Blog Archives

Spring Leadership Meeting 2025

2/28/2025

28 Feb - 01 Mar 2025 Louisville, KY

Virginia SAR Members and Wives attending NSSAR Spring Leadership Meeting

The leadership of the SAR, including one CMM member and six dual members and three of our wives, attending a meeting at the Galt House in Louisville, KY this weekend. Bill Schwetke represented the CMM and participated in the Color Guard while his wife Cat attended Lady Auxiliary and DAR/SAR Liaison Meetings. Bill is the Alternate National Trustee for SAR France and a member of the Genealogy, DAR Liaison, Color Guard, Living History, and IT Committees and the Council of State Presidents. While there Bill also attend meetings of the SAR France Society and the Germany Society.

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George Washington's 293rd Birthday

2/22/2025

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22 Feb 2025 Culpeper, VA

Overlooking the graves of three officers that served under General George Washington the CMM marked Washington's 293rd Birthday with reading from his Farewell Address. The event was organized by Tom Hamill, Vice President Mark Crain was the Master of Ceremonies. Bill Schwetke commanded the Color Guard including the musket firing and Charles Jameson participated in the Color Guard and rang the bell.

The Colors are presented.

Charles Jameson rang the bell 13 times, once for each of the new states.

The Color Guard, left to right, front row, Sean Carrigan, Vice President Mark Crain, Treasurer Charles Jameson; back row, Bill Schwetke, new dual member Jim Cordes, Dale Corey (dual), Alan Pilips, Chip Daniel,

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259th Anniversary of the Leedstown Resolves

2/22/2025

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22 Feb 2025 Oak Grove, VA

The 259th Anniversary of the Leedstown Resolutions was mark today in a ceremony at Ingleside Winery in Oak Grave, VA. The event was organized by the Northern Neck of Virginia Historical Society and the James Monroe Chapter SAR. Bill Schwetke presented the chapter wreath and commanded the Color Guard.

CMM members with their DAR wives, left to right: Bill Schwetke, Cat Schwetke, Jennifer Kelly, Pat Kelly (dual member).

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DAR Tomb side Ceremony Honoring Charles Lee

2/15/2025

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15 Feb 2025 Warrenton, VA

Charles Lee, Naval Officer of the Southern Potomac District during the Revolution and Third Attorney General of the United States.

The Grave of Charles Lee in Warrenton Cemetery

Charles Lee was the Naval Officer of the Southern Potomac District during the Revolution and later the 3rd attorney General of the United States under George Washington and John Adams.

This ceremony was made possible by Cat Schwetke who discovered in the archives at the Library of Virginia clear evidence of Charles Lee's service. Previously the only evidence of his service was a remark by George Washington that Charles Lee had been in the Navy during the Revolution.

CMM at the ceremony, left to right: Cat Schwetke (DAR), Bill Schwetke, David Gerrish (Prospective Member - Application at Louisville), Virginia Gerrish (DAR).

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Sweethearts & Patriots Gala

2/15/2025

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15 Feb 2025 Georgetown, DC

The Colors are presented by the US Marine Corps Color Guard.

The Annual DC DAR/SAR Sweethearts and Patriots Gala was hosted by Ambassador Laurent Bili in the Embassy of France this evening. This is a fund raiser for non-profits serving military families. Bill and Cat Schwetke represented the CMM and were joined by CMM dual member Historian General Jeff Thomas and his wife Liz.

Left to right: Historian General Jeff Thomas, Liz Thomas, Cat Schwetke, Bill Schwetke.

General Lafayette (as portrayed) addresses the gathering as Ambassador Bili looks on.

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Virginia SAR Annual Meeting

2/7/2025

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07 -08 Feb 2025 Glen Allen, VA

The 2025 Virginia SAR Annual Meeting was held at Virginia Crossings in Glen Allen, VA. The CMM were represented by Vice President Mark Crain, Tom Hamill and Bill Schwetke. CMM dual member Michael Weyler was installed at this meeting as the 105th President of the Virginia SAR.

