While the ceremonies are over you can still qualify for the medal with a donation. This option will remain open until September 5th when the applications will be forwarded to NSSAR.
On August 31, 2024 the San Diego Chapter in conjunction with the California Society of the Sons of American Revolution will be conducting a Patriot Grave Marking (PGM) event. The San Diego Chapter has conducted research and discovered that 18 Spanish soldiers that gave the donation to the American Revolutionary war were buried in San Diego County. Many were buried near the Presidio and the former location of the San Diego Mission but those graves have been disturbed to make a local dam. While the exact location of the graves are unknown the Patriot Grave Marking can still take place. In addition to the Spanish soldiers many of the Kumeyaay nation also made the donation but the names of the Kumeyaay are presently unknown.
Pre-populated SAR Grave Marking Medal Application Forms are available for download. Click HERE to download the zip file which includes an instruction and information document. You will need to complete your personal information on both forms then print all pages and bring with you to the ceremony where they will be collected.
Muster time for the Color Guard and musket team will be 30 minutes prior to the start of each ceremony. Please arrive at the designated time so that there will be time for a walk through for each ceremony.
The Ceremonies will be led by California Society President Don Littlefield. All SAR members, regardless of Chapter or State, are encouraged to participate. By participating in all three ceremonies you will qualify for the SAR Patriot Grave Marking medal (PGM). One way to participate is to contribute $270.00 towards the bricks at the San Diego Mission honoring the Spanish soldiers that helped the American forces. Donations of any amount can be made using the form below and those of $270 or more will receive a credit for participating.
While the ceremonies are over you can still qualify for the medal with a donation. This option will remain open until September 5th when the applications will be forwarded to NSSAR.
Tentative Schedule, August 31st:
10am Mission de Alcala, 10818 San Diego Mission Rd, San Diego.
11-1 Lunch, travel break, note distance from the Mission to the Presidio is 15 minutes or less
1pm Presidio, lower parking lot. 2727 Presidio Dr., San Diego.
3pm Mormon Battalion Museum (location is just down the hill from the Presidio). 2510 Juan St, San Diego.
Other Ways for SAR members to Participate
Attending these does not qualify as “participating” nor does being the member of the Color Guard. Being part of the Musket team does but it is possible that we will only fire at the Old Town Mormon Station location. Here are the best ways to qualify beyond the donation (above), keep in mind we want as many members as possible to participate so only elect to participate in one of the below that are currently available to be filled.
Assist with directing people to parking areas. We highly recommend that attendees should carpool when possible as parking will be limited at some locations.Helping others that need a little extra help and directing attendees as needed.Manage member signin/attendance records. filledSinger for the National Anthem at all three ceremonies or lead the Pledge ofAllegiance– filled.Lead the Pledge of Allegiance. filledLead the SAR Pledge– filledRead the names of those being remembered. This person should be very proficient in pronouncing Spanish names. filledLead the SAR Recessional. filledProvide labor, we will need setup, cleanup and haul away help. This will not be heavy labor as these will be “small footprint” events.Handout and later collect the programs. The programs may be kept however we don’t want to leave any on the grounds.Hand out the Grave Marking applications to those that did not pre-fill the forms or bring it with them.filledWe will need members to collect the PGM forms after each ceremony. We hope to have all forms signed and ready for submission by the end of the day. filledWe will need a photographer and videographer for the day. We will want copies of all images by the afternoon of September 3rd but sooner is preferred. In addition we would want the videographer to provide edited copies of each event for us to post on our YouTube channel. We will provide a Dropbox link to transfer all digital files.filled
We will mark though positions as the are filled.
More Details
As much as possible the “participation” roles are for SAR members only as only they can earn the PGM medal. Pre-populated application forms can be downloaded with this link Click HERE
Each ceremony should last between 45 minutes to one hour. There is no seating at the various locations so we suggest you bring a portable chair. For those that need help we will make every effort to have help available. There is parking at all locations but depending on the turnout it might become tight so we suggest you arrive early.
Need More Info?
Contact us at this email link: President.
Information on Patriot Grave Marking information from SAR’s Patriot Records Committee. PRC page