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THE ORIGINS OF THE SAR In l876 there were many celebrations to commemorate the centennial of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, l776. As part of this patriotic fervor, a group of men in the San Francisco, California, area who were descendants of patriots involved in the American Revolution, formed an organization called the Sons of Revolutionary Sires. Their objective was to have a fraternal and civic society to salute those men and women who pledged their lives, fortunes and sacred honor to the battle for independence from Great Britain. They desired to keep alive their ancestors' story of patriotism and courage in the belief that it is a universal one of man's struggle against tyranny -- a story which would inspire and sustain succeeding generations when they would have to defend and extend our freedoms. Out of the Sires grew the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, which was organized on April 30, l889 -- the l00th anniversary of the inauguration of George Washington as our nation's first President. We have used the acronym SAR to identify ourselves for over l00 years. The SAR was conceived as a fraternal and civic society composed of lineal descendants of the men who wintered at Valley forge, signed the Declaration of Independence, fought in the battles of the American Revolution, served in the Continental Congress, or otherwise supported the cause of American Independence. The National Society was chartered by an Act of the United States Congress on June 9, l906. The charter was signed by President Theodore Roosevelt, who was a member of the SAR. The charter authorizes the granting of charters to societies of the various states and territories and authorizes the state societies to charter chapters within their borders. Federal Legislation that established a federal charter for the National Society SAR. HISTORY OF THE RIVERSIDE CHAPTER The Riverside Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution, was formed in 1943 during World War II. Carl Noble Helmick, Sr provided the moti- vation and leadership which led to its charter presentation ceremony February 22nd, 1944 at the Riverside Mission Inn. Carl N. Helmick, born April 29th, 1907 at Cedar Vale, Kansas, began his 43 year career as a Boy Scout Executive in 1929. In 1937 he accepted a position with the Riverside Council BSA, and moved to Riverside California with his wife Marguerite. A strong interest in his family history led him into genealogical research and SAR membership December 14th, 1940. Because the Los Angeles Chapter was the closest to Riverside, he became a member-at-large. In Riverside he had met Mrs Frank Miller, widow of the Founder & Master of the Riverside Mission Inn, a member of Aurantia Chapter DAR and a State Officer. He also knew Mrs Joseph (Anna) Rice Bordwell, a native Riversider and a member of Rubidoux Chapter DAR. These two ladies helped Carl identify a group of men who were eligible for SAR membership, and ultimately also helped many of them with their genealogical records and SAR Applications. Both later re- ceived the SAR Medal of Appreciation for their assistance. Anna attended SAR meetings with her husband for many years. Penny Postcard notices were mailed to a long list of prospective members announcing an organ- izational meeting and luncheon in the California Room of the Mission Inn on Constitution Day, September 17, 1943. A. N. "Bud" Scott of San Francisco, President of the California State Society SAR was the honored guest and speaker. Attendance was good, and the group voted to proceed, elected officers, and set Washington's Birthday, February 22, 1944 as the Installation Day. Those whose applications were approved by December 11, 1943, were considered to be the charter members. "Bud" Scott was still California Society SAR President on February 22nd, 1944 when he pre- sented the Chapter Charter, at the first dinner meeting at the Mission Inn. He also presented a gavel and a Vermont marble base on behalf of the San