MUSTER CALL

THE MUSTER CALL

1/1/2027

The Culpeper Minutemen Chapter wins

NSSAR President General's Cup for 2025
and
Virginia Cup for 2025

see the stories under "Chapter News" below

The Sons of the American Revolution promotes patriotism, serves the community, and inspires and educates the public about the history of the American Revolution.

COMING EVENTS

* Vigil at General Washington's Tomb, Saturday, 19 Sep, 08:00 am - 4:00 pm, Mount Vernon. A National Color Guard Event. Guardsmen will be scheduled for 15 minutes on guard at the tomb.

1:45 drive from Culpeper
Mostly Cloudy, 80˚, 30% chance of rain, wind ESE 6 mph
CMM participants: B. Schwetke

* 252nd Anniversary of the Fairfax Independent Company, Saturday, 19 Sep, 1:00 pm, in Fairfax.

1:15 drive from Culpeper
Mostly Cloudy, 80˚, 30% chance of rain, wind ESE 6 mph
CMM participants: B. Schwetke

* SAR President General's Presentation of an SAR Wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown, Saturday, 19 Sep, 4:25 pm, Arlington National Cemetery.

1:25 drive from Culpeper
Mostly Cloudy, 80˚, 30% chance of rain, wind ESE 6 mph
CMM represented by: B. Schwetke

* CMM Chapter Meeting, Tuesday, 22 Sep, 6:00 pm, Warrenton Bible Fellowship, 46 Winchester Street, Warrenton, enter downstairs off of Diagonal Street into the Fellowship Hall where we have met several times before.

0:35 drive from Culpeper
Mostly Clear, evening weather: 66˚, wind NW 9 gust to 12 mph

* Mattaponi & Piedmont Joint Scout Camporee, Saturday, 26 Sep, 0830 - 1730, Verdun Adventure Bound, 170045 Adventure Bound Trail, Rixeyville. We will be giving presentations similar to what was done last year for the 5th grade Students. Be sure that your Youth Protection Training (YPT) is up to date - questions about YPT? - contact Bill Schwetke.

0:15 drive from Culpeper

* NSSAR Fall Leadership Meeting, Friday & Saturday, 02-03 Oct, The Galt House, 140 N Fourth St, Louisville, KY

8:05 drive from Culpeper
CMM represented by: Kuvakas, Schwetke

* 268th Anniversary of the Birth of President Monroe (actual date was April 28th) by the James Monroe Memorial Foundation, Sunday, 04 Oct, 2:00 pm, James Monroe's Birthplace, 4460 James Monroe Hwy, Colonial Beach, VA

RSVP for wreath presentation NLT 27 Sep to Shelby Chandler

1:25 drive from Culpeper
CMM wreath presented by: ?

* 252 Anniversary of the Battle of Point Pleasant, Sunday, 10 Oct, 1:00 pm, 1 Main St, Point Pleasant, WV

5:20 drive from Culpeper
CMM Wreath presented by: ?

* 245th Anniversary of Victory at Yorktown, several events on 18-19 Oct, listed below:
Yorktown is a 2:35 drive from Culpeper

Dinner, Sunday, October 18, 2026, 6:00 p.m.

American Revolution Museum at Yorktown - $88.00 per person (Cash bar)
Honeycrisp Apple & Walnut Chicken ~
Stuffed with a luscious blend of Honeycrisp apples and crunchy walnuts, oven-roasted to perfection, and finished with a decadent, savory hazelnut cream sauce.
Provolone-Stuffed Boneless Pork Chops w/ Tarragon Vinaigrette ~
Center cut pork loin, layered with provolone and oven roasted in a delicious tarragon marinade.
Baked Stuffed Bell Peppers ~ (V, VG, GF)
Garden fresh Green, Yellow, and Red bell peppers, filled with sautéed white beans, spinach, mushrooms, zucchini and tomatoes combined with “Beyond Beef Plant Based Ground”, Vegan Mozzarella and our Vegetable Wild Rice.
CLICK HERE FOR RESERVATION
Aso same place for Monday
Garden Reception

* Commemoration of Governor Thomas Nelson, Jr., Monday, 19 Oct, 09:05 am, Grace Episcopal Church, 111 Church St, Yorktown. Conducted by the Virginia SAR as a NSSAR National Event.

