San Diego Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution along with other SAR chapters nationwide will celebrate our nation’s fight for freedom over a period that is the same length of time as the Revolutionary War period which begins prior to the Battle of Lexington and Concord. The celebration culminates with the 250th Anniversary of the British withdrawal from American soil in 1783.
Our Chapter will be very active in the celebration of this Anniversary with presentations, awards and participating in local parades and events. If you are interested in planning activities and participating, please contact our Color Guard Commander, Duncan Campbell. colorguard@sarsandiego.org.
From our National Society President General, Davis Lee Wright:
“Other organizations are counting down to July 4, 2026. While July 4, 2026 will be an essential celebration for the SAR, celebrating that singular event is not our charge. Our charge is for a broader in scope and much longer in time. It is not a short term or one time project. Our mission is to plan – and execute – a celebration of our Patriot ancestors and the entirety of their contributions to the United States. Our Patriot ancestors struggled and rebelled for over a decade and actively engaged in open warfare for eight years – to guarantee our liberty.
We owe them nothing less. Our mission, therefore, is to celebrate and commemorate the entirety of the American Revolution period from the 250th Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party in 2023 to the 250th Anniversary of the British Army’s departure from New York City in 2033″.
San Diego SAR will be active in the celebration of our country’s 250th Anniversary. If you are interested in planning activites and participating please contact our Color Guard Commander, Duncan Campbell. colorguard@sarsandiego.org.
The 250 Minute
The 250 Minute
The “250 Minute” refers to brief presentations given by members on topics related to the Revolutionary War Period. These are short, one to five minute presentations and can be longer if needed. Visual aids such as a PowerPoint presentation are not required. Members earn points for each presentation which are accumlated for America 250 medals and awards (see the link below for more information). Here are some guidelines from CASSAR.
- Celebrate and draw attention to colonial ancestors.
- Increase awareness of challenges, struggles, sacrifices
- Events: Revolutionary War Master List
- People
- Patriot Ancestors
Resources
Websites
California SAR Society America 250 Website Our State SAR’s dedicated America 250 program information with links to a number of resources.
National SAR Society America 250 Website The National Society website also offers more historical information.
Useful Documents
and Links
America 250 Awards Program Form. The America 250 recognition program is designed to encourage and recognize those compatriots, chapters and societies that participate in local, state, national and international events which publically educate, and recognize, honor, and celebrate the events and heroes of the period surrounding the American Revolution. The link contains the award application form as well as program details.
The America 250 SAR Medals are recognition of Compatriot service in 250th Anniversary activities. Participation involves planning, execution, and attendance at these events; this is how Compatriots earn their Medals. These can be events that you create and execute within your SAR Chapter or in your community or events that are planned by others that you take part in. There are 3 medal awards possible:
Bronze, Chapter level, earn 25 points
Silver, State level, earn 60 points
Gold, National level, earn 150 points
Eligibility for points is based on attending a live or virtual event. All categories represent stackable credentials in that an attendee receives 3 points, and if serving in the Color Guard receives 5 more points and as an event planner a final 10 points for a total of 18 points for one event. The points must be earned; however we want members to be able to easily earn America 250 SAR Medal points.
You may earn points by attending an event as a visitor attendee or Color Guard member. We emphasize events as points are only earned for participation in an event. The easiest is just attending, you earn three points. There may be additional points if you are the presenter or in a color guard uniform or a photographer, but all points are associated with an event. If you meet 10 times and spend 10 hours on planning, the planning points are the same as if you only spent 15 minutes, because it is only one event.
Points may also be awarded to those in the community who are not SAR Compatriots who routinely are of service to our chapter during America 250 SAR events. An example of this would be a member spouse who acts as the official photographer for America 250 SAR events. You may work with a Boy Scout leader, public official or JROTC unit who frequently participates in your America 250 SAR events.
Chairman – 20 Points
This is the Chairman of the event who does all the planning and oversight of the event planning and execution. This can only be applied once per executed event, see first paragraph.
Planner – 10 Points
The Planner is responsible for helping facilitate significant portions of the event so that it is successful. This can only be applied once per executed event, see first paragraph.
Presenter – 5 Points
The Presenter can be the Chaplain, Color Guard Commander or other party who appears on the program and is essential to the success event.
Display – 5 Points
The Display Chairman is responsible for some physical display of memorabilia or historic significance that support the event.
Program – 5 Points
The Program Chairman is responsible for the layout and printing of the America 250 SAR Program for the event; making sure that the program has the America 250 SAR logo prominently displayed.
Color Guard – 5 Points
The Color Guard are uniformed members who attend and are awarded points for their participation as part of the Color Guard Ceremony at the event.
Attendees – 3 Points
All attendees are awarded points for their participation in an appropriate America 250 SAR event.
Scorekeeping is the responsibility of each compatriot and awarding authority. Use this form to record your points. You should complete the form and submit your completed form to: president@sarsandigo.org
Our Chapter will provide you with the Chapter level medal and certificate at a meeting. For State and National level awards will receive an email authorizing the purchase of the medal/award from SAR.org merchandising.
If you need confirmation of your 2022 and later meeting attendance then email: treasurer@sarsandiego.org
If you need confirmation of your participation in period dress or a part of the Color Guard, email: mailto:colorguard@sarsandiego.org
NOTE: PowerPoint style presentations are neither required nor suggested. This information and the download is for those that wish to use such presentation tools as a part of an America250 presentation.