Francisco Chapter and the State Society. President Scott's talk was entitled: "George Washington." Richard Esgate, Riverside photo- grapher, took the installation photo which later appeared in the national SAR Magazine. Total dues, collected by the state, were $10.00 of which $1.00 was returned to the Chapter. Mrs Marion Miller's son-in-law,DeWitt V. Hutchings, then Master of the Inn, and his son, Frank Miller Hutchings, became charter members. Anna Bordwell's husband Joseph Shipp Bordwell and their son,Dr Alden S. Bordwell, also became charter members. Newell Parker was organist at the Mission Inn for over 40 years. His wife was in Aurantia Chapter DAR, and their two Sons, Newell Parker, Jr and Wayne Parker also became Charter Members. John S. Goddard, Controller at the Mission Inn, became a Charter Member and was later a Chapter President. Mrs J. W. Neblett, a member of DAR, had three eligible Sons, and two, Dr Ed Neblett and Dr Walter Neblett, became charter members and later served as chapter presidents. Two charter members were sons of a Mrs Smith, whose husband was on the Citrus Experiment Station faculty. Two of the charter members were then in military service. Mr L. C. Andrews, who had joined the Maine Society, SAR in 1907, became a charter member by transfer. He later expressed a desire for an SAR funeral service, so with help from both NSSAR and CASSAR, Carl developed the format of Such a ser- vice. Upon his death at about age 98, Carl presided at the graveside service at Olivewood Cemetery. The Riverside Chapter met for luncheons on each third Friday of the month at the Mission Inn from 1944 to 1963. The cost of a lunch was $1.25 at first. Then, for several years the chapter members met at the Riverside Elk's dining room. Since then, there have been a number of other meeting times and places. Many meetings were held in San Bernardino, Riverside, Sun City and Hemet, as well as March AFB, Norton AFB and other locations to better serve the members of those areas. After 1945 the chapter name was changed to Riverside County Chapter, as several members resided outside the city. When new members were added from San Bernardino County, the name was again changed to Southern California Chapter In Riverside. However, after the formation of Redlands Chapter in 1992, Riverside Chapter was again made the official name. In the earlier years, it was the custom for the Chapter to celebrate Flag Day by meeting jointly with the DAR Chapters. often at a members home around a patio picnic or barbecue. The hosts were usually either Carl Helmick or Dr Robert Bingham. This was also the annual fund raiser. By charging $2.00 each for a meal for which expenses were about $1.00, the Chapter savings account was eventually brought to nearly $500.00. Funds were thus provided for the Chapter Awards program and other projects. Riverside Chapter's first big community service project was occasioned by the visit to Riverside of the first Freedom Train, March 9th, 1948. Chapter members served as guides for vis- itors to the train. Then, a Freedom Program was conducted at the Municipal Auditorium in the evening. Carl Helmick and Winfield Waite pre- sided as co-chairmen. Groups from Sherman Insti- tute and the Hispanic and Black communities par- ticipated. In 1973 Riverside Mayor Ben Lewis appointed Carl Helmick and Dale Rosenkrans to the Riverside Bicentennial Comission where they represented the Chapter at Bicentennial Commission meetings for three years. Since the new Riverside City Hall had just been completed, a flag was needed for the Ceremonial Room where the Bicentennial Commission met. The Chapter loaned its large, parade size 13-star Betsy Ross flag to the city May 5, 1975. The flag was returned to the Chapter nine years later on November 21, 1984 by Mayor Ab Brown who expressed heartfelt thanks for its use by the City of Riverside. A chapter roster was among the materials sealed in a time capsule and buried at Ben Lewis hall. A patri- otic forum was conducted at Ben Lewis Hall by Oliver Smith of San Bernardino, then Chapter