Committees
Harris Ferry Chapter SAR has multiple Committees established to focus on various topics and interests and maximize the Chapter's impact on the community, the SAR, and its own legacy. Each Committee has responsibilities and goals to help present awards and accolades for its Compatriots, the Chapter, the State and National Societies, the community, the youth of our nation, our Patriot ancestors, and our Veterans.
The mission of the Flag Committee of the Harris Ferry Chapter is to promote and encourage patriotism and respect for the flag of the United States of America.
Flag Patriotism
Flag Certificates are presented to businesses, local entities, or individuals that properly fly the American flag with pride. One Flag Certificate presented each month would be an outstanding accomplishment, but at minimum one is required to aid the state society in achieving the Admiral William R. Furlong Memorial Award.
Flag Certificates presented in 2025:
- Township of Derry, specifically for the Court of Honor at Chocolatetown Park in Hershey (25 Mar 2025)
- Middletown Cemetery Association (02 Jul 2025)
Cemetery Flags are presented to Patriots and Veterans buried at cemeteries that Harris Ferry Chapter overseas. The flags include both the Betsy Ross Flag and United States Flag. The chapter takes flags to cemeteries for various holidays including Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day., and Veterans Day.
Cemeteries that Harris Ferry Chapter oversees flags for:
- Paxton Presbyterian Church Cemetery (Harrisburg, PA) - 44 Patriots
- Hummelstown Cemetery (Hummelstown, PA) - 27 Patriots
- Prowell Family Cemetery (Newberrytown, PA) - 1 Patriot & 2 Veterans
Flag Etiquette is a key component to patriotism and this committee. The following are some of the key guidelines for proper flag presentation, and full rules can be found on the SAR's Flag Etiquette Presentation as well as the official US Flag Code.
Flag Retirement
Flag Retirement Certificates are presented to individuals or veteran's groups that assist in the proper disposal of American flags with pride. One Flag Retirement Certificate is required to aid the state society in achieving the Flag Retirement Award. Coinciding with the Flag Day Celebration hosted by the Harrisburg Chapter, NSDAR, there will be at least one planned Flag Retirement Ceremony scheduled for 2025.
Flag Retirement Certificates presented in 2025:
- x
Flag collection boxes can be found at VFWs, Legions, and other veteran-associated locations. Harris Ferry Chapter does not currently have a flag collection box, however, if you have a flag or an abundance you wish to donate, you may contact President Lemon to schedule a pick-up.
Resources
Chapter Flag Committees Information
Unserviceable Flag Retirement Ceremony
Flag Retirement Certificate (SAR Store)
Harris Ferry Chapter
Flag Committee Chairman
Jacob R. Lemon
The mission of the Medals & Awards Committee of the Harris Ferry Chapter is to oversee recommendations and qualifications for medals and awards for members and the chapter.
The committee chair should use the following list when considering recommendations, and compatriots may use this list to understand requirements for each reward. This list is summarized and more criteria is listed in the official NSSAR Handbook (V). Official Scoresheets and other required submission paperwork is available on the SAR website as well. The Chair should also track any potential awards the Chapter can earn as a whole and for the State Society; those awards are not listed here but can found in the NSSAR Handbook (VI) or on the individual committee pages for which the award is relevant for.
Individual Awards
The following medals are available on multiple levels with different criteria for each Society level (Chapter, State, District, National):
Distinguished Service Medal - A Compatriot may be awarded this medal only once at the discretion of the [Society-Level] President for particularly distinguished service, who may only award this medal once during his yearly term. This medal can be awarded for Chapter, State, National.
Meritorious Service Medal - A Compatriot may be awarded this medal for long, faithful, and meritorious service to the SAR. This medal can be awarded for Chapter, State, District, National.
Roger Sherman Commendation Medal - A Compatriot may be awarded this medal for significant service to the SAR. Requires service as an officer, committee chairman, or committee member. This medal can be awarded for Chapter, State, District, National.
Henry Knox Achievement Medal - A Compatriot may be awarded this medal for a specific outstanding contribution, achievement, accomplishment, deed, performance, or effort that advances the mission, governance, programs, or activities of the Chapter. This medal can be awarded for Chapter, State, District, National.
