On December 8th, 2023 the Cincinnati Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution hosted a event and ceremony where individuals in the Cincinnati Chapter were recognized for their contributions.
George Stewart and incoming President planning the awards ceremony while the musket salute is displayed in the background
The awards were not limited to SAR members and were awarded to supporters of the SAR mission. Members received a combination of certificates, medals or Oak Leaf Clusters (OC).
These awards were presented to distinguished and worthy members of our organization.
These awards were presented by outgoing 2022-2023 President George Stewart with assistance from Scott Freeman the 2024 President of the Cincinnati Chapter.
A complete list of the awards are presented below, some include descriptions of the criteria to earn the award:
Certificate of Appreciation
Douglas John Bates
Kenneth Russell Blank
Simon Blank
Douglas Roy Carver
Philip Carver
Clayton Lowell Crandall
Walter Douglas Golladay
Jeffery Michael Hartman
Scott Earl Snow
Distinguished Service Certificates
Bruce Ian Bennett
Ralph Edgar Bonniwell
Robert Edmund Russell Bowers
Michael John Blum
Larry Wayne Collins
Mark Joseph Fields
Douglas Scott Freeman
George Aldrich Hill III
Bradley John Jarard
Gerald Patrick Knight
Timothy James Madden
Jessie Gordon Moore
Franz Barrett Ott II
Daniel Stuart Schmitz
Gordon Estel Stokely Jr.
Distinguished Service Certificates
Gregory David Ballman
John Henry Bredenfoerder
Michael Bernard Gunn
Donald Charles McGraw Jr.
Turner Lee Wilkerson III
Certificate of Appreciation – Ladies
Pamela Gay Stewart
Kathleen Freeman
Martha Washington Medal
The Martha Washington Medal may be presented to a woman over 18 years of age in recognition of outstanding service to SAR.
Kathy Ballman – OC
Carrie Paige Blum- OC
Shirley Bowers – OC
Shari Wilkerson – OC
SAR Medal of Appreciation
The SAR Medal of Appreciation may be presented to a member of the DAR in good standing in recognition of and in appreciation for outstanding services rendered to the SAR. The award may recognize assistance in forming new SAR chapters, obtaining a specific number of new SAR members, or otherwise significantly aiding the SAR programs.
Robin Bennett – OC
Daughters Of Liberty
The Daughters of Liberty Medal may be presented to a lady recommended by any officer of a chapter, state or National Society, SAR in appreciation for her unselfish devotion, tireless efforts and assistance to the SAR, and who has dedicated her time, energy, ability and/or finances to the organization in support and furtherance of the stated objectives of the SAR. Awards of this medal to a national officer of any organization must be approved by the President General before a district, state or chapter makes the award. This is the highest lady’s medal and consideration in awarding this medal should be given only after the SAR Medal of Appreciation or the Martha Washington Medal has been presented. Chapters: A Chapter may nominate a lady for this medal, but it must be approved by the State Society; a Chapter may present the approved Daughters of Liberty Medal if authorized by the State Society
Laurie Bredenfoerder – OC
Carol Gunn – OC
Henry Knox Achievement Medal
The Chapter Henry Knox Achievement Medal may be awarded by a Chapter to a Compatriot or non-SAR member to recognize a specific outstanding contribution, achievement, accomplishment, deed, performance, or effort that advances the mission, governance, programs, or activities of that Chapter. This award is not limited by a specific time of service requirement and may be presented to recognize a singular act or multiple acts.
Gregory David Ballman
Bruce Ian Bennett
Michael John Blum
Ralph Edgar Bonniwell
Robert Edmund Russell Bowers
John Henry Bredenfoerder
Kenneth Robert Burke
Larry Wayne Collins
Gary Lee Duffield
Douglas Scott Freeman
Michael Bernard Gunn
Zackary Thomas Haines
George Aldrich Hill III
Bart Hendershot
Bradley John Jarard
Gerald Patrick Knight
Timothy James Madden
Donald Charles McGraw Jr.
Jesse Gordon Moore
Franz Barrett Ott II
Daniel Stuart Schmitz
Gordon Estel Stokley Jr.
Turner Lee Wilkerson III
Past President General and Cincinnati Chapter member – Jesse Moore
Henry Knox Achievement Medal – Female
Kathy Ballman
Robin Bennett
Carrie Paige Blum
Shirley Bowers
Laurie Bredenfoerder
Carol Gunn
Shari Wilkerson
Bronze Good Citizenship Medal
The Bronze Good Citizenship Medal is a multi-purpose award designed to recognize individuals whose community (i.e., school, locality, or state) achievements are noteworthy. It can be presented to both adults & minors and to Compatriots and non-Compatriots alike
James Homer Houston Jr. – Medal
Meritorious Service Medal
The Meritorious Service Medal may be awarded to SAR members who have rendered long, faithful, and meritorious service to their chapter.
Bruce Ian Bennett – Medal
Douglas Scott Freeman – Medal
Timothy James Madden – Medal
Chapter Meritorious Service Certificate
Gregory David Ballman
Michael John Blum
Robert Edmund Russell Bowers
Dr. Ralph Edgar Bonniwell
John Henry Bredenfoerder
Kenneth Robert Burck
Larry Wayne Collins
Michael Bernard Gunn
Zachary Thomas Haines
Bradley John Jarard
Gerald Patrick Knight
Donald Charles McGraw Jr.
Franz Barrett Ott II
Gordon Estel Stokely Jr.
