Sons of the American Revolution celebrate patriotism and heritage

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- As we celebrate America's 250th Birthday, the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) Freedom Chapter is taking center stage.

SAR is a non-profit, male-lineage organization dedicated to preserving the memory of Revolutionary War patriots. SAR members can trace their ancestry back directly. Someone who actively supported the fight for American Independence.

David Hamaker is a proud SAR member, "All of us have been able to trace our ancestry to someone who fought or contributed to the Revolutionary War."

SAR Freedom Chapter President Don Hayes adds, "They didn't have to have fight; they could have contributed cattle or land to the cause."

SAR'S mission is to promote patriotism through community activities, youth programs, veterans affairs, and to educate the public and help them understand the freedoms that we have and how we got them.

Some SAR members have more than one ancestor who had a hand in the fight for freedom. Hamaker has traced back to 28, while Art Byram's Revolutionary relative fought in a famous battle, "My claim to fame is my ancestor Naphali Byram. He was with George Washington when he crossed the Delaware."

Hamaker is the Director of the Freedom Chapter Color Guard, which he considers the face of the Sons of the Revolutionary War, "A lot of the Color Guard events honor veterans on Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and the Honor Flights that take the veterans to Washington, D.C."

You'll also find the SAR Freedom Chapter participating in parades, and they also work U.S. Naturalizations. Ceremonies that can be emotional for everyone. Byram remembers one in College Station, "A young

girl came out she had just got her U.S. citizenship. She said, 'You welcoming me into your country means as much to me as that certificate.' I said, I'm not welcoming you into my country, I'm welcoming you into our country."

Hamaker adds, "to be able to carry this on because this is something my ancestor believed in gives me great pride. I have four children and 13 grandchildren, and they think this is the coolest thing grandpa is out there wearing the uniform and is still spreading all the good news that we can about the country and the freedom that we have."