I sincerely hope this message finds that you all are safe and not adversely impacted by the COVID. As for myself I am in the virtual waiting room to get my COVID vaccine. The chapter still needs to refrain from social gathering so once again we will hold a Zoom chapter meeting on Tuesday, February 16th. Hope you can find the time to connect to the virtual meeting. For the dinner “speaker” part of the meeting agenda we have been showing short YouTube videos that have American Revolution significance.
We start off this month with a new POTUS and are in anticipation of how our lives will be impacted by the new administration. Now more than ever we need organizations like the Sons of the American Revolution to keep promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and teaching American history to future generations. Truly hard to believe that the San Francisco Board of Education voted last month to remove the names of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and other iconic Americans from the city’s public schools.
On February 15th we honor President’s Day. Abraham Lincoln’s birthday is on February 12th and George Washington’s birthday is on February 22nd. Let’s take a moment out of our busy lives to reflect on the contributions of these great men. In its modern form, Presidents’ Day is used by many patriotic and historical groups as a date for staging celebrations, reenactments and other events. A number of states also require that their public schools spend the days leading up to Presidents’ Day teaching students about the accomplishments of the presidents, often with a focus on the lives of Washington and Lincoln.
This month our Color Guard would normally be supporting the Massing of the Colors event at Forest Lawn cemetery in Los Angeles. Sadly, the event is canceled due to the pandemic. Looking forward to when we will be able to march again.
Praying that you all remain safe and stay healthy.
In patriotism,
R. Scott Whitman
February 16 Chapter Zoom Meeting
Tuesday, February 16 at 7:00 PM
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic we will be conducting our monthly meetings using Zoom teleconferencing for a while. Our next meeting is on the third Tuesday, February 16 at 7:00 PM.
Members will be emailed a meeting link, meeting ID and passcode.
Upcoming Dates and Events.
Lincoln’s Birthday – Friday, February 12: Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States. His birthday is observed on Presidents Day, Monday, February 15.
Valentine’s Day – Sunday, February 14: Remember the flowers, cards, etc. for your loved ones.
Massing of the Colors & Salute to Our Armed Forces – Canceled this year. Usually held at Hall of Liberty, Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles.
President’s Day – Monday, February 15: This day is set aside to honor George Washington and Abraham Lincoln plus all of our former Presidents.
Chapter Zoom Meeting – Tuesday, February 16
George Washington’s Birthday – Monday, February 22nd: On this day let’s remember the life and work of George Washington, the first president of the United States. His birthday is observed on Presidents Day, Monday, February 15.
Genealogy BASH – Saturday, March 6: The Orange County California Genealogy Society is having a virtual genealogy seminar on Saturday, March 6 from 11:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. (The Book Faire is canceled this year.) The guest speaker is forensic investigator and research expert Michael L. Strauss, AG. Topics covered will be: (1) Women’s Suffrage: Their Rights, Roles, & Limitations; (2) Reconstructing the Past: Dealing with Military Record Loss; (3) Influenza: The Twentieth Century’s Deadliest Pandemic; and (4) Decoding Secret Societies: Researching your Fraternal Ancestors.
There is a fee to attend the virtual seminar. Visit OCCGS website for details: https://www.occgs.com .
Dinner (Zoom) Meeting – Tuesday, March 16: Likely another virtual meeting due to COVID pandemic.
SAR PRS Progress:
The Patriot Research System (PRS) has become a useful tool for recruiting new members; we have connected 100% of our current (1985-Jul 2020) membership to their patriot and transcribed 69.4% of the applications for the same group.
PRS Chairman’s List – Most applications transcribed by society (+/- sign shows change from last month)
Thank you all for renewing your membership in this worthy organization. We are 60 members strong. We started out in 2020 with 55 members. Hope you all were able to enjoy the holiday with family and friends in spite of the continued restrictions on social gathering. This coming year promises to be better now that the vaccine is becoming available. I hope and pray that none of you have contracted the COVID.
The presidential election is behind us. Some are sad and some are happy. Either way we are so blessed to live in this great country and be a part of its democratic society. Imagine that the Constitution was ratified up 232 years ago and is still relevant today. Our forefathers had great vision and foresight.
The chapter Color Guard was able to participate in the Wreaths Across America event held at El Toro Memorial Park. There was no public ceremony due to the pandemic but we were able to place wreaths on the grave sites of the veterans who are buried there. Several people came up to us and asked about our organization and wanted to get pictures with us in our uniforms.
Due to the continuing pandemic the chapter meeting in January will be another Zoom meeting. The “speaker” will be another short video on a Revolutionary War topic. Please try and set this time aside and join us in our virtual meeting. Let me know if you have any issues with connecting to the Zoom meeting and I’ll come to you and help you set it up.
