President’s Message

Dear Compatriots,

Hope you all had a nice summer.  It’s hard to believe the summer is over and it’s already September.  Last month, August, the South Coast Chapter enjoyed another wonderful potluck/BBQ at the Weddell’s home.  We are grateful to Paul and Renee for volunteering to once again host the event (10 years running).  Thanks to Kurt and Linda Camp for barbequing the burgers, hot dogs and chicken kabobs.  Thanks also to their family and neighbors for helping to decorate the yard, and the setup and teardown of the chairs, tables, etc. 

In June the California Society hosted the Annual NSSAR Congress held in Costa Mesa.  Several of our chapter members volunteered to man the Registration Table.  Curtis Porter was the San Juan Capistrano Tour Lead.  Bunny Smith and I were in Colonial and Revolutionary dress and greeted the attendees flying into John Wayne airport.  Steve Steinberg and Leon Smith were nominated by the CASSAR to receive the Bronze Sam Adams Congress Appreciation Medal in recognition of their volunteer efforts.  I attended the Congress representing the South Coast Chapter as a voting delegate.  It was my first experience and very interesting.  There were business meetings during the day and formal banquets on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.  The CASSAR hosted a yacht cruise around Newport harbor for the Congress attendees and their guests.  The CASSAR was highly praised for their efforts in hosting and organizing the Congress.  Some commented that it was the best Congress ever. 

We are still in need of Color Guard members so if you feel a calling to support this very important chapter function please contact me or Kevin Forrest.  Thanks to Jeremy Paye for volunteering to relieve Paul Weddell as the chapter treasurer.  We now need a volunteer to fill the JROTC Committee Chair position as Maynard Rains is stepping down due to work priorities. 

Looking forward to seeing you at our September chapter meeting.

In compatriotism,

Scott Whitman

Chapter Activities

Chapter Potluck Dinner:  On Tuesday, August 20^th we had our annual chapter potluck dinner.  A special thanks to Paul and Renee Weddell for hosting the potluck dinner and to Kurt and Linda Camp for helping with the set up. In addition to chapter members and their guests attending, in attendance were CASSAR Vice President South Brian Stephens and his wife Diane and NSSAR Color Guard Commander James Fosdyck and his wife Un Hui Yi.

At these annual BBQ dinner events, a Revolutionary War event or individual is highlighted and details about the individual or event is provided.  This years’ Revolutionary War individual highlighted was Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski, together with his counterpart Michael Kovats de Fabriczy has been called “the father of the American Calvary”. Pictures of the event are shown below:

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A fine time was had by all!

Chapter Registrar, Leon Smith, inducted two new members, Aaron Cash and Scott Davis, into our chapter.  Aaron Cash’s patriot ancestor was Nathan Warner who served as a Corporal in Captain Joseph Raymond’s Company, Colonel Israel Chapin’s Regiment, Massachusetts.  Scott Davis’s patriot ancestor was George Teagarden who supported the American Revolution by Paying the Supply Tax, Pennsylvania.  We want to welcome both Aaron Cash and Scott Davis to our chapter and hope to see them at our dinner meetings.

South Coast Color Guard

Compatriots, the South Coast Chapter is looking for members that are interested in joining the Color Guard. Our goal is to have 4-5 standing members with some alternates, as we will need to have at least 3 members present to take part in any official events. 

We currently have 3 members, but would like to add a couple more to our ranks Anyone interested in joining or if there are any questions, please feel free to contact Kevin Forrest or Webmaster.

State and National SAR News

The CASSAR 144th Fall Board of Managers meeting is being held 1-2 November at the Wyndham Irvine Hotel in Irvine and is being hosted by the Orange County Chapter.  See CASSAR website for more details.

Upcoming Dates and Events

Constitution Day-Tuesday, September 17:  Tuesday, September 17, is the anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution.  Constitution Day commemorates the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787.

September Dinner Meeting-Tuesday, September 17:  See page 1 for details.

U.S. Air Force Birthday-Wednesday, September 18:  We salute our members who served in the U.S. Air Force.  The Air Force is the youngest of all five services. It became a separate service on Sept. 18, 1947 after President Harry S. Truman signed the National Security Act of 1947.

SOCCGS Family History Seminar-Saturday, October 19:  The South Orange County California Genealogy Society is having their annual Family History Seminar in Mission Viejo.

The guest speaker is Dr. Fritz Juengling, Accredited Genealogist through ICAPGen for a variety on European regions.  The topic of his all-day presentation is “Reinventing Your Genealogical Research”.

