President’s Message
Dear Compatriots,
This past month the South Coast Chapter held its first in person meeting since the start of the pandemic. There was a good turnout, over twenty attendees. The new venue, Mimi’s in Irvine, did a good job of taking orders, serving the food, distributing the checks and processing the payments. The featured speaker, Charles Pratley, provided an entertaining and informative program centered on the Continental Congress and included audience participation. More coverage of our meeting is included later in this newsletter.
Now that the pandemic is mostly behind us I’m hopeful that more of our members will consider attending the chapter meeting. At the end of 2019, just prior to the onset of the pandemic the chapter had 55 members. Currently, the chapter has 64 members including 9 juniors so we have been able to actually increase the membership in spite of the troubled times and inability to meet as a group.
In looking back at significant Revolutionary War events during the month of October the Battle of Saratoga ended on October 7, 1777. One of the most decisive American battles of the Revolutionary War, Saratoga ended British general John Burgoyne’s attempt to control the Hudson River Valley. The outcome convinced the Court of King Louis XVI that the Americans could hold their own against the British Army, sealing the alliance between America and France. American general Benedict Arnold was hailed as a hero for his bravery on the battlefield, a reputation lost with his later betrayal and defection to the Royalists.
Next month, Nov. 4-7, the CASSAR will be holding its 146th Fall Board of Managers meeting at the Mission Inn in Riverside. Since the venue is close to home this is a great opportunity to attend and witness firsthand how the CASSAR conducts business. I plan on attending and representing our chapter.
Please continue to do your part to promote patriotism in our community. Looking forward to seeing you at our next chapter meeting on Tuesday, October 19th at the Mimi’s in Irvine at 7pm.
In patriotism,
R. Scott Whitman