President’s message

Greetings Compatriots,

The chapter celebrated its 40^th anniversary last month at the April chapter meeting.  We are thankful to the gentlemen who had the foresight and took the initiative to establish the South Coast Chapter.

Later in this newsletter I will provide details of what transpired at the CASSAR 148^th Annual Meeting held in Costa Mesa.  The chapter won a number of awards, and I am extremely proud of our standing in the CASSAR.  

The chapter is making good progress supporting the NSSAR and CASSAR America 250 campaign.  Those in attendance at our chapter meetings and hearing the America 250 Minute receive points toward the award of a medal.  CASSAR is keen on the award of Flag Certificates.  Let’s do our part and make some awards.  A local business, friend or neighbor who flies the American Flag with pride is worthy of receiving this certificate.  Please contact me if you have any questions.  

In looking ahead, May 29^th is Memorial Day.  Let us all take time to honor those who served and sacrificed their lives while fighting in the U.S. Armed Forces.  As some of you know this includes my mother’s brother and my father’s brother who both died in the line of duty during WWII.  The National Moment of Remembrance, established by Congress, asks Americans, wherever they are at 3 p.m., local time, on Memorial Day, to pause in an act of national unity for a duration of one minute to honor those who died in service to the United States.

Wishing you a wonderful no-COVID summer.  Hope to see you at our next chapter meeting, Tuesday, May 16^th at Mimi’s in Irvine.  Also please remember that there are no chapter meetings during the summer and the next meeting after May is on September 19^th.

In compatriotism,

R. Scott Whitman

President, South Coast Chapter

President’s Message

Greetings Compatriots,

In this month in American history … the Boston Massacre took place on March 5, 1770, 253 years ago.  The British levied duties on lead, glass, paper, paint, and tea upon their arrival in colonial ports.  The colonists gathered in Boston to protest the duties. There was a skirmish between British troops and the crowd in Boston. After provocation by the colonists, British soldiers fired on the mob and killed five men. The incident was widely publicized by Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, and others as a battle for American liberty, and it contributed to the unpopularity of the British in the years leading up to the American Revolution.  

As a reminder for you all, Spring begins on March 20^th.  St. Patrick’s Day is March 17^th and Daylight savings time starts March 12^th.    The chapter Color Guard unit will be marching in the Patriot’s Day parade in Laguna Beach on Saturday, March 4^th. 

Last month your chapter Color Guard supported the Massing of the Colors and Salute to our Armed Forces event held at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Hollywood Hils.  The event featured a large parade of color and honor guard units (approximately 70) from local schools, ROTC units, military branches, SAR Color Guard units, as well as representatives from each branch of the military service. 

Our chapter Color Guard unit is four (4) strong of which two (2) are junior SAR members. Our Color Guard is looking for additional members. The chapter has an inventory of uniforms and accessories and may be able to fit you in one. 

In compatriotism,

R. Scott Whitman

President’s Message

Dear Compatriots,

This month we celebrate Lincoln’s Birthday on Sunday, February 12th and President’s Day on Monday, February 20th.  We all should take a moment and reflect on the great patriotic deeds of Washington and Lincoln that promoted the American ideals of democracy and freedom.  

A Washington Fun Fact is “He was fearless in battle.”  With men and officers being shot down all around him, George Washington rode forward to take charge of the collapsing lines at the Battle of the Monongahela on July 9, 1755.  While riding along the ranks looking to steady the men, Washington had two horses shot out from under him and four bullet holes shot through his coat. At the Battle of Princeton, January 3, 1777, Washington rode forward on his white charger as he led his soldiers in a successful counter-attack against the British. At one point Washington was no more than 30 yards from the British line and was an easy target. Despite the widespread fears that he would be shot down at any moment, Washington was heard to say to his troops, “Parade with me my fine fellows, we will have them soon!”

One of the initiatives for this year for the California Society is to increase participation in the SAR youth programs. The CASSAR has set a goal for each chapter to add one more youth program this year as compared to last year. The due dates for our Elementary School, Middle School and High School programs are in February through April for entries from Chapters to CASSAR. Please check the CASSAR website for more information on these programs and how to submit the entries:
https://www.californiasar.org/youth-programs. If any of you have a student in school please consider supporting the SAR youth program with a brochure, essay, poster or oration entry.   

In patriotism,

R. Scott Whitman

President, South Coast Chapter

President’s Message

Dear Compatriots,

Happy New Year to the SAR South Coast Chapter membership.  It is appreciated that you decided to renew your membership in the SAR and support its patriotic mission.  There are 65 members in the chapter going into 2023.  The chapter started 2022 with 51 members so we experienced a nice growth going into 2023.  Thankfully, the COVID is mostly behind us.  Best to stay diligent, though, as there are some like myself who got the COVID in 2022 even though they are fully vaccinated and boosted.  

The chapter Color Guard once again supported the Wreaths Across America event held at El Toro Memorial Park on December 17^th, presented the colors, lead a procession down to the veteran’s memorial and placed wreaths on graves of the veterans who are interred there.  

The chapter meeting in January will be held at Mimi’s in Irvine on January 17^th at 7pm.  Please consider attending the chapter meeting.  The guest speaker for the January dinner meeting is Paul Spitzzeri.  Paul is an excellent speaker, works for the Temple Museum in L.A. and has been a guest speaker at several past meetings. 

Wishing you all a safe and healthy 2023.  By the way, I was reminded that 2023 marks the 40^th anniversary of the founding of the SAR South Coast Chapter.  More to come on this next month.     

In patriotism,

R. Scott Whitman