November 2021

President’s Message

Dear Compatriots,

On Thursday, November 11th our nation celebrates Veterans Day. Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day to celebrate the end of World War I. Beginning in 1919, we acknowledged the end of WWI on the 11th day of the 11th month at 11 am. Businesses at 11am were to stop operating for two minutes in a moment of silence. Sadly, WWI was not the war to end all wars and our country endured WWII. President Eisenhower signed a proclamation changing Armistice Day to Veteran’s Day. We now continue to honor veterans who fought and sacrificed not only in WWI but WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and the wars in the Middle East. Honoring and acknowledging those who fought to keep our country free is a significant part of the SAR charter.

The SAR South Coast Chapter Color Guard plans to support the 32nd Annual Veterans Day Observance at El Toro Memorial Park on Thursday, November 11, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. You all are welcome to attend.
I plan to attend the CASSAR 146th Fall Board of Managers meeting November 4-7 at the Mission Inn in Riverside. I will report out to you on the items of interest to the Chapter membership at the January Chapter meeting.
After a one year hiatus due to the pandemic the chapter will hold an election this month to determine the volunteers who will be leading the South Coast Chapter for the next 2 years.

Let’s all honor our veterans on Veteran’s Day and every day. Please consider attending the next chapter meeting on Tuesday, November 16th at the Mimi’s in Irvine at 7pm. In addition to an interesting speaker event, we will also announce the results of our Chapter Board Member elections.

In patriotism,

R. Scott Whitman

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October 2021

President’s Message

Dear Compatriots,

This past month the South Coast Chapter held its first in person meeting since the start of the pandemic.  There was a good turnout, over twenty attendees.  The new venue, Mimi’s in Irvine, did a good job of taking orders, serving the food, distributing the checks and processing the payments.  The featured speaker, Charles Pratley, provided an entertaining and informative program centered on the Continental Congress and included audience participation.  More coverage of our meeting is included later in this newsletter. 

Now that the pandemic is mostly behind us I’m hopeful that more of our members will consider attending the chapter meeting.  At the end of 2019, just prior to the onset of the pandemic the chapter had 55 members.  Currently, the chapter has 64 members including 9 juniors so we have been able to actually increase the membership in spite of the troubled times and inability to meet as a group.

In looking back at significant Revolutionary War events during the month of October the Battle of Saratoga ended on October 7, 1777.  One of the most decisive American battles of the Revolutionary War, Saratoga ended British general John Burgoyne’s attempt to control the Hudson River Valley. The outcome convinced the Court of King Louis XVI that the Americans could hold their own against the British Army, sealing the alliance between America and France. American general Benedict Arnold was hailed as a hero for his bravery on the battlefield, a reputation lost with his later betrayal and defection to the Royalists.

Next month, Nov. 4-7, the CASSAR will be holding its 146th Fall Board of Managers meeting at the Mission Inn in Riverside.  Since the venue is close to home this is a great opportunity to attend and witness firsthand how the CASSAR conducts business.  I plan on attending and representing our chapter.  

Please continue to do your part to promote patriotism in our community.  Looking forward to seeing you at our next chapter meeting on Tuesday, October 19th at the Mimi’s in Irvine at 7pm.  

In patriotism,

R. Scott Whitman

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President’s Message

Dear Compatriots,

The summer is over and it’s time to try and get back together for an in-person meeting.  The last time we met in person as a group was in January 2020, 19 months ago.  The September chapter meeting will be held at the Mimi’s in Irvine.  We were meeting at the Mimi’s in Lake Forest but it closed permanently due to impact of COVID on its business.  It would be great if they reopened sometime soon.  I searched high and low for another venue and it was slim pickings.  The Mimi’s in Irvine has a separate room very similar to the one in Lake Forest.  We have a dinner speaker scheduled to address our group.  I’m hopeful that you will make an effort to support our September meeting.  It would be great to see everyone again.  

This month’s newsletter and website update were assembled by Bruce Deaner.  Paul Sapp and his wife sold their home in Irvine and moved to Florida. Bruce kindly answered the call for a volunteer to fill the vacant position. By the way Bruce lives in Japan so this will be a good test of working virtually. We are grateful to Paul for his volunteerism and his contributions to the South Coast Chapter.  

Hope this finds you all safe and healthy.  Hope to see you on Tuesday, September 21st at the Mimi’s in Irvine.  

In patriotism,

R. Scott Whitman

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Special 4th of July President’s Message

On July 2nd, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson. From 1776 to the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, 

Independence Day is one of four (4) national holidays that are celebrated on the actual day along with Veterans’ Day, Christmas and New Years Day.  


Some more fun facts … George Washington issued double rations of rum to all his soldiers to mark the anniversary of independence in 1778, and in 1781, several months before the key American victory at the Battle of Yorktown, Massachusetts became the first state to make July 4th an official state holiday.

The first fireworks were used as early as 200 BC. The tradition of setting off fireworks on the 4th of July began in Philadelphia on July 4, 1777, during the first organized celebration of Independence Day. Ship’s cannon fired a 13-gun salute in honor of the 13 colonies. The Pennsylvania Evening Post reported: “at night there was a grand exhibition of fireworks (which began and concluded with thirteen rockets) on the Commons, and the city was beautifully illuminated.” That same night, the Sons of Liberty set off fireworks over Boston Common.

Stay safe and cherish the freedoms we enjoy as a people and nation.  


In compatriotism,

Scott Whitman

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