Congratulations to all our members and Chapters who received awards at the April meeting. The complete list is available on the CASSAR website under the meeting highlights for the 146th Annual Meeting of the Membership. There is also a lot of useful information under the member section of the website as well.
My Thanks to all of you who have stepped up to serve in positions of leadership at your Chapter, the State Society, and at the National level. Including those who assisted with the Patriot Research Project, and to our Ladies Auxiliary for their support. I would like to complement the work of our appointed Committee Chairs and thank you for the honor and privilege to serve as President. I pledge to do my best to listen, work hard on your behalf, and communicate with you the members of our California Society.
I am excited to be able to serve with such a strong group of Executive Officers – We plan to continue our monthly meetings with an eye towards better ways to serve our chapters, improve the accuracy of our data, the timely submission of required reporting information, explore new ways to improve communications, and enhance the training provided to our Chapter and State Officers. I am looking forward to trying more timely and relevant communication methods and additional training like the recent Chapter Secretary and Treasurer sessions held on zoom. I ask that you help me with my first short term goal of getting accurate Chapter meeting time, dates, and locations on the California website. I would ask every Chapter President to help me make sure that your Chapters’ information is current as we begin returning to in-person meetings.
I would ask that you make plans now to join me in attending the NSSAR Congress July 10-14 in Renton, WA and represent California as a voting delegate. Please contact our State Secretary to register as one of our 32 voting delegates. You will have the opportunity to vote for the new National Officers, including our California Compatriot John Dodd who is running for Treasurer General. You can also attend the installation ceremony of our two newest California Minutemen; Lou Carlson – Class of 2020 and Kent Gregory – Class of 2021. One of the highlights attending a National Congress is seeing the National Level Youth Award Contest winners and watching the Orations Contest finals. It is always inspiring to see such bright and capable young people who share our values and are seeking to make a difference in our communities.
Please save the dates of November 5-6, 2021 for the in person 146th Annual Board of Managers Meeting being held at the historic four-star Mission Inn in Riverside, CA. The room rate is only $159.00 per night and reservations can be made by calling the hotel at 1-800-843-7755.
In closing, l would like to ask all of you to join me in helping to make 2021 a banner year for the SAR. Thank you!
Libertas et patria,
Brian Stephens
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In the past, the California Compatriot has been published three times a year, using publishing software that required outside resources to format. Beginning with this issue we will be using email marketing software, i.e. Constant Contact, to publish our newsletter, and we will be doing that on a monthly or bimonthly basis depending on content availability.
The advantages are that we believe we can reach more of our membership, the content will always be current and fresh, there will be no major formatting challenges so we can publish without outside assistance, the website link will allow it to be viewed without downloading it, the content is easily viewable on portable devices such as tablets and cell phones, links to external information and videos can be inserted, polls can be included if desired, and usage statistics are provided in real time. The disadvantages are that it doesn’t print well, with page breaks.
Please submit your content to the Compatriot Editor, at craigandersonsar@gmail.com.
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The 146th Annual Meeting of the Membership was held on April 17th from 9AM to 11:15AM via Zoom. We had a great turnout with 84 guests including 21 chapter presidents or their designees and several national officers including President General Jack Manning, PG Mike Tomme, VPG James Fosdyck, Treasurer General Bruce Pickette, Genealogist General Jim Faulkinbury, Surgeon General Darryl Addington, VPG Jim Petres (Great Lakes District), VPG Christopher Moberg (North Central District), and NSSAR Trustee for California Derek Brown. |
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Memorial Day commemorates the men and women who died while in the military service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle.
The San Diego Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution is sponsoring a National Memorial Day Zoom event. They encourage all organizations to participate as well, by either sponsoring a wreath-laying in their local area and sending them a short video of the presentation, which the chapter can use on the national zoom event on the Memorial Day, May 31, 2021, or by sponsoring one of the wreath laying events in San Diego. Questions regarding this event may be directed to San Diego Chapter Color Guard Commander, Duncan Campbell, at ColorGuard@SARSanDiego.org. Registration is required.
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The Patriot Medal is the highest award presented to a Compatriot by a State Society and recognizes long, faithful, outstanding, and distinguished service at the state and/or chapter level. The Patriot Medal is awarded only by a State Society and may be presented only to an individual.
CASSAR President Don Littlefield recently awarded this medal to two of our compatriots: State Secretary Fred Schuster and Web Master Greg Hill. Fred Schuster's medal was presented in a virtual meeting, and Greg Hill's medal was presented in person at Brookfield's Restaurant in Rocklin, CA.
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SAR ORATIONS CONTEST
CASSAR Oration Contest Chairman, John Ferris has announced the winner of the CASSAR orations contest is Julia Abbott from Sons of Liberty Chapter. Her presentation has been submitted to the National Society for consideration.
SEA CADET PROGRAM
CASSAR Sea Cadet Program Chairman Bill Nay has announced that the nominee from San Diego Chapter; PO2 Miguel-Aris Barlisan, has been selected as the "First" California Society Sons of the American Revolution (CASSAR) Sea Cadet (NSCC) of the Year.
