Sara De Soto Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution

02/07/2026

At the Phillipi Estates history fair

01/22/2026

01/21/2026

We say goodbye to a true American hero. World War II veteran and Pearl Harbor survivor Harry Chandler, age 103, has gone home. On the morning the world changed forever, Harry stood in the burning chaos of Pearl Harbor, not with a weapon, but with courage and compassion. As a Navy medic, he pulled wounded sailors from oil-covered waters, risking his own life to save others while fire and fear filled the sky. When the war ended, Harry returned quietly to civilian life, never seeking praise. He worked with his hands, built a business with his brother, raised a life of honesty and service, and continued to serve his country in the Navy Reserves, retiring as a Senior Chief.🕊️🇺🇸⚓

01/21/2026

It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Lawrence Brooks, the oldest World War II veteran in the United States and believed to be the oldest man in the nation. He passed away at the remarkable age of 112. With his departure, the world loses not only a man, but a living witness to history, a member of the Greatest Generation whose courage, endurance, and quiet dignity carried him across more than a century of change. His life stands as a testament to service, sacrifice, and unwavering strength.🕊️🇺🇸

01/21/2026

With profound sorrow, we honor the passing of Mr. Jack Holder, a Pearl Harbor survivor and decorated Navy pilot, who lived to the remarkable age of 100. At just 19, he witnessed the unthinkable, the sudden attack on Ford Island, the bombs raining around him, and the faces of enemy pilots etched forever in his memory. “The first bomb that fell on Pearl Harbor was about 100 yards from me,” he recalled, courage steady in his voice even decades later.🕊️🇺🇸

From that fateful day, Holder answered the call of duty with unwavering bravery. He flew over 100 missions across the Pacific, turning the tide in critical battles at Midway, Guadalcanal, and beyond. He later soared over Normandy and the Bay of Biscay, carrying the fight for freedom across oceans and continents.

Today, we mourn not just the passing of a man, but the loss of a living bridge to history—a hero whose courage, honor, and resilience inspire us all. Mr. Holder’s story reminds us that the sacrifices of those who came before us were immeasurable, and their legacy eternal.

May we remember him not only as a veteran, but as a symbol of the unbreakable spirit of those who faced the darkest hours with unmatched courage.

01/08/2026

January is National Book Month! Start reading and expand your horizons!

01/05/2026

Passionate about history? Here’s your chance to share your expertise and inspire the next generation of historians. 📜

We’re looking for volunteers to serve as judges for the 2026 Sarasota County History Day Contest, taking place on Saturday, February 28 at Selby Public Library in downtown Sarasota.

Judges are needed from 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM to evaluate student projects including exhibits, performances, documentaries, websites, and research papers, all centered around this year’s theme, Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History.

No history background is required. Training, breakfast, and lunch will be provided. All volunteers must be approved as a Level 1 Volunteer through Sarasota County Schools by February 6.

Sign up to judge here: https://bit.ly/3Xp7wrg

12/13/2025

Wreaths Across America Day is today!

11/27/2025

I've always loved Henry Knox. "You need 60 tons of cannon moved 300 miles across the mountains in the dead of winter? I read a book." I know it wasn't quite that simple, but it was still a major accomplishment when the Revolution needed it. He'll be setting off in a few days December 1775.

Henry Knox was famously a bookseller before the Revolution, and well read on military topics. But this knowledge did not come from the books he carried in hi...