The 129th Annual Congress of the N.S.S.A.R.

It seemed remarkably fitting that my first official visit as President General was to attend the 129^th Annual Congress of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. After all, their founding in many respects spawned our own formation (when they chose not to admit women to their ranks), and their conference felt like a family reunion as a result. It was especially enjoyable to see many DAR members, who attended to support their patriotic spouses.

I am grateful to N.S.S.A.R. President General Warren Alter and his cadre of compatriots, who extended a warm welcome to all in sunny Costa Mesa, California, for the July 6-July 10 convention. It was an honor to provide greetings on behalf of our more than 185,000 DAR members who share the same values and love of country as these patriotic men. I was appreciative of the opportunity to address those gathered and to salute another year of accomplishments for S.A.R. members across the nation. I am also grateful to have provided the luncheon address to the N.S.S.A.R. Ladies Auxiliary, Martha Barnhart, President.

The S.A.R. Congress featured many other exceptional contest winners, including those acknowledged at the annual Youth Awards Luncheon. It was a pleasure to see so many outstanding young Americans recognized for everything from essays and posters to Eagle Scout projects and Junior ROTC participation. National President of the Children of the American Revolution MacGowan “Mackie” Storage also addressed the lunchtime gathering, and her remarks further illustrated the shared bonds of our lineal societies to complete vital work on behalf of our both our ancestors and our descendants.

I am proud to be the wife of a member of the Long Island Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, as well as the mother of a member of the Newtown Battle S.A.R. Chapter. Officially, that makes me both a WOSAR and MOSAR – proud acronyms to add to my biography!

I hope that you will encourage the men in your life to join S.A.R. and/or the Sons of the Revolution, and that the eligible boys and girls in your life will take part in your local C.A.R. society. It is obvious that all of our organizations succeed when we work together to attract new men and women to our shared purpose.  Huzzah!