Two members of the CMM and three of our wives, Larry and Beverly Alexander, Bill and Cat Schwetke, and Mary Ann Cowherd, participated in the Senior Board Meeting with the goal of revitalizing the Ashby's Gap Society of the Children of the American Revolution.   It was agreed that the Ashby's Gap Society will participate with the CMM on June 11th in the ceremony at the Culpeper Minutemen Memorial in Yowell Meadow Park and then attend our Chapter Meeting which follows.  It was also agreed that if the CMM would change the date of our picnic this year to July 23rd that the Ashby's Gap Society would meet jointly with us and provide instruction and a demonstration on proper disposal of soiled or worn US flags.  This is a great opportunity to instill the principles of our organization in the youth of our community, and learn together to honor the efforts of our ancestors.
Click here for a link to the Ashby's Gap Society Facebook Page

     Thirteen CMM compatriots, one prospective member, five wives and two honored guests, joined Virginia SAR 1st Vice President Ed Truslow and his wife Laura for our January Meeting and installation of our 2016 Officers.  Attending were Bill Schwetke and his wife Cat, Tom Hamill, Jerry Hubbard, Jim Lillard, Lon Lacey and his wife Mary Margaret, Lon Lacey III, Alan Lacey, Don Jennings and his wife Kathryn, Lance Lyngar, Len Cowherd and his wife Mary Ann, Jim Bayne, Ben Works, new member Scott Mitchell and his father and prospective member Bill Mitchell and Scott's mother, Bill's wife, Sue.  Our honored guest were the Director of the Culpeper County High School Band, Duane Clore, and his wife Marie.
     We began at 11:00am in the lounge for social time.  The bar was open and coffee and tea were available.

     After the social time the CMM walked over to the Carriage House for our meeting, to the tune of our fife and drum.

     After everyone was settled, Jerry Hubbard acted as Master of Ceremonies while the colors were posted and the pledges and invocation were said.

     Lon III and Alan Lacey entertained the gathering with a selection of four Revolutionary War songs on fife and drum, with commentary.

     The first order of business was the induction of our newest member, Scott Mitchell.

     Scott Mitchel's patriot is Charles Carter, who was a member of the first four Virginia Conventions and the Lancaster County Committee of Safety.
     Scott was born and now lives in Culpeper, but grew up in Fauquier County.  His Mother, Sue Mitchell, was recently inducted into the DAR. His daughter, Hannah, is graduating this spring from JMU and his son Eli plays football at Frostburg State in Maryland. Scott is a Crew Foreman at Morton Buildings in Culpeper where he has worked for 26 years. Scott is a member of the Black Horse Camp of The Sons of Confederate Veterans in Warrenton and a member of the board of directors at The Brandy Station Foundation where they have been working very hard to help with the State Park initiative. Scott is also volunteer a tour guide at the Graffiti House in Brandy. 
     Before the meeting was over Scott had volunteered to be our 2016 Graves Committee Chairman.

     Next the CMM presented the SAR Bronze Good Citizenship Medal to Culpeper County High School Band Director Duane Clore. 

     For 31 years Duane Clore has been he Director of the Culpeper County High School Band.  The band under his leadership has performed outstanding service to the community in support of patriotic events.  Every Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day at Culpeper National Cemetery the Culpeper County High School Band sets the mood playing patriotic tunes , then is an integral part of the program.  The value added to any event by proper music can not be measured.  This past September Director Clore and an ensemble from the band supported our ceremony honoring the 240th Anniversary of the Muster of the Minutemen and the 228th Anniversary of our Constitution.  It was with great pleasure that the CMM honored Mr. Clore's years of service to his community by presenting him with the Bronze Good Citizenship Medal.

     Next the CMM honored one of our own, Don Jennings, who is stepping down as treasurer after seven years of service, with the Virginia Society Medal.

     Don Jennings served honorably as the Chapter Secretary for two years, from 2007-2008, and as Chapter Treasurer for seven years, 2009-2015.   He also has been the Chairman of our ROTC Committee for eight years, 2008-2015 and Deputy Commander of our Color Guard for eight years, from 2008-2015.  From his first day with our chapter, in mid-2007, he has actively participated in our leadership.  This included accepting nomination and election as Secretary at his first meeting when the incumbent announced his departure.  Compatriot Donald Jennings is a credit to the Virginia Society and the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter.

     Next the compatriots of the CMM presented their spouses with pewter broaches of the CMM 1775 Battle Flag.

