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Good Citizenship Award Applications

Students applying for the GJBSAR Good Citizenship awards & scholarships use the link below for your application.  Follow the directions provided to (1) submit your application form, (2) submit required files, and (3) make reservations for the luncheon award event.  Application deadlines is March 1, 2026.  The luncheon is scheduled for April 9th, 2026
Application Link
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See GJBSAR Events details for
​these and all events
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View the slideshow prepared for the 2025 GJBSAR 50th Anniversary Event with speaker Clifton Truman Daniel, October 18th 
 GJB SAR Logo/Icon
Welcome to the General Joseph Bartholomew Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) website. Our mission is to promote patriotism and to reaffirm those values on which our country was established. Our chapter is one of 15 SAR chapters in the state of Illinois, serving Iroquois, Livingston, McLean and Woodford Counties. 

The SAR is a patriotic, historical and educational lineage society headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. It was founded on April 30, 1889 and chartered by an Act of Congress on June 6, 1906. SAR has more than 30,000 members living in all of the 50 states and 23 foreign countries. Throughout its history, SAR has admitted more than 165,000 members from all walks of life. Among them are 15 Presidents of the United States, including George W. Bush and his father George H. W. Bush, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Harry Truman and Theodore Roosevelt. SAR also has among its members Sir Winston Churchill and King Juan Carlos I of Spain, both of whom trace their ancestry to Revolutionary War patriots. We are a society of gentlemen who enjoy the fellowship of a common interest and who want to preserve the memory of our Patriot Ancestors and keep the freedoms that they won for us with their service and sacrifices.

We believe in perpetuating the stories of patriotism, courage, sacrifice, tragedy, and triumph of the men who achieved the independence of the American people in the belief that these stories are universal ones of man's eternal struggle against tyranny, relevant to all time, and will inspire and strengthen each succeeding generation as it too is called upon to defend our freedoms on the battlefield and in our public institutions. 

Proving that you have a Patriot Ancestor can be challenging but it is far from impossible and, once it is proven, it is good for generations to come. Perhaps a family story places a forefather in the Revolutionary War or has them supporting the cause in another way. The ancestor need not have your last name and may be on either your maternal or paternal side, but you must document the direct line. If you have a possible ancestor, that's a good first step. Contact us and we may be able to help you document your lineage.​
​​Read the GJBSAR December 2025 Issue of
The General's Newsletter,​ the
May special CITIZENSHIP AWARDS newsletter 2025
featuring the youth of the GJB area! Check it out. And, the
Summer 2026 WINTER ILSSAR State Newsletter of ​​
​The Illinois Patriot​​
250th Anniversary of the SAR and the "Decade of Celebration"
 Boston Tea Party 1773 to the Treaty of Paris 1873
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  • 2029 Siege of Vincennes/Fort Sackville Battle of Kettle Creek
  • 2030 Battle of Kings Mountain
  • 2031 Siege of Yorktown 
  • 2032 Battle of Blue Licks 
  • 2033 Treaty of Paris

2026 250th Anniversary Events 
 
​Commemoration of the Battle of Lexington & Concord, 
--NSSAR's 2025 250th signature event, April 18-21, in Massachusetts
The Promise of Liberty (Ken Burns, curator), Peoria Riverwalk Museum
GJBSAR Facebook featured series on the 250th Anniversary of America's Independance starting with the Seige of Boston.

Selected Topics
USPS Forever stamps on the Revolutionary Battlefields
Revolutionary War Rarities Podcasts: 
Provided by the Sons of the American Revolution with new episodes every two weeks

Selected Readings
A PERFECT FRENZY: A Royal Governor, His Black Allies, and the Crisis That Spurred the
American Revolution. By Andrew Lawler (NYTimes Review)
THE INDISPENSABLES: The Country, Formed the Navy, and Rowed Washington
Across the Delaware. By Patrick K. O’Donnell (Grove Atlantic Review)
REVOLUTION SONG: A Story of American Freedom.  By Russel Shorto (NYTimes Review)
THE FATE OF THE DAY: The War for America, Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, 1777-1780 (
Revolution Trilogy, 2). By Rick Atkinson. (NY Times Review)
REBELLION 1776, by Laurie Halse Anderson (NYTimes Review; for young readers)
JACK JOUETT's RIDE, by Gail E. Haley (basis for Eagle Scout awardee's essay, for young and old)

