8 - 14 Jul 2016 Boston, MA
 Statue of Captain Parker on the Lexington Green. |
The 126th National Congress of the Sons of the American Revolution was held in Boston from July 8th to July 14th. Of the approximately 450 attendees, two were regular CMM members and one wife, and five dual members and one wife.
The first event for Virginia SAR participants, on Friday afternoon, was a Duck tour of Boston and the Back Bay of the Charles River. This was followed by buses to Faneuil Hall for dinner.
The first event for Virginia SAR participants, on Friday afternoon, was a Duck tour of Boston and the Back Bay of the Charles River. This was followed by buses to Faneuil Hall for dinner.
Saturday began with a bus tour of the Lexington and Concord battle sights. Starting with the Green at Lexington, where the first shots of the American Revolution were fired.
 Our tour guide begins the tour of the Lexington Green, which is in the background. |
After a stop at the Nation Park Visitors Center for a program on the events of April 19, 1775, we continued to Concord and the scene of the fight at the Old North Bridge, where patriots drove back the British who then began their long and bloody retreat to Charlestown.
 The Old North Bridge, as seen from the hill where the patriots waited for the British. |  ooking from the monument to the Old North Bridge as the patriots would have seen it as they charged the British. |
Saturday evening was the host society's reception, which was attended by many compatriots from the Virginia SAR and the Virginia SAR orations contestant.
Virginia SAR compatriots, wives, and friends, left to right: Virginia First Lady Laura Truslow, Holly Lynne Schmidt, Darin Schmidt, Virginia Orations Contestant Alexandria Redriguez, Mrs. Rodriguez, Mr. Rodriguez, Greg Bodge, Virginia SAR President Ed Truslow, Cat Schwetke, and CMM President Bill Schwetke.
Sunday began with the Color Guard Breakfast, the Trustees' Meeting, several committee meetings, and the semi-finals of the Joseph S. Rumbaugh Orations Contest. After lunch the National Color Guard assembled, was reviewed by President General Lawrence, and marched to the Old South Church for the Memorial Service.
 The Color Guard prepares to enter the Sanctuary of the Old South Church, National Color Guard Commander David Hoover is on the left, Vice-Commander Mark Anthony is on the right. |  PG Lawrence speaks at the Memorial Service. |
CMM members who participated in the memorial service, left to right: Lance Lyngar, Bill Schwetke, Cat Schwetke, and Jim Mitchell.
In the afternoon there were several other committee meetings. After dinner the Joseph S. Rumbaugh Orations Contest Finals were conducted, with Virginia SAR past President Larry McKinley as the master of ceremonies, ably assisted by Darrin Schmidt of the Fairfax Resolves Chapter. Our state winner, Alexandria Rodriguez, placed second in this national competition!
Monday morning the Opening Session of the 126th Congress commenced with the posting of the colors by the national color guard. The main order of business this morning was the reports of the general officers and the committee chairs. This was followed by the Youth Awards Presentation Luncheon.
During this luncheon the Virginia SAR was recognized as tied for first place for the President General's special award for participation in youth awards programs.
One of the special features of Monday was the call by past President General and Culpeper Minutemen Chapter Dual Member Ed Butler for those who have them, to wear their seersucker suits. Three CMM members participated, PG Butler , PG Lindsey Brock, and Bill Schwetke.
During this luncheon the Virginia SAR was recognized as tied for first place for the President General's special award for participation in youth awards programs.
One of the special features of Monday was the call by past President General and Culpeper Minutemen Chapter Dual Member Ed Butler for those who have them, to wear their seersucker suits. Three CMM members participated, PG Butler , PG Lindsey Brock, and Bill Schwetke.
Ed Butler is seated, fourth from the left, Lindsey Brock is standing, to the right of the the man with the red shirt, and Bill Schwetke is in the back row, between Lindsey Brock and the man with the red shirt.
In the afternoon the Congress reconvened and continued the morning's business.
The New England Historic Genealogical Society.
In the evening the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS), the oldest and largest genealogical society in the world hosted a reception for compatriots. The NEHGS was founded in 1845 and today has over 25,000 members and a staff of 50. Their seven story building is a treasure trove of genealogical information.
Greetings being presented at the New England Historic Genealogical Society.
Later in the evening the Congress reconvened for Recognition Night, during which the Virginia SAR received many awards. Significantly, the George Washington Chapter was recognized as the Outstanding Large Chapter in the SAR, receiving the President General's Cup!!! Virginia SAR Historian Larry Aaron received the Stephan Taylor Award for his research and writings, that made a distinguished contribution to the preservation of the history of the American Revolutionary era and its patriots. The Virginia Society also received the Genealogists Generals 1st Place Award. The Virginia Society surpassed all others in having no applications or supplementals pended.
