19 Dec 2018 Middletown, VA
The Wayside Inn 1797-2018 ( www.alongthewayside.com/)
Since 1797 the Wayside Inn has offered shelter, food, and entertainment to travelers. On this occasion it offered a fitting venue to enjoy a wonderful Christmas buffet and a program to honor the patriots who entered their winter encampment at Valley Forge 241 years ago, on December 19th 1777.
This commemoration was organized by the Colonel James Wood II (CJWII) Chapter, the Shenandoah Christian Alliance, and the Wayside Innkeeper, Becky Reeves. After a wonderful buffet dinner over 80 guests from the SAR, DAR, C.A.R., and the local community assembled in the great room for the program with CJWII Chapter President Dale Corey as the master of ceremonies. The program was begun with introduction of guests, the posting of the colors by the CJWII Chapter Color Guard, an invocation, and the Pledge of Allegiance. Then Abel Johnston, portrayed by his descendant, Larry Johnson, gave a gripping account of what it was like to winter at Valley Forge with Washington's Army. Abel was serving in North Carolina during the winter of 1777-78, but his brother was there and Abel told us what he heard from his brother.
Next prayers were offered for God's blessing for these steadfast ancestors and on our efforts to keep their spirit alive. Dale Carpenter of the Shenandoah Christian Alliance put the trials of our ancestors into perspective, and then a roll was called with each descendant of a patriot answering the roll for their ancestor. Christmas Carols were sung, the colors retired, and everyone was wished a Merry Christmas and enjoyment of the blessings we have inherited from our patriot ancestors.
This commemoration was organized by the Colonel James Wood II (CJWII) Chapter, the Shenandoah Christian Alliance, and the Wayside Innkeeper, Becky Reeves. After a wonderful buffet dinner over 80 guests from the SAR, DAR, C.A.R., and the local community assembled in the great room for the program with CJWII Chapter President Dale Corey as the master of ceremonies. The program was begun with introduction of guests, the posting of the colors by the CJWII Chapter Color Guard, an invocation, and the Pledge of Allegiance. Then Abel Johnston, portrayed by his descendant, Larry Johnson, gave a gripping account of what it was like to winter at Valley Forge with Washington's Army. Abel was serving in North Carolina during the winter of 1777-78, but his brother was there and Abel told us what he heard from his brother.
Next prayers were offered for God's blessing for these steadfast ancestors and on our efforts to keep their spirit alive. Dale Carpenter of the Shenandoah Christian Alliance put the trials of our ancestors into perspective, and then a roll was called with each descendant of a patriot answering the roll for their ancestor. Christmas Carols were sung, the colors retired, and everyone was wished a Merry Christmas and enjoyment of the blessings we have inherited from our patriot ancestors.
 CJWII Chapter President Dale Corey |
 Virginia SAR 2nd Vice President Bill Schwetke |  Washington prays at Valley Forge by Friberg |  Middletown Mayor Charles Harbaugh, IV |
 Abel Johnston, portrayed by Larry Johnson. |
Those who attended in Revolutionary dress - CMM Past President Bill Schwetke and his wife Cat are 3rd and 4th from the left.
Plan to attend next year, Thursday, December 19th, 2019!
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