Welcome to
The Tennessee Society
Sons of the American Revolution
Our Mission
Perpetuating the stories of patriotism, courage, sacrifice, tragedy, and triumph of the men and women 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, including the stories of those brave men and women who came to this Tennessee wilderness with little more than their raw grit and determination and proceeded to claw out a gracious society of which WE are the recipients.
Become a member
We have more than 1,400 members across the state and you could become one. Membership is open to male lineal
descendants of a supporter of the American Revolution. We honor these ancestors by promoting patriotism, serving
out communities, and educating current and future generations about the founding principles of our nation.
Simply click the button, click on Tennessee on the map, and fill out the contact form. A representative of the
chapter nearest to you will contact you shortly.
TNSSAR President's Message
on Patriot's Day
Delivered to the Tennessee Senate on April 18, 2024
My fellow Americans and Tennessee Compatriots,
We are the Tennessee Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. We are a civic organization of Tennessee's sons of the men and women who participated in and contributed to the cause of freedom during the American Revolution. This year we mark our 135th year that we have endeavored to carry out our mission, promoting patriotism, supporting our veterans from every war, and making educational presentations to impress upon our young those founding principles for which our ancestors fought and died.
In the annals of history, a particular date stands out among the rest, not for the birth or death of a notable figure, but for the birth of a nation. This date, steeped in bravery, courage, and a fervent desire for freedom, is none other than Patriot's Day.
In the mid-18th century, the air in the American colonies was dense with the scent of rebellion. The colonies, under the rule of the British Empire, had grown weary of the increasingly oppressive laws and taxes. The year was seventeen seventy-five, and the spark to ignite the flame of revolution had been struck.
It was the nineteenth of April, a day like any other, when the ordinary was about to become extraordinary. In the early hours of the morning, in the towns of Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts, the first shots of the American Revolution were fired. The 'shot heard 'round the world,' as it came to be known, marked the start of a battle for independence that would last for more than eight years.
The skirmishes at Lexington and Concord were not grand battles with thousands of soldiers. They were clashes between small groups of patriots and British regulars, but their impact was enormous. They signaled the beginning of a long and bloody war, a war that would result in the birth of a new nation.
Fast forward to the present day, and 19th of April, and we commemorate Patriot's Day. It's a day to reflect on the sacrifices made by those brave individuals who stood up against tyranny.
It's a day to remember that freedom is never free, but bought with the price of vigilance and courage.
Patriot's Day serves as a poignant reminder of our nation's turbulent beginnings, of the courage and determination of our founding fathers and mothers and the ordinary citizens who took up arms to fight for their rights.
It's a testament to the enduring spirit of freedom that continues to shape our nation today.
In celebrating Patriot's Day, we honor the memory of those who fought and died for the ideals we hold dear.
We acknowledge the sacrifices made in the name of liberty and self-determination.
And most importantly, we remember that the journey to freedom is a continuous struggle, one that requires the same bravery, courage, and dedication shown by the those patriots of seventeen seventy-five.
In 2007, Compatriot Kevin Brooks, former member of the Tennessee House of Representatives who is now the Mayor of Cleveland, Tennessee, and Mark Norris, a former House Majority Leader of this very body and who is now serving as a federal judge in the Western District of Tennessee, sponsored what became Tennessee Code Annotated 15-2-114 which provides:
“April 19 of each year shall be observed as “Patriots’ Day,” to be proclaimed as such by the governor, to honor and recognize the opening events of the War of the Revolution and the struggle through which the nation passed in its early days.”
For many years, Our Color Guard has presented the Colors as the Senate convenes on Patriots’ Day in Nashville. Our State Society's Presidents including Colby Morgan, Jim Moore, Rick Hollis, John McCutchen, Daryl Addington, David Eagan, Colin Wakefield, Johnny Head and others have annually addressed the Senate to commemorate this day.
In 2012, Our Society's President Charles Dammann did so and said:
“It is important that on days like Patriots’ Day...we reaffirm our faith in the principles of liberty and our Constitutional Republic, and solemnly pledge ourselves to defend them against every foe.”
So, as we mark this day, let us not forget its significance.
Let us remember the patriots of old, their fight for freedom, and the birth of a nation.
For in their story, we find our own, a story of resilience, bravery, and an unyielding desire for liberty.
This is the essence of Patriot's Day.
In the immortal words of Thomas Paine’s “The American Crisis in 1776”:
“These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of every man and woman.”
Thank you for honoring me with the opportunity to serve as your State Society President and standing with me in service during this important chapter in our State’s and Nation’s history.
And, until we meet again, let us remember our obligation to our forefathers, who gave us our Constitution, the Bill of Rights, an Independent Supreme Court and a nation of free men!
Tennessee Society Sons of the American Revolution Chartered 02 DEC 1889
(02 DEC 24 is our 135th Anniversary)