President, and Carl Helmick. A big community celebration July 4th, 1976 at the Riverside City College campus was the culminating event. In 1987, Hugh and Mary Kate Fitzpatrick became members of the Riverside Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution. Mary Kate represented Aurantia Chapter DAR. The culminating event in this case was an all-day community celebration at Fairmount Park. A Bicentennial float was entered later in River- side's Citrus Heritage Parade. At the same time, Howard Lohnes and John E. Lenker were members of the City of Redlands Committee on the Bicen- tennial of the Constitution. Here, the culmina- ting event was an elaborate program at Redlands Bowl. John E. Lenker also placed exhibits of the money used during the American Revolution in the Riverside and Redlands libraries and the Point Loma Great American Savings Bank. Beginning in 1984, subscriptions to the SAR Magazine have been supplied to public libraries in Riverside, Redlands, San Bernardino, Pomona, and Hemet where genealogical collections are also located, to spread public awareness of our society. In 1989, NSSAR's Centennial Year, the Chapter issued a special Centennial Year Book & Roster. This was edited by Chapter President Howard Lohnes. Since the date of its formation, Riverside Chapter has had an active community Awards Progrm. The names of the recipients are listed separately. Bronze Good Citizenship Medals were awarded, starting about 1945, to a student at each River- side Junior High School. Beginning with Central, Chemawa, and Univer- sity Heights JHS, the program was enlarged as new schools were built until 1974 when 12 schools, including the California School for the Deaf and the Sherman Institute Indian School were in- cluded. 1974 was the last year of the Junior High School awards program. The names of the many recipients have been lost. Bronze Good Citizenship Medals were presented at three High Schools in 1989. Then, in 1990, the alternative Outstanding Citizenship Certificate (no medal) was presented at four High Schools. Bronze ROTC Medals have been awarded annually at Riverside Polytechnic HS since 1944. In 1975, following conclusion of the JHS Bronze Good Citi- zenship Medal program, bronze and silver ROTC medals were presented at other nearby high schools and colleges. The number of schools offering ROTC training gradually increased. and In 1990, 8 bronze and 2 silver medals were presented. The Eagle Scout Medal was authorized by NSSAR in 1981, but this medal was not available until 1988. In the interim, the Bronze Good Citizen- ship Medal was presented annually to Chapter winners, beginning in 1983 when Frederick Hawkins, the Chapter winner, also won the State competition. In earlier years, the Chapter presented the Bronze Good Citizenship Medal to the sons of Chapter members when they achieved Eagle status. Other awards such as the Silver Good Citizen- ship medal and Law Enforcement Commendation Award have been presented on an occasional basis to outstanding citizens of the community. In 1991, during the Persian Gulf conflict, Flag Display Commendation Certificates were presented to the cities of Hemet and Montclair. Chapter members have themselves been recipi- ents of many of SAR's most coveted honors includ- ing the NSSAR Minuteman Award, four Gold Good Citizenship Medals, and six Patriot Awards. Again, a complete list is appended. Riverside Chapter has provided the National Society with one Secretary General, two Vice Presidents General - Western District, three Trustees and one member of the Executive Committee. To date the Chapter has provided four California State Society Presidents and eight Vice Presidents. In addition, several State and National Committee memberships have also been filled. Its membership has also included Past Presidents of both the Minnesota and Texas Societies. Redlands Chapter was chartered November 2nd, 1991 by the State Society and consisted solely of a group of 15 Riverside Chapter members. RIVERSIDE CHAPTER PRESIDENTS 1943-45 Carl Noble Helmick, Sr 1945-46 *Dr Walter Stuart Neblett 1946-47 *Dr Alden S. Bordwell 1947-48 *John Sahler Goddard 1948-49 *Winfield Grant Waite 1949-50 *Lorenzo Bull Elliott 1950-51 Dr Edward Neblett 1951-52 *Dr Franklin Marion Turrell 1952-53 Willard Heber Winder 1953-54 Robert Newton Trautman 1954-55 Dr Robert Bingham 1955-56 Howard Issac Barrett 1956-57 *John V. Carter, B Gen, USA [Ret] 1957-58 *Lyman Stanley Barton 1958-59 *Dale DeForrest Rosenkrans 1959-60 *Rex Kemp Estudillo 1960-61 *Curtis Judson Humphreys 1961-62 *Ray Dwight Brown 1962-63 Hugh Fenner Fitzpatrick 1963-64 *William Bently Irwin 1964-65 *Dale DeForrest Rosenkrans 1965-66 *George Edmond Worthington 1966-67 Dr Robert Warburton Miller 1967-68 *Arthur Byram Drake 1968-69 *Russell Wood Curtis, Lt Col, USA [Ret] 1969-70 *William Francis Coolidge, II 1970-71 Rogers Milton Cox, Jr 1971-72 *Edwin Nathaniel Stansel 1972-73 *Alfred Tennyson 1973-75 Joseph Nelson Meredith 1974-76 *Steward Grant Logsdon 1976-77 *Oliver Phillip Smith 1977-78 *Dudley Williams, Lt Col, USA [Ret] 1978 Charles Thomas Lynch 1978-79 Robert James McNerney 1979-80 Leland Barnes Hawkins, Ill 1980-81 Liberty William Morgan 1981-82 Robert Irving Lippman 1982-83 *Steward Grant Logsdon 1983-84 Irvin LeRoy Trautman 1984-85 John Charles Kirk, Maj, USAF [Ret] 1985-87 Marschal Wilson Massey, Col, USAF [Ret] 1987- 88 *John Edward Lenker, Cdr, USCG [Ret] 1988-89 John Bryce Casseday, Jr, CMSgt USAF [Ret] 1989-90 Howard Emory Lohnes 1990-91 Rev John Hadley Case 1991-92 E. F. "Sandy" Sandison 1992-93 John M. Wright, Lt Gen, USA [Ret) 1994 President Edward A. St.Germain 1995 President David M. Leonard 1996 President Kenneth W. Tutwiler 1997 President William H. Vining III 1998 President Charles ‘Chuck’ Lampman 1999 President Bill Holland 2000 President Harold ‘Hal’ Ramser 2001 President Bill Darwin 2002 President Bill Darwin and Bob Taylor Co-Presidents 2003-2004 President Wayne Rogers 2005 President Jack Terry Sgt.California Highway Patrol Ret. 2006 President Wayne Rogers 2007-2009 Charles A Gentis Det.Anahiem PD (Ret) 2010 - 2011 Michael Emett MSgt USA (Ret) 2011- President Henry Lucas Lt.Riverside PD Ret. * Deceased Continuation of Officers RIVERSIDE CHAPTER OFFICERS1993 President John M. Wright, Lt Gen, USA [Ret] 1992-93 Secretary Hugh Fitzpatrick Treasurer Robert I. Lippman RIVERSIDE CHAPTER OFFICERS1994 President Edward A. St.Germain V.P. Americanism David M. Leonard V.P. Programs vacant V.P. Membership vacant Secretary Hugh F. Fitzpatrick Registrar Hugh F. Fitzpatrick Treasurer Robert I. Lippman RIVERSIDE CHAPTER OFFICERS 1995 President David M. Leonard V.P. Americanism Kenneth W. Tutwiler V.P. Programs Robert J. McNerney V.P. Membership William G. Dunn Secretary Edward A. St.Germain Registrar Hugh F. Fitzpatrick Treasurer Robert I. Lippman Chapter Hosts State Board of Managers Meeting in November at Mission Inn RIVERSIDE CHAPTER OFFICERS 1996 President Kenneth W. Tutwiler V.P. Americanism William H. Vining III V.P. Programs Charles Lampman V.P. Membership William G. Dunn Secretary Edward A. St.Germain Registrar David M. Leonard Treasurer Robert I. Lippman Awards Chair created in 1996 Bill Holland: 1996- RIVERSIDE CHAPTER OFFICERS 1997 President William H. Vining III V.P. Americanism Charles ‘Chuck’ Lampman V.P. Programs Harold ‘Hal’ Ramser V.P. Membership Ron Melton Secretary Edward A. St.Germain Registrar David M. Leonard Treasurer Robert I. Lippman Riverside SAR website launched January 1997 Riverside Chapter SAR Color Guard musters March 1997 Original Members: Bill Vining Commander, Ed St. Germain, Hal Ramser, David Leonard, and Chuck Lampman. First appearance: Kaiser Health Fair, April 1997 RIVERSIDE CHAPTER OFFICERS 1998 President Charles ‘Chuck’ Lampman V.P. Americanism Bill Holland V.P. Programs Harold ‘Hal’ Ramser V.P. Membership vacant Secretary William H. Vining III Registrar David M. Leonard Treasurer Robert I. Lippman Communications Edward St. Germain Riverside awarded Best Medium Size Chapter throughout the year. Color Guard begins appearances at annual Ice Cream Social at Heritage House Riverside