The link below can be used to download a zip file that contains both PowerPoint and Open Office Impress presentation templates. These are easily modified and edited for your use. The zip file includes a brief description and information on using the templates in the document “PowerPoint Style Presentations.pdf” that is contained in the Zip file. There are also a few common logos and images that you might find useful.
If you need assistance with using PowerPoint or Open Office contact our Communications member at communications@sarsandiego.org.
These instructions are for the NEC NP200 Projector only. This is our primary projector. If you need help setting up our Communications member will assist you.
The information below is for connecting the computer and laptop via cables. As of 2023 we also have a wireless connection option that eliminates the need for cables. The wireless devices require USB power which is simple on the laptop. For the projector there are USB chargers and cables that may be used as well as a UBS powerbank if no electrical connection can be used.
On the Projector
- Plug into power source. The power button should begin flashing a blue color. The flashing blue means the unit has power but is not turned on.
- Plug projector into the laptop. There are two cables that can be used to attach the projector to your PC. One is an HDMI to VGA Cable for laptops that do not have a VGA connection. The other cable is the VGA to VGA cable. Use the cable that will work with your computer. Note the VGA connector on the projector is the blue one, the other is an output and is not used. The bag that contains the projector contains a number of cables and adapters that should cover the most common connections.
- Remove front lens cover
- Use lens cloth to clean the lens if needed
On the Computer
- Plug HDMI or VGA cable into laptop
- Turn on Laptop (if not on)
- If using a PC remote control/pointer device, plug receiver into a USB port, turn the pointer on
- Login if needed
- Start PowerPoint
- Load the presentation file
- Use Projector remote or the blue power button on top to turn it on. The projector must warm up before anything is visible and then you should see an NEC screen, followed by a “Computer” window followed by your computer screen. The flashing blue on the power button should change to a steady blue.
- Use PowerPoint’s main menu Slideshow option to start the slideshow-NOTE the laptop screen may not appear to change to the presenters’ screen at this time. If that happens:
- press the “Alt” and hold and then the “Tab” key to display active programs on the laptop screen.
- Press the Tab key until the slideshow is highlighted and then release both keys. The laptop should show the “presenters” screen which is black with the current slide shown on the left and the next side on the right (and somewhat smaller).
- Typically you should not need to do anything to “share” your computers screen. The projector and the PC recognize each other. However if the screen is not projected, right click on the desktop screen and select “Dispaly” and set to “Duplicate”.
Set the zoom and focus controls on top of the projector as needed. The large wheel controls the zoom and should be used first and then use the smaller wheel to fine tune the focus. If the projector is close to the screen the Zoom may not appear to be more of a focus than a zoom.
Shutdown
- Turn off the projector with the remote or by pressing the blue power button on the top of the projector. You will be prompted to press the power button a second
- The projector display will end but a fan will continue to run to cool the unit. During this time the power button displays a steady blue light. Once the fan stops, the power button will begin flashing, you may unplug cables and pack in projector bag at that point. Note the unit will still be warm.
- On the PC, remove remote control receiver if used and replace in the remote
- Turn the laptop remote off, if used
Possible Issues:
There is a booklet and quick start guide in the bag with the projector. You should not need any of this material but if you do take it out be sure to replace it when you are done.
These instructions are for the Toptro 21 Projector only. This is an alternate projector and only used when the primary NEC NP200 is not available.
On the Projector
- Plug into power source
- Plug HDMI Cable into Projector (on side)
- Remove front lens cover
- Use lens cloth to clean the lens if needed
- Use Projector remote to turn it on
On the Computer
- Plug HDMI cable into laptop.
- Turn on Laptop (if not on).
- If using a remote pointer/PC control device, plug receiver into a USB port, turn the pointer on.
- Login to your laptop if needed.
- Start PowerPoint.
- Load the presentation file.
- Press the Windows key (has Windows logo) and then the letter “P” at the same time. This will show a list of settings, move to the “Duplicate” and press the Enter key. Note the list will stay up but your computers screen should now be shown by the projector.
- Use PowerPoint’s main menu Slideshow option to start the slideshow-NOTE the laptop screen may not appear to change to the presenters’ screen at this time. If that happens:
- press the “Alt” and hold and then the “Tab” key to display active programs on the laptop screen.
- Press the Tab key until the slideshow is highlighted and then release both keys. The laptop should show the “presenters” screen which is black with the current slide shown on the left and the next side on the right (and somewhat smaller).
Note: You may perform step 8 before 7 for a more polished look.
Set the focus and skew controls on top of the projector as needed.
Shutdown
- Turn off the projector with the remote.
- Unplug cables and pack in projector case.
- On the PC, remove remote control receiver if used and replace in the remote.
- Turn the laptop remote off, if used.
Possible Issues:
If you have followed the steps above and your computer screen is not being projected, try this: Press the Home button on the Projector remote. Use the direction keys to highlight the “HDMI” option from the menu, click the HDMI menu button. The display should change to your computer screen.
If you are getting a “No Signal” message on the screen, unplug and then plug in the HDMI cable on both the computer and the projector. If the message persists, then either your HDMI output on your computer is not active or the Cable has a bent pin or is defective.