Details for this event can be found on SOCCGS’s web site:

www.soccgs.org

Annual 2019 NSSAR Congress

The South Coast Chapter was well represented at the Congress, held in Costa Mesa and hosted by CASSAR.  Here are some pictures of our members and friends.

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President’s Message

On May 27 our country held its annual remembrance of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms, Memorial Day.  This day is especially relevant to our family as both my Dad’s brother and my Mom’s brother lost their lives in the line of duty in WWII.  June 6^th was the 75^th anniversary of D-Day.  Let us never forget those brave soldiers who stormed the beaches in Normandy and changed the course of world history in the name of preserving democracy. 

Here we are in June and it’s the beginning of summer.  Our chapter does not meet in June, July or August.  The next Chapter meeting will be in September.  The Weddell’s have graciously offered to open up their home and beautiful back yard to host the annual SAR Chapter Potluck BBQ.  More to come on the details for the picnic and what potluck dishes are needed. 

Next month, July 5-10, the annual NSSAR Congress is being held right here in our own back yard, Costa Mesa.  Several of us in the Chapter have volunteered to fill the various needs required by the Congress.  This will be the first Congress that I’ve attended and it should be very interesting.    Many thanks to Kevin Forrest for volunteering to head up our Color Guard Unit.  I’m in the process of putting together my uniform.  We still need at least one more member to be a functioning unit. 

Have a great summer!

In Patriotism

R. Scott Whitman

South Coast Chapter Color Guard

Good News Compatriots – the South Coast Chapter Color Guard is coming back. We are currently looking for members that are interested in joining the Color Guard. Our goal is to have 4-5 standing members with some alternates, as we will need to have at least 3 members present to take part in any official events. 

Our chapter uses the original (1775-1778) Continental Marine Uniform, consisting of a Green Coat w/ white facing and lining, white waistcoat, shirt breeches and stocking and the Black Round Hat.

Anyone interested in joining or if there are any questions, please feel free to contact Kevin at KevinNU93@cox.net

South Coast Chapter News

May Dinner Meeting:  The guest speaker for our May Dinner Meeting was author and lecturer Doug Westfall.  Doug Westfall spoke on the history of the Rancho Lands of Orange County.  Doug Westfall is shown below receiving our Certificate of Appreciation.

Chapter Registrar, Leon Smith, presented to Chapter Vice President, Steven Steinberg, a supplemental certificate for Stevens’ patriot ancestor John Board who furnished supplies to the Revolutionary War effort. This is compatriot Steven Steinberg’s’ seventh supplemental certificate.

At the dinner meeting, Registrar Leon Smith, LAPD-Retired received a quilt from the Quilt Reaction Force for his service with the Los Angeles Police Department.  Making the presentation was Un Hui Hi.

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Un Hui Hi with Bunny and Leon Smith

New Chapter Treasurer:  Recently, Compatriot Jeremy Paye has volunteered to take over the chapter treasurer position.  Jeremy and is son Ryan are new members to our chapter.  A special thanks to Jeremy for volunteering for this important position and a very special thanks to Paul and Renee Weddell for serving in this position for over 15 years.  The transition will happen over the next several months.

ROTC/JROTC Medals Awarded

Maynard Rains, Chapter ROTC Chairman reported that the following ROTC/JROTC medal and certificate presentations have been made:

On April 24, Compatriot Jerry Hereford presented a Bronze Citizenship Medal and Certificate and $50 to Western High School JROTC Cadet Daniel Lopez.

On May 5, Compatriot Kurt Camp presented awarded the Silver Citizenship Medal and Certificate, and $150 to Cal State Fullerton ROTC Cadet Andrew Wise.

On May 8, Compatriot Scott Whitman presented a Bronze Citizenship Medal and Certificate and $50 to Katella High School JROTC Cadet Samuel Soliso.

On 8 May, Compatriot Rick Martin presented a Bronze Citizenship Medal and Certificate and $50 to Loara high School JROTC Cadet Mark Grabador.  See photo below.

On May 15, Compatriot Phillip Inglee presented a Bronze Citizenship Medal and Certificate and $50 to Katella High School JROTC Cadet Samuel Solis.

The JROTC Bronze Citizenship Medal and Certificate and $50 were mailed to the Commanding Officer of JROTC program at the John C. Fremont High School.

A special thanks to Maynard Rains for his effort in coordinating with the schools and preparing the medals and certificates.  Also, a special thanks to the chapter compatriots that made themselves available to do the presentations.  The schools and cadets always appreciate our involvement in their programs.

