Compatriots,
This is the grandest time of the year for the Sons of the American Revolution. In my book, Summer starts with Memorial Day and ends on September 30. In between, we get Flag Day on June 14, Independence Day on July 4, and Constitution Day on September 17. All are great opportunities to celebrate our Patriot Ancestors, march in parades, and picnic with compatriots and friends of the SAR. It’s also a great time of year to thank your neighbors for flying the American Flag!
Be sure to send John Ferris a few of the best photos from your events to include in the California Compatriot. You can make John’s life easier by including the name of the venue, and the names of the individuals shown in the photos. If children under the age of 18 are shown, be sure to get a Photo Release signed by a parent or we will not use the photo. Please make sure your Youth Protection Training certification is up to date. Training is now available online at the SAR website: https://www.sar.org/courses/youth-protection-training/.
I have asked our Regional VP’s Randy Dhindsa and Brandon Villardi to follow-up with the chapters who we have not been able to confirm regulatory filings have been completed. Please cooperate with them so we can either verify the filings or get you the assistance you need to complete the filings. It’s part of every chapter’s obligation to maintain their 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.
The SAR 134th National Congress will be held July 10-16 at the Marriott at Penn Square in Lancaster, PA. California will have more than 20 members and wives in attendance. President General John Dodd will wrap up his year as PG. Derek Brown will be installed as part of the Class of 2024 Minutemen, the highest individual recognition an SAR member can receive. We look forward to learning how California stacks up against other societies in the quest for excellence and participation in the many SAR programs.
The Fall Board of Managers Meeting will be held in Bakersfield, October 24-26, 2024, at the Doubletree by Hilton, Bakersfield. Room reservations can be booked now by calling (661) 323-7111 and providing Group Code 922. Rooms are $129/night. The planning team is feverishly working to finalize meeting planning details to open registration ASAP. We are trying to make this meeting more economical so that more members and chapter officers will attend. Be sure to check the BOM Events page at https://www.californiasar.org/event/149-bom-meeting/ for registration information.
If you have a special event coming up that you would like me to attend, please email me at dblittlefield@comcast.net or call me at 916-985-6544. If your event works with my schedule, I will make every effort to attend. For the best air fares, I need at least 30-days notice. If I can bundle 2 or 3 events in one trip, all the better, I might even make the drive, especially if I need to take my uniform.
Don Littlefield
President
California Society Sons of the American Revolution
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"We will remember our compatriot brothers with thanksgiving."
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Lancaster Pennsylvania
July 10-16, 2024
There is still time to REGISTER for this year's Congress. Besides being able to participate on a National level in the SAR, attendance this year will enable you to witness our own Derek Brown receive his well-deserved Minuteman Medal.
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October 25-26, 2024
Our upcoming Board of Mangers meeting will be in Bakersfield. This is a great chance to see many compatriots from the Kern Chapter. You can now make hotel reservations to stay by clicking the following link CASSAR BOM Fall Meeting.
Please check the CASSAR website -- https://www.californiasar.org/event/149-bom-meeting/ -- for the latest meeting registration information.
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As of this time, all regulatory filings with the state of California for 2024 are due. If you have not done so, please submit copies of your filings to our Chancellor Michael Hirman.
If you have any questions or are seeking help concerning these filings, please contact one of the following: John R Ferris, Executive Vice President, Randy Dhindsa, Vice President North or Brandon Villardi, Vice President South.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
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Compatriots,
We have all heard about email scams. Bad actors are becoming more skilled at deception every day. The following is an example that many of us received in their inbox recently:
"Can you take care of an operating expense on behalf of the board? Kevin Bidenkap is unable to complete it right away, please let me know if you can pay for it using Zelle, Wire Transfer, Cash App, or PayPal I will then send you the vendor's payment information for the method of payment that suits you the best, and I will process your refund as soon as the treasurer is available. Kindly acknowledge receiving this email and let me know if you can handle this.
Thank You
Donald B Littlefield"
This, of course, was not from our CASSAR President, Don Littlefield. That said, this actor obviously knows the names of our state officers and will use them to get anything they can.
Remember, all transactions go through the President and the Treasurer using the state approved check request form. There is nothing that is so important that it should bypass the process.
All chapters, in order to protect themselves, should use the same two step verification as well. Trying to do a good deed outside of a good process has resulted in harm to many.
For any questions you may have, please contact President, Don Littlefield, Executive Vice President, John Ferris, or Treasurer, Kevin Bidenkap.
