The 2024-25 Children of the American Revolution Society’s year is drawing to a close, and the local group, Temecula Creek Society, is heading into its final two meetings of this session. During the past seven months, the members met to fulfill projects and programs which promoted the National Society C.A.R. President’s and the California State C.A.R. President’s programs.
The N.S.C.A.R. President’s Program supported the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, and specifically, the members focused on “First Responders.” As noted in an earlier edition of this newspaper, last October 5, the Temecula Creek Society, the Red, White, and Blue Society, and the Presidio Hill Society visited with two neighborhood First Responders Captain Eddie Jones and Single Role EMT Richelle Stephens at North County Fire Protection District Station 5 in Bonsall. The members not only learned a lot about first responders, but with them, they discussed courage, service, and honor, and how those attributes promote leadership and love of the U.S.A.
In February, the Temecula Creek Society members jointly met with the Luiseño Daughters of the American Revolution to create Valentines – each individually made, each very different – which were inserted in treat bags filled with protein bars. Then, after the meeting, the members of both groups delivered their Valentine packets to their local first responder stations. First responders in Bonsall, Fallbrook, Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, Hemet, San Jacinto, and Banning accepted these treat bags from grateful citizens and members of C.A.R. and DAR.
The C.S.S.C.A.R. President’s Program promoted the Shelter to Soldier Foundation which brings dogs from animal shelters and veterans with emotional and physical needs together through a specific training program. The Temecula Creek Society members learned about these dogs and their training through local trainer Kyle Scantlin of K Daniels K9 Academy. The C.S.S.C.A.R. President presented a $5,000.00 check to Shelter to Soldier; the funds were donated by C.A.R. societies throughout the State by fundraising.
Temecula Creek Society’s current focus is on America250. Our Country will be celebrating its 250th birthday in 1776, however America250 has been highlighting the fight for independence from England for the past three years. We citizens are currently in the Revolutionary War / Independence decade of 250 years ago. The C.A.R. members have researched events which occurred during that long-ago decade, and have presented America250 Minutes at their meetings. The Sons of the American Revolution instituted a program to encourage these Minutes, and two C.A.R. members have been awarded the Bronze America250 Medal. Two more members will be receiving their award medal at the next meeting.
In November 2024, the members – dressed in Colonial youth naval attire – performed a skit about William Smith, the only Revolutionary War Veteran buried in California. Smith joined the War at the age of 11 by signing on to a Colonial Virginia Naval vessel. After the war, he became a merchant marine and a ship’s captain, two careers that took him around the world several times. He died in 1846 in Sonoma, California, where he was buried. Not too long ago, 18 Spanish soldiers who had fought in our Revolutionary War were discovered buried in California, and five of the Temecula Creek Society members attended three of the grave marking ceremonies.
In January 2025, Temecula Creek Society learned about their ancestors who fought in the Revolutionary War. This was done through specially created B-I-N-G-O playing cards, and the competition to win was palpable! After playing two games and becoming filled with information about their ancestors, the members then wrote short biographies about their ancestors. This event garnered the Temecula Creek Society a Second Place in the State Contests held in February for American Heritage – the local society with the best program.
Membership in the Children of the American Revolution is available to any child 0 through 18 years old whose parents can prove lineage to an ancestor who fought in that War. All children are welcome to attend our meetings, and our Registrar will assist families in doing the required research. You may not think you are related, but every day Society learns more about those who fought for our freedoms. Information is available through cindy.greer@luiseno.californiadar.org .
Submitted by the National Society Children of the American Revolution, Temecula Creek Society.
