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22 Mar 2016 Soldier's Rest, Racoon Ford, VA  Soldier's Rest, which was destroyed in the 19th Century. Today Past Virginia SAR President Jim Bayne and CMM President Bill Schwetke explored the cemetery that was once part of Soldier's Rest, the home of Captain Charles Bruce, a Revolutionary War veteran, and then his son-in-law, James Williams, a captain in the revolution and a major general in the War of 1812. Soldier's Rest is located on the south side of the Rapidan River, very near Racoon Ford, where Lafayette camped while jousting with British forces under Benedict Arnold in 1781. James Williams is likely the same James Williams who was a member of the Culpeper Minutemen.  Soldier's Rest Cemetery is the small copse of trees in the red circle a the end of the red arrow.
 Newer stone marking the graves of Charles Bruce and his son-in-law James Williams. The CMM intend to pursue the permission of the owners and help of the Boy Scouts to clear the cemetery and mark the patriots' graves.
22 Mar 2016 Virginia Mist Quarry, Rapidan, VA  Virginia Mist Quarry Today the Revolutionary War Walk Planning Committee visited Virginia Mist Quarry to see what was available for the granite monuments for the Culpeper Minutemen Memorial. Steven Rousseau of Virginia Mist, also a member of the committee, guided us on a tour of the quarry and of stones available for our project. Other attendees included Culpeper Director of Planning and Community Development Charles Rapp; Salem Bush; Town of Culpeper Marketing Specialist Megan Gray; Culpeper Director of Public Services Jim Hoy; and CMM President Bill Schwetke. Project Chairman Lon Lacey was unable to attend.  The Revolutionary War Walk Planning Committee surveying the quarry. 19 Mar 2016 Inn at Willow Grove, Orange, VA  The Inn at Willow Grove The Inn at Willow Grove is based in a 1778 plantation house, just two and a half miles north of Orange, VA, off of US15. Today 13 CMM compatriots, six wives, and two guests met there for our March Chapter Meeting. Despite some drizzle, the setting was beautiful in the foothills of the Blue Ridge with some of the dogwoods in bloom. After the invocation and pledges, Dr. John Ragosta addressed the meeting on "Winning the Contest for Religious Freedom and the American Revolution."
After his excellent presentation the CMM presented Dr. Ragosta with a small bust of Patrick Henry. After an exceptionally fine lunch the meeting proceeded with the induction of William Lindsay Schaff.  Lindsay Schaff, on right, is inducted by past President of the Virginia Society Jim Bayne, on left, assisted by 2nd Vice President Jim Lillard, standing in for Lindsay's sponsor, Jerry Hubbard. Lindsay is a native of Washington, DC. In his working life he worked on computer hardware until he retired 12 years ago. He also served 6 years in the Air Force Reserve. He married his high school sweet heart, Victoria Vaughn and has been a widower for 13 years. They have two sons. His patriot ancestor is his 5xgreat grandfather Henry Shoaf. Henry Shoaf was born in Germany, immigrated to the Colony of North Carolina, where in 1778 he took an oath of allegiance and served as an overseer in Rowan County. Lindsay also received the Military Service Medal in recognition of his six years of service in the 459th Air Refueling Wing, Air Force Reserve, Andrews AFB, MD.  CMM 2nd Vice President Jim Lillard, on left, presents the Military Service Medal to Lindsay Schaff. Next the CMM presented the Virginia Society Medal to Jake Lay.  2nd Vice President Jim Lillard, on left, presents the Virginia Society Medal to Jake Lay, as Jake's wife, Betsey, on right, applauds. The Citations read: Award of the Virginia Society Medal to Command Sergeant Major John C. Lay. Compatriot Lay has faithfully served the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter with regular attendance at meetings and events. He served honorably as the Chapter Chaplain for two years, from 2005-2006, and as Chapter Secretary for seven years, 2009-2015. Compatriot John C. Lay is a credit to the Virginia Society and the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter. Next, Larry Alexander was recognized for his approved supplemental for his ancestor, Samuel Pruitt, who provided supplies to the Pittsylvania County, VA, Militia.  2nd Vice President Jim Lillard, on left, presents the supplemental certificate to Larry Alexander, who was supported in this effort by his wife, Beverly, on right. As part of the President's Report, President Schwetke presented to our Color Guard Deputy Commander, Don Jennings, the 10 streamers and one star awarded to the CMM since the past meeting.  President Schwetke, on left, presents streamers to Color Guard Deputy Commander Don Jennings, on right. The streamers were presented for: Guilford Courthouse Ceremony Participation Crossing of the Dan Ceremony Participation – star Chapter Excellence Carroll Wright Award - % membership increase Flag Program Participation Fredericksburg Cemetery Marking Ft. Defiance Cemetery Marking Col Preston Groundbreaking Ceremony History Day Best Chapter Scrapbook - 2015 Best JROTC Cadet - 2015
3-16-2016 Montpelier  The crowd gathers at the Madison Family Cemetery at Montpelier. Today over 150 people, including 14 members of the Virginia Society, SAR, and 3 members of the CMM, gathered at the Montpelier Cemetery to pay tribute to James Madison on his 265th birthday. Colonel Allen Broughton, Chief of Staff, Marine Corps Base Quantico, represented the president in presenting a wreath and greetings. The keynote speaker was Teresa Sullivan, President of the University of Virginia who highlighted the need for education in perpetuating Mr. Madison's Constitution. The CMM were represented by President Bill Schwetke, 1st Vice President Jerry Hubbard, and past-President Mike Lyman. Cat Schwetke also attended.  CMM members, left to right: Bill Schwetke, Jerry Hubbard, and Mike Lyman. 13 March 2016 Blacksburg, VA Today a memorial service was held at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church in Blacksburg, VA, for Lydia Wright, the Virginia Society's First Lady 2015-2016 and the wife of the Virginia Society's Immediate Past President Reverdy Wright. Several SAR members attended the service: the Virginia Society was represented by 2nd Vice President Pat Kelly and his wife Jennifer, and the CMM were represented by President Bill Schwetke and his wife Cat.  SAR Color Guard at Guilford Courthouse A large contingent of SAR members participated in the Color Guard and presented wreaths at the 235th Anniversary of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse Ceremony this Saturday. The CMM were represented by President Bill Schwetke and former PG Lindsy Brock. Billie Brock, Lindsey's wife, also participated in the celebration.
