We gathered today in Yowell Meadow Park, near where the Culpeper Minutemen first mustered in 1775, to honor them.  Historian Jack Lynch and President Tom Hamill shared the master of ceremony duties.  Thirteen chapter member attended; five members participated, in the color guard.  Virginia SAR 2nd Vice President Bill Schwetke brought greetings from the Virginia Society.  Then President Tom Hamill read a brief history of the Culpeper Minutemen.  This was followed by the reading of the Roll of Honor.  As in past years, the names of twelve of the known Culpepr Minutemen were read in alphabetical order, and after each name a bell was rung, and a brief biography read.  Those honored today included:

     Following the Roll of Honor wreaths were presented by the Virginia SAR;  the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter, SAR; the Culpeper Minute Men Chapter, NSDAR; the Fauquier Court House Chapter, NSDAR; and the Ashby Gap Chapter, C.A.R.  Historian Jack Lynch presented the CMM wreath.

     This was followed by a musket volley, then taps, played by Gerry Schuck of Bugles Across America.

     After the ceremony, the Culpeper Minutemen held their June Chapter Meeting in Luigi's Restaurant in Culpeper.

     The Virginia SAR Color Guard, under the command of CMM past President Bill Schwetke, presented the colors for the National Anthem at the Flying Squirrels games in Richmond on Flag Day. In the stands a sizable group of SAR compatriots enjoyed the game from great seats behind home plate. This was the third SAR Night at the Ball Park this year - previously we gathered at games for the Potomac Nationals and the Salem Red Sox.  In August we will visit the Norfolk Tides.

     The grave of Private Mathias Wilberger, who served in the Maryland Militia in the Revolutionary War, was marked today in Rockingham County.  Josh Wilberger of the Colonel Fielding Lewis Chapter, a descendant of Mathias Wilberger, organized and MC'd the ceremony.  Four Virginia SAR chapters participated: Colonel Fielding Lewis, Colonel James Wood, II, Culpeper Minutemen, and Fort Harrison. Vice President Charles Jameson led the CMM contingent and presented the chapter wreath.  CMM attendees included Michael Dennis, Jerry Hubbard, Charles Jameson, and Bill Schwetke.  Dennis, Jameson, and Schwetke were in uniform and participated in the Color Guard.  Bill Schwetke also represented the Virginia SAR, presented the Virginia SAR wreath, commanded the Color Guard, and participated in the musket volleys.

Information for Grave Marking Medal

     Today the Colonel James Wood, II Chapter, spun off from the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter ten years ago, marked the grave of Jacob Sperry, who marched with Daniel Morgan.  Vice President Charles Jameson led the CMM contingent, presented the chapter wreath, and marched in the Color Guard.  Bill Schwetke marched in the Color Guard, presented the Virginia SAR wreath, and participated in the musket volley.

     237 years ago General Mad Anthony Wayne led  about 1200 men of the Pennsylvania Line in a perilous crossing of the Potomac to reinforce General Lafayette in the defense of Virginia against Cornwallis' invasion.  Lives were lost in crossing the rain swollen Potomac, but the Pennsylvania troops soon made a strong impact on the defense of Virginia.  Today we celebrated their crossing of the river, and the march through Leesburg.
     The Fairfax Resolves Chapter organized and conducted today's ceremony.  The crowd was much reduced by the forecast of thunder storms, but the ceremony was moved inside of the Fellowship Hall of St. James Episcopal were all were safe and dry.  In attendance were the Virginia SAR Chaplain, 2nd and 3rd Vice Presidents; five Virginia SAR Chapters; three Virginia DAR Chapters; and two Virginia C.A.R. Societies.  The mayor of Leesburg, Kelly Burk, read the proclamation that she signed in honor of this occasion.
     Tim Dioquino of the Fairfax Resolves Chapter was the master of ceremonies, CMM past President Bill Schwetke represented the Virginia SAR and commanded the Color Guard, and CMM Vice President Charles Jameson represented the CMM and presented the chapter wreath.  CMM compatriot Michael Dennis also attended and all three CMM attendees participated in the Color Guard.