Outstanding Young Member Medal - A Compatriot may be awarded this medal for continued, exemplary service to the Society at the Chapter level, especially focused on leadership and service to youth and younger members. An application form must be submitted and approved by the Chapter President. This medal can be awarded for Chapter, State, National.
Good Citizenship Medal - A Compatriot may be awarded this medal for serving in a specific number of leadership positions outside of the SAR. This medal can be awarded for Chapter (Bronze), State (Silver), National (Gold).
250th Anniversary Recognition Medal - A Compatriot may be awarded this medal for earning a specific number of points for participating in SAR 250th Anniversary Events. A score sheet must be submitted and approved by the Chapter President. This medal can be awarded for Chapter (Bronze, 25 points), State (Silver, 60 points), National (Gold, 150 points).
NSSAR Color Guard Medal - A Compatriot may be awarded this medal for serving in the SAR Color Guard for a earning a specific number of points over a specific number of years. This medal can be awarded for State (Bronze), National (Silver), National (Gold).
- More State Society Medals -
Patriot Medal - A Compatriot may be awarded this medal for long, faithful, outstanding, and distinguished service to the SAR at the state and/or chapter level. It is the highest award that can be presented by the State Society.
Service to Veterans Medal - A Compatriot may be awarded this medal for long and exemplary service to veterans. There is a specific set of requirements, but mostly 5000 USS Stark Award points must be accrued.
Youth Education Medal - A Compatriot may be awarded this medal for educating the youth on the history of the American Revolution and accomplishments of our Patriot ancestors. There is a specific set of requirements, but mostly 15 presentations must be made. A "Lifetime Achievement" bar may also be awarded for educating youth for a period of more than ten years.
- More National Society Medals -
Minutemen Medal - A Compatriot may be awarded this medal for active and distinguished service to the National Society. There is a specific set of requirements, and it is the highest award that can be presented by the National Society.
War Service Medal - A Compatriot may be awarded this medal for having served in the military against a common enemy during the time of his service.
Military Service Medal - A Compatriot may be awarded this medal for having served in the military.
Florence Kendall Medal - A Compatriot may be awarded this medal for being one of the top three first-line sponsors of new members during the previous year.
Samuel Adams Congress Appreciation Medal - A Compatriot may be awarded this medal for providing distinguished service in hosting the Annual Congress. This medal can be awarded in Bronze, Silver, Gold.
General William C. Westmoreland Medal - A Compatriot may be awarded this medal for having a substantial amount of involvement with various Veteran activities in conjunction with the SAR. A specific set of criteria is required.
The Von Steuben Medal - A Compatriot may be awarded this medal for sustained service to the Society as a Color Guardsman at the National or District Levels. A specific set of criteria is required.
Liberty Medal - A Compatriot may be awarded this medal for having been the first-line sponsor for a specific number of new members. This medal can be awarded in Bronze (10 members), Silver (100 members), Gold (200 members).
Lafayette Volunteer Service Award - A Compatriot may be awarded this medal for having volunteered at NSSAR Headquarters in Louisville, KY for forty hours.
Patriot Grave Marking Medal - A Compatriot may be awarded this medal for helping to document and identify Patriot graves for the SAR database. A specific set of criteria is required, including having participated in at least fifteen grave marking events as the event planner, financial supporter of at least $60 per SAR Patriot marker, or being a Speaker/Presenter.
Compatriot Grave Marking Medal - A Compatriot may be awarded this medal for helping to honor fellow SAR members as well as those members' Patriot ancestors. A specific set of criteria is required, including having participated in at least fifteen grave marking events as the event planner, financial supporter of at least $60 per SAR Compatriot marker, or being a Speaker/Presenter.
Council of State Presidents' Medal - A Compatriot may be awarded this medal for having served on the Council of State Presidents. This medal can be awarded in Silver, Gold.
Not mentioned in this list are awards in the following categories: Public Service Medals, Youth Program Medals, Ladies Medals, Special Service or Commemorative Event Medals, Fundraising Medals, and other Membership/Service Awards and Certificates. Please see complete list in the official NSSAR Handbook (V).
