APRIL 2022
Fellow Compatriots,

Having recently returned from the National Leadership meeting in Louisville, KY, I find myself beaming with pride to be a part of such a great State Society. California had completed our Reconciliation Report, paid our dues, and responded to information survey requests from several committees.

I even heard talk in a crowded elevator about all the work CA is doing to prepare for America 250, thanks to Compatriot John Ferris. Compatriot John Dodd is currently serving as NSSAR Treasurer General and is standing for election at the Savannah Congress in July for Secretary General; and Compatriot Dan McKelvie is a candidate for SAR Foundation Board member. Compatriot Jim Klingler is Chairman of the Finance Committee, and Compatriot Kent Gregory is Chairman of the Museum Board.

The Minuteman Class of 2022 includes Compatriot Jim Fosdyck. These Compatriots are all from the Orange County Chapter and so is the winner of the National Eagle Scout contest. Plus, there are 32 California Society Compatriots serving on multiple National Committees. 

At the State level we have had strong participation in our youth programs, and you will meet some of the winners at the April Meeting. Thank you to the Sacramento Chapter for hosting the 2022 April Meeting. I hope you plan to attend. Please join me in welcoming our new CASSAR C.A.R. Liaison - Randy Dhindsa, President of the Yosemite Chapter, and our new Handbook Committee Chair - Derek Brown, Registrar for the Thomas Jefferson Chapter and NSSAR Inspector General.

In conclusion, I would like to thank all my fellow State Officers and Committee Chairman for their hard work and dedication this past year. Please see the Goals Progress Report in this edition for a brief update on all the work that they have accomplished. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as the California Society President, and I wish my successor Craig Anderson all the best as he prepares to lead our society.       

Libertas et Patria,

Brian Stephens
The goals for my term as State President were published on May 6, 2021 via a special edition of the California Compatriot. I am pleased with the amount of progress made towards completion of the long-term goals, and the high percentage of completion of the short-term goals. I am excited to provide this updated progress report and extend my sincere thanks to the many Chapter and State Officers whose hard work helped us obtain these results.  

Short-term:

1.     Have Fun
a.     Laugh with and support each other and our Chapters
b.     Remember this is a volunteer organization
On-going; You be the judge.
 
2.     Chapter Visits 
a.     Personal contact and two-way communications
b.     Current information for Chapter Officers and meeting dates/locations

The CASSAR Officers have been actively attending Chapter meetings
across the state and the Chapter section of the website has been
updated with the most current information reported by the Chapters.... 

Click the image to play the America 250 SAR Video
America 250 SAR Recognition Awards
Executive VP Craig Anderson and Jim Faulkinbury presented Bronze America 250 SAR Medals to Donald Sparks and Robert Fitzgerald of American Legion Post 861.
Craig Anderson and Jim Faulkinbury were awarded Bronze America 250 SAR medals by Sacramento Chapter president Michael Hull.
The Sacramento Chapter partnered with the Sacramento County History Day Committee to offer a prize for the best paper, web site, and documentary on the American Revolution during the County History Day event on March 12th.

There were no entries in the Paper or Website categories. The chapter awarded an America 250 prize to a student in the Junior Division (grades 6, 7, and 8) for an excellent documentary on the Boston Massacre. The student received a nominal cash award of $100 and an America 250 SAR certificate. Her entry also received 1st place in her division in the county competition and she will move on to the state finals in Rocklin, CA in May. 
REDWOOD EMPIRE CHAPTER AMERICA 250 EVENT
Las Vegas, NV March 17-18th 2022

The Redwood Empire Chapter presented a Proclamation for the 80th Anniversary celebration and meeting for Alpha Phi Sigma (APS), the National Criminal Justice Honor Society at their meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada March 17-18, 2022. We had previously been involved with the establishment of the Nay-Latocki Military Veteran Scholarship recognizing; in part with other Nay and Latocki family members, the Patriotic service of Captain Samuel Nay at the Siege of Fort Ticonderoga in July 1777 and the service by Joseph Nay at the Battles at Saratoga in October of 1777. This America 250 SAR Event included 200 participants, in person; however, was shared with over 500 Universities that reached many thousands of students and faculty.
REDWOOD EMPIRE AMERICA 250 EVENT

At the Santa Rosa Disabled American Veteran (DAV), Chapter #48 Crab Feed President Bill Nay, Redwood Empire Chapter, California Society SAR made a presentaion on America 250 SAR and related his family story of Patriot Josep Nay at the Battle of Saratoga October 1777 and then Challenged DAV Chapter #48 Commander Richard Jones to partner on America 250 SAR events. Vice President-North California Society William Van Valkenburg was in attendance and Challenged DAV California State Vice Commander to also support America 250 SAR events. Both DAV Commanders were presented SAR Challenge Coins.
Congratulations!  Welcome to the California Society, Sons of the American Revolution. We are honored that you have elected to join our society of descendants of those patriots and heroes who gave us our freedoms. The California Society conducts many patriotic, historical, and educational programs in our communities, and we rely heavily on our member volunteers to keep them strong and vibrant.

