Blog Archives

Orange County Charters of Freedom Planning

2/8/2022

8 Feb 2022 Orange, VA

Culpeper Charters of Freedom

This evening Charles Jameson and Bill Schwetke met with the Orange County Charters of Freedom Planning Committee in Orange to discuss their project. They plan to break ground on their construction in late March. If this goes as planned, the CMM will assist with the dedication ceremony; if there is a delay, the CMM will certainly become more involved in the planning. Watch for updates.

Proposed site for the Charters of Freedom in Orange, VA

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Grave Marking of Patriot Rev. Townshend Dade, Jr.

2/6/2022

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06 Feb 2022 Bealsville, MD

The Fairfax Resolves Chapter joined with the General William Smallwood Chapter of Maryland to mark the grave of the Rev. Townshend Dade, Jr., signer of the Fairfax Resolves, in Monocacy Cemetery in Bealsville, MD. The marking attracted a large crowd and a robust Color Guard, which included sixteen firelocks in the musket salute. President Tom Hamill presented the CMM wreath and Bill Schwetke marched with the Color Guard and fired in the musket salutes.

Presentation of the colors. CMM compatriot Bill Schwetke is carrying the US Flag.

Musket Salute, CMM compatriot Bill Schcwetke is third from the right.

CMM President Tom Hamill with the CMM wreath.

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CMM Registrar Bill Schwetke Brings Greetings to Fauquier Court House DAR Chapter Meeting

2/5/2022

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05 Feb 2022 Warrenton, VA

This morning CMM Registrar Bill Schwetke presented greetings to the Fauquier Court House Chapter DAR at their February Meeting. He updated them on plans for the joint Christmas Party, hosted this year by the CMM, and the Reunion Muster of descendants of the Culpeper Minutemen on the 250th anniversary of the original muster in 1775.

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Ceremony in Honor of William "Billy" Lee, General Washington's Valet

2/5/2022

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05 Feb 2022 Mount Vernon, VA

Today Honorary President Charles Jameson and Bill Schwetke represented the CMM at a ceremony to honor General Washington's valet, William "Billy" Lee. Honorary President Jameson presented the chapter wreath and both marched in the Color Guard.

William “Billy” Lee was born around 1752 in Westmoreland County,
Virginia and was purchased in 1768 by General Washington. He
accompanied General Washington as his valet, or “Val de Chambre” in
many of his engagements during the American Revolution, including
the Battle of Monmouth and at the surrender at Yorktown. He later
accompanied then President Washington to the first capital in New York
City. He married Margaret Thomas in the early 1780s. Upon
Washington’s death in 1799, he was freed and remained on the Mount
Vernon estate. He died here in 1828 and is buried in the Slave Burial
Ground.

Honorary President Charles Jameson presents honors.

Honorary President Charles Jameson with the CMM wreath.

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The Virginia SAR Honors General Washington's Personal Assistant, Billy Lee

2/5/2022

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5 Feb 2022 Mount Vernon, VA

In a ceremony lead by Virginia SAR President Jeff Thomas, and organized by the George Washington Chapter, about 50 SAR, DAR and C.A.R. members gathered at Mount Vernon to honor a remarkable man, who, though enslaved, rode at Washington's side throughout the Revolutionary War, Billy Lee. Enslaved at birth, he was the only such person specifically freed by George Washington's will. He is buried in the slave cemetery, just behind where the ceremony was held.

Honorary President Charles Jameson presented the chapter wreath, and both he and Bill Schwetke marched in the Color Guard.

Honorary President Charles Jameson renders honors during the presentation of wreaths

Honorary President Charles Jameson, with the chapter wreath.

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Support of US Army Chaplain Promotion

2/4/2022

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04 Feb 2022 Lorton, VA

L-R) Chip Daniel, David Cook, Mike Weyler, Leamon Duncan, Chaplain (COL) Mark Morgan, Tracey Morgan, Susan Costa, Rev. Dr. Tom Costa, Bill Schwetke, Dale Corey, Allan Phillips, Forrest Crain.

     On February 4, 2022, members of the Virginia Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) had the honor of participating in the promotion ceremony for Chaplain (Colonel) J. Mark Morgan. Chaplain (Colonel) Morgan is assigned on the Headquarters Department of the Army staff. The ceremony was held at the historic Pohick Church in Lorton, Virginia. Pohick was the first permanent church in the colony to be established north of the Occoquan River, sometime prior to 1724 and is where George Washington frequently attended services. The presiding officer over the ceremony was Chaplain (Major General) Thomas L. Solhjem, 25th Chief of Chaplains, United States Army.

     Members of the Virginia SAR came from across Virginia to support the ceremony. SAR support to the ceremony aligns with one of the National Society’s Patriotic Goals to support our Veterans who sacrifice so much in the service to our great Nation. SAR support for the event was organized and led by Leamon Duncan, Colonel William Grayson Chapter. Supporting elements included Mike Weyler, Colonel William Grayson; William (Bill) Schwetke, Culpeper Minutemen; Dale Corey, Allan Phillips, and Chip Daniels, Colonel James Wood II; and David Cook and Forrest Crain, Fairfax Resolves. In addition to SAR support, the Reverend Tom Costa and his wife Susan also supported the event. The Reverend Costa portrays the Reverend Lee Massey, Pohick Church’s first Rector

     The National Society Sons of the American Revolution is the largest male lineage organization in the United States and consists of 50 state-level societies with more than 500 local chapters, several international societies (including Canada, France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom), and over 38,000 members. SAR members have also answered their country’s call in every major American conflict from their founding in 1889 to the present day, including Operation Desert Storm, Bosnia, and the recent actions in Afghanistan and Iraq.

CMM Compatriot Bill Schwetke receives a challenge coin from US Army Chief of Chaplains MG Thomas L. Solhjem.

Written and submitted by: Leamon Duncan, Vice President, Col William Grayson Chapter

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Forward>>

Orange County Charters of Freedom Planning

8 Feb 2022 Orange, VA

Grave Marking of Patriot Rev. Townshend Dade, Jr.

06 Feb 2022 Bealsville, MD

CMM Registrar Bill Schwetke Brings Greetings to Fauquier Court House DAR Chapter Meeting

05 Feb 2022 Warrenton, VA

Ceremony in Honor of William "Billy" Lee, General Washington's Valet

05 Feb 2022 Mount Vernon, VA

The Virginia SAR Honors General Washington's Personal Assistant, Billy Lee

5 Feb 2022 Mount Vernon, VA

Support of US Army Chaplain Promotion

04 Feb 2022 Lorton, VA

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