Natchitoches Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution

The Sons of the American Revolution is coming to Natchitoches Parish. It is fitting that the oldest city in the Louisiana Purchase, the city that remains the home of the descendants of so many Revolutionary War soldiers, be the site of the newest chapter in an organization whose mission is to honor the patriotism, courage, sacrifice, tragedy, and triumphs of the men and women who achieved the independence of the American people.

The Sons of the American Revolution is a patriotic, historical, and educational organization open to all male descendants of Revolutionary War patriots. With our Junior Membership program, we boast members from new born to those over 100 years old. Our objective is to perpetuate the memory of individuals who, by their services or sacrifices during the war of the American Revolution, achieved the independence of the American people. The SAR sponsors events throughout the year, including: oratory and essay contests for young people; ceremonies honoring the patriots of the Revolution and the battles in which they fought; and awards programs honoring educators, and fire safety and law enforcement personnel.

Today, the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution membership rolls is approaching 200,000. Many men from all walks of life have joined the SAR, including sixteen United States Presidents, nine known Medal of Honor recipients, and numerous Senators and Congressmen. Our rosters have also included such international members as Sir Winston Churchill of England and King Juan Carlos I of Spain.

Let me assure you that the ancestors of the above mentioned luminaries were of no more importance to the American Revolution than the 150 or so members of the Natchitoches Militia. Make no mistake about it, when Benjamin Franklin said that we must all hang together or surely we will hang apart, he wasn’t only talking about the affluent patriots he socialized with. Men who wore the uniform of the colonies or rendered aid to the cause of liberty should be honored for their service.

The Natchitoches Chapter will have its charter signed in January 2010. We will “hit the road running” so to speak by placing a Patriot Grave Marker on the grave of Jean Pierre Emmanual Prudhomme in American Cemetery. There are four more graves identified to be marked, all in American Cemetery. They are Jean Baptiste Ailhaud, Remy Lambre, Claude Thomas Pierre Metoyer, and Antoine Prudhomme.

I hope that those of you who are eligible for membership in either the Sons or Daughters of the American Revolution will consider joining. It is a great way to remember not only you ancestors service, but to help preserve Natchitoches precious heritage.