Certificates
Certificate Awards are presented for service to the SAR and the United States and are used to recognize exceptional effort in many fields of endeavor by both SAR members and the public. They cover many phases of service and range from the extremely prestigious SAR Distinguished Patriot Award to the Blank Certificates that can be tailored to meet individual needs.
Certificate of Appreciation was authorized in 1987, is a multi-purpose certificate of the same quality as other certificates with the SAR logo at the top and the seal at the bottom, both in color. The wording should read as follows:
“Recipient’s Name has been awarded the Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of outstanding support given to the Sons of the American Revolution.”
It has printed spaces for the president and secretary to sign, for the date, and or the name of the National Society, district, state or chapter. The certificate can be used by any SAR organization for recognition of service by members, speakers, and for any other persons that may provide services and support to the SAR.
Distinguished Service Certificate recognizes outstanding personal service exemplifying the finest American ideals. It may be awarded on the national, district, state society or chapter levels.
Eagle Scout Recognition Program is administered by the National Society’s Eagle Scout Committee which manages a unique Eagle Scout Recognition and Scholarship Program. Young men who achieve the rank of Eagle Scout demonstrate their belief in the same principles of Patriotism and American Heritage as the National Society, and are deserving of special recognition for their accomplishments and dedication.
Flag Certificate, authorized in 1987, is presented to individuals, companies and government agencies that fly the United States flag for patriotic purposes only. It is not to be given to any commercial enterprise that obviously flies it for advertising purposes. A chapter, state or the National Society can present it. The certificate has a line in the lower left corner for the name of the appropriate organization to be engrossed. It also has a line for the appropriate president to sign, and a line for the Flag Chairman. This is usually the person that recommends or presents the certificate.
Outstanding Citizenship Certificate & Lapel Pin was authorized in 1992. It is a portrait of a Minuteman with the Sons of the American Revolution encircling the upper half and Outstanding Citizenship Award encircling the lower half. The lapel pin may be presented by a chapter, state society or the National Society to deserving students in recognition of high ideals of character and citizenship. The Outstanding Citizenship Certificate may also be given in conjunction with the lapel pin.
Awards
Emergency Medical Service Commendation Medal, first authorized in 2005, may be presented by the National Society, a state society or a chapter to an individual for accomplishments and/or outstanding contribution in an area of emergency medical services. The award is intended for paramedics and certified Emergency Medical Technicians and others in the emergency medical field who have performed an act or service beyond that normally expected. It may be presented only to an individual and may be only presented once. The medal may also be presented posthumously. The obverse of the medal depicts an EMS badge. The names of all recipients are published annually. Each awarding chapter and state society is requested to forward a short written description of the background and accomplishments of the recipients, together with dates, places and names. This should be submitted to National Headquarters, ATTN: Public Service and Heroism Committee and should arrive no later than June 1st each year.
The report format is available at this link: Report Form
Fire Safety Commendation Medal may be presented by the National Society, a state society or a chapter 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. It may be presented only to an individual and may be only presented once. The medal may also be presented posthumously. The obverse of the medal depicts a fireman’s badge with a flame in the center. The names of all recipients are published annually. Each awarding chapter and state society is requested to forward a short written description of the background and accomplishments of the recipients, together with dates, places and names. This should be submitted to National Headquarters as ATTN: Public Service and Heroism Committee and should arrive no later than June 1 each year.
The report format is available at this link: Report Form
Medal for Heroism may be presented by the National Society, a state society or a chapter for acts of bravery. It recognizes outstanding bravery and self-sacrifice in the face of imminent danger, i.e., acts which involve great personal courage and risk to the recipient. It is intended primarily for acts by civilians not in uniform but does not exclude police, firemen, and SAR members. It is not intended to recognize acts which would have been covered by armed forces medals for valor. The medal may also be presented posthumously. The names of all recipients are published annually. Each awarding chapter and state society is requested to forward a short written description of the background and accomplishments of the recipients, together with dates, places and names. These should be submitted to National Headquarters, ATTN: Public Service and Heroism Committee and should arrive no later than June 1 each year. The medal is in bronze and is similar in design to the Good Citizenship Medal but is inscribed, “Heroism.” It is worn suspended from a chest ribbon of the SAR colors. The medal is accompanied by an enameled bar, suitable for wear on uniform, and a certificate for engrossing. No miniature medal is available.
The report format is available at this link: Report Form
Law Enforcement Commendation Medal & Certificate may be presented by the National Society, a state society or a chapter 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. The medal may be presented only to an individual and only once. The medal may also be presented posthumously. The obverse of the medal depicts a police badge design surmounted by a gold eagle with the SAR Badge below. The medal is accompanied by an enameled bar, suitable for wear on uniform, and a certificate for engrossing. A miniature medal is available. The names of all recipients are published annually. Each awarding chapter and state society is requested to forward a short written description of the background and accomplishments of the recipients, together with dates, places and names. This should be submitted to National Headquarters, ATTN: Public Service and Heroism Committee and should arrive no later than June 1 each year.
The report format is available at this link: Report Form
SAR to DAR Awards
SAR Medal of Appreciation, authorized in 1960, may be presented by the National Society, a state society, or a chapter 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. Oak Leaf Clusters may be presented to an individual if she qualifies by service to SAR rendered subsequent to the presentation of the medal or an oak leaf cluster. The medal is gold in color and bears on the obverse a relief of Molly Pitcher and is inscribed “Medal of Appreciation.” The medal is suspended from a chest ribbon of the SAR colors. The medal is accompanied by a certificate which should be engrossed and presented with the medal.
SAR Martha Washington Medal was authorized in 1971 and may be given by the National Society, a state society, or a chapter to a woman over 18 years of age in recognition of outstanding service to SAR. Oak Leaf Clusters may be presented to an individual if she qualifies by service to SAR rendered subsequent to the presentation of the medal or an oak leaf cluster. This medal may be awarded at the Chapter, State and National levels and may be awarded more than once if one of those awards is made by the National Society. A DAR may receive the Martha Washington Medal and the SAR Medal of Appreciation (on separate occasions) if her service warrants it. The medal is gold in color and bears on the obverse a portrait of Martha Washington within the inscription “SAR Martha Washington Award.” It is suspended from a chest ribbon of the SAR colors and is accompanied by a certificate which should be engrossed and presented with the medal and a miniature medal.
SAR Daughters of Liberty Medal, authorized in 1992, may be presented by the National Society, a district, a state society or chapter 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 National Society, SAR. This medal is considered second in importance only to the SAR Gold Good Citizenship Medal. Consideration in awarding this medal should be given only after the SAR Medal of Appreciation or the Martha Washington Medal has been presented. The medal is gold in color, and depicts a revolutionary female astride a galloping horse as a dedicated patriot aiding the struggle for independence-as many did. The medal is suspended from a drape of blue, yellow and blue band of equal colors. The medal is accompanied by a certificate to be engrossed and presented with the medal and a miniature medal. Additional awards of this medal will be made by the awarding of an oak leaf cluster in lieu of the award of another medal.