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News from Around the California Society | |
Special guest at the May Chapter Meeting was Herman Lopez, Gold Star Father and founder of the Hunter Lopez Memorial Foundation. Herman spoke to the Chapter about his son, Hunter, a young Marine from the Coachella Valley who was killed in action at Kabul Airport on August 26, 2021, and what the foundation is doing today to honor his memory and to help other Marine recruits. | Chris Cerillo, Chapter President and Bill Haines, Chapter Treasurer presented Herman Lopez, Gold Star Father, with a Certificate of Appreciation and a Chapter donation of $500 to support the Hunter Lopez Memorial Foundation. | Vice President South and State Color Guard Commander, Brandon Villardi presenting the Outstanding Chapter Color Guard award to Eagle Chapter, President Benny White. |
Chapter President, Benny White presents a Flag Certificate to Phil Goviea.
President White and Past President Wayne Rogers were also busy this last month presenting certificates to JROTC cadets.
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Harbor Chapter
Harbor Chapter America 250 Veteran Appreciation
The Harbor Chapter’s May meeting featured Luke Zamperini who spoke of his father’s exploits before and after WWII. Louis Zamperini was a World War II veteran and Olympic distance runner. Zamperini competed in the 1936 Berlin Olympics and was set to compete again in the 1940 games in Tokyo, which were canceled when World War II broke out. A bombardier in the Army Air Corps, Zamperini was in a plane that went down, and when he arrived on shore in Japan 47 days later, he was taken as a prisoner of war and tortured for two years. After his release, Zamperini became an inspirational figure, and his life served as the basis for the 2014 biography Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption.
| Harbor Chapter President James Bunker presents Luke Zamperini with a Certificate of Appreciation. | Luke Zamperini with DAR representatives from the Butterfield Los Cerritos, Point Vicente, and Western Shores Chapters. |
Harbor Chapter Presents Bronze America 250 Awards to Pointe Vicente DAR.
L-R: Brandon Villardi, Vice President South; Diana Starr; Alta Graham, Point Vicente Regent; John Ferris, Executive Vice President; Brian Stephens, Secretary of the Western District; and James Bunker, President Harbor Chapter.
| President Bunker inducts new member Philip Cooper with the assistance of Andrew Variano. | April 26, Harbor Chapter member John Richardson presenting the SAR ROTC medal at UCLA. |
On May 25th, members from the Harbor, South Coast, and OC Chapter presented colors and fired a musket salute at the Los Angeles National Cemetery in Westwood. The LA National Cemetery is the final resting place for nearly 90,000 veterans.
The event saw participation from over 8,000 individuals placing flags, accompanied by news coverage. The Harbor Chapter also had the honor of meeting with the President of the Los Angeles-Eschscholtzia C.A.R. Society to assist in flag placement.
| L-R: Kevin Forrest - South Coast, Brandon Villardi - Harbor, Jim Hernandez - South Coast, Kevin Bidenkap - Harbor, and Christopher Keene - Orange County. |
Fire!
L-R: Kevin Forrest, Kevin Bidenkap, Christopher Keene and CASSAR Commander Brandon Villardi.
| L-R: Kevin Bidenkap - Harbor; Kelly Villardi - LACASSAR Secretary; Jo D. - Senior Society President, Los Angeles-Eschscholtzia C.A.R.; Quinlyn D - Society President, Los Angeles-Eschscholtzia C.A.R.; Alexa V - De Anza Trail C.A.R Society; Brandon Villardi - Harbor. |
On May 18th, the California Society Color Guard participated in the 62nd Annual Torrance Armed Forces Day Parade. This Torrance parade is notable for being the longest-running military parade sponsored by a city in the nation. Additionally, it is among the select cities across the country that have been authorized by the Department of Defense to pay tribute to our Armed Forces with an annual parade and celebration, drawing over 100,000 participants to the weekend's events.
The muskets preceded the unit and entertained the onlookers by firing volleys at various intersections and were accompanied by Matt Noell and Kent Gregory on fife and drum following the Colors. Immediately following the Color Guard, the Harbor Chapter's parade trailer provided seating for those wishing to demonstrate their support.
| Leading the procession from L-R: Chris Keene, Lucas V., Kyle Puro, and Jim Armstrong. |
Fire!
Members from multiple SAR color guards participate in musket firing along the parade.
| The Color Guard consisted of five Southern California Chapters: Harbor, South Coast, Orange County, Riverside, and General George S. Patton, Jr. Additionally, representatives from six local DAR Chapters and four C.A.R. Societies joined us, bringing the total to 53. | Color Guard members from Harbor, South Coast, Orange County, Riverside and General George S. Patton, Jr. |
Harbor Chapter member James Gill delivering an America 250 Minute to the Guardsmen.
L-R: Jon Burke, James Gill, Brian Merrell and Luke Merrell.
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On May 31st, the SAR California Color Guard under the direction of State Commander Villardi presented the Colors on the USS Iowa for the retirement celebration of a 20-year Navy Chief Petty Officer. Chapters participating in the event were from Harbor, South Coast, and Orange County.