For more in depth reading see "Essential American Revolution Library?" on the Journal of the American Revolution website.​
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GJB SAR YOUTH AWARDS 2025
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Iroquois County Outstanding Citizenship Awards
On Friday, December 5th, the Princess Wach-e-kee Chapter, NSDAR, held a reception honoring Iroquois County high school students at the St John Lutheran Church-Schwer, Milford, Illinois.   
Award Recipients (L to R)
Jay Cummins, GJB President
Lydia Heeren – Watseka Community HS
Lillie Harris – Milford HS
Josie Neukomm – Cissna Park SR HS
Brady Perzee – Clifton Central HS
Madelyn Loy – Donovan HS
Joel Arechiga – Iroquois West HS
Terry Willils – GJB Sergeant at Arms, Chair-Veterans/ROTC
Rick Milner – GJB Secretary, Chair-Color Guard
 Program Presenter – Maryury Buhr
Rainey and cold! GJB members (L to R: Steve Kern, Jay Cummins, Clay Held and Sonny Rudsinski) braved the cold & rainy weather on December 14 to be present for the Wreaths Across America event.
Iroquois County 2025 Citizenship Award Recipients (L to R): Jay Cummins, GJB President; Lydia Heeren – Watseka Community HS; Lillie Harris – Milford HS; Josie Neukomm – Cissna Park SR HS; Brady Perzee – Clifton Central HS; Madelyn Loy – Donovan HS; Joel Arechiga – Iroquois West HS; Terry Willils – GJB Sergeant at Arms, Chair-Veterans/ROTC; Rick Milner – GJB Secretary, Chair-Color Guard
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Iroquois County Awards Program Presenter – Maryury Buhr
GJRSAR SILVER ROTC MEDAL & SCHOLARSHIP: 2025 Winner is Cadet Tyler Evans.  Cadet Evans is a sophomore at ISU from Naperville, Illinois. Presenting the award is GJBSA President Jay Cummins and Dan Leifel, Veterans/ROTC chair. The Silver ROTC medal and certificate endeavors to foster the principle of “citizen-soldier” exemplified by the original Minutemen. 
GJBSAR CHAPTER 2024 EAGLE SCOUT AWARD. The GJBSAR chapter has chosen ​Robert Null II for the 2024 GJBSAR Eagle Scout Award.  Congratulations to Robert (Troop 918): the presentation of his award and recitation of his patriotic essay "Jack Jouett's Ride" was made at the  GJB meeting on Flag Day, June 14th, 2025. See the photo above of the award presentation with Robert's parents.
10 April 2025 Student Citizenship Awards Luncheon 10 April 2025Photo by Brooklyn Shaw
April 10th, 26th Annual GJB SAR Outstanding Good Citizenship/ Scholarship Luncheon with speaker Dr. Sheahon J. Zenger, IWU President.  20 H.S. seniors from McLean & Woodford counties received citizenship commendations and three seniors received the GJBSAR Citizenship Scholarships: Meika Bender (Eureka H.S.), Nathan Steffen (Lexington H.S.) and Bohdan Zeleznik (LeRoy H.S.).

​See the  GJBSAR Good Citizenship Program page for details and images.
AND, see the GJBSAR special newsletter edition featuring the Citizenship awardees
Meika Joy Bender (Eureka H.S.) presented with A.M. King GJBSAR Citizenship Scholarship
Meika Joy Bender (Eureka H.S.) presented with A.M. King GJBSAR Citizenship Scholarship. Photo by Brooklyn Shaw
Nathan Samuel Steffen (Lexington H.S.) receiving the A.M. King GJBSAR Citizenship Scholarship.
Nathan Samuel Steffen (Lexington H.S.) receiving the A.M. King GJBSAR Citizenship Scholarship. Photo by Brooklyn Shaw
Bohdan Louis Zeleznik (LeRoy H.S.) receiving the A.M. King GJBSAR Citizenship Scholarship.
Bohdan Louis Zeleznik (LeRoy H.S.) receiving the A.M. King GJBSAR Citizenship Scholarship. Photo by Brooklyn Shaw
134th SAR Annual Congress NEWS from Lancaster PA
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​Shreya Nallamothu receiving the National Rumbaugh Oration Award at the 2024 National Congress with President General of SAR, John Dodd (rt), and John Bredenfoerder (left), Chairman of the Rumbaugh Contest.
 Shreya Nallamothu receiving the National Rumbaugh Oration Award at the 2024 National Congress
Congratulations to SHREYA NALLAMOTHU! Shreya was recognized at the SAR 134TH Annual Congress in Lancaster PA (July 2024) as the NATIONAL AWARD WINNER of the RUMBAUGH ORATION CONTEST.

View the video of Shreya's oration at the National SAR Congress
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Shreya had previously been recognized as the GJBSAR  Chapter and the State ILSSAR winner of the Rumbaugh Oration competition. Shreya Nallamothu is a student at University High School, Normal IL. Recognized at the April 4th GJBSAR Outstanding Citizenship Luncheon​ Shreya is shown with her mother, Swathi Nallamothu, and GJBSAR President, Jay Cummins. See more information on the Rumbaugh Oration Contest on the GJBSAR ​Educational Programs

​GJBSAR Events
​UPCOMING
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Members & their guests. Sign up for the (1) GJB-SAR Chapater March 12th Meeting and (2) GJB-SAR Citizenship Awards Luncheon on April 9th .  Pay online directly or by check.  See the Member Reservations tab under EVENTS to reserve your place.

