Welcome!
​GJBSAR Events
​UPCOMING
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May 6th ●  Read the GJBSAR April 2026 Outstanding Citizenship Issue of the General's Newsletter.
May 25th ● Memorial Day Breakfast and Parade, Bloomington
June 13th ● Flag Day Recognition 
July 8th ● Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence – July 8, 2026, Connie Link Amphitheater, Normal 
See details for GJBSAR Events 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 April 2026 Outstanding Citizenship Issue of
The General's Newsletter. 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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  • 2023 Boston Tea Party
  • 2024 The Continental Congress
  • 2025 Battles of Lexington and Concord
  • 2026 Declaration of Independence
  • 2027 Battle of Saratoga
  • 2028 French Alliance 
  • 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 
 
* Reading of the Declaration of Independence, July 8th​, Connie Link Amphitheater, Normal IL (Participating in a nationwide reading)
* 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 2025-2026
See the special GJBSAR 2026 Outstanding Citizenship Awards Newsletter 
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April 9th, 27th Annual GJB SAR Outstanding Citizenship/ Scholarship Luncheon with speaker Dr. James Shadid, Bradley University President.  19 H.S. seniors from McLean & Woodford counties received citizenship commendations: Andrew Naour NCHS; Calvin Andrews Heyworth HS; Cameron Hageman Central Catholic HS; Cole Robison Lowpoint-Washburn HS; Ezra Parker Cornerstone Christian Academy; Gabrielle Wagoner Ridgeview HS; Gage Maurer Prairie Central HS; Hayden Kuchefski NCWHS; Joseph Cheever Lexington HS; Katy Imhof Bloomington HS; Macy Gochanour Fieldcrest HS; Molly Scheuer Le Roy HS; Natalie Otto Eureka HS; Owen Bergquist El Paso-Gridley HS; Owen Knuffman Olympia HS; Samson Masters Tri-Valley HS; Suhn Kaeb University HS;  Trevor Heil Metamora Township HS; Wyatt Brown Roanoke-Benson HS.

Two seniors received the GJBSAR Citizenship Scholarships: Andrew Naour (NCHS) and Calvin Andrews (Heyworth HS).  Four adult Outstanding Citizenship Awards were also announced: Chris Knoll, David Williams, Dale Simpson, James Shadid.

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19 high school seniors from schools in Central Illinois honored with 2026 Outstanding Citizenship Awards
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Outstanding Citizenship Scholarship Award winners, Andrew Naour (NCHS) & Calvin Andrews (Heyworth HS) with Jay Herrman (GJB Genealogist) and GJB Web administrator)
​See more details and photos from the 2026 Outstanding Citizenship Student and Adult Awards event and the 2026 program.
​AND, see the GJBSAR special newsletter edition featuring the last year's 2025 Citizenship awardees
Iroquois County Outstanding 2025 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.   
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.
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.
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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
RECENT​
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April 9th ●  Award students, parents & school councilors, members & guests attended the GJB-SAR 2026 Outstanding Citizenship Awards Luncheon.  Also honored were four adult Citizenship Awards: Chris Knoll, David Williams, Dale Simpson, James Shadid. See details on GJB Youth and Adult Awards below and under the Programs page. Read the GJBSAR April 2026 Outstanding Citizenship Issue of the General's Newsletter.
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Seniors from schools in Central Illinois honored with 2026 Outstanding Citizenship Awards
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Outstanding Citizenship Scholarship Award winners, Andrew Naour (NCHS) & Calvin Andrews (Heyworth HS) with Jay Herrman (GJB Genealogist) and GJB Web administrator)
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Dr. James Shadid, Bradley University President (Keynote Speaker) & Jay Cummins, GJBSAR President
March ● GJB-SAR Chapter March 12th Dinner Meeting.  Various reports given & review of planned events for 2026 including the July 9th Declaration Reading at Connie Link Amphitheater.  New members recognized.
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February ● All new customizable event calendar on the GJBSAR website plus a downloadable PDF for printing.
New Members
March 12th Meeting: R to L, Rick Milner, Membership Chair, new members Luke Pool, Bob LaPorte, and Tom Hansen, Jay Cummins, chapter President
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
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
​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
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)
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​David Brian Williams