19-20 Feb 2016 Omni Hotel, RIchmond, VA
Virginia Society Officers for 2016 are sworn in by President General Tom Lawrence.
This weekend the Virginia Society of the SAR held its 126th Annual Meeting at the Omni Hotel in Richmond, VA. 80 compatriots from 20 of Virginia's 27 chapters and the Texas Society attended. The CMM were represented by three members and two companions: President Bill Schwetke and his wife Cat, past President Lance Lyngar and his companion Louis Dennis, Jr., and past President Mike Lyman.
The first event for the CMM was the treasurer, administrative and awards workshop. Conducted by Virginia SAR Treasurer Rick Elofson and Virginia SAR Secretary Wayne Rouse the workshop updated secretaries and treasurers and other interested individuals on the latest information. Another workshop, conducted by former President General Joe Dooley, was held on Saturday morning to update registrars on the new online application process.
The first event for the CMM was the treasurer, administrative and awards workshop. Conducted by Virginia SAR Treasurer Rick Elofson and Virginia SAR Secretary Wayne Rouse the workshop updated secretaries and treasurers and other interested individuals on the latest information. Another workshop, conducted by former President General Joe Dooley, was held on Saturday morning to update registrars on the new online application process.
CMM attendees, left to right: Lance Lyngar, Cat Schwetke, Bill Schwetke, Louis Dennis, Jr., and Mike Lyman.
During the business meetings Lance Lyngar delivered reports on the Eagle Scout Program and the Virginia SAR website; Mike Lyman reported on Revolutionary War Graves Publications; and Bill Schwetke reported on Revolutionary War Graves Preservation and delivered the CMM Chapter Report. Bill Schwetke and Lance Lyngar participated in the Color Guard.
The CMM also received many awards at the annual meeting. Our Outstanding JROTC cadet, William Grimsley, won the Virginia SAR Outstanding JROTC Cadet Award, which includes a check for $1,000. Cadet Grimsley will represent the Virginia SAR at the national competition in Boston in July. The CMM also received nine streamers for our flag: The Carroll Wright Award streamer for the largest percentage increase in membership; The Chapter Excellence Award; Best Chapter Scrapbook; Sponsor of the Best JROTC Cadet; History Day Support; Participation in the Flag Certificate Program; and three streamers, one for each of the Presidential Initiatives we attended.
The CMM also received many awards at the annual meeting. Our Outstanding JROTC cadet, William Grimsley, won the Virginia SAR Outstanding JROTC Cadet Award, which includes a check for $1,000. Cadet Grimsley will represent the Virginia SAR at the national competition in Boston in July. The CMM also received nine streamers for our flag: The Carroll Wright Award streamer for the largest percentage increase in membership; The Chapter Excellence Award; Best Chapter Scrapbook; Sponsor of the Best JROTC Cadet; History Day Support; Participation in the Flag Certificate Program; and three streamers, one for each of the Presidential Initiatives we attended.
 CMM members, left to right: Mike Lyman, Bill Schwetke, and Lance Lyngar; receiving the streamer for the best Chapter Scrapbook from 1st ViP Ed Truslow. |  Bill Schwetke, on left, receives, for the chapter, the Carroll Wright Award streamer for the greatest percentage increase in membership. |
CMM past President Lance Lyngar was also active presenting awards and recognizing chapters for supporting the Boy Scouts.
Business conducted included improving the addition of a surcharge of $6 to Virginia Society Dues starting next year and continuing through 2020 to help fund our hosting of the Annual Congress in 2020, contingent on the expected confirmation of our selection by the National Society Executive Committee next week. An increase in the state fee for membership and supplemental applications to $7 was also approved to take effect on July 1st to cover increased postage.
During the business meeting the Virginia SAR officers for 2016, except for the president, were sworn in by President General Tom Lawrence (picture at the top). Virginia SAR officers for 2016 are:
During the business meeting the Virginia SAR officers for 2016, except for the president, were sworn in by President General Tom Lawrence (picture at the top). Virginia SAR officers for 2016 are:
President: Edward W. Truslow
President-Elect: Michael J. Elston, Esq.
2nd Vice President: Patrick M. Kelly
3rd Vice President: J. Thomas Whetstone, PhD
Secretary/Assistant Treasurer: R. Wayne Rouse
Treasurer: Frederick N. "Rick" Elofson
Chancellor: Eric H. Monday, Esq.
Registrar: J. Michael Taimi
Historian: Larry G. Aaron, D.Min.
Surgeon: Dr. Christopher N. "Kirk" Sheap MD
Chaplain: The Rev. Dr. Roy A. Martin, Jr.
Assistant Secretary: Lance M. Lyngar
Assistant Registrar: David A. Cook
Assistant Registrar: David R. Thomas
Assistant Chaplain: Eugene F. Thomas
The membership also nominated past Virginia SAR President Mark S. Brennan, Sr., Esq. for Vice President General of the Mid Atlantic District. The traditional rotation of this position between the states assures us that compatriot Brennan will be elected to this position in Boston this July. Also nominated for election in July were Reverdy E. Wright, PhD as national Trustee and Edward W. Truslow as Alternate Trustee.
Also during the business meeting the 1st Virginia Regiment commissioned new officers including CMM President Bill Schwetke, who was commissioned as a sergeant. CMM members and current rank in the 1st Virginia include: Colonel Larry R. Alexander, Colonel Lance M. Lyngar, Captain Robert L. Bowen, and Sergeant Alonzo L. Lacey, Jr.