     Virginia SAR 1st Vice President Ed Truslow then presented a very clever talk in which he played upon the voting record of one of his patriot ancestors turning the story into an appeal to vote for him to be next year's Virginia Society President.  His ancestor voted against George Washington (no secret ballot in those days) in the only election that George Washington ever lost.  We are confident that Compatriot Truslow will fare better than George Washington.

     Vice President Truslow then installed the 2016 CMM Officers.

     Today seven representative from various city offices, local business, and including two CMM members, met to continue planning for the Culpeper Minutemen Memorial.  One significant change was the reduction in size of the main stone to 4'x7' to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and stay within our 20' diameter footprint.  We also discussed several alternative locations for the monument which will be evaluated and presented to the Parks and Recreation Committee in March.

  Three members of the CMM, President Bill Schwetke, Color Guard Commander Lon Lacey, and Historian (elect) Ben Works, met with the Culpeper Parks and Recreation Commission this evening to explain plans for the Revolutionary War Walk and the Culpeper Minutemen Memorial.  Compatriot Ben Works is also a member of the commission.  The plans were well received and a commitment was made to return to the commission in March to propose alternative sites for the memorial.

     The CMM Board of Managers met today to plan 2016.  The year ahead will be filled with the normal activities and most importantly work on the Revolutionary Walk in Yowell Meadow park in Culpeper.
     Among the items discussed by the board are several changes to the Chapter Constitution & By-Laws, which will be presented to the chapter in March, for a vote in May.  The board also approved an increase in the cost of our lunches to $25.  This will allow a little better food selection and help defray the cost of meals for our honored guests.
     Committee assignments were made, and will be published after responses are received from a few compatriots that have been asked to serve.  If you have a particular interest in serving on a committee please contact President Bill Schwetke.

     The CMM are sponsoring a Virginia Specialty License Plate honoring the Culpeper Minutemen of 1775.  We are not now accepting pre-orders while we restructure the effort.  Please watch this space for news
      online at:   http://www.dmv.virginia.gov/webdoc/pdf/vsa10.pdf
           Specify SPECIAL INTEREST:  CULPEPER MINUTEMEN

     Make out a check to "Culpeper Minutemen for $25 ($35 if you want a personalized plate - limited to 6 choices), then mail the check and completed form to:
Culpeper Minutemen License Plate
P.O. Box 792
Culpeper, VA  22701

     We did not reach our goal of 450 pre-orders and are working on a way forward to put this historic license plate on the road.  We will be in touch with those who have pre-ordered to either return your money or enlist your support in a new way forward.

     This Morning CMM President Bill Schwetke presented a flag certificate to John E. King.  Mr. King proudly displays the US Flag on a nicely situated flag pole that is illuminated at night. 

Compatriots and Friends,
    The past year has been a good one for our chapter, and I thank you for all that you have done.  We now have a fresh New Year stretching ahead of us, and a lot to be done.  Our Board of Managers will gather on Saturday, January 9th to plan our activities for 2016.  We have a great slate of officers, but are still looking for some good committee members.  There are special needs in the Graves Committee, Veteran’s Committee, Flag Committee, and Youth Programs Committee.  If you would like to help in any of these areas let me know; and show up on the 9th to participate in planning the New Year.
     We started the New Year with the presentation of a flag certificate to my neighbor and thanks to Beverly Alexander’s suggestion are lining up another at the Culpeper Walmart.  The celebration of the Battle of Cowpens is on January 17th and since I am unable to attend I am looking for someone to cover this national event for the chapter – please let me know if you would like to attend.
     Our main project for 2016 will be making progress on the “Revolutionary War Walk” in Yowell Meadow Park in Culpeper.  This project, an inspiration of Lon Lacey’s, has gathered support from local civic leaders and has tremendous potential to educated the public as we enter into the 250th Anniversaries of important revolutionary events.  The next memorial will be the keystone of the entire walk, a memorial to all of the Culpeper Minutemen that was covered in an early report.
     The license plate honoring the Culpeper Minutemen is struggling.  At the November meeting we voted to extend the effort for two years and not pursue profit sharing.  This required support from our government sponsors who were unwilling to give up on getting the license plate done in 2016.   I think there is no chance of reaching our goal by the beginning of this legislative session and will encourage our patrons to support an extended effort.  Look for more news on this soon.
     I look forward to serving with you this New Year, and wish that you and yours will be blessed in 2016.
 
Your Servant,
Bill Schwetke, President