The other item included here is a red, white and blue member rosette ribbon lapel button. It is marked on the back as follows:
Sons of the American Revolution
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) is a Louisville, Kentucky based fraternal organization in the United States. It is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation that describes its purpose as ''maintaining and extending the institutions of American freedom, an appreciation for true patriotism, a respect for our national symbols, the value of American citizenship, and the unifying force of e pluribus unum that has created, from the people of many nations, one nation and one people.''
The first organization of descendants of Revolutionary War patriots was established in San Francisco, California in 1876. A group of men who were descendants of Revolutionary War veterans gathered to celebrate the centennial of the Declaration of Independence and the founding of the United States. They also wanted to honor the men and women who pledged their lives, fortunes, and livelihood to the striving for independence from Great Britain. This group formed an organization called the Sons of Revolutionary Sires (SRWS). There is, however, no direct link between the SRWS and the SAR except that members of the SRWS were permitted to join the SAR after its founding in 1889.
The history of the SAR can be traced to the founding of the Sons of the Revolution the New York Society of which was organized in 1883. The SR was founded by John Austin Stevens who envisioned an aristocratic social and hereditary organization along the lines of the Society of the Cincinnati. In 1889 William Osborn McDowell, a New Jersey financier and businessman, organized the New Jersey Society of the Sons of the Revolution but was unwilling to accept the SR's requirement that other state societies be subordinate to the New York society. Furthermore, McDowell wanted the society to become more of a mass movement of descendants of Revolutionary patriots rather than an exclusive social club. As a result, McDowell organized the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) at Fraunces Tavern in New York on April 30, 1889. This was the centennial for the inauguration of George Washington as the First President of the United States of America in 1789. SAR member Number #1 was McDowell. William McDowell worked with six women to organize the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution on July 29, 1890. The SAR was formally granted a congressional charter by an act of Congress under Title 36 of the United States Code on June 9, 1906. The act was signed by President Theodore Roosevelt, who was a member.
Membership
Membership in the society is open to any male of ''good repute'' who is at least 18 years of age who can prove lineal bloodline descent from an ancestor who actively supported the American Revolution. Acceptable ancestors include:
military veterans of the American Revolutionary War, including those who served in the Continental Army, Continental Navy, and state militias and navies
signers of the Declaration of Independence
members of the Continental Congress
people who served on political bodies supporting the Revolution, signed oaths of allegiance, or those who gave similar support to the Patriot cause.
Soldiers and sailors from allied nations such as France and Spain who fought in support of American independence.
No chapter may discriminate against an applicant on the basis of race or creed. The society claims a membership of 28,000 members in over 500 chapters in 50 state societies in the United States, as well as branches in Canada, Mexico, France, Germany, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Overall, about 165,000 descendants have been admitted since the found of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Governance
The governance of the Sons of the American Revolution is made up of 10 National (General) Officers, Trustees (each state with one representative, as well as International chapters), and 15 Vice-Presidents that reside over separated regions of the United States. These individuals meet three to four times per year to discuss business pertaining to the organization: once each in the Spring and Fall, called the Trustees meeting, once during the summer for the National Congress, and once during the winter. The National Congress is held at different locations each year, sometimes depending on centennials being celebrated by State societies. The Fall & Spring Leadership Meetings are held in Louisville, Ky at the SAR Headquarters. Within the organization there are over 60 committees that discuss and handle various aspects of the running of the SAR, including Medals & Awards, Merchandise, and Genealogy. These committees, formed by members of the SAR, deal with questions and issues regarding aspects of the SAR that aren't taken up during the larger Sessions of the National Congress. This could include adding new medals to be awarded to members, how patriots are approved, or registrar related procedures.
Merchandise
The society has a Merchandise Department that handles SAR related products to members. Products include clothing apparel and Revolutionary War replicas, such as Liberty Bells and Field Cannons, mugs and cups, and items such as tie tacs, lapel pins, Blazer buttons, cuff links, and decals for vehicles, such as license plates and frames, auto badges, and decals. The dept. also sells medals that correspond with activities and military involvement of members. These include medals for War Service with optional War Service bars for specific conflicts, military service medals, Good Citizenship medals, medals for Distinguished Service, Meritorious Service, and Color Guard medals. The SAR partners with ROTC and JROTC chapters, as well as partners with Eagle Scout societies, offering Eagle Scout patches and medals, as well as Bronze and Silver ROTC medals for high school and collegiate participation, respectively.