Commissions in the 1st Virginia Regiment are purchased by donating to Virginia Society SAR through the regiment.
Commissions in the 1st Virginia Regiment are purchased by donating to Virginia Society SAR through the regiment.
Saturday evening was the Annual Meeting Banquet. During the Banquet Bill and Cat Schwetke were presented Certificates of Appreciation by outgoing Virginia SAR President Reverdy Wright for coordinating the Friday evening reception o'dourves and decorations. Bill Schwetke also received the State Medal of Distinguished Service for his activities in support of the Virginia Society in 2015. The State Medal of Distinguished Service is the highest medal that can be awarded by a State Society President, and only one may be awarded each year. It is awarded in recognition for conspicuous service to the State Society.
 Bill and Cat Schwetke with their Certificates of Appreciation from Virginia SAR President Reverdy Wright. |  Bill Schwetke receives the State Medal of Distinguished Service from Virginia SAR President Reverdy Wright. |
Greetings were presented by many other lineage organizations:
 Mrs. Virginia Sebastian Storage, State Regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution.  Past Virginia Governor, The Virginia Society, Order of Founders and Patriots of America, Myron E. Lyman, Sr. (CMM member) |  Holly Lynne M. Schmidt, Senior State President, and on right, Emily Elston, State 2nd Vice-President, of the Virginia Society of the Children of the American Revolution.  Thadeus Hartman, Past President,The Society of the War of 1812 in the Commonwealth of Virginia, |
President General Tom Lawrence presented greetings from the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. He also talked about his efforts to improve communications, the use of technology to make applications and gathering documentation easier, and the living history display being developed for the national headquarters building.
President Reverdy Wright receives the Patriot Medal from Awards Chairman Wayne Rouse. Our Virginia Society President for 2015 addressed the gathering on his thoughts about the last year, our Society's 125th. He expressed his gratitude to his wife, Lydia, for her constant support that was visible to all of us despite health concerns that made her efforts seem remarkable. Our prayers are with Reverdy and Lydia. President Wright gave an overview of our success the past year and graciously shared the credit for what had been done. In recognition for a very successful year as president of the Virginia Society President Reverdy Wright was awarded the Patriot Medal.
President General Tom Lawrence swears in Ed Truslow as the Virginia Society SAR President for 2016 as outgoing president Reverdy Wright and Ed's wife, Laura, look on.
President Truslow then addressed the Virginia Society. He first gave credit to his 95 predecessors, and noted his strong ties, as a 12th generation Virginian, to our state He then set his goals for 2016:
1. Strong Virginia Society support for the Blanford Cemetery Monument Dedication on April 16th in Peteresburg. (The CMM will be represented by President Bill Schwetke, who command the Color Guard for the event, and hopefully many other CMM compatriots)
2. Recognition of our veterans with War and Military Service Medals. (All eligible CMM Compatriots have received the appropriate medal and we will continue to make appropriate awards to new members).
3. Financial support for the new Museum of the American Revolution in Yorktown. (this will be on the agenda for the March chapter meeting).
5. Increased participation in Youth Recognition Programs. (This will need our attention and volunteers are needed to improve our participation in orations, essays, and recognition of scouts and teachers. An immediate need can be met by volunteering as a History Day judge; ten more are needed; transportation is available: register here ASAP, or contact Bill Schwetke and he will contact the judges coordinator, then contact Bill Schwetke about a ride).
President Truslow also noted that the Virginia DAR has about 9,00 members to our about 2,000, and each of these ladies has a father, brother, or son, who would be eligible for SAR membership which we should encourage. President Truslow also announced plans for our 28th chapter in the Halifax area, which should stand up this year.
The Culpeper Minutemen are proud of our accomplishments this past year and are inspired by President Truslow to increase our membership and our impact on our community in 2016.
1. Strong Virginia Society support for the Blanford Cemetery Monument Dedication on April 16th in Peteresburg. (The CMM will be represented by President Bill Schwetke, who command the Color Guard for the event, and hopefully many other CMM compatriots)
2. Recognition of our veterans with War and Military Service Medals. (All eligible CMM Compatriots have received the appropriate medal and we will continue to make appropriate awards to new members).
3. Financial support for the new Museum of the American Revolution in Yorktown. (this will be on the agenda for the March chapter meeting).
5. Increased participation in Youth Recognition Programs. (This will need our attention and volunteers are needed to improve our participation in orations, essays, and recognition of scouts and teachers. An immediate need can be met by volunteering as a History Day judge; ten more are needed; transportation is available: register here ASAP, or contact Bill Schwetke and he will contact the judges coordinator, then contact Bill Schwetke about a ride).
President Truslow also noted that the Virginia DAR has about 9,00 members to our about 2,000, and each of these ladies has a father, brother, or son, who would be eligible for SAR membership which we should encourage. President Truslow also announced plans for our 28th chapter in the Halifax area, which should stand up this year.
The Culpeper Minutemen are proud of our accomplishments this past year and are inspired by President Truslow to increase our membership and our impact on our community in 2016.
President General Lawrence, Reverdy and Lydia Wright's daughter, Enid Wilson, standing in for her mother, Immediate Past President Reverdy Wright, President Ed Truslow, and Laura Truslow.
RSS Feed
