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DCSAR was invited to attend the NSDAR Flag Raising Ceremony at the DAR Memorial Continental Hall on December 6, 2023, to celebrate the 120^th Anniversary of the event and to be the recipient of the flag raised on that date.

As documented by Marria Blinn, National Chair, The Flag of the United States America Committee of NSDAR, the first raising ceremony occurred on February 23, 1903. She writes “that a few years after DAR was organized, plans were made to build Memorial Continental Hall. The Sons of the American Revolution of the District of Columbia shared our passion for the American Revolution, patriotism and service and wanted to acknowledge and encourage our endeavor”. “In December 1902, they (DCSAR) sent a letter to then DAR President General Cornelia Cole Fairbanks, expressing their desire to present DAR with a New Year’s gift of an American flag and flagpole to be used at Memorial Continental Hall. Mrs. Fairbanks graciously accepted the gifts”.

Mrs. Blinn further reports that during the ceremony on February 23, 1903, President Dr. (John Woart) Bayne of the SAR D.C. Society made the presentation of a large American flag and historic flagpole that had been used at both inaugurations for President McKinley.

DCSAR President Bill Ritchie accepted the flag and certificate from NSDAR President General Pamela Wright in celebration of 120 years of Flag Raising and Friendship.

DCSAR held its 2023 Holiday Dinner on December 5, 2023, commencing with a host bar with hors d’oeuvres and cocktails at 7:00pm. The dinner occurred in the elegance of the Eisenhower Lounge at the Capitol Hill Club, located at 300 First Street SE, Washington, DC. Guests were welcomed by DCSAR President Bill Ritchie followed by the invocation from DCSAR Chaplain The Rev. John D. Stonesifer and the pledge of allegiance. The dinner reception and after meal dessert included musical selections by Dana Kristina-Joi Morgan, a graduate of the Howard University Master of Music Program.

President Ritchie acknowledged special guests who were in attendance. Guests bringing greetings included SAR Mid-Atlantic District Vice President General James Frank Engler Sr., DC Daughters of the American Revolution State Regent Elizabeth Gable Hicks and President General NS Daughters of the American Revolution Pamela Edwards Rouse Wright. Also acknowledged with his attendance was the Defense Attache for the British Embassy Rear Admiral Timothy Woods.

The guest speaker was SAR Compatriot Ric Murphy, who is President General of the Society of the First African Families of English America (SOFAFEA), and past National Vice President for History of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society. Ric, an acclaimed historian, educator, lecturer, has received multiple awards for his documentary. As an award-winning author, he explores the rich tapestry of African American history by weaving together the personal and heroic stories of amazing men and women, and their rich and remarkable contributions to American history. He was recently notified that his documentary, "Arrival of the First Documented Africans in English America" is a semi-finalist entry into the 2023 Cannes World Film Festival and is a winner in the 2023 Luanda (Angola) International Pan African Film Festival.

During his presentation, Compatriot Murphy discussed his extensive research on the arrival of his Angolan ancestors who arrived in the English colony of Virginia aboard the slaver the San Juan Bautista on August 20, 1619. He also shared that he descends from fourteen Revolutionary War soldiers of whom eight were of African descent.

The goal of SOFAFEA, in part, is to inform descendants and the general public of the historical importance and contributions of the substantial number of American men, women and children of African and Indigenous descent who served in the American Revolution and are now known as America's Forgotten Patriots. And to restore the dignity of America’s Forgotten Patriots and first veterans, as founders of the United States of America, by honoring these ancestors and connecting them to present day descendants, and to American history. Ric shared how the SOFAFEA in support of America 250 has launched the national Forgotten Patriots Project honoring the men, women and children of African and Indigenous descent who provided military service during the Revolutionary War.

Ric referenced that the Daughters of the American Revolution published the book Forgotten Patriots: African American and American Indian Service in the Revolutionary War, 1775-1783 documenting the names of over 6,600 patriots and includes “details of the documented service of the listed patriots, historical commentary on happenings of the time, and assortment of illustrations and an extensive biography of resource sources related to the topic.” The Daughters of the American Revolution has made this valuable research tool free on their website and includes periodic updates.

Compatriot Murphy and Ms. Morgan were presented with the DC SAR Honor in Service Cross that takes its name from the Latin phrase, honor in officio, expressing esteem for those who perform acts of benefit beyond themselves and in this case for service to DCSAR.

