2015 Annual Meeting of the Virginia Society

20-22 February 2015        Omni Hotel RIchmond
Celebrating 125 Years
1890--2015

CMM Attendees at VASSAR Annual, left to right: Past President Mike Lyman, Past President Lance Lyngar, Cat Schwetke, President Bill Schwetke.

     The 125th Anniversary Annual Meeting of the Virginia Society met at the Omni Hotel in Downtown Richmond from February 20th to the 22nd.  CMM attendees included Past President Mike Lyman, Past President Lance Lyngar, President Bill Schwetke, and Cat Schwetke.

     Mike Lyman, VASSAR Graves Registration Chairman, presented his strong pitch for graves registration during the Friday evening Board of Managers Meeting that was also attended by Lance Lyngar and Bill Schwetke.
     VASSAR also presented Award Streamers for the Flag Certificate Program and the two VASSAR Presidential Initiatives:  The Joint Revolutionary War/War of 1812 Monument Dedication and Grayson Family Grave Marking.

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Flag Certificate Awardees, CMM President Bill Schwetke is in uniform, back row, 5th from the right.

Joint Revolutionary War/War of 1812 Streamer Awardees, CMM President Bill Schwetke, in uniform, sixth from the right.

Grayson Family Grave Marking Streamer Awardees, CMM President Bill Schwetke, in uniform, sixth from the left.

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     At the Saturday morning Membership Meeting CMM President Bill Schwetke reminded the gathering of the approaching 250th Anniversary of the Stamp Act on March 22nd and encouraged expressions of outrage over the heinous tax passed without representation!  He also encouraged attendance at the Seven Chapter Meeting at Graves' Mountain to be held on April 18th and the Gabriel Long Memorial Dedication, tentatively scheduled for June 27th.
     In the afternoon Awards Service the CMM Eagle Scout Award nominee, Alex Habashi, received the second place prize - his twin brother Bryan won first place.

CMM Past President and VASSAR Eagle Scout Committee Chairman Lance Lyngar, third from left, assists VASSAR President Bill Broadus in recognizing the Eagle Scout Honorees who were accompanied by their sponsoring chapter presidents. CMM President Bill Schwetke is fourth from the left, our nominee and VASSAR second place winner, Alex Habashi, is sixth from the left, and his twin brother, Bryan Habashi, first place winner, is fifth from the left.

     The CMM also received a streamer for participating in judging History Day Competitions.

History Day Streamer recipients: CMM President Bill Schwetke is fourth from the left.

Left to right: Past President Lance Lyngar, President Bill Schwetke, and VASSAR President Bill Broadus.

     The CMM received the streamer for the best Chapter History Scrapbook for 2014.  Accepting the Chapter History Scrapbook streamer from VASSAR President Bill Broadus for the CMM were Past President Lance Lyngar and President Bill Schwetke.

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     The CMM also received a Chapter Excellence Ribbon for 2014.

Chapter Excellence Award Winners. CMM President Bill Schwetke accepted for the CMM, in back, fifth from the right.

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     At the Formal Banquet on Saturday evening Past President Lance Lyngar and President Bill Schwetke participated in the color guard.

VASSAR Color Guard, from left to right: VASSAR's new 3rd Vice President, Pat Kelly, Color Guard Commander Darrin Schmidt, CMM President Bill Schwetke, Compatriot Paul Chase, and CMM Past President Lance Lyngar.

Larry Aaron

 
    The Keynote speech, "The Early Years of VASSAR, 1890-1920", was presented by VASSAR Historian Larry Aaron.

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     Two CMM Members received very special awards at the Formal Banquet.  Past President Lance Lyngar received the Silver Roger Sherman medal for sustained excellence as VASSAR Eagle Scout Committee Chairman and Assistant Web Master.  Mike Lyman received the Patriot Medal for over ten years sustained excellence as the VASSAR Revolutionary War Graves Publications Chairman.

CMM Past President Lance Lyngar, left, receives the Silver Roger Sherman Medal from VASSAR President Bill Broadus.

CMM Past President Mike Lyman receives the Patriot Medal from VASSAR President Bill Broadus.

     2015 VASSAR President Reverdy Wright, PhD, was sworn in by Atlantic Middle States Association Vice President General J. Thomas Showler.  President Wright intends to stress working together with other chapters to accomplish greater goals.  He also will emphasize the chapters and historic events west of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the coming year.  He has found strong support in the CMM for both initiatives.  He also asked that chapters not fail to note that this year is the 125th anniversary of VASSAR at meetings and events during the year.
     President Wright also announced several appointed positions, including the appointment of CMM Past President Lance Lyngar as the State Headquarters Chapter President, and as VASSAR Assistant Secretary.  This will be a very busy year for Lance.

2015 VASSAR President Reverdy Wright, PhD, is sworn in by Atlantic Middle States Association Vice President General J. Thomas Showler.