'American Revolution' comes to Post Falls
Members of the Sons of the American Revolution aided a chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in their celebration of the America250 kick off at the Nampa Depot in July. From left: William Flink, Rick Matkin, Tom Row, Randy Reiken, Jim Wellman and Randall Hudspeth.
Courtesy of The Sons of the American Revolution
Post Falls will welcome the first North Idaho chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution tonight.
The Treaty Rock Chapter will be the third SAR chapter in Idaho, joining Boise and Pocatello.
“I am thrilled to be the president during a time when the guys are going to be represented in North Idaho,” said Idaho SAR President Randall Hudspeth.
During the Treaty Rock Chapter’s first meeting at 6 p.m. at Mountain West Bible Church, officers will be sworn in, the official chapter charter will be signed, and new members will be inducted.
Hudspeth said since beginning the process in May, the Treaty Rock Chapter has already attracted 36 members, which is more than double what they need to start a chapter. He said there have been members scattered across North Idaho for years, without a chapter to call home.
“It’s not easy to get to be a member,” Hudspeth said.
To qualify to be a member, someone has to prove that they are a direct descendant of someone who served during the Revolutionary War.
Last year, Idaho was one of two states to win the Registrar General's Award for having every single one of their applications approved.
Jim Elie, Idaho SAR vice president and future Treaty Rock chapter chaplain, said SAR's mission is to promote patriotism through community service and education of future generations.
Elie said modern public education about the Revolutionary War has changed from what it used to be. He said that it’s important to recognize that it “wasn’t an easy task” to fight for independence.
“Up to the crossing of the Delaware, we weren’t winning,” Elie said.
Elie emphasized the importance of having a connection with one’s ancestors. He said past generations built the U.S. with hard work and sacrifice. He said it's important to know who those people were and where they came from.
He said everyone has a heritage, and everybody should be celebrating that heritage, “no matter where they came from.”
“You can be proud of those people came before us and built this country,” he said.
Hudspeth was also excited to open North Idaho’s first chapter on Constitution Day, marking the 239th anniversary of the adoption of the American Constitution.
“It's a big day to have a new chapter,” he said.