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PRESS RELEASE

Annual George Washington Birthday Luncheon

"The Indispensable Plan"

George Washington and Pierre L'Enfant plan the New Capital City

Artist Peter Waddell discussed his discoveries about the early history of the Washington's Federal District while creating two large birds’ eye views of the city. Through his artistry, luncheon guest observed what Pierre L'Enfant saw as he viewed it the first time, and then saw it as it was in 1825. New Zealand born, Peter Waddell, came to the United States in 1992 enamored with America and its history. His paintings are hung in the White House, U.S. Capitol, Mt Vernon, Tudor Place, Octagon House and many galleries. And his historic scenes now adorn historic fire and police call boxes around the National Cathedral and Kalorama neighborhoods. He is artist in residence at Tudor Place.

Mr. Waddell’s artistic presentation highlighted the 287^th Birthday Celebration of George Washington held at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites in historical Old Town Alexandria, Virginia on February 16, 2019. The event was hosted by the District of Columbia Daughters of the American Revolution (“DCDAR”) in cooperation with the District of Columbia Sons of the American Revolution (“DCSAR”) and the District of Columbia Children of the American Revolution (“DCCAR”). The Chairman of the event was Cindy S. Hays, State Vice Regent DCDAR. Guests were welcomed by Marcia Guzauskas, State Regent DCDAR.  

During the luncheon new members were given the oath and inducted into the DCDAR, the DCSAR and the DCCAR. 

PRESS RELEASE

2019 Sweethearts and Patriot Gala

The Embassy of France in all of its elegance in the Georgetown section of Washington, DC was the location of DC SAR’s 2019 Sweethearts and Patriots Gala. The February 9 event was attended by more than 450 guests in support of the gala’s two beneficiaries, Disabled American Veterans (“DAV”) and l’Association Terre Fraternité. Among the honorary host committee was His Excellency Gérard Araud, Ambassador of France to the United States; The Honorable Charles Rivkin, U.S. Ambassador to France (2009- 2013) and Chairman of the Motion Picture Association of America; Congressman Michael Gallagher (WI); Congressman Michael Waltz (FL); and Jan Cousteau, Co-Founder of Earth Echo International.  

Guests mingled and took photos with reenactors of the Marquis de Lafayette, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and other notable Francophiles between dances to live music and dining on French cuisine and wine.  

Terre Fraternité was organized following the November 2004 bombing of the French detachment at Bouaké (Côte d'Ivoire), which left ten dead and 40 wounded. Under the leadership of General Bernard Thorette, then chief of the general staff of the French Army, the Association Terre Fraternité was born with the aim of supporting those wounded in service of the army, their families, and the families of dead soldiers. Terre Fraternité lives by donations and receives no public subsidy, which leaves it great autonomy. 

Catherine Timbers, DC DAR, and Jadan Horyn, DC SAR, co-chaired this 5^th annual Gala.  The Honorary Co-chairmen were DC SAR President Doug Brooks, DC SAR Secretary Paul Hays, and DC DAR State Vice Regent Cindy Hays.

PRESS RELEASE

January 28, 2019

The St. John’s College High School, a prestigious Catholic parochial school in Northwest Washington, DC was the first school to sign-up to utilize the America’s Founding Documents curriculum for its sophomore and junior classes of the JROTC cadet students. Today, JROTC Cadets were presented certificates for successfully completing the study by DCSSAR President Lane Douglas Brooks during a ceremony at the school.

The Sons of the American Revolution is pleased to present this course to the nation’s schools.  The workbook includes the unabridged text of America’s Founding Documents and the first inaugural addresses of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.  It traces America’s history from the early colonies to the early 1800’s.  It further examines our nation’s deep historical roots in ancient Greece, the Roman Republic, The Magna Carta, the Glorious Revolution in England, and the English Bill of rights.