GJBSAR Events
RECENT​
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February ● All new customizable event calendar on the GJBSAR website plus a downloadable PDF for printing.
January ● See the all new and updated 2026 GJBSAR Events Calendar 
Jan 12 ● December 2025 General's News now published for the GJBSAR Chapter end of year 2025 news events.
​The first draft of the 2026 GJBSAR Events calendar also on the website.

Dec 5 ● 1:00 pm, The Iroquois County DAR-SAR Citizenship Program, St John Lutheran Church at Schwer, Milford, Illinois. See awards and photos below.

PictureKey participants of the GJBSAR Liberty Tree dedication program mulching the tree set on the Consititution Trail, 25 October 2025
The GJBSAR chapter Liberty Tree project now has a dedicated page in on our website.  Take a moment to view the details & photos from the recent October 28th dedication.

Nov 11, 11:30 a.m. ● Veteran's Day Lunch Meeting, speaker Martin F. Conatser, former National Commander of The American Legion. St Luke Union Church, Bloomington.  Read the minutes
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GJBSAR President, Jay Cummins with Veteran Members, 11 November 2025
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Guest speaker, Martin F. Conatser, former National Commander of the American Legion
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New members, Mark Reeves & Brad Dearing with Rick Milner, GJB Secretary/Historian
Oct 25, 10:30 am ● Liberty Tree Dedication, Constitution Trail. See Liberty Tree webpage for map and location as well as photos from the dedication. View the program from the Dedication.
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​Oct 18, 10:30 (social)/11:00 a.m. (program) ● GJB 50th Anniversary Brunch/Program, speaker author Clifton Truman Daniel, grandson of Harry Truman.  Bloomington Country Club. View slideshows fron the GJB 50-year history & the luncheon celebration.
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GJBSAR members attending the 50th Anniversary Celebration, October 18th, 2025
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GJB President, Jay Cummins, with the 50th Anniversary speaker, Clifton Truman Daniel
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Long serving past president of GJBSAR, Gordon Bidner, sharing his thoughts with the members and guests at the 50th luncheon, Bloomington Country Club, Oct 18, 2025
​Sep 19 ●  LGS Chapter of the DAR and the GJB SAR Chapter held their annual meeting to commemorate Constitution Week. Judge Scott Kording was introduced as the keynote speaker by Marilyn Nelson, LGS Regent.  Steve Kern awarded medals and certificates for community Public Service and Heroism, as chair of the GJB committee. Minutes from the meeting available
Judge Kording, keynote speaker
Judge Scott Kording's keynote address “You be the Judge: The Enduring Relevance of Textualism in Defense of Constitutional Fidelity”
Constitution Day 2025 Awards for Public Service and Heroism
Constitution Day 2025 Public Service & Heroism Recognition: McLean Count Sheriff Matt Lane, Bloomington Emergency Communication Manager Darren Wolf, Bloomington Police Detective Kevin Raisbeck, Trooper Joseph Steward and Trooper Logan Wunder both of Illinois State Police Troop #4. The Life Saving Certificate and Medal were awarded to Dispatcher Isabella Petrilli. Master Sergeant Billy Quinn and Acting Master Sergeant Ben Reichard of Illinois State Police Troop #5 were awarded Heroism Certificates and Medals. Steve Kern (Chair of the Committee) and Jay Cummins (GJB President) shown on far left and right)
​​Aug 12 ● GJB Chapter Dinner Meeting.  Recognition of new members & GJB business; Steve Kern Liberty Tree Award; Kevin Roberts trip to 250th Concord & Lexington Commemoration; Dr. Matthijs Tieleman speaking on the "Patriot Atlantic" and the 250th. Jay Cummins, host
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Dr. Tieleman, ISU Professor, speaking on the role of the Dutch & Irish in support of the American Revolution, "The Patriot Atlantic."
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12 August 2025 GJBSAR Meeting: Member Kevin Roberts, shared his family's visit to the April commemoration of the Battle of Concord & Lexington
New SAR Members 12 August 2025
August 12th, 2025, New SAR Member Micah Cutter, Randy Boyd, & Ray Boyd with Jay Cummins, GJB President, and Rick Milner, GJB Membership Chair, on the left and right.
Steve Kern Receiving Liberty Tree Award
Steve Kern earned the Liberty Medal for recruiting and sponsoring over ten new GJB members in 2024, presented by Jay Cummins GJB President. August 12th meeting of GJBSAR.
Jun 14 ● Flag Day Program:  Flag Day Award to William & Marlene Landstrom; New member recognition, Andrew Argo;  Liberty Tree planting project; King Eagle Scout Award recitation of award essay by Robert Null, 2024 award winner; Carol Castellon's presentation of her collection of "Flags of Our Fathers."
2025 Flag Day Award to the Landstrom's
Steve Kern, Flag Day committee chair, presents 2025 Flag Day Award to William & Marlene Landstrom of Bloomington