CMM represented by (Color Guard in Bold): Schwetke
CMM wreath presented by:

* Yorktown Victory Day Parade down Main Street, Monday, 19 Oct, Muster (in uniform and in mufti) on Church Street, Southwest of Main Street, exact position TBD, at about 10:00 (immediately following the ceremony at Grace Church).

* Garden Reception, Monday, 19 Oct, abt 11:30 am, at the Customs House, hosted by the Virginia DAR.

Garden fresh Green, Yellow, and Red bell peppers, filled with sautéed white beans, spinach, mushrooms, zucchini and tomatoes combined with “Beyond Beef Plant Based Ground”, Vegan Mozzarella and our Vegetable Wild Rice.

CLICK HERE FOR RESERVATION
Aso same place for Sunday evening dinner

* CMM Community Awards Meeting, TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED for Tuesday, 20 Oct, 6:00 pm, Pepper's Grill, 791 Madison Rd, Culpeper. Look for details and directions for RSVPs to be added.

* 251st Anniversary of the Muster of the Culpeper Minutemen and the Battle of Hampton, Saturday, 24 Oct, 4:00 pm Culpeper Minute Battalion Monument, Yowell Meadow Park, Culpeper

CMM wreath presented by President Crain

* DAR/SAR Genealogy Workshop, Saturday, 31 Oct 2026, 9:00 am - 3:30 pm, Warrenton Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 91 Main St., Warrenton. (enter by N 5th Street entrance). Need volunteers who can also attend sessions, Free to all, SAR DAR, and the public, includes continental breakfast and a warm lunch - all for free. Jointly hosted by the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter SAR and the Fauquier Court House Chapter DAR.

Our Keynote Speaker will be Steve Little!

Steve Little is the Artificial Intelligence Program Director for the National Genealogical Society (NGS). Appointed in late 2023, he leads educational initiatives, teaches courses like Empowering Genealogists with Artificial Intelligence, and co-hosts The Family History AI Show podcast focusing on standards-first, responsible AI use in family history research. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] courtesy of Google AI

RSVP to [email protected] -
we need a headcount for planning

0:35 drive from Culpeper
CMM Volunteers & Presenters: Schwetke

* CMM Chapter Awards Meeting, TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED for Tuesday, 17 Nov, 7:00 pm, location TBD.

* Annual DAR/SAR Christmas Party, Hosted this year by the Culpeper Minute Men Chapter DAR, Date and Location TBD

LONG RANGE PLANNING

POSTPONED to DATE UNCERTAIN

* Grave Marking for Compatriot Bill Mutziger, date & time TBD, Delray, WV.

* DAR/SAR Marking of the Grave of Patriot Charles Lee, Naval Officer of the Lower Potomac District, Later 3rd Attorney General of the United States, most likely in the Fall of 2026, Warrenton Cemetery, 110 West Lee Street Warrenton.

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THE MUSTER CALL

12/31/2026

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CHAPTER NEWS

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Presentation on the Battle of the Capes to Seniors at Heritage Hall

9/9/2026

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09 Sep 2026 Front Royal

left to right: Chip Daniel, Doug Schwetke, Dale Corey, Ken Bonnell, Bill Schwetke

Today the CJWII Chapter, with support from the CMM, gave a presentation on the Battle of the Capes to 11 residents and staff of the Heritage Hall Senior Living Facility in Front Royal. Bill Schwetke gave a presentation on how the French Fleet was able to arrive before the British at the Capes and later Doug Schwetke gave a presentation on the battle between the British and French fleets. The CJWII chapter visits Heritage Hall once a month to provide entertainment and cheer to our senior citizens.

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245th Anniversary of the Battle of the Capes - 400th Anniversary of the Marine Nationale

9/5/2026

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05 Sep 2026 Fort Story, VA

The colors are presented and the two national anthems are played. CMM compatriot Bill Schwetke is carrying the US Colors.