Turner Lee Wilkerson III
Thomas Paine Award
Documenting in word, the accomplishments, the activities of this chapter in print and social media is one of the most important responsibilities in this chapter. These two compatriots have continued to advertise this chapter to the community. Gentlemen…Thank You for your continued efforts this past year!
Timothy James Madden
Michael Bernard Gunn
Chapter Medal of Distinguished Service Award
The Chapter Medal of Distinguished service may be awarded to SAR members who have rendered particularly distinguished service to the incumbent chapter president during his term of service.The incumbent Chapter President may present one medal during his term (or each year of his term if elected to a multiyear term) at the Chapter’s Annual Meeting, to a Compatriot in recognition for that Compatriot’s conspicuous service to the Chapter during the president’s administration. The Chapter President presents this Medal at his discretion; no other approval is required. A Compatriot may receive this medal only once.
Douglas Scott Freeman
Bronze Roger Sherman Medal
The Chapter Roger Sherman Commendation Medal may be awarded to a compatriot in recognition of, and in appreciation of, outstanding services rendered to a Chapter. The medal is presented to a compatriot for significant service which lacks the requirements for the Meritorious Service Medal. It should be awarded in place of the Bronze and Silver Good Citizenship Medals, which cannot be awarded for service to the SAR. The recipient must have served as an active officer for a minimum of two years, as an active committee chairman for three years, or as an active member of a committee for four years.
Mark Joseph Fields – Medal
Daniel Stuart Schmitz – OC
Scott Earl Snow – OC
250th Anniversary American Revolution Medal
The medal is designed to recognize those compatriots, chapters, societies and partner organizations who participate in local, state, national and international events which recognize and honor our Patriot ancestors and the events of the American Revolution.
Medal points are earned for taking part in each celebration that brings attention to the 250th Anniversary period of 2014 through 2033.
Bronze
Carrie Paige Blum
Gold
Michael John Blum
Grave Marking Medal
The Patriot Grave Marking Medal recognizes both past efforts to identify and report data on Revolutionary War graves and to encourage new efforts to identify graves. Individuals must participate in 15 patriot grave markings.
Carrie Paige Blum – Medal
Michael John Blum – OC
Service to Veterans Medal
The Service to Veterans Medal may be awarded to SAR members who have given long and exemplary service to veterans. The medal is awarded for 5000 USS Stark Award points accrued by the SAR member. The medal will be awarded at the Chapter level following the Chapter Veteran Committee Chairman’s approval of the member’s documentation.
Michael John Blum – OC
Paul Lloyd Taylor Jr. – Medal
Perfect Attendance
Michael John Blum
Robert Edmund Russel Bowers
Douglas Scott Freeman
Michael Bernard Gunn
Timmy James Madden
Jessie Gordon Moore
George Harry Stewart Jr.
Fire Safety Commendation Medal
The Fire Safety Commendation Medal is presented to an individual for accomplishments and/or outstanding contributions in an area of fire safety and service. The award is not limited to firefighters. It may be presented to recognize a variety of fire safety and service that has evolved into a highly technical and skilled profession with constant study, development, and involvement by numerous dedicated citizens with a single goal: protect human life and property by preventing injuries or casualties due to fire and chemicals.
Kenneth Robert Burck
Fire Safety Award winner Kenneth Burck on left / Law Enforcement Award winner Gregg Ballman on right
Kenny joined the Greenhill’s Volunteer Fire Department in October 1972 and rose through the ranks to Engineer, Lieutenant and Captain of the Fire Department and Life Squad and was on active duty until December 1992. This department is one of the few in Ohio where there is no compensation paid to members. It is truly all volunteer. He became what is called a Life Member in 1992 and continued to serve as Fire Department historian and coordinator of all fire hydrant annual maintenance and winterization programs that is a requirement to check, lubricate, flush, and perform the paperwork on each hydrant within the fire district. He assigned all the hydrants to individual members to be serviced and then coordinated all repairs. He also assists with Department fundraising such as the Annual Turkey Raffle and other events. He is now in his 51st year as a member.
Youth Education Medal
The NSSAR Youth Education Medal recognizes sustained education of our youth by members of the Sons of the American Revolution. The Youth Education Medal will be awarded to a Compatriot after fifteen (15) educational presentations have been made. The Compatriot must have completed and currently hold a NSSAR Youth Protection Training certificate. The presentations must be given to preschool or school age children. The presentations may be given in both public and private schools. The presentations may be given in or out of the classroom. Presentations given as part of a ‘school day’ for living history events are acceptable.
Turner Lee Wilkerson- Medal
Dr. Ralph Edgar Bonniwell – OC
John Henry Bredenfoerder – OC
Dr. Ed Bonniwell and Jack Bredenfoerder
Law Enforcement Commendation Medal
The Law Enforcement Commendation Medal is presented to those who have served with distinction and devotion in the field of law enforcement. The medal is intended to recognize exceptional service or accomplishment in the field of law enforcement. Eligibility is not limited to peace officers but extends to the entire range of persons who make and enforce the law to include but not limited to peace officers, attorneys, judges, prosecutors, and legislators who have performed an exceptional act or service beyond that normally expected.
Gregory David Ballman
Law Enforcement Award Winner Gregg Ballman on right / Fire Award Winner Kenny Burck on left
Greg has been and still is a commission police officer since 1985. He worked the road as a part time officer in Golf Manor, served 20 years investigating fires on a countywide task force, and served 18 years as an armed medic with the Hamilton County Police Association SWAT Team.
Congratulations to this fine list of individuals who through their tireless support, energy and commitment are the core of success for our chapter.
If you are interested, to obtain a complete list of the Awards Available to SAR Members and supporters, please refer to the SAR Handbook.
