2021 Virginia SAR Semi-Annual Meeting

10-11 Sep 2021
Patrick Henry's Red Hill, Brookneal, VA
Berry Hill Resort, South Boston, VA

Group picture at the end of the meeting. CMM compatriots in the backrow are Bill Schwetke with US Flag, President Charles Jameson with the Virginia Flag, Color Guard Commander Michael Dennis with the North Carolina Flag, and Doug Schwetke, second from the right with a musket. Secretary Tom Hamill is in the second row, third from the right. Our one DAR supporter, Cat Schwetke, is second row, far right.

     This was the best Semi-Annual Meeting in memory.  We started on Friday morning at Patrick Henry's Red Hill, then moved to a post dinner reception at Berry Hill where the next day's activities were conducted.  The CMM were represented by President Charles Jameson, Secretary Tom Hamill, Historian Bill Schwetke, Color Guard Commander Michael Dennis and Doug Schwetke.  Cat Schwetke also joined us.  All CMM attendees also participated in the Color Guard.

Color Guard at the Opening Ceremony

     The program started early Friday morning with an opening ceremony at Patrick Henry's Red Hill which was started with the firing of a cannon.  This was followed by the dedication of a marker the last member of the Henry family to own and live at Red Hill, William Wirt Henry, Patrick Henry's grandson.  William Wirt Henry was also the first president of the Virginia SAR.

Dedication of the monument to William Wirt Henry.

     After a BBQ lunch there was an organizational meeting of the Patrick Henry Chapter with the presentation of their charter and election of officers.

     Next the Ladies joined Patrick Henry for tea and the compatriots attended a selection of five workshops.

The Color Guard Workshop practices loading their firelocks

The Color Guard Workshop Fires Muskets. A dozen compatriots had an opportunity to fire at least three rounds.

     Dinner was served at Red Hill and we were given the privilege of hearing Patrick Henry's March 23, 1775 address to the Second Virginia Convention from the man himself, portrayed by his descendant.

     Upon return to Berry Hill there was a President's Reception followed by a magnificent fireworks display.

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     On Saturday we held our General Membership Meeting, which endorsed a slate of officers for the National Society's elections next July.  The nominees we endorsed were:

President General - C. Bruce Pickette (AL - CMM dual member)
Secretary General - John Dodd (CA)
Treasurer General - Darryl Addington (TN)
Chancellor General - Mike Elston (VA)
Genealogist General - Robert Fish (WV)
Registrar General - Allen Greenly (GA)
Historian General - Brooks Lyles (International)
Librarian General - Fred Olive (AL)
Surgeon General - Keith Weissinger (WA)
Chaplain General - J. Vernon Welkner, II (KS)
Foundation Board Member - Davis Wright (DE)

CMM President Charles Jameson delivers the chapter report to the General Membership Meeting.

CMM President Jameson with the PG's Education Outreach Streamer, flanked by, on the left Mid-Atlantic District Vice President General Troy Foxwell, and on the right, Virginia SAR President Jeff Thomas.

At the General Membership Meeting the CMM and its members received numerous awards, inlcuding being the only Virginia Chapter to receive the President General's Education Outreach Streamer.

     The Semi-Annual ended with a luncheon that featured Dr. John Ragosta, who spoke on the significance of Patrick Henry, and was capped off with a march to the steps of the Berry Hill Mansion, the firing of a cannon to signal the end of the meeting, and a group picture.