Approximately 500 people gathered today by the statue of Lieutenant général des armées navles Comte de Grasse at Fort Story to celebrate the 400th Anniversary of the the Marine Nationale (French Navy) and the crucial victory by de Grasse's fleet over the British fleet commanded by Sir Thomas Graves at the the Capes of the Chesapeake. This victory isolated Cornwallis' army at Yorktown and allowed the joint US/French Army commanded by General George Washington and Lieutenant général Comte de Rochambeau to defeat Cornwallis' Army, leading to the Treaty of Paris and the recognition of the independence of the United States.
This national SAR event was well attended by dignitaries including Virginia Lt. Governor Ghazala Hashmi, Admiral Karl Thomas, Commander of U.S. Fleet Forces, and Supreme Allied Commander Admiral Pierre Vandier. The NSSAR was represented by Secretary General Brooks Lyles. NSSAR President General Allen Greenly and past Mike Elston participated in a simultaneous ceremony in Paris, France.
The CMM was represented by Doug and Bill Schwetke who participated in the Color Guard and presented the chapter wreath.

SAR Leadership and Color Guard, Doug Schwetke is on the far right and Bill Schwetke is just inboard of him.

Left to right: Bill and Doug Schwetke with the CMM wreath.

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Color Guard Workshop

8/29/2026

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29 Aug 2026 Washington's Ferry Farm

Saturday the Col Fielding Lewis Chapter hosted a Color Guard Workshop with emphasis on Flag Protocol and Black Powder Musket Certification at George Washington's boyhood home at Ferry Farm on the banks of the Rappahannock. Beautiful weather, a perfect setting, and compatriots working together to improve our knowledge and skills and welcoming new color guardsmen. Great camaraderie. Bill Schwetke represented the CMM and conducted the Flag Protocol training. If you are interested in participating in our color guard, talk to Bill. Starting in September we will begin doing short, 10-15 minute color guard training sessions at the end of each chapter meeting.

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Monument Dedication and Marking of Five Patriot Graves

8/22/2026

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22 Aug 2026 Lovettsville, VA

At New Jerusalem Lutheran Church near Lovettsville DAR and SAR members from Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia gathered to dedicate a memorial to thirty-three patriots buried in the church cemetery and mark the graves of five of those patriots. Just shy of 100 people from the SAR, DAR, the church, and local community attended. The CMM were represented by President Mark Crain and Bill Schwetke; President Crain presented the CMM wreath and both Mark and Bill participated in the Color Guard and musket firing. The program was sponsored by the Fairfax Resolves and Sgt Major John Champe SAR Chapters of Virginia and the Sgt Lawrence Everhart SAR Chapter of Maryland.

Color Guard participants. CMM President Mark Crain is in the group on the right, front roll, second from right, and Bill Schwetke is behind him in the second row fifth from the left.

CMM participants President Mark Crain on the left and Bill Schwetke at the monument that was dedicated.

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August 2026 Chapter Meeting/Picnic

8/18/2026

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Culpeper, VA 18 Aug 2026

This evening for the CMM Annual Picnic Meeting we had a potluck dinner at Greenlee Tavern located at Mountain Run Winery. This tavern iis named for one operated by an ancestor of Mountain Run Winery owner David Foster in the 18th century. There were 17 attendees including eight chapter members, three prospective members, and six spouses including four DAR members. The owner of Mountain Run Winery, David Foster, and his father, John, are prosepective members of the SAR.

The program this evening was a talk by Charles Jameson on the tale of two half-brothers from the prominent Tutt Family who had emigrated from Culpeper to Missouri. Charles has Tutt ancestors, but these brothers are a different line. It's a fascinating story, you'll want to hear it. Maybe he'll do it again.

At the National SAR Congress in July, our chapter received streamers and certificates to recognize it as the best chapter of 50-99 members in the nation in 2025. They were accepted by John Kuvakas who presented them to President Crain at this meeting. Jim Bish, who was our chapter president in 20205 was invited to share in the presentation.

Jim Bish presented the chapter a rendition of the 1775 Culpeper Minute Battalion Flag done by world famous vexillologist, Steve Hill, an expert on 18th century flags. Last year the chapter voted to recognize this version of this historic flag as the most correct, it's nice to actually have a copy.

Bill Schwetke member of the SAR National Color Guard Committee, presented two color guard medals this evening, first to John Kuvakas the Virginia SAR Billy Flora Medal for service to the state, and then to President Mark Crain the National SAR Bronze Color Guard Medal for service to the chapter.

John Kuvakas receives the Virginia SAR Billy Flora Medal for his color guard participation in Virginia for 2025.