DCSAR Secretary Paul Hays conducted the induction of two new members. Ivar Kent Fjall raises horses on his farm in Stafford, Virginia, and in his spare time, conducts prison ministries. He’s a 5th great grandson of William Teague, who served as a Private in the South Carolina Militia. Paul Hays is his sponsor. Theodore George Osius III is President & CEO of the US-ASEAN Business Council and from 2014 to 2017 was U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam.  He lives in Wesley Heights with his husband, Compatriot Clayton Bond, and their two children.  He’s the 3rd great grandson of Robert Lowrey, a private in the First North Carolina Regiment.  Clayton was his sponsor.

A reception attended by 55 Compatriots and guests celebrating the 242nd anniversary of the American Victory at Yorktown and the major contributions to its success by France and French Heroes of the Revolution was held on Thursday, October 19, 2023, at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, Virginia.

Among the toasts offered were to France by DCSAR President William Ritchie, to the United States of America by Compatriot Guillaume de Waziers of the France Society, to the French Heroes of the Revolution by DCSAR Past President Joel Hinzman and to George Washington by DCSAR Trustee Gary Nordlinger.  

President Ritchie offered a special toast to James Armistead Lafayette who was born into slavery. James receive permission from his slave master to enlist in the Marquis de Lafayette’s French allied units. Instead of becoming a soldier, he became a spy. He told the British that he was a runaway slave and wanted to serve the Loyalist cause. James became a double spy giving the British false information about the Patriots and obtaining information about the British plans to his commander. James subsequently informed Lafayette about British General Lord Cornwallis’s move to Yorktown and the expected arrival of 10,000 British troops. This information was instrumental in the surrender of the British at Yorktown.

Although an Act of 1781 promised freedom to any enslaved soldier, James was denied his freedom because he had served as a spy. With the personal intervention of Lafayette himself, James received his freedom in 1787.                                        

Two new compatriots were inducted during the reception. Stephen Earl Bates is the 5th great grandson of Robert Faris, who served as a Captain in Colonel Brandon's Regiment of the South Carolina Militia. Robert Harrison Carey, Jr., is the 6th great grandson of Henry Harmon, who served as a member of the Rowan County, North Carolina Committee of Safety.  Both Stephen and Robert were sponsored by Joel Hinzman.

Greetings were also given by DCDAR State Regent Beth Hicks, and by Avery Hinzman, President of the DC C.A.R Harriett Lothrop Society.

The District of Columbia Society Sons of the American Revolution (“DCSAR”), the District of Columbia Daughters of the American Revolution (“DCDAR”), the District of Columbia Children of the American Revolution (“DC C.A.R.”) and members of many other lineage and patriotic organizations gathered on the Fourth of July 2023 at 10:00am for our traditional Independence Day kickoff at Congressional Cemetery. The purpose was to honor and remember Vice President Elbridge Gerry and all the other Signers of the Declaration of Independence. Vice President Gerry is the only Signer buried in Washington, D.C. Following the welcoming, Compatriot The Rev. Dr. John D. Stonesifer, Chaplain of the DCSAR, provided the invocation and concluded the program with the benediction.

Sheri O’Connell, DCDAR State Organizing Secretary and State America 250! Chair presented the DCSAR with DAR America 250! Commendation for the demonstration of extraordinary efforts in raising awareness of Revolutionary Patriots and America’s 250 Anniversary that was accepted by President Ritchie.

Seven new compatriots were given the oath by DCSAR Secretary Paul Hays.

Michael David James Bouchard is the 6th great grandson of John Kenton, who served as a Sergeant in the Lincoln County, Virginia Militia under Capt. Simon Kenton and Gen. George Rogers Clark.

Justin Hey Debs is the 7th great grandson of Isaac Larue of Frederick County VA, who has been established to have rendered material aid to the patriot cause.

Christopher Michael Harvin is the 6th great grandson of Richard Harvin, who served as a Private in the South Carolina Militia.  Chris joined with his 8-year-old son Wilkins MacMillan Harvin, who couldn’t be here today.

Clayton Alan Bond is the 4^th great grandson of William Bond, who served as a Private in both the 1st Virginia and 2nd Georgia Regiments.  Clayton’s application was approved just a few days ago through the Michigan Society but transferred his membership to DCSAR.

Jeremy Robert Smith is the 6th great grandson of Daniel Dodge, who served as a Corporal in the Connecticut Militia under Captains. Ely and Lytle. 

Dan Thomas Stanford 6th great grandfather was Abraham Yingling, an Associator in Frederick County MD.  Dan’s three sons all joined with him under the SAR’s family plan.  The eldest, Army Captain David J. Stanford, was present, but middle son Andrew Christopher Stanford is stationed with the Army Corps of Engineers in Romania, and the youngest, 1LT Stephen Lee, is on duty with Army Intelligence at Fort Huachuca, Arizona.

A light buffet was served to guests at the conclusion of the program.

