Sons of the American Revolution Honors Ken Burns with Gold Good Citizenship Medal at Rancho Mirage Writers Festival

(Rancho Mirage, Calif.) — The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) proudly honored award-winning filmmaker and historian Ken Burns with the SAR Gold Good Citizenship Medal during a special presentation at the Rancho Mirage Writers Festival.

The medal was presented by SAR President General Mike Elston, alongside California SAR President John R. Ferris, following the Angel Night Dinner at the festival, which drew an audience of approximately 1,400 attendees. The honor recognizes Burns’ extraordinary contributions to the nation through more than 35 documentary films produced over the past five decades, chronicling America’s people, history, and defining moments.

The evening opened with a formal presentation of the colors by the California SAR Color Guard, underscoring the patriotic spirit of the occasion. The ceremony preceded an engaging on-stage interview with Burns conducted by Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and author Rick Atkinson, offering attendees insight into Burns’ work and lifelong commitment to historical storytelling.

The SAR Gold Good Citizenship Medal is one of the Society’s highest honors, awarded to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, service, and commitment to the principles of American citizenship and heritage.