President’s Message

Dear Compatriots,

This past month I attended the 144^th Annual CASSAR meeting held in Ventura April 26-27 representing our South Coast Chapter.  This was my first exposure to a CASSAR meeting and I came away with a lot of ideas and enthusiasm for promoting patriotism and the SAR mission and goals in our community. 

The SAR Mission is worth restating here:  The Objects of this Society are declared to be patriotic, historical, and educational; to unite and promote fellowship among the descendants of those who sacrificed to achieve the independence of the American people, to inspire them and the community-at-large with a more profound reverence for the principles of the government founded by our forefathers; to foster true patriotism; to maintain and extend the institutions of American freedom.

The various business meetings at the CASSAR conference were very well organized.  The Youth Program Reports and the Committee Reports were the most interesting part of the agenda.  I plan to share with our chapter some ideas that I picked up for enhancing our presence in the South Coast region. 

There was a memorial service and our members that passed away last year, South Coast Chapter Compatriots, Richard Bent and David Hogshead, were remembered and I provided a brief obituary.

Coming up is the NSSAR Annual Congress being held locally in Costa Mesa, July 5-10.  I plan on registering for this event, as well.  It’s a rare opportunity to attend the NSSAR Annual Congress so close to home.  Registration is now open to participate in the Congress and it is open to all SAR members.   Our CASSAR State Society is hosting the event.  They do need volunteers which will come mostly from the Orange Coast SAR Chapter and our South Coast SAR Chapter.  Check out the NSSAR website for more information on this event. 

In patriotism,R. Scott Whitman

Chapter Activities

Our speakers for our March dinner meeting were Dan Goldbacher, Maritime Programs Coordinator and Kristin McGowan, Maritime Coordinator, at the Ocean Institute, Dana Point.  Dan Goldbacher gave us an overview of the mission of the Ocean Institute and Kristin McGowan gave us an overview of one of the classes she teaches concerning the privateers during the Revolutionary War.  Our chapter presented to both Dan and Kristin Certificates of Appreciation.  Dan Goldbacher and Kristin McGowan are shown below:

Registrar Leon Smith inducted two new members into our chapter. The two new members are Jeremy Paye and his son Ryan Paye. Their patriot ancestor was Elias Alexander Flenniken who served as a Private in the 4th Company, 4th Battalion, Cumberland, PA from 1781 to 1783. We want to welcome both Jeremy and Ryan to our chapter and hope to see them at our dinner meetings.

In addition, Registrar Leon Smith presented to Compatriot William Yost a supplemental certificate for Williams’ patriot ancestor Philip Adams who served as a Private under Captain Joseph Monfort’s Company, 10th Regiment, North Carolina Line from 1778 to 1779 and as a Private under Captain Raiford’s Company, 10th Regiment, North Carolina Line from 1781 to 1782. This is compatriot William Yost’s seventh supplemental certificate.

Dinner Meeting Program

Tuesday, May 21, 2019, 7:00 PM – Mimi’s Cafe, Lake Forest

Author and lecturer, Doug Westfall, will be returning with his subject “Rancho Lands, All about Orange”.

Douglas Westfall is an author, publisher, and teacher and has published America’s history for a quarter of a century. He continually discovers unread manuscripts and unpublished photography relating to the great stories of America’s history, from which he makes his books.

www.specialbooks.com

The Capture of Fort Ticonderoga – May 10, 1775

The siege and capture of Fort Ticonderoga is considered a pivotal date in the American Revolution. The fort was located on Lake Champlain in northern New York and did not appear a particularly important strategic facility. It did, however, contain a collection of heavy artillery, including cannons, howitzers and mortars, armaments that the Americans had in short supply.

After the battles of Lexington and Concord the British General Thomas Gage in the besieged city of Boston realized that the fort would require fortification and sent a letter to Quebec’s governor with an order to accomplish that. Unfortunately, for the British side, the letter arrived too late on May 19 – Ticonderoga had already been captured by the Patriots.

On May 10 the fort was captured by a combined force of 400 men, led by Col. Benedict Arnold and Col. Ethan Allen, with his Green Mountain Boys. The fort’s small British garrison were overwhelmed by the Americans and no one was killed in the assault.

The fort was held by the Americans throughout the remainder of 1775 and used to stage the unsuccessful invasion of Quebec. In the winter of 1775–1776, Henry Knox directed the transportation of the guns of Ticonderoga to Boston. The guns were placed upon Dorchester Heights overlooking the besieged city and the British ships in the harbor, prompting the British to evacuate their troops and Loyalist supporters from the city in March 1776.