The Eightieth Annual Jefferson Memorial Ceremony, in recognition of the 280^th anniversary of the birth of Thomas Jefferson, was held at the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC on April13, 2023 commencing at 11 o’clock in the morning. Richard E. Patten, past president, District of Columbia Sons of the American Revolution (“DCSAR”) served as the Master of Ceremonies. The event was presented by DCSAR in cooperation with The National Park Services within the United States Department of the Interior and The Military District of Washington. The Prelude, National Anthem, and Postlude were rendered by The U.S. Air Force Band Brass Quintet. The invocation and benediction were delivered by The Rev. Dr. John DeWitt Stonesifer, Chaplain, DCSAR. Guests were welcomed by Jeffrey Reinbold, Superintendent, National Mall and Memorial Parks. The presentation of wreaths followed.

The first wreath was presented at 9:00am on behalf of the President of the United States, The Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr., by Major General Allan Pepin, Commanding General, Military District of Washington.

The wreath from the Secretary of the Interior, the Honorable Deb Haaland was presented by Jeffrey Reinbold followed by the wreath from James E. Ryan, President of the University of Virginia presented by Mark and Lucy Duke Tonacci. Georgina Coolidge presented the wreath on behalf of P. Gardiner Hallock, Interim President of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation.

The DCSAR wreath was presented by William O. Ritchie Jr., President of DCSAR and the NSSAR wreath, C. Bruce Pickette, President General, was presented by Peter M. Davenport, Vice President General.

Wreaths were presented by several descendants of Thomas Jefferson. The wreath from Thom Randolph, President of the Monticello Association, was presented by Angus Slater Lamond Jr., 7^th generation descendant of Thomas Jefferson. The Society of the Descendants of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence wreath, Nancy McBride Wark, President General, was presented by John Hamilton Works, Jr., Second Vice President and 5^th great grandson of Thomas Jefferson. The Thomas Jefferson Heritage Society wreath, John Hamilton Works, Jr., President, was presented by Rebecca Hart, 1^st cousin 7-times-removed from Thomas Jefferson, and Michael Hart

Additional wreaths were presented by representatives of the General Society of the War of 1812, MDSAR, VASAR, DCDAR, DC Children of the American Revolution, National Society United States Daughters of 1812, NS Children of the American Colonists, Society of the Descendants of the Signers of the Constitution, The National Society Descendants of American Farmers, The National Society Descendants of American Farmers Youth, The Order of First Families of Virginia and the Thomas Jefferson Heritage Society.

The program concluded with the Sounding of “Taps”

Law Enforcement Commendation and Medal

As recommended by the Office of the Chief of Police in the District of Columbia, the recipient is Detective John Hayes who began his law enforcement career with MPD in 2015. He is currently assigned to the Fourth District Investigative Section and has assumed lead detective responsibility in a number of shooting incidents. He has demonstrated a deep knowledge of the crew-related cases that have contributed to the violence within the 4^th District. This knowledge and his detail-oriented practices led to the successfully conclusion of a shooting incident that resulted in critical injuries suffered by a four-year old. The award was presented on April 10, 2023, within the executive suite of the Chief of Police Robert Contee III.

Fire Safety Commendation and Medal 

The DC Fire and EMS Department nominated Lt. David Darbro for the Fire Safety Commendation Award.  Lt. Darbro has been a supervisor in the Fire Prevention Division for the past two years.  Over that time, he has overseen Fire Inspectors and Public Education Staff who perform outreach and fire/life safety inspections.  Lt. Darbro has spearheaded the All Hands-on Prevention and Smoke Alarm Giveaway program that has been in place for several years.  With Lt. Darbro’s leadership, smoke alarm installations doubled in Calendar Year 2022.  Also, home fire safety visits by fire inspectors and firefighters were up significantly over this period of time.  This means that more District residents were safer from fires, due to the outreach efforts led by Lt. Darbro.  During this timeframe the number of total fire deaths in the District was down by 25%. The award was presented on April 10, 2023, at Engine Company 16.

Emergency Medical Services Award 

The DC Fire and EMS Department nominated the Street Calls Unit for the Emergency Medical Services Award. Fire and EMS, in partnership with the Department of Behavioral Health, has developed the opioid response team model, which will consist of Community Outreach Specialists and EMS providers. This team is tasked with conducting targeted and individual outreach to persons who have experienced a non-fatal overdose without transport to a hospital as well as friends, family, and other bystanders who may witness another overdose. The team will proceed to those involved in opioid overdoses immediately. They will facilitate meaningful communication through participation in community relations/outreach/education activities to hard-to-reach, underserved, and other identified populations.

