On Saturday, 15 February 2020, CMM Past President Tom Hamill attended the dedication of a roadside marker commemorating the Skirmish at James Plantation.  The dedication ceremony was held at the Nimmo United Methodist Church in Virginia Beach, VA - and is located about 1/4 mile from where the actual battle took place.

On 15 Feb 1781, a group of about 520 local militia commanded by Capt. Amos Weeks was met by a force of Hessian cavalry and riflemen send by Gen. Benedict Arnold under the command of Capt. Johann Ewald.  Ewald surprised Weeks and inflicted 120 casualties on the patriot forces at James Plantation.  While this disrupted the patriot forces, they were able to regroup and continue the harassment of Gen. Arnolds forces in the Portsmouth Area.

Pictured are Christopher Pieczynski, History Professor from Tidewater Community College; Tom Hamill, Past President of the CMM; Aaron Hamill, Junior member of the CMM and also representing the Ashby's Gap Society, CAR; Lea Hamill, Fauquier Courthouse DAR; and Mark Reed, Virginia Beach Historic Preservation Planner.

     Today six CMM compatriots participated in the commemoration of the 254th Anniversary of the Leedstown Resolutions.  Mike Lyman conducted the wreath laying and Registrar Tom Hamill presented the chapter wreath.  Tom Hamill, Pat Kelly, Mike Lyman, Bill Schwetke, and Jeff Thomas also participated int he Color Guard.

     President Charles Jameson led a contingent of nine CMM members and three dual members to the Virginia SAR 2020 Annual Meeting.  Highlights of the meeting were the award of a Chapter Excellence Streamer to our chapter and the installation of CMM compatriot Bill Schwetke as the 100th Virginia SAR President.
     Four regualar members of the CMM participated in the Color Guard: CMM Color Guard Commander Michael Dennis, Secretary/Registrar Tom Hamill, President Charles Jameson, and Doug Schwetke.

     After the Banquet, a reception was held, prepared by several ladies, led by Beverly Alexander.

     CMM President Charles Jameson's "Forgotten Patriots" exhibit has been place in the Culpeper County Library for the public to see and recognize the too often neglected contributions to our independence by Native Americans and those who were brought here against their will and enslaved.  It took too long to grant them the rights declared for all by our founders; let's not wait any longer to express our gratitude for their contributions to the freedom we all enjoy.