Ron Turner talks with William Wheeler, President of the Illinois Society Sons of the American Revolution, serving Illinois by providing historical preservation, civic education, and patriotism programs to communities and students statewide. Wheeler discusses SAR programs including youth essay and oration contests, grave markings, Liberty Tree dedications, JROTC recognition, and America 250 events. Wheeler also shares the organization’s mission to strengthen civic participation through revolutionary history and outlines a 10 year America 250 initiative across Illinois. He highlights partnerships with schools, veterans’ groups, and local communities to inspire informed citizenship. He recounts George Rogers Clark’s 1779 winter march across flooded Illinois prairie—an overlooked campaign that helped secure America’s western frontier. (https://www.illinois-sar.org)
Original airdate: 5/10/2026
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Ron joined K-LOVE in 2023 and he covers Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Wisconsin, portions of NE and NJ, including major markets Chicago, Detroit, and Philadelphia.