They work with these individuals to provide them with methods of connecting with proper agency services while serving as their liaison between government agencies and/or the community resources. They also communicate with any bystanders at the scene who may be in a position to reverse a future overdose and/or to help the individual access resources in the future. When time allows, they will follow up with individuals who were referred to services to determine whether any additional support is needed. The awards were presented on April 10, 2023, at Engine Company 16. The team members are:

EMS Captain La'Kisha L. Lacey

PM Shelia Smith

EMT Jerrice Blunt

PM Keisa Hill

PM Gonthel Tolliver

Richard Mullen-El - Community Outreach Specialist

Corrine Spencer - Community Outreach Specialist

Also present was the Medical Director, DC Fire and Emergency Service, Robert P. Holman, MD, who was grateful for the award given to the Street Calls Unit. I gave him a courtesy copy of my book after he informed me that he had a relative who is a member of the DAR. 

General John “Jack” M. Keane was the guest speaker at the 10^th Annual Sweethearts and Patriots Gala on March 4, 2023, at The British Embassy. The young members of the DC SAR and DC DAR organized this annual event to raise funds for military charities.  The proceeds raised from the 2023 gala will unlock potentially over $100,000 in life-saving assistance to active duty, veterans, caregivers, and families in need through Code of Support, which helps veterans in need navigate and access critical services.

Designed around 1928 by Sir Edwin Lutyens and built in 1931, the British Embassy is situated in a compound that is home to the ambassador’s residence and the old and new chanceries. By the 1950s, the old chancery was deemed too cramped, and the new chancery, designed by chief architect Eric Bedford, was constructed between 1955 and 1961, with Queen Elizabeth II laying the foundation stone on October 19, 1957. Part of the old chancery was converted into staff quarters, and the rest is currently occupied by the offices of the British Council.

Guests received welcoming comments by DC DAR Regent Beth Hicks and DC SAR President Bill Ritchie. The welcome to the British Embassy was offered by James Roscoe MVO, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy. Prior to his current position appointment in June 2022, Mr. Roscoe was the UK Ambassador to the UN General Assembly.

General Keane is a foreign policy and national security expert who provides nationwide analysis and commentary in speeches, articles, congressional testimony and through several hundred television and radio interviews annually. He serves as an advisor to presidents, cabinet officials, members of congress, international leaders, CEOs and business leaders. He is the Chairman of the Institute for the Study of War, a member of the prestigious Secretary of Defense Policy Board, having advised four Defense Secretaries and a member of the 2018 and 2022 Congressional Commission on the National Defense Strategy.

General Keane, a four-star general, completed 37 years of public service in December 2003, culminating in his appointment as acting Chief of Staff and Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army.

General Keane is the son of an immigrant mother, a WWII Marine father, a born and raised New Yorker, and a lifelong NY Yankee fan. He has commissioned as an infantry 2nd Lieutenant from Army ROTC as a Distinguished Military Graduate at Fordham University, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree and received a Master of Arts degree from Western Kentucky University. He is a graduate of the Army War College and the Army Command and General Staff College.

Among his awards, General Keane was the first military leader to be honored with the Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Award and the prestigious Bradley Prize. In March 2020, General Keane was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House.

General Keane highlighted his military service and continuing support for American interests abroad while giving remarks. He discussed America’s commitments to our active-duty troops, veterans, and allies. General Keane talked about the importance the crisis in the Ukraine and the ongoing need to defend the rights of those seeking freedom abroad.

Among our very special guests were Rear Adm. Tim Woods, Robert Speer (Chairman of Code of Support and former Acting Secretary to the US Army), F. Whitten Peters, Thomas Siebert, retired Major Gen. Alan Salisbury, retired Major Gen. John Ewers, Gen. David Rodriguez and Capt. Pete Shoemaker.

Corporate and business sponsors include Anacostia-Pentalpha Lodge #21 FAAM, Acacia Wealth Management, Distillers Association (DISCUS), Norris CPA and Accounting, Opus One Studios, Trippe Supply Co of Washington, Pearmund Cellars, John Crouch Tobacconist, United Bank, National Capital Bank, HM2 Buck for Hope, National Defense Committee, SEI Private Trust Company, and Mission Dupont.

The gala individual sponsors include Mr. John Lavelle, Jr., Brig Gen. Ed Rodriguez, Aaron Schmerling, Mr. Joel Hinzman, and The Newman Family.

Sweethearts and Patriots began in 2014 to bring together the DC Community to benefit organizations that support the military, veterans and their families. The event chairpersons were DCSAR 3^rd VP Geoffrey Newman and DC DAR Sweethearts & Patriots Gala chair Leigh Maltby.

