2017 Annual Chapter Meeting

28 Jan 2017             Inn at Kelly's Ford, Remington, VA

Virginia SAR Secretary Wayne Rouse addresses the meeting.

     The January meeting of the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter is our annual meeting, at which the officers for the new year are official installed.  We met for this purpose today at the Inn at Kelly's Ford, near Remington, VA. Visiting us to conduct the installation ceremony was Virginia SAR Secretary Wayne Rouse, accompanied by his wife Wink.
     36 people attended the meeting, including 18 members, 6 prospective members, and 10 spouses, including 7 who are members of the DAR.
     One of the first orders of business was the presentation of the nomination of Charles Jameson for the office Historian and his election to that office.  Charles was inducted in December, after our November election of officers for 2017, and has already agreed to serve as one of our officers.
     Next, awards that were not presented at our Chapter Awards Meeting in November were presented.  Jerry Hubbard received his commission as Sergeant in the 1st Regiment of the Virginia SAR.  He received his commission from one of the CMM compatriots who is a colonel in the 1st Regiment, Bill Mutziger.  Then MG Greg Schumacher, our Veteran's Committee Chairman, present a Military Service Veterans' Corps Certificate to Jerry for his service in the US Army as a SP4 from 1962-65.

1st VA Rgt Col Bill Mutziger, on right, presents a Sergeant's Commission in the 1st VA to Jerry Hubbard.

MG Greg Schumacher, on right, presents a Military Service Veterans Corps Certificate to Jerry Hubbard.

     14 Supplemental Certificates were awarded to CMM compatriots.  Lon Lacey and Larry Alexander each received one, Tom and Aaron Hamill each received two, and Bill and Doug Schwetke each received four.  Larry Alexander's was noteworthy as it was for a woman, Judith Jefferson Farrar, who paid the supply tax of 1783.  Doug and Bill also received certificates from a Forgotten Patriot for their supplemental on on Lt John Divers.  Doug and Bill Schwetke's supplemental for Benjamin Beeson attracted the attention of two other compatriots.  Don Hollar noticed that he is also descended from Benjamin Beeson, and Tom Hamill is descended from Benjamin's father, Richard.  Tom discovered that he is an 8th cousin of Doug and Bill - we're still working on the exact relationship with Don Hollar.  Richard Beeson is also a patriot, so these four compatriots now have a goal of simultaneously submitting four supplementals from four different, distantly related, CMM compatriots on Richard Beeson this year.

Supplementals presented to, left to right: Bill Schwetke (also accepting for Doug Schwetke), Lon Lacey, Tom Hamill (also accepting for Aaron Hamill) and Larry Alexander.

     The next award was from each CMM compatriot to their spouse for their support throughout the past year, and in anticipation of their support for the coming year; a brooch representing the US Constitution.

Brooch given by each compatriot to his wife.

CMM Compatriots pinning the brooch on their wives.

    Next, President Schwetke introduced Virginia SAR Secretary Wayne Rouse, for remarks from the Virginia SAR Leadership.  Secretary Rouse talked about the goals of our Virginia SAR President Nominee, Mike Elston.  President Nominee Elston envisions an aggressive program of Active Patriotism, Partnership, and Increased Membership.  Expect details of this effort from the Virginia SAR Annual Meeting in Richmond in two weeks.
     After his remarks, Secretary Rouse conducted the ceremony to install the CMM Officers for 2017.  Color Guard Commander Lon Lacey assembled the new officers and presented them to Secretary Rouse, who then swore into office our 2017 officers.

Virginia SAR Secretary Wayne Rouse, far right, swears in the new CMM officers.

CMM Officers from 2017, left to right: Historian Charles Jameson, Treasurer Bill Mutziger, Secretary Tom Hamill, Chaplain Len Cowherd, Vice President Jim Lillard, President Jerry Hubbard, Registrar Bill Schwetke.

Bill Schwetke presents the star and streamer to Color Guard Commander Lon Lacey.

     After lunch we held the business portion of the meeting.  In reporting attendance at national events, Registrar Bill Schwetke presented a star from the Battle of Great Bridge Commemoration and a streamer for the Battle of Cowpens Commemoration to Color Guard Commander Lon Lacy for the chapter flag.

     Lance Lyngar presented the past president's pin and certificate to Bill Schwetke, CMM president from 2013-2017.

     This was immediately followed by Cat Schwetke making a presentation to Bill of a memento of his time as chapter president: a replica revolutionary war sword, suitable for his expected installation next month as the Virginia SAR Color Guard Commander.  The sword was paid for by the Schwetke Family and by individuals among the CMM.  The chapter had the sword blade inscribed:

WILLIAM L. SCHWETKE - PRESIDENT
CULPEPER MINUTEMEN CHAPTER - VASSAR
2013-2017

Cat Schwetke presents the sword to Bill.

President Jerry Hubbard reads the inscription for the meeting.

Our special guests, Virginia Secretary Wayne Rouse and his wife Wink. Note Wink is wearing, on her right collar, a "Liberty Sprig" brooch, presented to her by the CMM two years ago at Grave's Mountain.