Resources
NSSAR Handbook for Individual Medals
Harris Ferry Chapter
Medals & Awards Committee Chairman
Gary L. Coburn
The mission of the Patriot Records Committee of the Harris Ferry Chapter is to identify and report data on Revolutionary War graves to the SAR and historically preserve them.
Research
Many Patriot graves are locally known and have little to no historical evidence to back the claim that the individual buried in that grave was a Revolutionary War Patriot. With modern tools and websites, as well as libraries and research centers, the goal will be to add or update as many new or existing Patriots to the SAR Patriot Research System.
Patriots added/updated in 2025:
- George Stroh
- Christian Stucky
- Johannes Bock
Grave Markers
Many Patriot (and Compatriots) graves lack SAR or Revolutionary War Veteran grave markers. These can often be stolen for the scrap value of bronze, unfortunately. In an attempt to thwart theft, staked markers will be placed in concrete and have the recipient's name, SAR number, and presenting chapter engraved on the back of the marker. The Chapter will try to represent as many Patriot (and Compatriot) graves as possible with these markers.
Grave markers added in 2025:
- George Stroh (Patriot) - Stroh's Cemetery, Harrisburg
- Christian Stucky (Patriot) - Stroh's Cemetery, Harrisburg
- Oscar H. Stroh (Compatriot) - Stroh's Cemetery, Harrisburg
- Johannes Bock (Patriot) - Buck Cemetery, Harrisburg
Tombstone Restoration & Preservation
This is a topic that is not necessarily related to any one award or committee within the SAR, but more so an initiative that was incorporated into already established cemetery involvement. To honor our Patriot ancestors, their families, and those buried in their shared grounds, it is the responsibility of the current and future generations to maintain, restore, and preserve these sites. While the focus will be on Patriot graves, Harris Ferry Chapter will not shy away from a grave or cemetery in need, be it a veteran's stone from a different war, a child's memorial, or an abandoned cemeteries covered in briar.
Ground Maintenance - Grass cutting, weed management, brush removal, tree limb safety, and animal infestation control
Monument Cleaning - Cleaning, graffiti removal, tools and chemicals, and damage safety analyzation
Resetting & Leveling - Ground leveling, stone-to-stone bonding, mortaring and repointing, and rigging
Repairing - Crack and tablet repair, infilling, stone cutting, and base reconstruction
Cemeteries/tombstones restored/preserved in 2025:
- x
Medals & Awards
Listed here are medals and awards the can be awarded by any compatriot and the chapter, as well as the state society with contributions from the chapter and its members.
Patriot Grave Marking Medal - A Compatriot may be awarded this medal for helping to document and identify Patriot graves for the SAR database. A specific set of criteria is required, including having participated in at least fifteen grave marking events as the event planner, financial supporter of at least $60 per SAR Patriot marker, or being a Speaker/Presenter.
Compatriot Grave Marking Medal - A Compatriot may be awarded this medal for helping to honor fellow SAR members as well as those members' Patriot ancestors. A specific set of criteria is required, including having participated in at least fifteen grave marking events as the event planner, financial supporter of at least $60 per SAR Compatriot marker, or being a Speaker/Presenter.
Historic Preservation Award - A Chapter or State Society may be awarded this medal for preserving the history of the United States and the American Revolution through various historic preservation projects. Credit is considered for leading, volunteering, funding, and promoting the following projects: 1) installation of commemorative markers at historical locations like battlefields or cemeteries; 2) preservation and restoration of graves or cemeteries of Patriots or Patriot Sons and Daughters; 3) preservation and restoration of historical locations like battlefields; 4) preservation, restoration, or digitization of historical artifacts or documents; 5) production and presentation of history programs outside of a school or via digital methods. Promotion can be made via news articles, social media, or TV/radio. Partnerships with other heritage, lineage, or preservation groups is encouraged. More information.
Colonel Stewart Boone McCarty Award - A compatriot may be awarded this medal for preserving the history of the United States and the American Revolution through traditional teaching in schools. Submission is made by the chapter or state society by May 1st, and recognizes service during the most previous year. More information.