PRESS RELEASE

Captain Christopher Pasco, Deputy Defense Attaché, Embassy of France was the Guest of Honor and Speaker at the Yorktown Victory Day Luncheon sponsored by The District of Columbia Sons of the American Revolution. The celebration of the 237th Anniversary of the American Victory at Yorktown was held at Patton Hall on the grounds of Fort Myer in Arlington, Virginia on October 27, 2018. Some of the heroes honored included Major General Gilbert, Marquis de Lafayette; Lieutenant General Jean Baptist, Comte de Rochambeau; and Admiral Francois Joseph Paul, Comte de Grasse.

Captain Pasco was introduced by Vice President General Peter Arrott Dixon. The Captain spoke of the historical significance of the French intervention during the Revolutionary War and of the continuing friendship and cooperation on matters of mutual concern between the people of France and the United States of America. Past President Dixon presented to Captain Pasco the SAR Certificate of Appreciation.

During the luncheon, four new members were introduced and administered the oath by DC SAR Secretary Paul Hays. The new members are Jamal Michael Habibi, 29, Government Affairs Director for the national PTA; Lt. James Wolcott Rice, 32, a Navy surface warfare officer; and father and son, Bradley Jason (39) and Dylan Gatliff Zimmer (15).  Bradley is a medically retired Army Ranger who now serves as a Senior Intelligence Operations Specialist for the Department of Homeland Security. Following the induction ceremony, Bradley was also awarded the SAR War Service Medal for his tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Global War on Terror.

On February 9, 2019 The Embassy of France will host the annual DC SAR Sweethearts and Patriots Gala benefitting organizations supporting veterans. The beneficiaries for this event will be Disabled American Veterans and l’AssociationTerre Fraternité. For more Information to go: https://www.facebook.com/SweetheartsandPatriots/

PRESS RELEASE

May 28, 2018

District of Columbia Society Sons of the American Revolution joined members of the Virginia Sons of the American Revolution during the Memorial Day Parade held in the Nation’s Capital on May 28, 2018. Memorial Day is a time to remember the brave military men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation, while also honoring those who serve today.

Held annually along Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C., the National Memorial Day Parade is "our nation’s largest Memorial Day event" with over 250,000 spectators gathering in the National Mall area to show support for our armed forces while cheering on parade floats, youth groups, marching bands and more. Organized by the American Veterans Center & World War II Veterans Committee, the event was in its 14^th year running.

PRESS RELEASE

2018 DCSSAR Public Safety Awards Announced

Officer Euri Hernandez received the SAR Law Enforcement Commendation Award during the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department awards program on March 27, 2018 that was held at the THEARC in southeast Washington, DC.

Briefly, on June 1, 2017, Officer Hernandez and his partner received a call for service at Saint Elizabeth's Hospital for a combative patient who was armed with a large make shift weapon. When they confronted the patient they found him extremely agitated and demanded that the officers shoot him. In law enforcement parlance this is considered an attempted suicide by cop. Officer Hernandez was trained in the sort of crisis intervention required to abate the situation with the use of little or no force. The officer successfully calmed the patient down and he self-disarmed. Through his patience and persistent efforts, the officer successfully deescalated the situation without any harm to the patient, hospital staff and other police officers. 

DC Firefighter/EMS Jeffrey Beach received the SAR Emergency Medical Services Award during the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Management Services awards program on April 27, 2018 that was held on the campus of Gallaudet University.

Briefly while off duty and in his personal vehicle, EMS Beach witnessed a motor vehicle accident on MLK Highway and Lottsford Vista Road in Lanham Maryland that occurred during the late evening hours on May 9, 2017. He stopped to render aid at which time he found Brittany Crowell trapped inside her overturned vehicle. EMS Beach gained access to Miss Crowell by using a pocket knife and his bare hands to cut through the windshield. He found that the victim’s arm had been amputated at the elbow.  Relying on his EMS training, he used his belt and applied it as a tourniquet.  Upon the arrival of paramedics, the victim was cut from the vehicle and flown to a local trauma center by the Maryland State Police Medivac helicopter. EMS Beach was credited with saving the life of Ms. Crowell and ultimately saving her arm.