Sadly for the chapter, our long time Registrar, Leon Smith, has decided to step down due to health reasons. Leon has devoted 17 years to supporting this critical chapter position. All of you have interfaced with Leon as you worked through the SAR application process and have been the beneficiary of his stellar assistance. We thank him greatly for this service and volunteerism. Leon also marched in the chapter Color Guard for 15 years. This means that we are need of a volunteer to fill the chapter registrar position. If you have an interest in genealogy and feel a calling to support the chapter in a greater capacity then please consider filling this opening.
Wishing you all remain safe and stay healthy this coming year. Looking forward to the time when we can meet again as a group.
In patriotism,
R. Scott Whitman
South Coast SAR Monthly Meeting
7:00 PM, Tuesday, January 19, 2021
Zoom Video Conference Instructions
We will be using the Zoom Videoconferencing application for the South Coast SAR Monthly Meeting
Members will be emailed a meeting link, meeting ID and passcode.
Upcoming Dates and Events.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – Monday, January 18: This is the day for official observance this year. His actual birthday is January 15.
January Dinner Meeting-Tuesday, January 19: See Page 1 for details.
Revolutionary War Reenactment – From hbhistory.org website: Canceled for 2021 due to COVID-19.
Lincoln’s Birthday – Friday, February 12: Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States. His birthday is observed on Presidents Day, Monday, February 15.
Valentine’s Day – Sunday, February 14: Remember the flowers, cards, etc. for your loved ones.
Massing of the Colors & Salute to Our Armed Forces – Apparently canceled this year. Usually held at Hall of Liberty, Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles.
President’s Day – Monday, February 15: This day is set aside to honor George Washington and Abraham Lincoln plus all of our former Presidents.
Dinner (Zoom) Meeting – Tuesday, February 16
George Washington’s Birthday – Saturday, February 22nd: On this day let’s remember the life and work of George Washington, the first president of the United States. His birthday is observed on Presidents Day, Monday, February 15.
Again, I hope all is well with you and yours. As I compose this month’s President’s message the outcome of the Presidential election is unknown. Thanks to our patriot ancestors we are blessed to live in a country where one is free to express one’s beliefs without fear of repression.
Due to the continuing pandemic the chapter meeting in November will be another Zoom meeting. Please try and set this time aside and join us in our virtual meeting. At the October meeting we showed Part 1 of a video made by the SAR French Society which relates the involvement of France in the American Revolution. We had improved attendance and hope more of you can participate at this month’s virtual meeting.
This month the chapter would normally hold an election of officers to serve on the Board for 2021-22. Also, due the pandemic, the Board decided to follow the lead of the NSSAR, not hold an election and have the current elected officers continue to serve in their present role until December 2021.
On November 11th our nation celebrates Veteran’s Day. Let’s all reflect on the importance and contribution of our veterans in protecting the freedoms we enjoy as a country. The USA is constantly under attack by its enemies. Thankfully, our Armed Forces are there to keep the enemy at bay.
This month we also celebrate Thanksgiving. This year the family gatherings will likely be different due to the pandemic but still a time to give thanks for family, friends and country. As a descendant of one of the passengers on Mayflower the holiday has an extra special meaning.
The November 17th chapter virtual meeting is the last meeting for 2020. Wishing you all remain safe, stay healthy and enjoy the holiday season as best we can with the restrictions on social gathering. Please pray for an end to the pandemic and a resumption of a near normal life in 2021.
Please stay safe everyone.
In patriotism,
R. Scott Whitman
South Coast SAR Monthly Meeting
7:00 PM, Tuesday, November 17, 2020
Zoom Video Conference Instructions
We will be using the Zoom Videoconferencing application for the South Coast SAR Monthly Meeting
Members will be emailed a meeting link, meeting ID and passcode.
State and National SAR News
November 13-14, 2020: The 145th Fall CASSAR Fall Board of Managers meeting planned for Rohnert Park, CA has now been canceled. The California Society will hold a Zoom virtual Board of Managers meeting on Saturday, November 14, 2020, beginning at 9:00 AM Pacific Time.
Upcoming Dates and Events.
Veterans Day – Wednesday, November 11: National holiday established by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919 to commemorate the armistice that ended World War 1 on November 11, 1918.
November Zoom Meeting – Tuesday, November 17: See Page 1 for details
Thanksgiving Day – Thurs, November 26: Wishing everyone a safe and Happy Thanksgiving. We are grateful for the many blessings that we have as Americans.
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day – Monday, December 7th: Let’s remember and honor those who lost their lives on December 7th, 1941.
Christmas Day – Friday, December 25th. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. Please remember our servicemen and women who cannot be home because they are defending our country.
New Year’s Day- Friday, January 1st: Wishing everyone a Happy New Year.
January Dinner (or Zoom) Meeting – Tuesday, January 19, 2021.
