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Compatriots,
This month many of us will participate in a Memorial Day event in our communities. As SAR President General Bruce Pickette stated in his Memorial Day Proclamation, “Memorial Day is designated to honor veterans who died in service to our nation. The first veterans were our Patriot Ancestors who fought in the Revolutionary War. We remember with gratitude the sacrifices of those Patriots and all the nation’s veterans who placed themselves in harm’s way to obtain and preserve our freedom.”
We in the CASSAR are continuing the work of our Patriot Ancestors to promote patriotism and preserve our freedoms. However, sometimes we are challenged by what happens in our society. One of those challenges was the recent news that California Senate Bill 6, which creates a State America250 Commission to organize events commemorating the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding, is being held in the suspense file of the Senate Appropriations Committee for the second year in a row, even though it had bipartisan coauthors this year including every member of the legislature who served in the armed forces. The bill's author, Senator Janet Nguyen, said to tell everyone that she is not giving up and is going to try to get the bill moved out of committee in August. Senator Nguyen suggests we can help by asking our local city councils and county supervisors to create their own America250 Commissions, and by sending letters to our state assembly members and state senators in support of Senate Bill 6.
This month we were reminded of another challenge our country faces when the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results were reported for 8th Grade students in American History and Civics. In the Civics test, 31% of the students scored below the Basic level, and 78% scored below the Proficient level. In American History, 40% of the students scored below the Basic level and 87% scored below the Proficient level. All scores declined compared to the last report in 2018. This report confirms the important work we are doing with our Youth Programs. You can read more at: https://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard.
Thanks and Congratulations to Compatriot Glenn Martin who has agreed to become the CASSAR Chairman of Medals and Awards. Glenn is currently serving as VP of the Thomas Jefferson Chapter. We are continuing our search for the Middle School Brochure Contest Chairman, so if you are interested or know of someone who is interested, please contact me.
Please take a look at the SAR social media offerings listed below in this newsletter. You can help build interest by following and liking the postings.
Registration is open for the SAR 133rd National Congress on July 13-20 in Orlando, Florida. CASSAR Past President and current SAR Secretary General, John Dodd, is running for SAR President General. We want to have a large attendance from California to support his candidacy. The link to register for the Congress on our CASSAR website is: www.californiasar.org/event/sar-133rd-national-congress.
Hotel registration is also open for our 148th CASSAR Fall Board of Managers meeting on November 3-4 aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach. Please use the link below in this newsletter or on our CASSAR website at: https://www.californiasar.org/event/148th-fall-board-of-managers-meeting/
Thank you for your service to the SAR,
Jim Klingler, President
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America 250 Minute
Many of you may of read in the Spring edition of the SAR Magazine how the Redlands Chapter was the first chapter in the nation to have its members receive in their daily emails an America 250 Minute from PG Manning. Orange County is the next chapter in our Society to do so.
This is a great way to embrace our 250th anniversary. Our Revolutionary War history is a rich period with many, many events that one by one created that point in time when we became an independent nation. A nation that is now the oldest continuing democracy on earth.
As each of us find our place in the celebration of this nation’s founding and its history, signing up as a chapter to receive these daily emails is a great act of group patriotism. Yes, emails are not for everyone which is why anyone can opt out at any time. But group acts, such as signing up for the emails, demonstrates a unity of purpose. It was a unity of purpose, demonstrated by our ancestors, that created this nation.
As Vice President South and the Chair of America 250 for our Society, I ask that you take a vote at your next chapter meeting to get the daily emails. It is a very easy process of creating a Google Group with the chapter emails. I am happy to help.
As always, Go 250!
John Ferris
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Medal Recipients
California is spreading the message!
The 250th Anniversary Recognition Program is alive in well in California.