Chapter sponsors Troop 1776 in Moreno Valley RIVERSIDE CHAPTER OFFICERS 1999 President Bill Holland V.P. Americanism Hal Ramser V.P. Programs vacant V.P. Membership vacant Secretary Edward St. Germain Registrar David M. Leonard Treasurer Robert I. Lippman Communications Edward St. Germain Bill Holland and Bill Darwin join color guard RIVERSIDE CHAPTER OFFICERS 2000 President Harold ‘Hal’ Ramser V.P. Americanism Roger Cooper V.P. Programs Bill Darwin V.P. Membership Dale Schneck Secretary Bill Holland Registrar David M. Leonard Treasurer Robert I. Lippman Communications Edward St. Germain Riverside Chapter sponsors Martha Washington Cotillion dance group Mark Mabry and Roger Cooper join color guard. Hal Ramser assumes command RIVERSIDE CHAPTER OFFICERS 2001 President Bill Darwin V.P. Americanism Roger Cooper V.P. Programs John Kirk V.P. Membership Bob Taylor Secretary Bill Holland Registrar David M. Leonard Treasurer Robert I. Lippman Communications Edward St. Germain RIVERSIDE CHAPTER OFFICERS 2002 President Bill Darwin and Bob Taylor Co-Presidents V.P. Americanism Roger Cooper V.P. Programs Wayne Rogers V.P. Membership Harold ‘Hal’ Ramser Secretary Bill Holland Registrar David M. Leonard Treasurer Robert I. Lippman Communications Edward St. Germain Roger Cooper assumes color guard command RIVERSIDE CHAPTER OFFICERS 2003 President Wayne Rogers V.P. Americanism Jack Terry V.P. Programs Wayne Reicherter V.P. Membership Bob Taylor Secretary Bill Holland Registrar David M. Leonard Treasurer Robert I. Lippman Communications Edward St. Germain RIVERSIDE CHAPTER OFFICERS 2004 President Wayne Rogers V.P. Americanism Jack Terry V.P. Programs Wayne Reicherter V.P. Membership Bob Taylor Secretary Bill Holland Registrar David M. Leonard Treasurer Robert I. Lippman Communications Edward St. Germain Color Guard Commander Roger Cooper RIVERSIDE CHAPTER OFFICERS 2005 President Jack Terry V.P. Americanism Charles Gentis V.P. Programs Bill Darwin V.P. Membership Bob Taylor Secretary Bill Holland Registrar David M. Leonard Treasurer Robert I. Lippman Communications Edward St. Germain Color Commander Roger Cooper RIVERSIDE CHAPTER OFFICERS 2006 President Wayne Rogers V.P. Americanism Jack Terry V.P. Programs Charles Gentis V.P. Membership Bill Darwin Secretary David Leonard Registrar Wayne Rogers Treasurer Robert I. Lippman Communications Edward St. Germain Color Guard Commander Roger Cooper RIVERSIDE CHAPTER OFFICERS 2007 President Charles Gentis V.P. Americanism Carl Phillips V.P. Programs Bill Darwin V.P. Membership Wayne Rogers Secretary David Leonard Registrar Wayne Rogers Treasurer Robert I. Lippman Communications Edward St. Germain Color Guard Commander Roger Cooper RIVERSIDE CHAPTER OFFICERS 2008 President Charles Gentis V.P. Americanism V.P. Programs Bill Darwin V.P. Membership Wayne Rogers Secretary David Leonard Registrar Wayne Rogers Treasurer Robert I. Lippman Communications Wayne Rogers Member at Large Henry Lucas Color Guard Commander Roger Cooper RIVERSIDE CHAPTER OFFICERS 2009 President Charles Gentis V.P. Americanism V.P. Programs Henry Lucas V.P. Membership Wayne Rogers Secretary David Leonard Registrar Wayne Rogers Treasurer Robert I. Lippman Communications Wayne Rogers Martha Washington Cotillion Dance Group Representative Gregg Rice Color Guard Commander Roger Cooper RIVERSIDE CHAPTER OFFICERS 2010 President Mike Emmit V.P. Americanism GFregg Rice V.P. Programs Henry Lucas V.P. Membership Charles Gentis Secretary Bill Holland Registrar Charles Gentis Treasurer Robert I. Lippman VP Communications Gregg Rice Color Guard Commander Roger Cooper Martha Washington Cotillion Dance Group Representative Gregg Rice RIVERSIDE CHAPTER OFFICERS 2011 President Henry Lucas V.P. Americanism Waynew Rogers V.P. Programs Charles Gentis V.P. Membership Charles Gentis Secretary Dave Leonard Registrar Charles Gentis Treasurer Gregg Rice VP Communications Gregg Rice Color Guard Commander Roger Cooper VP Veterans JROTC & ROTC Dan Wescott Medals Bill Holland Martha Washington Cotillion Dance Group Representative Gregg Rice |