Tuesday morning began with the Atlantic Middle States Districts Breakfast. Virginia SAR President addressed the gathering, bring all up to date on events and plans in the Virginia Society. Virginia SAR past President Mark Brennan was recognized as the incoming Vice President General for the Mid-Atlantic States District.
The General Session continued Tuesday morning and afternoon with lively discussion and votes on several issues. The Congress approved the expenditure of funds to support the copying and online publication of SAR applications with supporting documents by Family Search. Concerns about privacy were raised and addressed with assurances that information on living persons would not be published. A dues increase was also raised, debated, and defeated.
A slate of nominees was approved for the General Officer positions for 2016-17. Only one position was contested, that of Treasurer General. Delegates voted for the candidates for Treasurer General, with Warren Alter of Arizona the winner. Installation of the new officers was scheduled for Wednesday.
A slate of nominees was approved for the General Officer positions for 2016-17. Only one position was contested, that of Treasurer General. Delegates voted for the candidates for Treasurer General, with Warren Alter of Arizona the winner. Installation of the new officers was scheduled for Wednesday.
Tuesday afternoon the ladies had lunch in the Boston Library and were entertained by a program about Deborah Sampson, who served as a soldier in the light infantry company of the 4th Massachusetts Regiment. She enlisted as "Robert Shurtleff", was wounded in 1782, and honorably discharged in 1783 after serving 17 months. In 1805 she received a pension for her service in the Continental Army.
 Portrayal of "Robert Shurtleff" at the Ladies' Luncheon. |  Portrayal of Deborah Sampson at the Ladies' Luncheon. |
Tuesday evening was the President General's Banquet, hosted by President General Tom Lawrence. The guest speaker, Dr. Peter S. Onuf, spoke on Thomas Jefferson's Imperial Vision. A special surprise was a living statue of Thomas Jefferson in the foyer as the attendees gathered for the cocktail hour.
 Peter Davenport of the George Mason Chapter has an "animated" conversation with the living statue of Thomas Jefferson. |
Also on Tuesday evening, CMM President Bill Schwetke presented a replica 1775 Culpeper Minutemen Flag to Virginia SAR Flag Recognition Chairman Dr. Kirk Sheap. Dr. Sheap had requested the flag to display at his home. Cat Schwetke also presented Norma Sheap with a pewter pin of the same flag.
 Presentation of the replica 1775 Culpeper Minutemen Battle Flag, left to right, Bill Schwetke, Cat Schwetke, Norma Sheap, Kirk Sheap. |  Norma Sheap displays the pewter pin of the 1775 Culpeper Minutemen Flag. |
On Wednesday morning the final session of the Congress was held. This included the election of the new vice presidents general, including Mark Brennan as the Vice President General of the Mid-Atlantic District. The trustees were also elected, including Reverdy Wright as the Virginia Trustee and Ed Truslow as alternate.
In the afternoon there were tours of the USS Constitution Museum and the Adams National Park .
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Wednesday evening was the Installation Banquet. Those of interest to Virginia who were installed include:
President General J. Michael Tomme of GA
(dual member of Col Fielding Lewis and George Washington Chapter of VA)
Secretary General Larry T. Guzy of GA
Treasurer General Warren M. Alter of AZ
Chancellor General Davis L. Wright of DE
Genealogist General John D. Sinks of DC
Historian General John T. Manning of NH
Librarian General C. Bruce Pickette of AL
Registrar General Russell F. Devenney, Jr. of MO
Surgeon General Dr. Larry M. Leslie of KY
Chaplain General Rt. Rev. Louis C. Carlson, Jr. of CA
Vice President General (Mid-Atlantic District) Mark S. Brennan of VA
Virginia SAR 1st Vice President Mike Elston was appointed to the Executive Committee
President General J. Michael Tomme of GA
(dual member of Col Fielding Lewis and George Washington Chapter of VA)
Secretary General Larry T. Guzy of GA
Treasurer General Warren M. Alter of AZ
Chancellor General Davis L. Wright of DE
Genealogist General John D. Sinks of DC
Historian General John T. Manning of NH
Librarian General C. Bruce Pickette of AL
Registrar General Russell F. Devenney, Jr. of MO
Surgeon General Dr. Larry M. Leslie of KY
Chaplain General Rt. Rev. Louis C. Carlson, Jr. of CA
Vice President General (Mid-Atlantic District) Mark S. Brennan of VA
Virginia SAR 1st Vice President Mike Elston was appointed to the Executive Committee
 Sinks |  Guzy |  PG Tomme |  Alter |  Wright |
 Manning |  Pickette |  Devenney |  Leslie |  Brennan |
CMM attendees at the 126th Annual Congress, seated, left to right: Ed Butler (PG 2009-10), Billie Brock, Lindsey Brock (PG 2014-15). Standing, Andrew Lyngar (NM SAR President), Cat Schwetke, Bill Schwetke, and Lance Lyngar. Not in the picture, but attending, were Doug Collins and Jim Mitchell.
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