The gala is sponsored by the District of Columbia Sons of the America Revolution (www.dcssar.org)

The District of Columbia’s Children of the American Revolution (DC C.A.R.), Sons of the American Revolution (DCSAR) and Daughters of the American Revolution (DCDAR) jointly held The George Washington Birthday Luncheon on February 18, 2023, at 11:30am at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, Virginia. The hostess for the luncheon was DC C.A.R. State President Miah Malur. Lunch was served after the invocation by DCSAR chaplain Rev. Dr. John Stonesifer and comments by dais guests.

The guest speaker for the luncheon was James Ambuske, PhD, historian and senior producer at R2 Studios, which is the podcast division of the Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media at George Mason University. Their mission is to democratize history through podcasting. They have begun production on a new podcast series called Worlds Turned Upside Down, about the history of the American Revolution and the War for Independence.

Dr. Ambuske luncheon presentation focused on some of the generally unknown aspects of George Washington’s life from childhood to becoming the “father of our country”, including the undocumented cutting down of the mythical cherry tree. His presentation was well received by those in attendance at the “sold out” luncheon.

Two new compatriots were given the oath by DCSAR Secretary Paul Hays. Michael Edward Graham, who lives in Alexandria, Virginia, is the 4th great grandson of Richard Jenkins, who served as a private in the Culpeper County, Virginia Militia.  Mike’s sponsors were DCSAR Senior VP Tom Readmond and Paul Hays 

 Erick Christopher Mullen lives in the Northgate neighborhood of upper Northwest Washington.  His 6^th great grandfather was Thomas Brownell, who served in the Second Bristol County Massachusetts Regiment on an alarm at Rhode Island in August 1780.  DCSAR Registrar Larry Miller and Paul Hays were his sponsors.

DCSAR held its 2022 Holiday Dinner on December 7, 2022, commencing with a host bar with hors d’oeuvres and cocktails at 7:00pm. The dinner occurred in the elegance of the Eisenhower Room at the prestigious Capitol Hill Club, located at 300 First Street SE, Washington, DC.

Guests were welcomed by DCSAR President Bill Ritchie followed by the invocation from DCSAR Chaplin Rev. John Stonesifer and the pledge of allegiance by DCSAR Senior VP Tom Readmond.  President Ritchie acknowledged special guests who were in attendance. Dinner followed where guests chose either an entree of Pork Porterhouse with Creamy Polenta, Sauteed Swiss Chard, Roasted Figs or Pan Seared Atlantic Salmon with Braised Lentils and Winter Root Vegetables.

As desert was served, President Ritchie introduced the guest artist for the evening, Dana Kristina-Joi Morgan. Dana is a graduate of the Howard University Master of Music Program. She received a bachelor’s degree in music performance from Capital University Conservatory of Music in Columbus, Ohio. She has won numerous accolades and awards for achievement. In 2014 Dana placed as a finalist in the Washington International Piano Artists Competition. Competing against pianists representing the USA, France, Germany, Japan and Taiwan, Dana received the “Audience Award”, “Press Jury Award”, “Best Performance of a Beethoven Work” and “Best Performance of a Classical Work”.

She was also featured on the televised 2011 Trumpet Awards where she was able to share the stage with legendary performers such as Aretha Franklin and Earth, Wind and Fire. Most notably Dana was recently featured as a special guest artist in Dordogne, France for the 110^th birthday celebration of Josephine Baker. This performance was held at the Chateau des Milandes which was the former castle of Josephine Baker and now services as her museum. Dana acknowledges one mentor who assisted with her early professional development, the late Jazz Great Nancy Wilson. Ms. Wilson was the cousin of President Ritchie.

Dana is the Performance Coordinator of Creative and Therapeutic Arts Services at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC. The service has provided artistic programming to patients, families and staff since 1978. A dedicated team of arts-in-healing professionals works to foster an atmosphere of cultural tolerance, promote wellness through self-expression, offer patients choice and variety and create an aesthetically pleasing environment.

Ms. Morgan gave a rousing performance on the grand piano with elements that encouraged active participation from the audience with applause as she moved from one recognizable standard to another, including patriotic selections. On this evening, she was more than a classical pianist; she was an entertainer who set the appropriate mood as we experience the beginning of this joyous holiday season.

At the conclusion, Ms. Morgan was given an SAR certificate of appreciation and a gift by President Ritchie. Rev. Stonesifer offered the closing benediction.

DCSAR supported the above captioned winter coat drive at Dunbar High School.  Photos are included at the below YouTube link. 

DCSAR supported Winter Coat Drive by Dunbar SHS JROTC - YouTube