If you haven’t yet been, you will shortly be contacted by a representative of your chapter; I urge you to meet your fellow compatriots, join them in their chapter programs, and become an active member of your chapter and state society. I am looking forward to meeting and working with you in the future.

D. Craig Anderson, Executive Vice President, California Society

The 147th Annual Meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn Downtown-Arena on April 21st through 23rd 2022. Room rates are $129 per night and parking is $10/day. The Holiday Inn Downtown-Arena is located adjacent to Golden One Center and is within easy walking distance of shopping and historic “Old Town Sacramento”
The National Society, requires that all members who participate in SAR youth and education programs that interface with students under the age of 18, successfully complete SAR Youth Protection Training. We had formerly utilized the training offered by the Boy Scouts of America, but subsequently, the SAR has developed its own training program that is geared specifically to the programs that we conduct. The process is very simple; the training can be taken on-line in about 20 minutes, and the certificate is valid for three years.

Please forward your certificate of completion to Dan McKelvie at mckelvie@sbcglobal.net.
RELEASE FORMS

As a reminder to all compatriots, if you submit photos or materials (e.g.youth program winners) for publication in the Compatriot, you must include a signed release form.
ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER
Guardsman Spencer Torres receives the Bronze Color Guard Medal flanked by 4 commanders. Left to right Duncan Campbell CASSAR Commander Adjutant South, Brandon Villardi CASSAR Commander, John Ferris Orange County Chapter Commander, Spencer Torres, Jim Fosdyck NSSAR National Color Guard Commander.
COACHELLA VALLEY CHAPTER
Duncan Campbell and wife Caroline, along with Chapter President Chris Cerillo "Post the Colors." Duncan Campbell is CASSAR Color Guard Adjutant (South), and special guest at Friday's Coachella Valley Chapter Meeting.
induction of new compatriot, Michael D. Landes on Friday, March 18th, by Chapter President Chris Cerillo
GENERAL GEORGE PATTON CHAPTER
Bob Taylor presented a SAR Flag Certificate to Cal Coast Motorsports general manager Scott Adams.
SACRAMENTO CHAPTER
JROTC Chairman Roy Adkins and Don Littlefield presented the Outstanding Cadet Award to Cadet GySgt Levy Chang of John F. Kennedy High School.
Exec VP Craig Anderson and Chapter President Michael Hull presented certificates to MSgt Ryan Peterson (USAF Ret) and Aaliyah Martinez of Hiram Johnson High School in Sacramento. The Sacramento Chapter sponsored student Aaliyah Martinez to attend the Spirit of America Youth Leadership Program in Valley Forge. MSgt Peterson was a chaperone on the trip.
COLOR GUARD ACTIVITIES
PRESIDENT
BRIAN R. STEPHENS 
briandi777@aol.com 
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT 
D. CRAIG ANDERSON 
craigandersonsar@gmail.com 
VICE PRESIDENT, SOUTH 
JAMES KLINGLER 
klingler@sbcglobal.net 
VICE PRESIDENT, NORTH 
WILLIAM VAN VALKENBURG 
VICE PRESIDENT, MEMBERSHIP 
James C. Bunker
jmbnkmailbox-californiaSAR@yahoo.com
SECRETARY 
FRED SCHUSTER 
schuster6789@aol.com 
TREASURER
JOHN FERRIS 
Jrf1776@outlook.com 
REGISTRAR 
OWEN R. STILES 
ostiles45@gmail.com 
CHANCELLOR 
JOHN L. DODD, ESQ. 
johnldodd@twc.com 
GENEALOGIST 
TERRY L. BRIGGS 
tlbaia@comcast.net 
HISTORIAN 
VACANT
CHAPLAIN 
RT. REV. LOUIS V. CARLSON, JR. 
loucarlson@sbcglobal.net 
SURGEON 
DR. MATTHEW BOWDISH, MD 
matthewsbowdish@gmail.com 
TRUSTEE OF THE INVESTED FUNDS
(2020-2023) 
STEPHEN RENOUF 
usina@aol.com 
TRUSTEE OF THE INVESTED FUNDS
(2019-2022) 
DR. M. KENT GREGORY 
drkentgregory@earthlink.net 
TRUSTEE OF THE INVESTED FUNDS
(2021-2024
JOHN L. DODD, ESQ. 
johnldodd@twc.com 
PAST PRESIDENT 
DONALD B. LITTLEFIELD
NATIONAL TRUSTEE 
ROBERT TAYLOR 
tartar-taylor@att.net
ALTERNATE NATIONAL TRUSTEE 
BRIAN STEPHENS 
briandi777@aol.com 
Cyber Scams 
If you receive an email from a purported Compatriot in need of help that is unsigned, with no personal contact information seeking contributions to any type of fundraising site; or an email addressing you by name from another member of your Chapter requesting the expenditure of funds or the purchase of gift cards, consider it a hoax. These messages are getting more sophisticated and may even include the unauthorized use of the SAR logo and/or a pseudo SAR email address. 
The California Compatriot is the official newsletter of the California Society, Sons of the American Revolution. Unless explicitly stated, the opinions expressed herein are the opinions of the authors, and not necessarily those of the California Society SAR

Editor: D. Craig Anderson
craigandersonsar@gmail.com