Washington Crossing the Delaware
Here are 10 facts about General George Washington and the Continental Army’s famous crossing of the Delaware River on December 25-26, 1776
(From mountvernon.org)
Washington crossed the Delaware River so that his army could attack an isolated garrison of Hessian troops located at Trenton, New Jersey.
Washington’s attack plan included three separate river crossings, but only one made it across.
Spies and deserters had informed the British and Hessians that Trenton was likely to be attacked.
Washington’s force used a collection of cargo boats and ferries to transport his men across the Delaware.
Experienced watermen from New England and the Philadelphia area ably guided the boats across the challenging river.
The crossing was made worse by the arrival of a strong storm that brought freezing rain, snow, and terrifying winds.
Washington’s carefully planned timetable was woefully behind schedule and Washington contemplated canceling the attack.
The Continentals brought a great quantity of artillery across the river.
The Delaware River is less than 300 yards wide at the point where the army crossed.
One of the most famous American paintings shows Washington and his army crossing the Delaware River.
Hope all is well with you and yours. The pandemic is still upon us impacting our daily lives and our opportunity to meet as a group. Sadly, the Zoom meeting held on September 15th was poorly attended. This month we have more time to provide the notification which should help enhance the attendance. Please seriously think about attending the Tuesday, October 20th meeting which will need to be another virtual on-line video meeting. Instead of a featured speaker at the last meeting we showed a historical video on the Battle of the Chesapeake. Likely, we will do something similar at the October meeting. If you are like me, I enjoy learning of American Revolution history and its impact on the formation of the USA.
As noted last month it’s is important that we attempt to continue to meet, albeit virtually, to maintain connections to the chapter and its membership. I look forward to “seeing” you on my computer screen.
The good news is the chapter’s financial health is solid and the membership count is stable. The initiative to revise the Chapter Bylaws was voted on and passed. This is the first change to the chapter by-laws since formation of the chapter in 1986.
Columbus Day is on October 12th, and commemorates the landing of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492. It was in 1937 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed Columbus Day a national holiday, largely as a result of intense lobbying by the Knights of Columbus, an influential Catholic fraternal organization. Columbus’ reputation is tarnished of late due to his association with slavery.
Herewith is another plea to the membership to volunteer to fill any of the open positions on the chapter board. If you feel the calling to support your SAR chapter as a board member please contact me and we will find a position that fits your particular interests.
The in-person Fall meeting of the CASSAR was recently cancelled due to the pandemic and will now be a Zoom meeting. I plan on attending.
Stay safe everyone.
In compatriotism,
Scott Whitman
South Coast SAR Monthly Meeting
7:00 PM, Tuesday, October 15, 2020
Zoom Video Conference Instructions
We will be using the Zoom Videoconferencing application for the South Coast SAR Monthly Meeting
Members will be emailed a meeting link and meeting ID.
on Tuesday, October 15, at 7:00 PM. If you are new to Zoom, below is a link to an online tutorial for new users on How to Join a Zoom Meeting. I am also providing a list of a few helpful tips to get you started using Zoom before the day of the meeting.
This is an excellent up-to-date short walk thru of many of the ZOOM features.
Helpful tips:
View the tutorial (above)
Don’t wait until the evening of the meeting to Install the Zoom application or test it. Do it now.
Install the Zoom application on the device you plan to use for the meeting: Desktop computer, laptop, tablet or cell phone. For tablets and cell phones go to your device App Store. For Desktop and Laptops go to Zoom.com
Test the Zoom application to make sure it is working before the meeting: Zoom Test
On the evening of the meeting, find a quiet, private room or area where you will not be disturbed, and where there will not be dogs barking, people talking, dishes clattering, or TV’s blaring.
This is a video meeting so wear appropriate clothing: a shirt with shorts, jeans, or slacks
About 5-10 minutes before the Open Forum begins, join the meeting using a link or meeting ID.
You may need to wait online before being admitted to join the meeting at 7:00 PM.
If you are not talking, please MUTE the microphone on your device. (Mute button or key in *6)
DO NOT CONNECT to the Zoom meeting using 2 devices located in the same room. The audio feedback will disrupt the entire meeting.
If you have a question that cannot wait for the Q&A, then UNMUTE and ask to interrupt.
Always stay on topic, be concise, and get to the point without telling a story.
Thank you for participating in the South Coast SAR Monthly Meeting!
State and National SAR News
November 13-14, 2020: The 145th Fall CASSAR Fall Board of Managers meeting planned for Rohnert Park, CA has now been canceled. The California Society will hold a Zoom virtual Board of Managers meeting on Saturday, November 14, 2020, beginning at 9:00 AM Pacific Time.
Upcoming Dates and Events.
Columbus Day – Monday, October 12:
Commemorates the landing of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492. It is still an official US Holiday despite controversy.