At our April meeting Jim Fosdyck, past CASSAR president, introduced us to the George Washington Endowment Fund.  The fund was established by the Executive Committee in 1993 to create a permanent fund, the income of which would provide annual funding for support of NSSAR unfunded and underfunded committees and special projects. 

The income from the contributions over the years have helped to finance a wide variety of programs and projects across the nation, such as:

• Historical programs
• Youth Awards
• American Revolution studies
• Cemetery and grave markers
• Genealogical studies
• Patriot memorials
• Brochures for public sites

SAR members and their families can become George Washington Fellows by donating to the fund with payments made over a duration of five years or less.  These donations are 100% tax deductible.

For more information, you can contact Jim Fosdyck or download the GWEF brochure at:

https://members.sar.org/media/uploads/pages/248/qLZ09eK206Ux.pdf

President’s Message

Dear Compatriots,

April was a significant month in the history of the United States.  It was on April 19, 1775 that the Battles of Lexington and Concord occurred.  These are considered the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War.  It’s possible that some of our chapter members may have a patriot ancestor who fought in these battles.  This was the onset of armed conflict between Britain and the Colonialists.  Ralph Waldo Emerson described the first shot fired by the Patriots at the North Bridge in Concord as the “shot heard around the world”.  As members of the Sons of the American Revolution organization we can look back on this event with great pride as our patriot ancestors led the way to establishing the greatest nation in the world with unparalleled freedoms and liberties. 

In patriotism,

R. Scott Whitman

Chapter Activities

Our speakers for our March dinner meeting were Rev. Gary Beard and his grandson Jordan Meier.  Gary portrayed George Washington and Jordan portrayed a younger George Washington.  “Young George” discussed his experiences as a surveyor and his involvement in the start of the French and Indian War.  In addition, “Old George” presented us with an exhibit of historical artifacts from the period.  Certificates of Appreciation from our chapter were presented to Gary and Jordan by Scott Whitman.

L to R: Gary Beard, Jordan Meier, Scott Whitman

Dinner Meeting Program:   

Tuesday, April 16, 2019 – Mimi’s Cafe, Lake Forest

This month we will have representatives from the Ocean Institute in Dana Point to present “Tall Ships on Maritime History in The American Revolution.”  Their mission is “using the ocean as our classroom, we inspire children to learn”.  The Institute is located on the Dana Point Harbor and includes teaching labs, an oceanographic research vessel, and two tall ships: the brig Pilgrim, and the Spirit of Dana Point.

https://www.ocean-institute.org

Lexington and Concord – Minute Man National Historical Park

Was the “shot heard round the world” fired in Lexington or Concord?

The “shot heard round the world” is part of a line in “The Concord Hymn,” written in the 1830’s by writer / philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson for the dedication of a monument at the site of Concord’s North Bridge.

“Here once the embattled farmers stood,
and fired the shot heard round the world.”

No one can dispute Lexington’s claim to the first shots, and sadly, the first colonial casualties of the Revolutionary War. However the “shot heard round the world” is not a reference to the first shot.

Emerson’s poem is definitely referring to the fighting at the North Bridge, where colonial militiamen were first ordered to fire on British soldiers, thus committing treason. Here also the first British soldiers were killed.

However, in a larger sense, was Emerson actually referring to a musket shot? Some argue that the true “shot heard round the world” is not a physical musket shot, but the ideals of liberty and self-determination.

It was for the defense of these ideals that people all over New England were roused into action against the British in April of 1775.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

CONCORD HYMN:

SUNG AT THE COMPLETION OF THE CONCORD MONUMENT,

April 19, 1836.

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By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
⁠Their flag to April’s breeze unfurled,
Here once the embattled farmers stood,
⁠And fired the shot heard round the world.

The foe long since in silence slept;
⁠Alike the conqueror silent sleeps;
And Time the ruined bridge has swept
⁠Down the dark stream which seaward creeps.

On this green bank, by this soft stream,
⁠We set to-day a votive stone;
That memory may their deed redeem,
⁠When, like our sires, our sons are gone.

Spirit, that made those heroes dare
⁠To die, or leave their children free,
Bid Time and Nature gently spare
⁠The shaft we raise to them and thee.

Old North Bridge – Concord, Massachusetts

By Daderot at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5942756

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Minute Man National Historical Park

Mailing Address:

North Bridge Visitor Center / Park Head Quarters 
174 Liberty St. 
Concord, MA 01742

Phone:

(978) 369-6993