CMM President Tom Hamill represented the chapter at the 257th Anniversary of the Leedstown Resolves, the first recorded act of resistance to British Rule.  (watch for pictures when we get them)

     With support from the DAR and VFW the CMM celebrated George Washington's 291st Birthday at the Charters of Freedom in Yowell Meadow Park.  President Tom Hamill was the Master of Ceremonies and Michael Dennis Commanded the Color Guard.  Other CMM members participating in the ceremony were Don Hollar, CMM Historian Charles Jameson, Chaplain John Kuvakas, Keith Price, and Bill Schwetke.  The program was the reading of portions of Washington's Farewell Address.

     The SAR was moved to the front of the annual Washington's Birthday Parade in Old Town Alexandria.  CMM member Bill Schwetke marched in the Color Guard and Chaplain Kuvakas marched with the main body of the SAR.  Several CMM Dual Members also marched in the parade, including Vann Cunningham who came all the way from Texas to participate.

     This afternoon, during the General Membership Meeting at the 2023 Virginia Annual Meeting, the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter was announced as the best large chapter in the Virginia SAR for the third consecutive year.  President Tom Hamill received the award from Virginia SAR President Bruce Meyer.

     Today, over 65 people gathered to honor "forgotten patriots" of the American Revolution.  Charles James of the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter organized the celebration which was hosted by the Museum of Culpeper History.  Notable attendees included Culpeper Mayor Frank Reaves, Culpeper County Board of Supervisors Chairman Gary Deal, Virginia SAR 1st and 3rd Vice Presidents, Ernie Coggins and Mike Weyler, representatives of six SAR Chapters,  Colonel James Wood II, Colonel William Grayson, Culpeper Minutemen, Fairfax Resolves, George Washington, and Sergeant Major John Champe; two DAR Chapters, Culpeper Minute Men and Fauquier Court House.  Very Special guests were descendants of Philip Slaughter, officer of the Culpeper Minutemen and the Continental Line, and his enslaved valet, Spencer Slaughter, both patriots of the American Revolution and remarkable men.

     There were two main addresses, the first by Culpeper Minutemen Chapter Honorary President Charles Jameson, descendant of Lt. David Jameson of the 1775 Culpeper Minutemen, on "Forgotten Patriots", and the second by Katherine Slaughter, descendant of Philip Slaughter on the service of both Philip and Spencer Slaughter and their descendants.

     President Tom Hamill presented greetings at the February meeting of the Fauquier Court House Chapter NSDAR.  He encouraged them to participate in the "Forgotten Patriots" Ceremony in Culpeper later that day.  They did attend and presented their chapter wreath.