New members have questions, and some information is provided here that may help new and long time SAR members.
As a Member of the Sons of the American Revolution, you are entitled to certain insignia that you may wear at any SAR event, including our regular membership meetings. While some medals are merit based and must be earned by certain tasks in service to the chapter, state or national organization of SAR (or to the community at large), others medals and insignia can be worn by any SAR member (and some by non-SAR members also!). The following items can be purchased at the NSSAR website store, link below.
A member rosette may be worn by any SAR member. The small rosette is worn on the coat lapel or on a shirt collar. It is considered informal and not to be worn if the SAR Member Badge is worn.
An SAR Member Badge is worn by any SAR member, with coat and tie as it is considered formal. You can buy either the full size, the mini badge, or a set with both. The full size comes engraved with your National SAR number on the back.
Only a current or past president of a chapter or state society can wear the member badge on a neck ribbon, otherwise it is pinned on the jacket.
The Personalized Name Badge comes in one of three versions; magnet, pin, or pocket attachment. Your National SAR Number must be provided to order, although the National Number is not printed on the name tag.
The following information is provided at time of order to be printed on the Name Badge:
Name
[Line 1] Sons of Liberty Chapter
[Line 2] California Society
[Line 3] Sons of the American Revolution
The Supplemental Star is worn for each supplemental ancestor that has been accepted by National. The star comes in a large and small size, and a multiple star for 5 supplementals can also be worn if 5 supplementals have been accepted by National.
An SAR Challenge Coin can also be obtained on the NSSAR Store site. There are several variations, and many organizations have their own challenge coin, including military and law enforcement.
During WWI, an American pilot was shot down and captured by German soldiers. He was able to escape from the Germans but was captured by the French, who thought he was a saboteur and were ready to execute him. He produced his challenge coin with American squadron insignia, recognized by one of his French captors, which delayed his execution with enough time to verify his identity. Instead of shooting him, they gave him a bottle of wine.
It became tradition to carry a challenge coin at all times. If one member challenges another who cannot produce a challenge coin, the challenged man without the challenge coin is required to buy a drink of choice for the challenger. If the challenged produces a coin, then the challenger is required to buy the drink. Some SAR members have engaged in their own version of the “whiskey rebellion” at the Tam! A fancy coffee drink is also an option.
Some societies have a hierarchy of challenge coins, and the lowest ranking coin buys the drinks, sometimes for an entire group of challengers. A hierarchy of challenge coins has not been determined for SAR challenge coins. If such a hierarchy does exist for SAR, please bring it to our attention.
The War Service Medal was first authorized in 1899 for members who served in the Spanish-American War. It was subsequently authorized for members who served in World War I and World War II. Following World War II, the NSSAR authorized a generic War Service Medal with specific service periods indicated by bronze bars, such as Vietnam, Afghanistan, or Iraq as examples. See website for more details.
Other SAR military medals include Purple Heart, Sea Cadet, and Service to Veterans. See website for more details.
An SAR Tie is available from the NSSAR store. A chapter tie is also available from the Sons of Liberty Chapter Treasurer! Inquire in person at our next membership meeting!
An official SAR Tie Clasp goes well with the official SAR tie.
Also available are shirts, jackets, hats and other apparel and gifts online.
America 250 Medals
Some medals are not merit based but can be worn to commemorate the SAR America 250 celebration. Two examples are provided below.
Merit based SAR America 250 medals may be awarded for accumulated points for any recognized public celebrations in the period from 2014 to 2033. SAR America 250 is an ongoing program of the SAR.
Shot Heard Around the World Medal features the Battle of Lexington and Concord, which started the Revolutionary War.
The Boston Tea Party Medal can be worn by anyone, not just SAR members, according to the NSSAR website.
Other insignia also available.
There are many other meritorious service medals which must be earned by an SAR member due to service to the chapter, state or national organizations of SAR, or to the community at large, including the Roger Sherman Medal, State Medal of Distinguished Service, Heroism Medal, Law Enforcement Commendation, Liberty Medal, and Good Citizenship as just a few examples.
The order and precedence of medals is outlined in the official SAR Handbook, which can be found if you log in to the NSSAR website and search for “SAR Handbook” and download the PDF. The military has guidelines for medals, and so does the SAR.
Go to the National SAR website https://www.sar.org/ and click on Store. It is recommended you log in as some items require you to be an SAR member to order. For some items you must provide your National SAR number.
While none of these items are required, it is encouraged to wear insignia that identifies you as an SAR member at membership meetings and other SAR functions, such as the Massing of the Colors, the formal annual January meeting with the Society of colonial Wars, and other functions that fit our mission.
If you have questions, ask us at the next Chapter Membership Meeting or shoot us an email!