U.S. Navy Birthday – Tuesday, October 13: The United States Navy traces its origins to the Continental Congress Navy, which the Continental Congress established on 13 October 1775.
October Chapter (Zoom) Meeting-Tuesday, October 20: See page 1 for details.
U.S. Marine Corps Birthday-Tuesday, November 10: A committee of the Continental Congress met at Tun Tavern to draft a resolution calling for two battalions of Marines able to fight for independence at sea and on shore. The resolution was approved on November 10, 1775 officially forming the “Continental Marines.”
Veteran’s Day – Wednesday, November 11: This is the special day to remember those who served and fought in the defense of our country.
SOCCGS Family History Seminar: The South Orange County California Genealogy Society has canceled their seminar for this year, per SOCCGS’s web site:
James Freeman Blauer was born in Newport Beach on July 20,1952. He was the second son to John Winthrop Blauer and Ann Pauline Kalbus Blauer.
Jim was killed Friday, Oct 2 after the bicycle he was riding collided with a tow truck on Harbor Boulevard in Costa Mesa, California.
Jim got his vocal start by singing in the children’s choir at Newport Harbor Lutheran Church. That was the first of many choirs that would engage his beautiful voice. One of his favorite songs was the National Anthem which he sang at many a wreath laying ceremonies and SAR events. He also enjoyed scouting and aquatics. James earned his Eagle Scout award as a teenager.
Jim received an AA from Orange Coast College and a BA and teaching credential from Cal State Fullerton, majoring in Social Studies.
After college, Jim was a substitute teacher, working part-time at a pizza parlor. He worked a number of years for K-Mart, earning The Chairman Award. He then worked at Rite Aid until the time of his death.
In his spare time, Jim pursued a number of interests, including genealogy, stamp collecting, and coin collecting. He had a passion for books and collections of any kind!
Jim joined the Sons of the American Revolution in April 1981 (#118472) and was a devoted member of the Orange County Chapter, the California SAR, and the SAR Color Guard. Jim received the SAR Patriot Medal in 2005 from the California Society as well as many other SAR medals and awards over his 39-year membership. In addition to the SAR, Jim was a member of the Mayflower Society and several other lineage societies.
Jim shared his calligraphy skills with the Eagle Scouts, by preparing their certificates. In his spare time, he tended to his sweet peas and baked his famous oatmeal scotches, brownies, and lemon meringue pies to share with his many friends!
Jim is survived by his brother, John Blauer, sister in law, Kathy Blauer, nieces and nephews, Robbie Blauer, Vanessa Blauer, Chad Blauer, Shannon Blauer, and grand niece and nephew, Valentina and Sebastian Blauer. He will be greatly missed as a loving, kind, giving, cheerful, lover of life!
A memorial service was held by the Orange County SAR chapter on Saturday, Oct 11 at the Santa Ana Elks Lodge.
From CASSAR.
Surrender of General Burgoyne following the Battles of Saratoga
October 17, 1777
Moran, Percy, Artist. Burgoyne’s surrender at Saratoga / Percy Moran. United States, ca. 1911. (Library of Congress)
Here, in 1777, during the American War for Independence, American troops battled and beat a British invasion force, marking the first time in world history that a British Army ever surrendered. This crucial victory secured essential foreign recognition and support, instigated world-wide wars, affirmed United States independence, and changed the face of the world. The American forces were led by General Horatio Gates and included General Benedict Arnold.
The first Battle of Saratoga, also called the Battle of Freeman’s Farm, began on September 19, 1777. The initial forward action by the British encountered Colonel Daniel Morgan’s American light infantry and riflemen resulting in a fierce battle which went back and forth. Although the British were able to hold the field that day, they suffered heavy casualties including many of their officers picked off by American sharpshooters.
The second Battle of Saratoga, the Battle of Bemis Heights, occurred on October 7. With the British forces running low on supplies, a foray was sent out to observe the American position, however they hesitated at Barber’s wheat field to harvest the much-needed ripened wheat. Around mid-afternoon, the Americans, aware of the British movement, attacked. Their now 13000-man army was able to push the British back. As the British withdrew, one of their beloved Generals, Simon Fraser, was mortally wounded by one or more of Morgan’s riflemen.
After burying General Fraser and having packed up what supplies they could, Burgoyne’s army began a hasty retreat north. They trudged through cold rain, mud, and hunger until reaching the village of Saratoga. Finding themselves boxed in by American militia soldiers north, west, and east of the village, they set up a fortified camp and waited. Two days later, the Americans had completely surrounded them. After a week of negotiations, Burgoyne surrendered to Gates, on October 17, 1777. Because of the incredible impact caused by the American victory in the Battles of Saratoga, they are known as the “Turning Point of the American Revolution”, and are considered by many historians to be among the top 15 battles in world history.
