Over 350.000 pages of writing by the Hanoverian Kings, including King George III, are being studied at King's College in London, and the SAR is part of this.  Past Virginia SAR President Joe Dooley is Chairman of the King's College London Partnership Committee that is leading the SAR effort.  The SAR is sponsoring a Visiting Professor to study the documents. Smithsonian.com has a report on this effort, that you can read at:
  http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/now-well-finally-get-see-american-revolution-through-eyes-king-george-180961057/?no-ist

See more at:  http://georgianpapers-us.wm.edu/

     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.

     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.

     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.

    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.

     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:

photos by Kate Melhuish

    1st Lieutenant Jeffery Douglas Cooper, a SAR compatriot, was killed in an accident while deployed to Kuwait.  His father, also an SAR compatriot, from Washington State, requested that the Virginia Society provide the SAR Funeral Ritual at the graveside service today.  Virginia SAR 1st Vice President Mike Elston organized the Virginia Society participation and eleven members of seven chapters, from as far as Norfolk, answered the call to honor Lt Cooper.  The CMM were represented by President Bill Schwetke, who participated in the Color Guard.

13-14 Jan 2017                                                          Gaffney, SC

   This weekend the Sons of the American Revolution and the National Parks Service celebrated the 236th anniversary of the patriot victory at the Battle of Cowpens, near present day Gaffney, SC. The Culpeper Minutemen Chapter was represented by President Bill Schwetke and his wife, Cat.  Other chapter members who participated were dual members, President General Mike Tomme and his wife Cilla, and past President General Lidnsey Brock and his wife Cilla.  All three compatriots participated in the color guard.
     The ceremonies commenced Friday afternoon with the presentation of a wreath and carnations at the General Daniel Morgan statue in downtown Spartanburg, SC.

    Saturday morning featured the wreath laying at the Cowpens National Military Park memorial.  Southern Campaign of the American Revolution Parks Group Superintendent John Slaughter was the master of ceremonies.  The SAR Color Guard, about forty strong, posted the colors.  The featured speaker was SAR President General Mike Tomme, who gave a concise overview of the battle and its significance.  Then approximately 90 wreaths were presented by the SAR, DAR, C.A.R., and other patriotic organizations.

     The first Board of Managers meeting for 2017 was held this morning at Pepper's Grill in Culpeper.  10 members and 2 prospective members attended.  The Board of Managers mapped out the chapter's plans for 2017 with input from attending members.  One noteworthy change was the decision to officially recognize Greene County as part of the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter area.  This means that the chapter now covers all of the area from which the 1775 Culpeper Minutemen were raised.  We will actively recruit and conduct events in Greene County.

   Also noteworthy was the participation by new member Charles Jameson as the Historian-nominee.  We will vote on Charles for Chapter Historian at the January 28th meeting, and, if elected, he will be installed as our Historian at the same meeting.
     As the schedule of events to be covered was considered, there were a few events needing a volunteer to step forward.  One is History Day on Saturday, March 4th, at Mount Vernon High School in Alexandria.  We need to furnish a judge to score student efforts in history presentations.  If you are interested, contact Bill Schwetke.  We are also looking for a volunteer to set up the May Chapter Meeting.  If you would like to do that, contact Jerry Hubbard. 
     The Board also decided that for our Independence Day Ceremony this year that we would like to hire an actor to portray George Washington.  Failing that, we would like to use Barry Stevens again in his role as Ben Franklin, which he does so well.
     For Warrenton Heritage Day in September, we decided not to participate, unless there is a parade.  The last couple years, without the parade, this event has drawn no crowd at all.
     President Elect Jerry Hubbard also directed that some method be found to get the Muster Call to those without email addresses.  If you are one of these, you are probably not reading this, but expect something in the mail.
     President Elect Hubbard also named his committee chairmen and members for several committees.  One significant need is for an Eagle Scout Committee Chairman.  If you are interested, contact Jerry Hubbard.
     2017 is shaping up to be another great year for the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter.  We also wish you all the best in the New Year.

Compatriots and Friends,
     I hope each and every one of you will make a special effort to attend our Annual Meeting on Saturday, January 28th, at the Inn at Kelly's Ford.  Our officers for 2017 will be installed, including as president, Jerry Hubbard.  Jerry previously served as our president in 2005, and has been a stalwart of our chapter for over 20 years.  Jerry brings a great deal of experience in the SAR and other prominent lineage societies.  He also will bring new ideas and emphasis for our chapter in 2017, for which he has my full support.  We are very fortunate to have his leadership in this new year.
     I call upon each of you to support our chapter in 2017 by identifying some task that has your interest and volunteer your time and effort to Jerry for that task.  Some of you have already done just that.  Simply volunteering to plan and execute a chapter meeting would be a great help.  There are also specific programs, such as the orations, essay, and eagle scout competitions, that need someone to lead our efforts.  Small contributions add up to make a very successful chapter.
     I would like to thank, and hold up as examples, some of the many compatriots who have been so helpful to me during my service as chapter president.  Some have been very visible, such as Lon Lacey, who has led our color guard and organized events such as our Independence Day Celebrations and the Gabriel Long Memorial among many other things.  Don Jennings for his truly great management of our ROTC recognition program, with an able assist from Jerry Hubbard. 
     The officers, who in many cases, have served for many, many years.  For example Len Cowherd, Jake Lay, Don Jennings, Jerry Hubbard, Paul Bess, and Francis Lay.  I also received able support from our newer members who have recently stepped forward to serve as officers.
     The strongest support I received may not have been so obvious to our membership.  There are those, who, by virtue of their experience and abilities, quietly guided and supported me.  These include Jim Bayne, Larry Alexander (and Beverly), Gar Schulin, Bob Bowen, and Gerry Culver.  And also, the one who clearly provided the most needed support to me, Lance Lyngar.  I also am grateful to the support and leadership I received from the Virginia Society Officers, most notably, Wayne Rouse.
     My strongest supporter, and the one who has worked hardest for our chapter, is my wife, Cat.  Those of you who have a strong, supportive spouse understand perfectly how important she has been to everything our chapter has accomplished.  I have been blessed with a wonderful helper, and have been happy to share this blessing with you.
     I will close with a heartfelt thank you to all compatriots and friends who have supported our chapter, and my prayer that God will bless each of you in the New Year.

Your Servant,
Bill Schwetke, President