President Mark Crain receives the National SAAR Bronze Color Guard Medal for three years of color guard service to the chapter.

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2026 Nansemond Indian Pow Wow

8/15/2026

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15 Aug 2026 Mattanock Town, VA

Left to right: Tom Badamo (Nansemond Indian Patriot Chapter), Pat Hannum (Norfolk Chapter), and Bill Schwetke (CMM), picture by Cat Schwetke

Today, Bill Schwetke, a dual member of the Nansemond Indian Patriot Chapter, helped man the booth explaining the role of the Nansemond Indians at the Battle of Great Bridge and also recruiting for the SAR and DAR. Bill also participated in the Color Guard.

Pat Hammond talking to two of the more then fifty attendees that stopped by our booth to learn about the role the Nansemond Indians played in the American Revolution.

To the tune of the "Flag Song" the Eagle Staff lead the opening precession, followed by the US Colors, carried by compatriot Tom Badamo, and the Nansemond Nation's Flag.

An SAR Color Guard of Bill Schwetke and Pat Hannum rendered honors to the ceremonial flag procession.

A portion of the many vendors selling appropriate goods.

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Frontier Region Annual Meeting

8/15/2026

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15 Aug 2026 Wytheville, VA

Pomeroy marker dedication. Chaplain John Kuvakas eighth from the right.

The Frontier Region, consisting of seven chapters in southwest Virginia, held its annual meeting this weekend and CMM/Virginia SAR Chaplain John Kuvakas participated at the roundtable and conducted a chaplains workshop.

Round Table discussions

Chaplain Kuvakas

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Atlantic Middle States Association Annual Meeting

8/7/2026

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07-09 August 2026 Christiana, DE

Virginia SAR Attendees, front row, left to right: Rob Meyer (CMM dual), Virginia SAAR President Darrin Schmidt, Mid Atlantic District VPG Harry Roberts, Historian General and candidate for Secretary General Jeff Thomas (CMM dual), NSSAR President General Allan Greenly, Secretary General Brooks Lyles (dual), Bill Greaf, Ken Morris, Lary McKinley, Treasurer General Scott Colins (CMM dual). back row, left to right: North Atlantic District VPG (CMM dual), Bill Schwetke (CMM), Virginia SAR 1st VP Ken Bonner (CMM dual), Virginia SAR 3rd VP Forrest Crain, Rev Rusty Mills (dual), Rick Abbot, Virginia SAR Genealogist Dave Cook (CMM dual), Virginia SAR and CMM Chaplain Rev John Kuvakas (CMM), PG (2013-2014) Joe Dooley, Virginia SAR 2nd VP Randy Atkins, Joe Vermaelen (dual).

This weekend at the Hilton in Wilmington, DE, the seven chapters of the Atlantic Middle States Association meet to discuss common business and also to vote on our recommendations for various candidates to leadership positions in our national society. We forwarded our recommendation for the office of Secretary General of Jeff Thomas of Virginia (a dual member of the CMM) and for Treasurer General, Scott Collins of GA, (also a dual member of the CMM).

During Virginia SAR President Darrin Schmidt's report from our society he presented, on behalf of the Virginia SAR, the Virginia Society Medal to Rob Meyer of New Jersey for his efforts in support of the Virginia Society this past year, and over the years before. The CMM offered dual membership in our chapter to Rob and he was pleased to join us, so he is now a dual member of our chapter.

Virginia SAR President Darrin Schmidt presents the Virginia Society Medal to Rob Meyer, who, in turn, honored us by submitting his application to be a dual member of the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter.

Next year in Early August, the DC Society will host this meeting and what they have planned is very special. It won't be very far to travel for many Virginians and it is a great opportunity to mingle with some fine people from six other states and learn from them; to mingle with the current President General and at least the next three PGs, learn who they are and what their plans and dreams are for our SAR. Let' go to DC next August.

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<<Previous

09 Sep 2026 Front Royal

05 Sep 2026 Fort Story, VA

29 Aug 2026 Washington's Ferry Farm

22 Aug 2026 Lovettsville, VA

Culpeper, VA 18 Aug 2026

15 Aug 2026 Mattanock Town, VA

15 Aug 2026 Wytheville, VA

07-09 August 2026 Christiana, DE

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