The following individuals were presented America 250 Medals
at the 148th Annual Meeting of the California Society
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Gold Medal
Recipients
Dan McKelvie - Orange County
Don Littlefield - Sacramento
Peter Fagen - San Diego
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Silver Medal
Recipients
Orange County
Dan McMillian
Dan McKelvie
Karen McKelvie
John Blake
Phil Mitchel
Sacramento
Carl Alhberg
Don Littlefield
San Diego
Andrew Fagen
James McAdory
Peter Fagen
South Coast
Kevin Forrest
Scott Whitman
Thomas Jefferson
Stephen Renouf
Gary Owens
Yosemite
John Hendon
James Riley
Stan Day
Scott Nichols
Jon Russell
Bill Lee
Robert Thompson
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250th Anniversary Recognition Program
Sacramento Awardees
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(L-R) Sacramento Chapter President Adam Morrill, Carl Ahlberg, Craig Anderson, Jon Wroten
CASSAR Past President Craig Anderson presented America 250 Bronze Medals and certificates to Carl Ahlberg and Jon Wroten. In addition, Carl Ahlberg was also presented with his Silver America 250 Medal and certificate that was awarded at the CASSAR Annual Meeting. Carl Ahlberg chairs the Sacramento Chapter School Guard program.
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Congratulations!
CASSAR
Outstanding Chapters
2022
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Delta
Eagle
General George S. Patton, Jr.
Harbor
Kern
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Orange County
Redwood Empire
Riverside
Sacramento
San Diego
Yosemite
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NRA Black Powder Certification | |
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California Society Lends an Assist to Nevada Society
April 30, 2023 — Reno, NV
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On the weekend of April 29-30, fifteen members of the Nevada Society’s Battle Born Patriot (BBP) chapter graduated as certified students of the NRA certified black powder muzzleloading course.
The shooting course was given in Reno by Mark Kramer, past California Society Color Guard Commander and former National SAR Color Guard Safety Officer, and Brandon Villardi, the current California Society Color Guard Commander. Both of these experienced men are nationally certified instructors for the NRA-NMLRA Muzzleloading Shooting Course, which is approved by the National SAR Color Guard committee.
The instruction included training and familiarization with all common types of muzzleloading ignition systems such as flintlock, percussion, and inline, but also included the handling and operation of various types of firearms such as pistol, rifle, shotgun and musket.
|  | Clockwise above: Classroom students at Reno Elks Lodge, day one. Mark Kramer explains Range Rules, Golden Eagle Valley range. Instructors Mark Kramer and Brandon Villardi receive Certificates of Appreciation from R. Linscott (Battle Born Chapter SAR CG Commander. Compatriot Steve Hook firing percussion shotgun, monitored by Mark Kramer; Golden Eagle Valley range. Photos courtesy of Rafael Ortiz and Randall Lorenz. | |
News from around the State | |
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Coachella Valley Chapter
Marine Corps JROTC
| On May 5th, Coachella Valley Chapter President Christopher Cerillo presented Cadet Second Lieutenant Gabriel R. Herrera, Desert Hot Springs High School with the SAR JROTC Medal. Job Well Done! | |
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Delta Chapter
CASSAR Joseph S. Rumbaugh Orations Contest Winner
Aheli Patel
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Delta Chapter President Rev. Scott Elliott was pleased to present Aheli Patel, with her check and certificate for winning the Joseph S. Rumbaugh Orations Contest for the California Society SAR. | |
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(L-R) Delta Chapter President Rev. Scott Elliott and Gary Overby, Chaplain.
At the Delta Chapter meeting held on May 20, Chapter President Scott Elliott presented Gary Overby with a certificate from the National Society SAR for Delta Chapter's participation in Wreaths Across America at the San Juaquin National Cemetery, Justine, CA, on December 17, 2022.