L-R: Kevin Forrest, Christopher Keene, Brandon Villardi, Kevin Bidenkap, John Ferris, Mike Miller, Kyle Puro, and Nolan Forrest.
| On May 1st, the Kern Chapter Color Guard was at California State University Bakersfield for the Veterans Success Center Flag Raising Ceremony. | The Kern Chapter has been busy again this spring going to schools and talking to 5th graders about the American Revolution. |
The program presenters.
L-R: Mike Davis, Larry Carroll, Arnie Burr, Kerry Adams, Steve Corbin, MaryAnn Claxton DAR.
| At the conclusion of the school presentation Arnie Burr presented the five 5th grade teachers with an America 250 pin. Attached to the pin was a list of all 11 years events so they understand this celebration will continue until 2033. The teachers and approximately 150 students heard an America 250 minute during the presentation. | Kern Chapter was the honor guard at Bakersfield National Cemetery and Union Historic Cemetery for Memorial Day events. An America 250 Minute was read at each location. During the same weekend the chapter also read an America 250 Minute at the 1000 flags event on both Saturday and Monday. | L-R: Will Flicking, Larry Carroll, Mike Davis, Arnie Burr, Scott Davis, Rick Meredith, and Bruce Wearda. | Kern Chapter member Bruce Wearda delivering an America 250 Minute at Bakersfield National Cemetary. | At the Kern Chapter May meeting, Bronze and Silver America 250 Medals were presented. | President Chris Scott presenting the America 250 Silver to Kerry Adams. | President Chris Scott presenting the America 250 Silver to Arnie Burr. | President Chris Scott presenting the America 250 Silver to Larry Carrol. | President Chris Scott presenting the America 250 Silver to Mike Davis. | President Chris Scott presenting the America 250 Silver to Rick Meredith. | President Chris Scott presenting the America 250 Silver to Bruce Wearda. | The Mother Lode Chapter was at the El Dorado County Veterans Monument, Placerville, for Memorial Day observations. | L-R: Steve Belden, President, Mother Lode Chapter; Don Littlefield, President, CASSAR; Phil Noble, Sacramento Chapter. | The El Dorado Chapter DAR flanked on the Left by Steve Belden, President, Mother Lode Chapter and on the Right by Phil Noble, Sacramento Chapter and Don Littlefield, CASSAR President. | SAR California President, Don Littlefield and USMC Sgt. Tyler Dennis. |
On May 23, the combined color guard of Orange County and South Coast presented the colors at the annual Field of Honor in Newport Beach. The presentation was in front of an estimated 200+ school children.
L-R: Phil Mitchel, Jim Klingler, Kent Gregory, Mike Miller, John Ferris, Jon Burke, Nolan Forrest, Kevin Forrest, and Jim Hernandez.
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The Orange County Chapter Color Guard presented the colors at the Memorial Day observation at Santa Ana Cemetary.
L-R: Dan McKelvie, Jim Klingler, Mike Miller, Kent Gregory, John Ferris, Larry Hansen and John Blake.
| Past Chapter President, Commandant Bill Nay attended the Annual Inspection of the Ben Moreell Battalion of the Naval Sea Cadet Corps at Port Hueneme. California SAR Past President Robert Taylor is on the right. | Commandant Nay, in his Continental Marine Uniform is joined by SAR California Past President Robert Taylor in presenting NSCC CPO Deacon Heglund the Capt. William Smith Award as the Sea Cadet of the Year for SAR California. | |
On June 1, Riverside Chapter President, Michael Mann, presented an Eagle Scout Certificate to Edward Cahill (a Jr. member of the Riverside Chapter) at his Court of Honor.
L-R: Daniel Cahill (also a member), Edward Cahill, and Michael Mann.
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Jim Faulkinberry and his grandson, Isaac Rex, both members of the Sacramentos Chapter placed flags on veteran's graves in advance of the Memorial Day ceremony at Historic Sacramento Cemetery. | |
The San Diego Chapter had a very active Memorial Day weekend beginning with placing flags at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery. A large turnout and plentiful supply saw a flag planted at every tombstone in the cemetery thanks to a large turnout of volunteers. Ft. Rosecrans is one of the largest national cemeteries with over 120,000 interred. In addition to Chapter members we were joined by members of the Temecula CAR chapter as well as members of the Corporate office of Jack-in the-Box/Del Taco. | |
Flag Placement Participants: (left to right)- Jennifer Marlow, Erica Eland, Nancy Caccese (Jack-in-the-Box/Del Taco Corporate office), Kirk Rudolf, Jay Rudolf, Cathryn Rudolf, Evelynn Rudolf, Luke Rudolf, Steven Rudolf (of Temecula CAR), Melissa White, Jennifer Charles, Felicity Charles, Ryan Charles, Carolyn and Duncan Campbell. | |
Michele Johnson of the San Diego Chapter of DAR never misses this event. | |
Duncan Campbell leads musket team in musket handling drill. | |
Above- Musket team (l-r) Alan Winters, Jim McAdory, Michael Hirman, Skip Cox, Duncan Campbell-Commander. | |
L-R: Alan Winters, Jim McAdory, Carolyn Campbell, Duncan Campbell with Michael Hirman not pictured. | |
San Diego chapter members are always in demand for photo ops! | |
The South Coast Chapter Color Guard was in Marine Green at the El Toro Memorial Park Cemetery in Lake Forest for its 33rd annual observance of Memorial Day.
