Awards & Medals

From its earliest days, the Society has rewarded excellence, achievement and outstanding citizens. This recognition has taken many forms, including medals, badges, emblems, ribbons, rosettes, sashes, pins and stars. Links are provided throughout this page for our programs to honor and thank members of our community. Anyone who wishes to be considered is encouraged to apply. All awards are presented on behalf of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. As such, recipients know that they have been honored by the organization.

Programs for the Community

Tom And Betty Lawrence American History Teacher Award

The Tom And Betty Lawrence American History Teacher Award recognizes an outstanding history teacher whose instruction on the Revolutionary War era (1750-1800) demonstrates educational efforts in the classroom that exceed and excel above currently accepted requirements. The winner receives a trip to Freedoms Foundation Summer Teacher Graduate Workshop at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Our hope is that this experience will bring back a heightened level of creativity and enthusiasm to students of the American Revolutionary era.

The award program will be conducted first in Chapters and then at the State and National Levels. Candidates interested in entering the Local Chapter contest must complete the required application and submit a written essay, not to exceed 500 words, discussing any extraordinary teaching techniques or innovative projects utilized by the teacher in the past to teach the Revolutionary War.

Eagle Scout Scholarships

The Massachusetts Society is proud to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of new Eagle Scouts throughout the Commonwealth for their excellence and good citizenship. Scoutmaster may order a commerative certificate for an Eagle's Courts of Honor here.

Also, the Massachusetts and National Societies offer a unique Eagle Scout Recognition and Scholarship Contest at the state and national levels with substantial cash awards. Young men who achieve the rank of Eagle Scout and demonstrate their belief in our principles of patriotism and American heritage are deserving of special recognition for their accomplishments and dedication. The program is open to all Eagle Scouts who are currently registered in an active unit and have not reached their 19th birthday during the year of application.

The winner of the 2009-2010 Eagle Scout Scholarship in Massachusetts is Niels C. Steadman of BSA Troop 51 of Marlborough. In his career, Niels has earned 90 merit badges, the Bronze, Silver and Gold Congressional Awards, Gold Presidential Volunteer Service Awards, Scouting Venture Program (Bronze, Gold and Silver Venturing Awards), Hornaday Award, Varsity Denali Award, and eight Eagle palms. Neils has also been recognized for his volunteer work from the Marlborough Conservation Commission and the American Red Cross as a Community Disaster Educator. Neils is an Honor Student, a member of the National Honor Society, and a past member of the Varsity Wrestling and Track and Cross Country teams. As an active member in the LDS Church and the Church's Choir, he has received the Cub and Boy Scout religious awards. Niels received his award at our Patriots Day Celebration on April 18th in Concord

Elementary School Poster Contest

The Americanism Committee is pleased to announce a National Americanism Poster Contest. This contest is directed at students in the 4th or 5th grades, depending on which grade the American Revolution is taught in each educational system. The topic for the Poster Contest is set by the Americanism Committee at each Spring Trustee’s Meeting for the upcoming fall school year. The contest is judged at the National Congress yearly with a representative of the National Art Education Association (NAEA). We hope that this award stimulates interest in American History in support of the curriculum.

Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest

The Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest is open to all students attending home schools, public, parochial, or private high schools who are in their freshman, sophomore, junior or senior year of study. The contest strives to bring the events of today to high school students in a way that draws an intelligent relationship between the past and the present and clearly demonstrates freedom of opportunity as a basic right of our national heritage. The preliminary rounds of the contest are held by Chapters and/or State Societies to select one winner from each participating state for the national competition. Prizes also may be awarded to winners from the Chapter and State Society.

George S. & Stella M. Knight Essay Contest

The George S. & Stella M. Knight Essay Contest is a national event. Conducted at the Chapter, State Society and National Society levels, students must submit an original essay with topics based on original research about an event, person, philosophy or ideal associated with the American Revolution, Declaration of Independence, or the framing of the United States Constitution.

The winner of the George S & Stella M. Knight Essay Contest in Massachusetts for 2009-2010 is Sarah Seibert. Sarah is a 12th grade student from Ipswich, Massachusetts. Her essay was entitled Lydia Darragh: An Unsung Hero of the American Revolution. Sarah received her award at our Patriots Day Celebration on April 18th in Concord.

Public Service

The society is proud to recognize the accomplishments and exceptional contributions of public servants in the fields of law enforcement, fire safety, and emergency medial services for service and acts beyond what is normally expected. These awards may be given to an individual only once and may be awarded posthumously.

• The Law Enforcement Commendation Medal is awarded to those that have served with distinction in the field of law enforcement. The medal recognizes exceptional service or accomplishment in the field by police offers and those that make and enforce the law including attorneys, judges, prosecutors and legislators.
• The Fire Safety Commendation Medal recognizes individuals for accomplishments. The award is available to firefighters and those that protect human life and property from injuries or casualties due to fire and chemicals. The award recognizes the variety of roles that have evolved into a highly technical and skilled professions requiring constant study.
• The Emergency Medical Services Commendation Medal is given to individuals for accomplishments and/or outstanding contribution in an area of emergency medical services, including paramedics, certified Emergency Medical Technicians, and others in the emergency medical fields.

Your nomination for each award will be gladly accepted and should be accompanied with a short written description of the background and accomplishments of the nominee, together with the dates and place of their service. The names of the winners the awards will be placed on the society's web site annually.

JROTC Program

The National JROTC Award is presented to the Outstanding Cadet in their next to last year of JROTC in a four year program at their high school. (For a two year JROTC program, a Second Year Cadet is selected.) Winners may be entered by their SAR Chapter into the State Society's Outstanding JROTC Cadet program. The winner of the State competition, in turn, may be entered into the National Recognition Program. The program is designed to allow all candidates to be evaluated equally regardless of the Military Service they represent.

The winning cadet of the National program is recognized by the National Society Sons of the American Revolution at Congress where he/she receives the National JROTC Medallion and a check for $1000. (The second place winner receives an award of $500.) An additional $1000 is provided the Cadet to pay for the combined travel, taxi fare, hotel and related meals for both the Cadet and his/her chaperone.

ROTC Award

The Massachusetts Society provides the National ROTC Award to students in ROTC programs at their university. Recipients are selected for their high degree of merit, leadership qualities, military bearing, and general excellence by their Commanding Officer. The medal endeavors to foster the principle of "citizen-soldier" exemplified by the Minutemen. One Silver ROTC Medal is presented to students in each college ROTC unit with fewer than 500 cadets or midshipmen. For larger units, one medal is presented for each 500 students enrolled there. Where a school has more than one ROTC unit, each unit is counted separately. The medal is approved by the United States Army, the United States Navy, the United States Marine Corps, and the United States Air Force.

The US Navy Sea Cadet Corps (NSCC) recognizes the Outstanding NSCC Cadet with the Bronze Good Citizenship Medal. This medal is authorized for presentation to the US Navy Sea Outstanding Cadet nominated by his/her Commanding Officer. The award is in recognition of the cadet's leadership, military bearing, excellence of character, scholarship, and citizenship.

State Medals for Members 2009-2010

This year has been phenomenal as we have recognized many members of the society. This achievement has been accomplished primarily because of the involvement of the members in the ROTC/JROTC Program at their local schools and colleges and in activities to develop the chapters themselves. By this work, the chapters have given a face to MASSAR within their communities. Congratulations to all who have given their time and energy to making our programs the best they can be.