MNSSAR Stephen Taylor Award - A compatriot may be awarded this medal for preserving the history of the United States and the American Revolution through his research and writing. Submission is made by the chapter or state society by May 1st, and recognizes service during the most previous year. More information.
Resources
Patriot Grave Biography Report
Patriot Grave Marking Medal Form
Compatriot Grave Marking Medal Form
HFSAR Tombstone Restoration & Preservation
Harris Ferry Chapter
Patriot Records Committee Chairman
Jacob R. Lemon
The mission of the Education Committee of the Harris Ferry Chapter is to educate the youth of America on history, patriotism, and honor that is the American Revolution and its Patriots.
Youth Contests
The SAR has various contests for school students of all ages to enter and win prizes. These contests offer opportunities for the Chapter to visit schools and present programs to educate the youth on the American Revolution, our Founding Fathers, and other significant events, battles, and moments of the time. Depending on the contest, there are awards for chapter, state, and national winners. The below deadlines are for State Submissions to National. Further submission dates for Chapter and Chapter to State will be added.
- Dr. Tom & Betty Lawrence American History Teacher of the Year Award
- Deadline: February 10
- Details:
- George S. & Stella M. Knight Essay Contest
- Deadline: February 15
- Details:
- Youth Video Contest
- Deadline: February 15
- Details:
- Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest
- Deadline: May 15
- Details:
- Sgt. Moses Adams Memorial Middle School Brochure Contest
- Deadline: June 1
- Details:
- Elementary School Poster Contest
- Deadline: June 1
- Details:
Resources
Patriot Chest Resources (while Harris Ferry will not have an official traveling SAR Patriot Chest, it will have its own version that can be used locally)
The mission of the Americanism Committee of the Harris Ferry Chapter is to promote the principles of freedom and liberty for all Americans. To achieve this, the committee will assist other communicates in their programs and track chapter progress for the SAR Americanism Scoresheet. Programs such as grave markings, distributing colonial documentation to schools, and promoting the SAR and it's core missions are all functions of the committee.
Americanism Scoresheet
The SAR implemented the American Scoresheet to aid in tracking the accomplishments of each chapter and state society. This is then used as friendly competition for awards to chapters and state societies. It is important to keep the scoresheet updated, and for assistance in that the committee chairman may reference the Chapter Activity Report.
The following is a breakdown of the tabs on the scoresheet and how a singular event may be mentioned on various tabs. Next to each tab title below is the corresponding chapter committee the Americanism Chairman should communicate with.
1 - Media Publicity (Communications Committee)
- 1A - Chapter website URL and the most recent update date.
- 1B - Advertising purchases in The SAR Magazine.
- 1C - Publicity aired or shown on a public medium (i.e. News Station); excludes SAR-sponsored items such as the magazines, newsletters, social media pages, etc.
2 - Speakers Bureau (Education Committee)
- 2A - Establishment of a Speakers Bureau for the public; excludes SAR presentations or groups.
- 2B - Public patriotic presentations made to classrooms or non-classrooms.
3 - DAR-CAR Support (DAR & CAR Liaison Committee)
- 3A - Leadership positions held in the CAR or monetary contributions to the CAR.
- 3B - DAR or CAR events where the SAR attended as support.
4 - Youth Programs (JROTC/Eagle Scouts/Sea Cadets Committee, Education Committee)
- 4A - Monetary contributions to recipients for awards or programs (i.e. JROTC)
- 4B - Sponsored youth programs by the chapter and the number of individuals that participated in each event (this number equates to all persons considered or entered in the program. i.e. Ten entries to the essay contest means ten participants, despite only being one winner).
- 4C - Youth Award Recipients.
5 - Public Service Programs (Veterans Committee, Education Committee)
- 5A - USS Stark Memorial Award Report points.
- 5B - Public Service Medals Recipients.
- 5C - Chapter members serving on school boards.
- 5D - Framed document or portrait presented.
- 5E - Participation in a New Citizen Swearing In Ceremony.
- 5F - Public programs with SAR themes (i.e. Grave markings, parades, etc.).
6 - Historic Sites
7 - Grave Markings
8 - Color Guard
9 - Medals & Awards
10 - National Society Service
11 - Membership
12 - Meeting Attendance