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Eagle Chapter
It's a Grand Old Flag
| Needing a few SAR Chapters to step up to the plate and deliver SAR Flag Certificates, Benny White, in uniform, did just that for the Eagle Chapter. | |
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Armed Forces Day
Torrence , CA
May 20, 2023
| Armed Forces Day Parade in Torrance. Torrance is one of the few cities nationwide sanctioned by the U.S. Department of Defense to honor armed forces through a parade and celebration and has the longest-running military parade sponsored by any city. | The parade has been a community fixture for six decades, with about 60,000 people lining the streets of Torrance Boulevard annually to watch the passing display of military vehicles, marching active duty troops and veteran’s groups, while classic warbirds fly low and slow over the mile-long route. | Our goal this year was to unite our SAR, DAR, and CAR chapters in one event. Pictured are members from 3 SAR chapters, 3 DAR chapters, and 1 CAR Chapter. A 250minute was also included in our event. | |
Nancy Richardson, El Redondo DAR with CASSAR Treasurer Kevin Bidenkap | |
Ladies of the Daughters of the American Revolution and others | |
Here is a list of participating chapters. | |
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SAR Chapters
Harbor
Orange County
South Coast
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DAR Chapters
Butterfield Trail
Point Vicente
El Redondo
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CAR Chapter
De Anza Trail
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Harbor Chapter
Grady Dalton Earns Eagle Scout Award
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Brandon Villardi presents the SAR Certificate of Recognition to
Eagle Scout Grady Lee Dalton at his Court of Honor. Grady, along with his father and younger brother, signed applications to join the SAR.
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Redwood Empire Chapter
Gives $250 to VA Community Development and Civic Engagement
Santa Rosa, CA
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Redwood Empire Chapter Bill Nay visited the VA Clinic in Santa Rosa and presented Carly House (left) and Andre Scott (center) with a donation of $250.00 to support the Veteran Coffee Cart and other initiatives by the VA Community Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) activities. | |
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Sacramento Chapter
Youth Awards
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CASSAR Americanism Poster Contest Winner
Grayson Cooper
| CASSAR Executive Vice President Don Littlefield presented Grayson Cooper, a Fifth Grade student at Gold Ridge Elementary, Folsom, with his winning check from the Sacramento Chapter and his First Place check from the California Society. Grayson's poster will next be judged in Orlando at the SAR Congress. | Brandon Villardi, Chairman of the CASSAR Outstanding Chapter Recognition Program visited Sacramento in May and presented Sacramento Past President Russ Kaiser with the CASSAR Outstanding Chapter certificate for 2022. | |
(L-R) Roy Adkins (Sacramento JROTC Chair) with Brandan Villardi (CASSAR JROTC Chair)
Each year Sacramento Chapter ROTC/JROTC Chairman Roy Adkins coordinates with 2 universities and 10 to 15 high schools to participate in and recognize outstanding cadets with the SAR JROTC medal and certificate.
| The Sacramento Chapter winner of the Outstanding Cadet JROTC Medal is 2nd Lt. Krystal R Lambert, Casa Roble Fundamental High School, Orangevale, CA, shown above receiving her medal and certificate along with a Certificate of Participation for Casa Roble Fundamental High School instructors. | (Left) Don Littlefield presents US Navy JROTC Unit Commanding Officer Cadet Mony Chea, Luther Burbank HS, with the SAR bronze JROTC medal and certificate. (Right) Don Littlefield presents Air Force JROTC Cadet Devin Crews, Casa Roble Fundemental High School, with the SAR bronze ROTC medal and certificate. Don also presented awards at CK McClatchy High School (not shown). | |
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San Diego Chapter
Children of the American Revolution
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(L-R) Carolyn Campbell, Jim McAdory, Duncan Campbell | |
The San Diego Chapter’s Color Guard presented the Colors at the Annual Meeting of the Children of the American Revolution in the San Marcos meeting on May 7th. CAR inducted a number of new members as well as their 2023 officers. In addition to presenting the colors, Jim McAdory gave a PowerPoint presentation on SAR’s America 250 program and an America 250 Minute presentation on Francis Marion, also known as the “Swamp Fox”. Compatriots Campbell and McAdory were presented Certificates of Appreciation and the CAR Challenge coin for their participation in the meeting. | |
Compatriot Michael Hirman presented the SAR Silver ROTC Medal to San Diego State University Cadet Thomas Keefe (above right). | |
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Photos courtesy of the Army-Navy Academy.
Above, the Carlsbad Army-Navy Academy Cadet formation. Right, Compatriot Jim McAdory attended its annual awards ceremony and presented the JROTC Bronze Medal and Certificate to Cadet Sgt. William Curwen, (above right).
And, more JROTC Medals awarded to young cadets...
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(Far Left) SDSAR Color Guard Commander, Duncan Campbell presents JROTC award to Cadet Katelyn Eby.
(Left Center) SDSAR Color Guard Commander, Duncan Campbell presents JROTC award to Oceanside High School Cadet Robert Florence.
