Published: November 27, 2008 10:56 pm         

Organization helps generate interest in American Revolution

His colleagues and friends might know him as a senior drafter at Continental Resources and a devoted father and grandfather.

But on some weekends and special occasions, Glenn Fast gets all dressed up and takes a step back into history as a color guard commander in the Revolutionary War.

“We don’t want people to forget the founding of our country,” Fast said of his involvement in the Oklahoma City Chapter of Sons of the American Revolution.

The SAR is a fraternal and civic society made up of descendants of the men who wintered at Valley Forge, signed the Declaration of Independence, fought in the battles of the American Revolution, served in the Continental Congress or otherwise supported the cause of American Independence, according to the group’s Web site.

The historical aspect, connection to his family lineage and promotion of patriotism keeps Fast in his uniform for monthly SAR meetings in Oklahoma City, for parades, including Enid’s Veterans Day parade earlier this month, and while speaking to students in local and area classrooms.

A seventh generation des-cendant of Christian Fast, Glenn Fast has been involved in the SAR for some time. Besides his duty as color guard commander for the state, he also is state historian for the group. He served as past chapter president when living in Corpus Christi, Texas, and state secretary/treasurer when living in Alaska.

While there are about three locals listed on the Oklahoma City chapter’s membership list, Fast is the only active member. There are more than 200 members around the state.

“I like to be more than just a certificate participant,” Fast said.

He said he hopes to generate more local interest and get a local chapter reorganized.

“The interest has to be there,” Fast said.

Dressed in his authentic uniform, Fast speaks to local classes, explaining an aspect of history he has studied extensively and researched.

“There’s so many facets of the Revolutionary War — the concept ... you only reload once, then it’s hand-to-hand,” Fast said.

A significant aspect of SAR is scholarship awards to Eagle Scouts for up to $8,000 annually. There also is an essay contest, a poster contest and an award recognizing Junior ROTC members designed to “foster the principle of the citizen soldier,” according to the group’s Web site.

While Fast’s two sons have shown some interest in SAR, he is excited about the prospect of his grandchildren’s involvement in the group. Fast said he wouldn’t be able to exercise his freedom to participate in SAR without the support of his wife, Paula.



About the SAR



National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution was organized on April 30, l889 — the l00th anniversary of the inauguration of George Washington as the nation’s first president. The national society was chartered by an act of the United States Congress on June 9, l906.

Today SAR consists of 26,000 members in over 500 chapters in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Almost 165,000 descendants of the men and women Patriots of the American Revolution have been admitted since the group was founded. SAR members include 15 presidents of the United States, brigadier, lieutenant and five- star generals, presidents of several colleges and universities, ambassadors, and members of the Supreme Court, the U.S. Senate and U.S. House.

Each year these men meet several times at national headquarters in Louisville, Ky., to conduct business. Delegates from all state societies also meet each year for a multiday session in a different city for an annual congress. More than 60 committees made up of scores of members also meet regularly to discuss, plan and act to achieve the society’s objectives.