High Sons of Liberty Medal
“Posterity! You will never know how much it has cost the present Generation to preserve your Freedom!”
– John Adams, 1777
Background: After two years of planning, the High Son of Liberty Medal was established in 2024 in advance of the 20th anniversary of the RWVA. It is awarded at the discretion of the National Coordinator after consulting with the Appleseed Oversight Committee.
Description: A round 2″ medallion suspended from a fixed bar with scrollwork inscribed with APRIL 19, 1775 on the obverse and MARCH 15, 2005 on the reverse. On the medallion obverse, Captain John Parker is surrounded by concentric circles with 13 stars and the words HIGH SON OF LIBERTY and RWVA. The medallion reverse features an M14 rifle and a Brown Bess musket crossed, space for engraving, and laurel leaves. The medal is suspended by a woven, moiré neck ribbon with nine alternating red and white stripes symbolizing the Sons of Liberty flag.
Criteria: The medal is awarded by the National Coordinator in the name of the Revolutionary War Veterans Association to a person who distinguishes himself or herself conspicuously through exceptional performance of duty and contributions at the highest levels to the RWVA Mission.
Appellation: The recipients of this medal shall henceforth be known as High Sons of Liberty.
Jack Dailey (Fred)
Founder, RWVA. Master Instructor, Project Appleseed. In recognition of his contributions and achievement as a founding member of the Revolutionary War Veterans Association and Project Appleseed.
Don Duncan (dond)
Director, RWVA. Chief Master Instructor, Project Appleseed. In recognition of his selfless service, exemplary contributions to instructor development, major advances to teaching methods, and his commitment to excellence.
Donald Patterson
Ad Vanderstaak
Richard A. Pistolese (DrRichP)
Lawrence King (Lawrence)
Michael Adam (Scout)
Mr. Doug Langley
Friend of the RWVA. In recognition of exceptionally meritorious service in the administration of Revolutionary War Veterans Association. Mr. Langley’s generosity and business acumen have greatly advanced the RWVA Mission.
Chris Gibb (The Guy)
Master Instructor, Project Appleseed. Posthumous award. In recognition of extraordinary service in maintaining instructional standards and supporting the RWVA mission. Chris was an inspiration to those around him. He served on the RWVA Steering Committee, forging program policy and instructional standards.
Roger Farnsworth (Nickle)
Master Instructor, Project Appleseed. Posthumous award. In recognition of extraordinary service in the administration of the national program. He leveraged his many years leadership and marksmanship expertise to guide the evolution of Project Appleseed’s Known Distance program.
Trey Dawson (Phenry)
Master Instructor, Project Appleseed. In recognition of extraordinary service in maintaining instructional standards and supporting the RWVA mission. Trey was instrumental in growing and mentoring junior leaders. He served as Southeast Regional Coordinator for a decade and was vital to building Appleseed in Florida, a stronghold state with currently has 10% of active volunteers in America.
Stacy Wilson (Rascal21)
Applecore, Project Appleseed. In recognition of conspicuous service and sacrifice to advance the Project Appleseed mission in Canada. Stacy is a Founding Director for Project Mapleseed in Canada, with whom she also holds the rank of Senior Instructor. Her service and sacrifice are directly responsible for standing up Project Mapleseed.
Deniece Hopkins (Riflewoman)
Shoot Boss, Project Appleseed. In recognition of extraordinary service in the administration of the national program. Deniece was a member of the RWVA Steering Committee and the Executive Advisory Board, guiding the program through growth and change. Riflewoman’s contributions at the national level empowered State Coordinators, Shoot Bosses, and Instructors to accomplish their missions.
Stacy Nelson (funfaler)
Applecore, Project Appleseed. In recognition of extraordinary service in the administration of the national program. Stacy’s staggering contributions to growing the program were directly responsible for Project Appleseed to meet the milestone of 1000 events.
Joshua Streiff (TechRes)
Designated Shoot Boss, Project Appleseed. In recognition of extraordinary service in advancing the Project Appleseed mission through graphics and digital communications. Joshua’s contributions to marketing, graphics design, and filmmaking were unparalleled and directly responsible for filling lines across the nation.
Ron Vandiver (Son of Martha)
Master Instructor, Project Appleseed. Posthumous Award. In recognition of extraordinary service supporting the RWVA mission. Ron Vandiver was instrumental in helping to establish the educational and philosophical foundation of Project Appleseed. He served on the RWVA Steering Committee and Project Appleseed National Staff, setting policy and focusing on instructor development.
Kim Larson (Dragon Wood)
Master Instructor, Project Appleseed. For extraordinary service in maintaining instructional standards and supporting the RWVA mission. Ms. Kim Larson was dedicated to instructor development. She traveled the country, building the foundation of “teaching the Appleseed way” to bolster the instructor corps. She created the first edition of the Shoot Boss Manual in 2009. Her influence on Project Appleseed is still felt today.
Ed Yeager (HawkHavn)
Senior Instructor, Project Appleseed. In recognition of extraordinary service in administration of the national program. Ed Yeager served as the Head Regional Coordinator and a member of the RWVA Advisory Board and Wise Old Men Board, providing assistance and mentorship to Regional and State Coordinators to grow their local programs.
Cindy Martin (Savageshootr)
Senior Instructor, Project Appleseed. In recognition of extraordinary service in administration of the national program. Cindy was an early leader on the administrative side of Appleseed serving in the Operations group. She built the foundation of Event Information Pages and helped develop the first set of Instructor Progress Checks to ensure quality across the cadre.
Eric McCabe (ItsanSKS)
Master Instructor, Project Appleseed. In recognition of extraordinary service in maintaining instructional standards and supporting the RWVA mission. Eric was a leader early in the program, volunteering for multiple “other 28-day” jobs, including Florida State Coordinator, the RWVA Advisory Board, the Wise Old Men board, and WL-X Promotions Team.
Diana Chambers (Google)
Master Instructor, Project Appleseed. In recognition of conspicuous service in establishing instructional standards and supporting the RWVA mission. Diana served on the National Staff as the first Deputy National Coordinator. Her staggering contributions included support to the Appleseed Academy video series, leading the COVID-19 task force, leader development, and forging the new Shoot Boss Manual.
Kirby Foster (scuzzy)
Senior Instructor, Project Appleseed. In recognition of exceptionally meritorious service in the administration of the national program. Kirby manages Information Technology and customer service for Project Appleseed. He provides support for over 1000 volunteers and hundreds of events annually. His selfless service is something our Founding Generation would be proud of.
Rusty Bonkoski (Maximum Ordinate)
Master Instructor, Project Appleseed. In recognition of conspicuous leadership and extraordinary service in the administration of the national program. During his five and a half years as National Coordinator, he provided volunteers with tools and support to refine their craft as Appleseed instructors. He planned and produced Appleseed Academy, led the overhaul of the Rifle Instructor Manual, and pioneered winter Zoom & Learn classes for the cadre. He spearheaded the Known Distance and Shoot Boss Boot Camps. He traveled the country conducting well over fifty Instructor Boot Camps plus Shoot Boss, Known Distance, and Rifleman Boot Camps to invest in Appleseed volunteers and our Mission.
Tom Kehoe (Malabar)
Designated Shoot Boss, Project Appleseed. In recognition of conspicuous service in the administration of the national program. Tom served as a founding member and Chairman of the Appleseed Board of Directors. His leadership has been a beacon of philosophical and intellectual excellence within Project Appleseed. As a direct result of his efforts, Project Appleseed experienced a renaissance in administration and the rollout of our pistol program.