Right Center) Vista High School JROTC Cadet Valentina Silva is presented the JROTC Medal by SDSAR's Sargent-at-Arms, Gary Newton.
(Far Right) Grossmont High School NJROTC Cadet Alia Eddington is presented the JROTC Medal by SDSAR's 2nd VP, Rob Welch.
| Compatriot Michael Hirman presents an SAR Flag Certificate to the SDSU ROTC. | |
(Left) Yosemite Chapter President Scott Nichols being presented the DAR America 250 Commendation and Medal from Rebecca Malmo, Regent, Fresno-Yosemite Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. (Right) Yosemite Chapter Color Guard receiving the SAR America 250 Commendation & Medal. | |
(Left) Yosemite Chapter President presenting CSU Fresno Cadet Keith Johnson with the SAR Bronze ROTC Medal and certificate. (Right) President Nichols presents the SAR Bronze ROTC medal to JROTC Marine Cadet Sgt. Anthony Vasquez, Selma High School, Selma, CA. | |
President Nichols and Compatriot Jim Riley present American Revolutionary War History lesson at Copper Hills Elementary School, Clovis, CA. | |
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James Clarence Fosdyck
Interment
Riverside National Cemetery
May 9, 2023
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James Clarence Fosdyck
Interment & Last Rites
Riverside National Cemetery
May 9, 2023
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(Left) The Rt. Rev. Louis V. Carlson, Jr. discussing the order of service.
(Right) the Ladies Auxiliary California Society Sons of the American Revolution:
(l-r) Kelly Villardi, Karen McKelvie, Liz Ferris, JoAnn Kramer, ? , Lisa Gregory, Carolyn Campbell, and Un Hui
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SAR 21-Gun Salute
Due to safety concerns expressed by Riverside National Cemetery personnel, the 7-man SAR firing party, while well rehearsed, was not permitted to fire a 21-gun salute.
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Members of the California Society SAR and LACASSAR
attended the interment of Jim Fosdyck
(L-R) Duncan Campbell, Lisa Gregory, Kent Gregory, Larry Wood, Mike Miller, John Blake, Mark Torres, Brandon Villardi, hidden, Bill Nay, Nolan Forrest, Kelly Villardi, Mark Kramer,
Dan McKelvie, Karen McKelvie, Benny White, Liz Ferris, John Ferris, Carolyn Campbell,
unknown, Kevin Forrest, Matt Noel, Lou Carlson, unknown
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The Harbor Chapter is looking forward to hosting the 148th BOM meeting November 3-4 aboard the iconic RMS Queen Mary. Located in the Port of Long Beach, the Queen Mary features a rich maritime history, authentic Art Deco décor, and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and Long Beach city skyline. On her maiden voyage in 1936 she was considered the grandest ocean liner ever built.
The Queen Mary has a rich maritime history that includes Winston Churchill signing the D-Day declaration during WWII as well as pop-culture relevance in the film "Assault on a Queen" starring Frank Sinatra. The Queen Mary's final cruise was October 31,1967 and the ship has been a featured part of Long Beach's shoreline ever since. History buffs and visitors of all ages can explore the ship's museum, tours, and exhibits.
Hotel Reservations are now available for 148th BOM Meeting Onboard the Queen Mary using the group link below or by calling: 888-217-1153. The Group code is: 1123CASSAR
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Click the image to play the America 250 SAR Video | |
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May 29 — Memorial Day
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June 14 — Flag Day
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July 4 — Independence Day
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September 4 — Labor Day
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July 15-20 — SAR 133rd National Congress, Orlando
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November 3-4 — 148th CASSAR Board of Managers Meeting
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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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CALL FOR ARTICLES — June 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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Cyber Scams
If you receive an email, text, or voice mail from a purported Officer or Compatriot seeking any type of financial assistance, consider it a hoax. Phishing messages are 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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The California Compatriot is the official newsletter of the California Society, Sons of the American Revolution. Unless explicitly stated, the opinions expressed herein are the opinions of the authors and not necessarily those of the California Society SAR.
Editor: Donald B Littlefield
craigandersonsar@gmail.com
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