AMERICANISM POSTER CONTEST
CASSAR Americanism Poster Contest Chairman, David Gilliard has announced the winner of this year's state competition is Lina Sabneh of the Sacramento Chapter. The Gold Country entry was 2nd place, Orange County 3rd, and Harbor Chapter 4th.
EAGLE SCOUT PROGRAM
Eagle Scout Chairman Bill Nay announced that the winner of this year's program was John McPhee of Orange County.
BROCHURE CONTEST
Chairman Kevin Tierney announced the the winner of this years Brochure Contest was Taryn Mills of the Mother Lode Chapter. 2nd place was Taylor Ditmar of Orange County.
KNIGHT ESSAY CONTEST
Chairman Patrick Cecil announced that this year's winner of the Knight Essay was Ryan Fortani of the Thomas Jefferson Chapter.
JROTC PROGRAM
CASSAR JROTC Chairman, Brandon Villardi, has announced that AFJROTC Cadet 2nd Lt William L. Kersey of Casa Robles Fundamental High School in Orangevale, CA is the winner of the CASSAR enhanced JROTC program. His essay has been submitted to the NSSAR for the national competition.
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CASSAR President Don Littlefield presents the 2021 state award to Cadet 2nd Lt. William Kersey of Casa Robles Fundamental High School. Cadet Kersey received a certificate, JROTC Medallion, and a check for $1000. Present were members of the Sacramento Chapter, Casa Robles JROTC Students, and teachers. |
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SPIRIT OF AMERICA AWARD
The purpose of The Spirit of America Program is to give early recognition and encouragement from the community to eighth grade students who have typified the high character of citizenship and patriotism required in the future citizens and leaders of America. The students are selected by the faculty of their school using the criteria of:
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DEPENDABILITY: Punctuality, truthfulness, honesty, loyalty, trustworthiness and self-control at school, home and in the community.
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COOPERATION: Respect for authority, property the rights of others, and courtesy.
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LEADERSHIP: Ability to improve the school experience for self and others
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PATRIOTISM: Loyalty to the United States of America, knowledge of the purposes as expressed in the Preamble of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, and the meaning of and respect to the Flag of the United States of America.
HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS:
Each participating school selects one boy and one girl of their graduating class to receive the award, and from the schools in the school district, one boy and one girl will be selected from the school selectees to receive the award for that school district.
The district-wide winners receive an SAR medal and certificate, and the winners at the school level receive an SAR pin and certificate. Compatriots of the SAR make the presentations at the school graduation ceremonies.
If you are interested in implementing this program in your chapter, you may contact the Spirit of America Award Program chairman, Robert Taylor, for additional information: Bob's email: tartar-taylor@att.net
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On behalf of the ladies of the Quilt Reaction Force, CASSAR President Don Littlefield, (Left) and Sacramento Chapter President Michael Hull (right) presented a quilt to Navy veteran Craig Anderson. This awesome quilt was created by LACASSAR members Un Hui Yi, Charmella Secrest, and Gale Tramell. |
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Past President Bill Haines installs Chris Cerillo as President of the Coachella Chapter. |
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President Chris Cerillo presents Bill Haynes with his Past Presidents Certificate
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CASSAR Executive VP, Brian Stephens, was the guest Speaker at the April 16th meeting of the Coachella Chapter. (L-R) VP Ben Hobbins, Ed Oehler, Sec Wm Haines, Genealogist David Grinnel, CASSAR Exec VP Brian Stephens, Coachella Valley President Chris Cerillo
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At the request of the California State Society DAR, the Sacramento Chapter created a video of the chapter color guard presenting the colors so that they could use it in their 2021 state meeting for their Pledge of Allegience. Color guard members included Russ Kaiser, commander, Jim Faulkinbury, David Beach, Carl Ahlberg, Kevin Allec, and Craig Anderson. |
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Sacramento Chapter School Guard, whose program was idled by COVID restrictions, has made a series of videos of their presentations that they have provided to 5th grade teachers in local schools. The presentations are made by members of the Sacramento Chapter SAR and DAR. These videos were filmed, edited, and distributed by our School Guard Coordinator, Carl Ahlberg.
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On April 3rd, Yosemite Chapter President Randy Dhindsa, his two sons, Jackson and Tighe, along with Yosemite Chapter Past Presdent John Hendon presented a SAR Flag Certificate to Brigadier General Kenneth Hendrix (USA Retired).
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GENERAL GEORGE S PATTON JR. CHAPTER
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BOB TAYLOR
Jim Fosdyck and Un Hui Yi joined Bob Taylor for his birthday celebration.
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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@yohoo.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
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HISTORIAN
SCOTT KNECHT
knechtsh@gmail.com
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
(2018-2021)
JOHN L. DODD, ESQ.
johnldodd@twc.com
PAST PRESIDENT
DONALD B. LITTLEFIELD
NATIONAL TRUSTEE
DEREK BROWN
dptydeke@yahoo.com
ALTERNATE NATIONAL TRUSTEE
ROBERT TAYLOR
tartar-taylor@att.net
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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 ad-dressing 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.
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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: D. Craig Anderson
craigandersonsar@gmail.com
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