L-R: Nolan Forrest, Scott Whitman, Jim Hernandez, and Kevin Forrest
| Our speaker for South Coasts May 21st meeting was Colonel (Ret.) Jim Wisenbaker. He presented an interesting talk about “The Strategic Role of West Point During the Revolutionary War.” In addition, to his presentation, he gave an informative history of how the West Point became the U.S. Military Academy. |
Chapter Vice President in charge of programs, Norm Broadhurst, presented Mr. Wisenbaker with a Certificate of Appreciation and an honorarium of $50.
| Also at the meeting was the presentation of two America 250th Anniversary Gold Medals. Compatriots Jim Hernadez and Nolan Forrest were the recipients. | L-R: Barry Michaels, Chapter President; John Ferris, CASSAR Executive Vice President; Jim Hernandez with medal and certificate; and Chapter America 250 Chair, Kevin Forrest. | |
L-R: Barry Michaels, Chapter President; John Ferris, CASSAR Executive Vice President; Nolan Forrest with medal and certificate; and Chapter America 250 Chair, Kevin Forrest.
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During the dinner meeting, past Chapter President, and current CASSAR Vice President - Membership, Scott Whitman presented to Bunny Smith, a DAR member and wife of Chapter Registrar Leon Smith, the Lydia Darragh Medal for her support of both the South Coast Chapter and of Scott during his tenure as South Coast Chapter President.
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Yosemite Chapter Color Guard presenting American History at assembly to approximately 90 5th and 6th grade students at Sierra View Elementary School on April 2, 2024.
L-R: Scott Nichols and Jim Riley.
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Yosemite Chapter Color Guard presenting the Colors at the Central Valley Honor Flight on April 17th at Fresno Air Terminal.
L-R: Randy Dhindsa, Scott Nichols, Jon Russell and Harlie Smith.
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Harlie Smith receiving America 250 Silver medal from Randy Dhindsa, Vice President North. | |
Yosemite Chapter Color Guard received CASSAR Outstanding Chapter Color Guard 2023 Streamer. | |
Randy Dhindsa is recognized by Yosemite Chapter for receiving CASSAR Patriot Medal. | |
On May 20th Scott Nichols and Jim Riley presented Colonial American History to 58 5th graders at Tatarian Elementary, Fresno Unified. | |
America 250th
Anniversary Recognition Program
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Many of you are already on SAR California's Honor Roll. To see your name and the recognition you have earned, go to our website Honor Roll – California SAR If you have any questions about the Honor Roll or how to enroll in the program, contact John Ferris. | |
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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America 250 SAR Program Library
Please visit the America 250 Programs Library. There is a plethora of information and videos that may be used in teaching classes and chapter meetings.
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SAR Tab: 185 Programs on the Revolutionary War, 225 videos, podcasts, and YouTube Videos, 175 website programs that you can use from the SAR, DAR, PBS, History Channel and the Museum of the American Revolution.
Educational Tab: 1900 Lessons on the Revolutionary War, 150 videos, podcasts, and YouTube videos, 175 website programs.
Color Guard Tab: SAR Color Guard Handbook, Magazine and Reporting Forms, Download Color Guard Programs and News Releases, Color Guard Training videos and YouTube videos on uniforms, ceremonies, how to load and fire your musket, and the Baron de Steuben manual, YouTube Website links to the National SAR Color Guard Committee, State Color Guard Sites and the Baron Von Steuben's Revolutionary War Drill Manual
After you have perused the content, reach out and let me know what you think. I'd like to know if you used any of the information to help you or others on your America 250 journey. For any questions concerning America 250th SAR or the America 250th Anniversary Recognition Program, please contact John Ferris at jrf1776@outlook.com.
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- June 14, 2024 -- Flag Day
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July 4, 2024 -- Independence Day
- July 10-16, 2024 -- 134th Annual Congress, Lancaster, PA
- October 3, 2024 -- Fall Leadership
- October 25-26 -- 149th Fall BOM Meeting, Bakersfield, CA
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Every member who participates in SAR programs and interacts with youth under 18 years of age
is required to successfully complete SAR Youth Protection Training. Training is online, takes about 20 minutes, and is valid for 3 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 — June 22, 2024 Deadline
Please send news of events and high-resolution digital photos to:
John R Ferris at jrf1776@outlook.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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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: John R Ferris
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