Vice President Mark Crain reports to the Virginia SAR membership on behalf of CMM President Jim Bish.

Tom Hamill pitches the National Brochure contest for Youth.

The Colors are advanced, Bill Schwetke carrying the US Flag.

All living past presidents of the Virginia SAR received the SAR 250 Gold Medal from President General Darryl Addington., Front Row, left to right: Pat Kelly (2018-2019 & CMM dual member), Mike Elston (2017-2018), Jeff Thomas (2021-2022, & CMM dual member), PG Addington, Joe Dooley (2007-2008), Bruce Meyer (2022-2023), back row: Secretary Tim Dioquino, DAR Daughter Holly Lynn Schmidt, Ernie Coggins (2023-2024, & CMM dual member), President Bill Greaf (2024-2025), Dale Corey (CMM dual member), Pete Davenport (2019-2020), Bill Schwetke (2020-2021).

Newly installed President Michael Weyler (dual member of CMM) presents his agenda for the coming year.

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Culpeper F0rgotten Patriots Ceremony

2/2/2025

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02 Feb 2025 Culpeper

Today, at the State Theater in Culpeper, a crowd of at least 67 DAR, SAR, the Culpeper African American Heritage Association and local citizens gathered to honor the Forgotten Patriots of Culpeper. The names of 20 Black Patriots were read by eight readers. Noteworthy was Leroy Hackley, a descendant of Spencer Slaughter who traveled from Michigan to participate. He was joined by eight other Spencer Slaughter descendants. Other VIPs were Virginia SAR President Bill Greaf and former NSSAR President General (2013-14) Joe Dooley.

The Following CMM members participated in the ceremony:
          Mark Crain - Master of Ceremonies in period dress
          Charles Jameson - Keynote Speaker & Color Guard
          Tom Hamill - Invocation, Reader & Color Guard
          Patrick Edrington - Pledge of Allegiance
         Michael Dennis - Bell Ringer & Color Guard
         Bill Schwetke - Benediction & Color Guard

     Andrew Gutowski, Len Cowherd and Jackson Fray also attended.

     Significant support was provided by the Col James Wood II Chapter, particularly in the Color Guard. In all seven Virginia SAR Chapters participated in the Color Guard: Col Fielding Lewis, Col James Wood II, Culpeper Minutemen, Fairfax Resolves, George Washington, Sgt Maj John Champe and Williamsburg. Four DAR Chapters participated.

The Color Guard surrounds Virginia SAR President Bill Greaf. front row, left to right, Tom Hamill, Barry Schwoerer, Sean Carringan, Dale Corey, Chip Daniel, Eric Robinson. Back row, left to right: Bill Schwetke, Michael Dennis, Former PG Joe Dooley, Bill Tugman, Virginia SAR President Bill Greaf, Mark Crain, Allan Phillips, Jim COrdes, Paul Christenson, Eric Robinson.

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Dedication of Black Patriots of the Northern Neck Memorial

2/1/2025

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01 Feb 2025 Warsaw, VA

Today The Virginia SAR and the James Monroe Chapter dedicated an impressive monument to Black Patriots in the Northern Neck at Warsaw, VA. Our own Charles Jameson became the keynote speaker when Lt. Gov Winsome Sears had to drop out with just a couple days notice. In addition to Charles CMM members Tome Hamill and Bill Schwetke also participated, everyone getting Color Guard credit and Bill fired in the musket volleys.

Charles Jameson delivers the keynote address

The monument in unveiled

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28 Feb - 01 Mar 2025 Louisville, KY

22 Feb 2025 Culpeper, VA

22 Feb 2025 Oak Grove, VA

15 Feb 2025 Warrenton, VA

15 Feb 2025 Georgetown, DC

07 -08 Feb 2025 Glen Allen, VA

02 Feb 2025 Culpeper

01 Feb 2025 Warsaw, VA

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