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 21^st at the Mimi’s in Irvine.  

In patriotism,

R. Scott Whitman

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