President’s Message
Dear Compatriots,
From November 1-2 I attended the CASSAR Fall Board of Managers meeting representing our chapter as a voting member of the assembly. This was the second CASSAR meeting that I’ve attended. The meeting was very informative. I’m always amazed at the extent of the patriotic recognition programs sponsored by the SAR. At the awards luncheon on Saturday three (3) of our own chapter members, Leon Smith, Steve Steinberg and Curtis Porter, were recognized for their volunteer efforts at the SAR Congress held last July and were awarded the Bronze Congress Appreciation Medal. The featured speaker at the luncheon was Melissa Wolking, a CASSAR Valley Forge Teacher award recipient. She spoke about her trip to Valley Forge and Philadelphia that was sponsored by Freedoms Foundation.
I am very pleased to share the good news with our chapter members that our Color Guard is once again on the march. Thanks to the efforts of Kevin Forrest, our chapter Color Guard Commander, the South Coast SAR Color Guard presented the colors at the South Orange County California Genealogical Society meeting held at Mission Viejo City Hall. Shane Gates, a ten year old junior member of our chapter, was the drummer and as you can imagine he was a huge hit. Another initiative of my presidency is to increase our presence and promote patriotism in our youth by making elementary school presentations to 5th and 6th graders studying US History. Kevin Forrest heard the call to arms so to speak, took the initiative here and made a presentation at a local grade school last month. Please be on the lookout for grade school speaking engagement opportunities.
At the Fall Board of Managers meeting I was required to report out on the health of our chapter. We are on solid ground. We can always benefit from having new members so please promote our cause whenever the opportunity arises.
We are still seeking a volunteer to fill the JROTC Committee Chair position. This is another important chapter function in the promotion of patriotism in our community.
Coming up on Monday, November 11th is Veteran’s Day. One of the most important functions of the SAR is to honor American service men and women. Our patriot ancestors who supported the cause of the Revolutionary War were the very first veterans. Let us all take a moment to reflect on the importance of the men and women who served our country and protected our freedoms.
The chapter meeting on Tuesday, November 19th will be the last one for 2019. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
In compatriotism,
Scott Whitman
Chapter Activities
Chapter Registrar, Leon Smith, inducted new member, Jason Temple into our chapter. Jason’s patriot ancestor was John Temple, Jr. who supported American Independence by serving as a Corporal, in the Reading, MA Militia under Captain Easton’s Company, Colonel Green’s Regiment, which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775. We want to welcome Jason to our chapter and hope to see him at our dinner meetings.
In addition to inducting a new member, Leon Smith presented to Kevin Forrest two supplemental certificates for his patriot ancestors Jesse Nichols and Samuel Flint. Patriot Jesse Nichols supported American Independence by serving as a Private under Captain Foster and Colonel Whitcomb of the Massachusetts Line. Patriot Samuel Flint supported American Independence by serving as a Captain under Colonels Timothy Pickering, Samuel Wyllys, Henry Herrick and Samuel Johnson in Massachusetts.
These are Kevin’s 3rd and 4th supplemental certificates.
October Dinner Meeting
Paul Spitzzeri, Historian and Director at the Workman and Temple Family Homestead Museum gave a very interesting presentation on the history of these American pioneer families in Southern California. The tale began with the arrival of New England native John Temple in San Diego in 1827. He later moved to Los Angeles and established the first American style store there. Englishman William Workman arrived in the area via Missouri and New Mexico in 1841 and the families intermarried. They have a long history here in Southern California. Also, our compatriot, Jason Temple, is a descendant of this family. Below, Paul receives a Certificate of Appreciation from President Scott Whitman and Registrar Leon Smith.
State and National SAR News
CASSAR Fall Board of Managers Meeting
This meeting was held in Irvine on Nov 1-2. In this event three of our members received the Bronze Congress Appreciation Medal in recognition of their volunteer efforts for the National Congress last July: Leon Smith, Steve Steinberg and Curtis Porter.
In addition, Leon Smith was acknowledged as a Fellow by the George Washington Endowment Fund with a certificate and Gold Lapel pin.
Upcoming Dates and Events
Veterans Day – Monday, November 11: This is the special day to remember those who served and fought in defense of our country.
November Dinner Meeting – Tuesday, November 19: 7PM, Mimi’s Cafe, Lake Forest
Thanksgiving Day – Thurs, November 28: Wishing everyone a safe and Happy Thanksgiving. We are grateful for the many blessings that we have as Americans.
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day – Saturday, December 7th: Let’s remember and honor those who lost their lives on December 7th, 1941.
Christmas Day – Wednesday, 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- Wednesday, January 1st: Wishing everyone a Happy New Year.
January Dinner Meeting – Tuesday, January 21, 2020: 7PM, Mimi’s Cafe, Lake Forest
South Coast Chapter Classroom Presentation
By Kevin Forrest – South Coast Chapter Color Guard Commander
On Halloween morning, the South Coast Chapter Color Guard provided an interactive Revolutionary War presentation, at the Inspire Charter School in Laguna Niguel, for the 5th-8th grades. The students were given an overview of important dates and events that led to the birth of our country.
The discussion began with the displeasure concerning taxation, starting in the 1760’s, and how this grew into the open rebellion that started with the opening shots at Lexington & Concord. We discussed the desperate early days of the war and how the support of countries like France and Spain soon turned the tide in the favor of the Americans.
Drumming Up Troops
The interactive discussion allowed the students to take an active role in the presentation. From learning how troops were enlisted and how long they served, to getting to try out the drum and seeing other equipment and artifacts from the war the students were asking questions throughout.
Enlisting a New Marine
Some highlights were “signing up” a new recruit and then getting to try on the Continental Marine uniform, and walking thru the process of firing a musket “in line” with other troops.
Learning About Flags of the Revolution
Additionally we discussed the types of foods soldiers ate, and how there often wasn’t enough. How much soldiers got paid and how the soldiers spent their time between battles.
After the discussion, the students got to try out the various items and ask more questions until our time concluded. The only disappointment was that they felt our time was too short.