Francisco Chapter President Andy Martinez, George Barrows Rogers, Steven John Welch, William Lewis Stevens, Rob Moore, Vice President General Western District SAR
At the October 19 meeting, the San Francisco Chapter inducted two new members Steven Welch and William Stevens, and reinstated George Rogers, who also transferred in. The meeting included special guests Rob Moore, Vice President General Western District SAR and Don Littlefield, CASSAR Executive Vice President. Also attending were past CASSAR President Marston Watson (1970-1971), Kathleen Watson, past President of the LACASSAR, past CASSAR President Bob Ebert (2006-2007), and Mary Sanders, Regent, Presidio Chapter, DAR. The meeting was held at the the Delancy Street Restaurant on the Embarcadero, San Francisco.
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(L-R) Nolan Forrest; Shane Gates; Jim Hernandez; Scott Whitman; Kevin Forrest
October 7th, 2023
On Saturday October 7th, 2023, the South Coast Chapter Color Guard presented the colors for the South Orange County California Genealogical Society (SOCCGS) meeting in Mission Viejo. In addition to being the first chance for the full (current) Color Guard, to participate in a color presentation, it was also the 4th Anniversary of the first event the re-constituted color guard participated in back in 2019.
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(L-R) Scott Whitman, Shane Gates, Kevin Forrest
A look back...
October 19, 2019
After appointing a new commander in May 2019, the first request for a color presentation came in from the South Orange County California Genealogical Society (SOCCGS) for October 19, 2019, so it was good to be able to “return” to our humble beginnings and present the colors once again.
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The SAR Flag Certificate was presented to Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21)
in his Washington DC office on October 18, 2023
by Randy Dhindsa, CASSAR Vice President North.
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Jim Riley (left) and Scott Nichols (right), along with other Yosemite Chapter Compatriots, worked the Heritage Booth, October 5th through the 15th,
at the Big Fresno Fair to recruit new members.
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Participate in the Boston Tea Party
Did you know there is a way for you to participate in the celebration in Boston on December 16, 2023?
There will be a reenactment of the original Boston Tea Party with tea being thrown overboard into the water.
You can donate loose leaf tea to the event, and in return, you will receive a certificate of participation.
How cool is that?
Follow the link https://www.december16.org/the-boston-tea-party-250th-anniversary-student-tea-donation-drive and not only relive history, but be a part of it.
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PG Manning’s America 250 Daily Minute
If you want to find out how your chapter can be apart of this celebration, contact John Ferris, Chair, America 250 SAR, at jrf1776@outlook.com .
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The California Society has given over 1200 challenge coins.
If you would like to order CASSAR Challenge Coins in bulk, contact John Ferris, Chairman CASSAR America 250, at jrf1776@outlook.com.
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November 11, 2023 — Veterans Day
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December 16, 2023 — Wreaths Across America
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December 16, 2023 — 250th Anniversary Boston Tea Party
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February 18, 2024 — Massing of the Colors
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February 20, 2024 — George Washington's Birthday
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April 19, 2024 — 250th Anniversary Lexington and Concord
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April 26-27, 2024 — CASSAR Annual Meeting, Burlingame
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Every member who participates in SAR programs and interacts with youth under the age of 18, is required 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.
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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 — November 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.
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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: Donald B Littlefield
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