The Virginia SAR, in celebration of the contribution of People of Color to our struggle for independence, jointly with the congregation of Elam Baptist Church  in Ruthville, conducted a Black History Service at the church cemetery.  In 2008, under the leadership of then Virginia SAR President Joe Dooley, placed a monument to 26 Patriots of Color from the community at this same location.  The 26 names do not represent all people of color who support our independence, but comprise those known in 2008 and all were free Black Men.  Paul Walden was the Master of Ceremonies and Virginia SAR President Jeff Thomas gave greetings.  Rev. Helen Washington-Randall, Pastor of Elam Baptist Church, served as Chaplain for the service.  Judith Ledbetter, Director of the Charles City County Richard M. Bowman Center for Local History, spoke on the history of these 26 Patriots and a descendant of one of the patriots spoke of his ancestor.  The Culpeper Minutemen Chapter was represented by President Charles Jameson and Bill Schwetke who both participated in the Color Guard.
     During the Service a member of the congregation pointed out an eagle soaring low over those gathered.

     Today marked the 245th Anniversary of the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge near Currie, NC.  The ceremony was conducted via Zoom.  President Charles Jameson presented the chapter wreath and he, Doug Schwetke, and Bill Schwetke participated in the Color Guard.

     On George Washington's 289th Birthday the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter hosted a celebration ceremony at Lenn Park in Stevensburg.  President Charles Jameson was the Master of Ceremonies and Michael Dennis commanded the Color Guard.  Six SAR Chapters, two DAR Chapters, and one C.A.R. Society participated and presented wreaths.  Ten members of the chapter participated in the ceremony: President Charles Jameson, Secretary/Registrar Tom Hamill, Color Guard Commander Michael Dennis, Chaplain Len Cowherd, Treasurer Rich LePage,  Aaron Hamill, Jerry Hubbard, Keith Price, Bill Schwetke, and Alex Starbek.  Michael Dennis, Tom Hamill, Charles Jameson, and Bill Schwetke participated as uniformed color guardsmen.

     The program included readings from Washington's Farewell Address by six different readers and a Tribute to Washington by Secretary Tom Hamill.

     Also, during the ceremony, Past Virginia SAR President Bill Schwetke presented the Virginia Society State Service Medal to Keith Price.  This was for his magnificent work on the Culpeper Minute Battalion Memorial and Charters of Freedom Display.  The whole community came together to make this happen, but it was Keith Price who made sure that the effort staid on the tracks and was completed.

     John H. "Jack" Chance, 83, Columbia, MO passed away Friday, February 12, 2021 at the Boone Hospital Center in Columbia, MO. He was born November 30, 1937 the son of the late F. Gano and Anna Lee (Toalson) Chance. On January 30, 1976 he was united in marriage to Linda (Barto) Chance.
     In addition to his wife Linda of 45 years, he will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by three sons Brad Grannis and his wife Lisa of Phoenix, AZ, Tony Chance and his wife Colleen of St. Albans, MO and Garry Chance of Columbia, MO; one daughter Shannon Grannis and Mark Hatcher of Capitola, CA; seven grandchildren Nick Grannis, Liz Grannis, Anthony Chance, Jackson Chance, Ella Chance, Alexa Westlake and Sher Westlake; several nieces and nephews; other relatives and many dear friends. In addition to his parents, one brother Phil Chance preceded him in death.
Jack graduated from Centralia High School and served his country in the United States Navy. He owned and operated A.B. Chance Co. with his family in Centralia, MO for many years. Later he was instrumental with the Chance Foundation which helped to support the Centralia Battlefield site. Jack was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, Sons of the Confederate Veterans, Kiwanis, Centralia Jaycees and Students of Free Enterprise. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Southwest Baptist College in Bolivar, MO. He was instrumental in constructing and promoting the Centralia Battlefield site and he loved golf and most of all spending time with his family and grandchildren.
     Funeral services will be 2:00 pm Saturday. February 20, 2021 at the Oliver Funeral Home in Centralia, MO. Interment will be in the Chance Mausoleum in the Centralia City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:00 pm until service time on Saturday, February 20, 2021 at the Oliver Funeral Home in Centralia, MO. Memorial contributions may be made to the Centralia Battlefield, c/o Oliver Funeral Home, P.O. Box 125, Centralia, MO 65240. Condolences may also be made to the family at www.oliverfuneralhome.net

     Today the Georgia SAR celebrated the 242nd Anniversary of the Battle of Kettle Creek with an online ceremony.  The CMM were represented by President Charles Jameson, who presented the chapter wreath, and Bill Schwetke.  Both CMM members participated in the Color Guard.

     The 2021 Annual Meeting of the Virginia SAR was held with a small anchor party, consisting of primarily the Executive Committee, at the Omni Hotel in Richmond with all others participating by Zoom.  For the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter the highlight of the meeting was that announcement that our chapter was the Best Large Chapter for the Year 2020.  The last time the chapter won this recognition was in 2004 under the leadership of President Jim Bayne.
     Congratulations to President Charles Jameson, our other officers, compatriots and supporting family members for an outstanding accomplishment in a difficult year.

     The 131st Annual Meeting of the Virginia SAR was conducted with an anchor group, primarily the Executive Committee, at the Omni Hotel in Richmond with others attending via Zoom.  Virginia SAR President Bill Schwetke, a member of the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter, designed the meeting to have the look and feal of a physical meeting in as much as possible.  A Technical Crew of three, Thayer Meyer, Marc Robinson, and  David Carpenter made this happen with a complex setup of three cameras and four microphones onsite to pickup the onsite activity and one very large screen with projector to provide the onsite participants a view of the online participants. 
     For the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter the biggest highlight was its recognition as the Virginia SAR Best Large Chapter for 2020.  Additionally several chapter members received recognition for their activities this past year:

PATRIOT MEDAL
Bill Schwetke

SILVER ROGER SHERMAN MEDAL
Mike Lyman (1st OLC)

VIRGINIA SOCIETY STATE SERVICE MEDAL
Keith Price

DAUGHTERS OF LIBERTY MEDAL
Cat Schwetke (1st OLC)

GRAVE MARKING MEDAL
Tom Hamill

CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION
Tom Hamill
Mike Lyman (x2)

    At the end of the meeting the new officers of the Virginia SAR for 2021-2022 were installed via Zoom by National Society President General Jack Manning.  Jeff Thomas of the Fairfax Resolves Chapter was installed as our Virginia SAR President as CMM compatriot Bill Schwetke stepped aside.  The complete slate of officers included:

PRESIDENT
Jeff Thomas - Fairfax Resolves

1st VICE PRESIDENT
Bruce Meyer - Thomas Nelson, Jr.

2nd VICE PRESIDENT
Ernie Coggins - George Washington

3rd VICE PRESIDENT
Dr. Bill Greaf - Williamsburg

SECRETARY
Wayne Rouse - Colonel Fielding Lewis

TREASURER
Rick Elofson - Thomas Nelson, Jr.

CHANCELLOR
Eric Monday - Colonel George Waller

HISTORIAN
Tom Roth - George Washington

SURGEON
Dr. Kirk Sheap - Fort Harrison

CHAPLAIN
Rev. Dr. Gene Thomas - George Mason