President’s Message
Greetings Compatriots,
It is an honor and a privilege to serve the South Coast chapter of the SAR as its new president. We are saddened by the untimely loss of our past president, Richard Bent, and our treasurer-to-be, David Hogshead. One of my objectives for this term is to resurrect the Chapter Color Guard. Another objective is to enhance the quality of our chapter meeting programs. Please let me know if you have any thoughts on either of these objectives. On Monday, February 18th, we celebrate President’s Day. This federal holiday to honor the first president of the United States of America was first established in 1885. George Washington was born on February 22nd, 1732 (per the Gregorian calendar). In 1971 the holiday was shifted to the third Monday in February. Some of you may recall the time when we celebrated Washington’s birthday and Lincoln’s birthday on separate days in February and on the day of their birth. Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12th 1809 in Hodgenville, Kentucky. The first attempt to create a Presidents Day occurred in 1951 when the “President’s Day National Committee” was formed by Harold Stonebridge Fischer of Compton, California. The purpose of the initiative was not to honor any particular president but to honor the office of the presidency. In some states Lincoln’s birthday is celebrated separately, as a stand-alone holiday on the anniversary of his birth. In other states, like California, the recognition of Lincoln and Washington’s birthdays is combined on Presidents Day. These two (2) men contributed mightily to making America the greatest nation in the world. I’m looking forward to serving you in the coming year and seeing you at our chapter meetings at our new location at Mimi’s in Lake Forest.
In Patriotism,
R. Scott Whitman
2019 SAR National Congress
The SAR is coming to California
Traditionally, approximately every 10 years, the SAR holds the National Congress in California. Many of you will remember the 2008 Congress in Sacramento and the great time we had there.
In 2019 California again will host the National Congress, this time in Orange County at the spacious Orange County Hilton at Costa Mesa, a stone’s throw from the famous South Coast Plaza, and “next door” to Newport Beach. The Congress Planning Committee chose this location after a comprehensive search, working with representatives of the California society to find a hotel which met the requirements regarding both budget and amenities.
The hotel is just minutes away from Orange County’s John Wayne Airport, served by all major airlines.
Mark your calendars now for July 5 through 11 and plan to attend.
The other upcoming important event of note is the CSSAR 144th Spring Meeting of the Membership April 25-27 in Ventura, CA.
http://www.californiasar.org/events/144th-spring-meeting/
Scott
Chapter Activities
At our January meeting, we had our swearing in ceremonies for the new chapter officers. CASSAR Vice President South Brian Stephens performed the swearing in ceremony for the chapter officers. Brian Stephen was accompanied by his wife Diane. In addition to Brian, past CASSAR President Jim Fosdyck and his wife Un Hui Yi and CASSAR Trustee John Dodd was present at the meeting. The South Coast Chapter Officers for 2019 are listed below:
President Robert Scott Whitman
1st V.P. (Registrar and Genealogist) Leon L. Smith, Jr.
2nd V.P. (Programs) Steven H. Steinberg
Secretary Jerry L. Hereford
Treasurer Paul Weddell
Chaplain Robinson (Robbie) H. Jones
Newsletter Editor and Webmaster Paul W. Sapp
ROTC Maynard D. Rains
Eagle Scouts Curtis Michael Porter
Director Kurt Jeffrey Camp
Shown below are the South Coast Chapter Officers that were sworn in.
In addition to being sworn in as our new chapter president, Compatriot Scott Whitman was presented by Leon Smith a supplemental certificate for Scott’s patriot ancestor Josiah Lane who served as a 2nd Lt. in the Massachusetts Militia. Patriot Lane served under Capt. Enoch Whiton’s Company and Col. Benjamin Lincoln’s Regiment. This is Scott’s 8th supplemental certificate.
Registrar Leon Smith also presented to Compatriot Paul Weddell a supplemental certificate for Paul’s patriot ancestor John Grosh who served as a Judge on the Court of Appeals of Frederick County, Maryland. Patriot Grosh also provided money to the Revolutionary War and served as a member on the Committee of Observation. This is compatriot Weddells’ 3rd supplemental certificate. In addition, Leon Smith presented Compatriot Paul a Distinguished Service Medal and Certificate for his long service as the chapter treasurer. Paul has been the treasurer for at least 14 years. Also, Paul’s wife, Renee Weddell, was presented a Medal and Certificate of Appreciation for her support of our chapter. Her support included assisting Paul in treasurer duties, hosting past chapter picnics and our yearly chapter BBQ. She has on several occasions produced chapter membership directories. Paul and Renee are pictured below with Leon Smith presenting the honors.
Paul Weddell & Leon Smith 
Renee Weddell & Leon Smith