Mix of Sun & Clouds, 59˚, wind 4-15 mph
CMM Wreath presented by: ?

Sunny, 70˚, wind 6-13 mph
3:00 drive from Culpeper
CMM Wreath presented by: Schwetke

*     250th Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, Saturday, 16 Dec 2023, in the evening, Exact Times and Places to be Determined.

     Today a granite memorial was dedicated to seven patriots of the American Revolution who are buried in the cemetery at Dry Run Church in Fort Valley, near Carmel, VA.  Five of the markings were new, and two had previously been marked.  The Patriots honored were:

Johann/David Clem
David McInturff
Frederick McInturff
Joseph Golladay
Jacob Golladay

     Bill presented the CMM wreath, marched in the Color Guard, and fired in the musket salute.

     The CMM were represented at the Virginia SAR 2023 Annual Meeting by two members, Bill Schwetke and Greg Schumacher, and two dual members, Virginia SAR President Ernie Coggins and Ken Bonner.

     The CMM were well represented at the Spring Trustees and Leadership Meeting this weekend at the Brown Hotel in Louisville, KY.  Bill Schwetke attended as well as dual members President General Bruce Pickette and Virginia SAR President Ernie Coggins.

     Important actions at this meeting included a proposal to increase SAR National dues from $35 to $50 that will be voted on at Congress in July and a major change to the use of DNA for genealogy that still requires Executive Committee approval because of the previous financial issues involved in the policy.

     The next Trustees & Leadership Meeting will be 21-23 Sep 2023 in Louisville.  If you are interested in attending and participating please contact Bill Schwetke for more information.

    During the Spring Trustees and Leadership Meeting at the Brown Hotel in Louisville, KY, James Osbourn of the Spirit of Saint Louis Chapter of the Missouri SAR joined our chapter as a dual member.  James is the National SAR Information Technology Committee Vice-Chairman for the SAR Website.  He lives in Ballwin, MO, a suburb of St. Louis and was the President of the Missouri SAR 2015-16.

Note:  In doing only 1775 Culpeper Minutemen for the highlighted birthday over the next three plus years, many will not have any image, but we still want to honor them.  Also of note, John Colvin did not enlist in the Minute Battalion, but was there at the same time and signed up for the regular service (full time) in John Green's Company of riflemen who would be attached to Patrick Henry's 1st Virginia State Regiment.

     CMM President Tom Hamill represented the chapter at the 257th Anniversary of the Leedstown Resolves, the first recorded act of resistance to British Rule.  (watch for pictures when we get them)

     With support from the DAR and VFW the CMM celebrated George Washington's 291st Birthday at the Charters of Freedom in Yowell Meadow Park.  President Tom Hamill was the Master of Ceremonies and Michael Dennis Commanded the Color Guard.  Other CMM members participating in the ceremony were Don Hollar, CMM Historian Charles Jameson, Chaplain John Kuvakas, Keith Price, and Bill Schwetke.  The program was the reading of portions of Washington's Farewell Address.

     The SAR was moved to the front of the annual Washington's Birthday Parade in Old Town Alexandria.  CMM member Bill Schwetke marched in the Color Guard and Chaplain Kuvakas marched with the main body of the SAR.  Several CMM Dual Members also marched in the parade, including Vann Cunningham who came all the way from Texas to participate.