245th Anniversary of the Battle of Waxhaws (Buford's Defeat)

24 July 2025                   Buford, SC

The crowd, much smaller than previous years.

     At the Waxhaws Battlefield on Saturday of the Memorial Day Weekend the NSSAR commemorated the Battle of Waxhaws, also known as Buford's Defeat, where over 100 of Buford's men, almost all Virginians, were killed.  Many of the Virginia dead lie in a mass grave now in the park that covers part of the historical battlefield.

     Four members of the CMM participated in the ceremony.  Virginia SAR Chaplain (and CMM Chaplain) John Kuvakas gave the Invocation and Bendiction and also participated in the Color Guard, notably escorting Virginia SAR President Michael Weyler (a dual CMM member) with prayers as he spread the Blessed Soil of Virginia on the mass brave of the Virginia dead.  This soil had been gathered and blessed on April 26th at Graves Mountain and carried to South Carolina for this ceremony.  Bill Schwetke carried the Virginia SAR Flag in the Color Guard and provided an armed escort for President Weyler as he spread the soil on the mass grave.  Virginia 2nd Vice President Ken Bonner (also a dual CMM member) participated in the Color Guard and commanded the Flag Detail for the Soil Spreading Ceremony.

Virginia SAR Chaplain John Kuvakas give the Invocation.

CMM Chaplain John Kuvakas renders honors during the ceremony.

On April 26th at Graves Mountain Lodge, we gathered and blessed the soil of Virginia, then...

in a solemn ceremony the Virginia SAR President Mike Weyer spread the Blessed Soil of Virginia on the Mass Grave of Virginians at Waxhaws Battleground in Sorth Carolina.

CMM participants and wives, left to right: Kelly Kuvakas, Virginia SAR Chaplain John Kuvakas, Katherine Weyler, Virginia SAR President Michael Weyler (dual member), Cat Schwetke, and Past Virginia SAR President (2020-2021) Bill Schwetke. Attending, but not in the picture were Virginia SAR 2nd Vice President Ken Bonner (dual member) and Anita Bonner.