10-13 Mar 2016 Marriott Hotel, Richmond, VA  This weekend the Virginia DAR held their state conference in the Marriott Hotel in Richmond. The CMM were represented by Larry Alexander and Bill Schwetke. Beverly Alexander is the District VI Director of the Virginia DAR and Cat Schwetke is the Regent-elect of the Fauquier Court House Chapter, NSDAR. Virginia SAR President Ed Truslow brought greetings from the Virginia Society, SAR, and was accompanied by his wife Laura. There were a total of six Virginia SAR compatriots at the Opening Night Banquet.  Virginia SAR attendees, left to right: Bill Schwetke, Larry Alexander, Virginia SAR President Ed Truslow, Jay Henn, Skip Nolan, Bob Swartwood (Virginia SAR - DAR Liason) 5 Mar 2016 Mount Vernon High School, VA  Virginia SAR judges present the Martha Washington Medal to Judging Organizer Denise McHugh. From left to right: Dwight Whitney, Dave Thomas, Hank Foresman, Vern Eubanks, Paul Chase, John Callaway, David Allard, Keith Roulou, Denise McHugh, Rich Sherman, Robert Covey (w/mask), CMM President Bill Schwetke, and Barry Schwoerer. National History Day's Virginia District 5 competitions were held at Mount Vernon High School in Mount Vernon, VA, today. Thirteen of the seventy judges were SAR compatriots representing five chapters: Colonel William Grayson (7), Culpeper Minutmen (1), Fairfax Resolves (1), George Mason (1), and George Washington (3). Keith Rouleau of the Col. William Grayson Chapter is the Virginia SAR leader for our participation in this event. The CMM were represented by President Bill Schwetke.
At the Judges Meeting in the morning the Virginia SAR presented the Judges Organizer, Denise McHugh, with the SAR Martha Washington Medal. Ms McHugh has been the judge organizer for this event for the past five years and always does an outstanding job. The medal was presented to recognize her efforts on History Day and her other significant contributions to the community. The CMM provided the medal for Ms McHugh. Virginia SAR judges participated in judging Junior Group Documentaries, Junior Group Exhibits, Junior Individual Websites, Junior Group Websites, Senior Historical Papers, Senior Individual Documentaries, Senior Individual Exhibits, Senior Group Exhibits, and Senior Individual Websites. Three of our compatriots also assisted in the runoff competitions. The Virginia SAR presented awards in two categories for competitors whose entries covered some aspect of the American Revolution. A Bronze Good Citizenship Medal was presented to Kelly Jones for her Junior Individual Website, "Sugar Cane & the Americas; and Bronze Good Citizenship Medals were presented to Kai Russell, Ronit Reddy, and Shreyas Mayya, for their Junior Group Website, "Diseases Given and Got".  With the promise of good weather to come, March has historically been the time when armies break camp and march out on campaign. (painting by William Trego and is in the Museum of the American Revolution) Compatriots and Friends,
This is a very busy time of the year: the last three weekends in February included four major events and every weekend in March we will be at a major event, with a few other events thrown in for good measure. The big news from Spring Leadership is that the Virginia Society will host the 2020 National Congress - the Board of Trustees approved Virginia for 2020. The site location and hotel will be selected by the National Congress Planning Committee in the Fall of this year. There will be a lot of opportunities to serve in the four year run up to that event. The two cities that are currently being considered are Norfolk and Richmond. In March I would like to call your attention to one particular event: James Madison’s Birthday. The ceremony will be at Montpelier on Wednesday, March 16th, at 1:30pm. This is not a color guard event, so coat and tie are appropriate. It is a very nice ceremony, in a beautiful location to honor our fourth president, father of our constitution, and colonel of the Orange County Militia. If you can, join us in honoring James Madison on his birthday. Also of note on March 19th we will be trying a new venue for our chapter meeting, The Inn at Willow Grove in Orange. One of our newer members, Tom Brooks, is responsible for making this happen and Willow Grove shows great promise. The speaker at this meeting will be Dr. John Ragosta, who many of you know from Little Fork Church. He will speak on “Hornets, Snakes, Baptists & Presbyterians: Winning the Contest for Religious Freedom in the Piedmont During and After the Revolution.” That should be a good talk. If the topic interests you, you can catch a longer version of it the previous Monday, March 14th, at Little Fork Church, when Dr. Ragosta will present this talk in much more depth to the Warrenton Antiquarian Society. For future meetings we are working on lining up a group of Hessian re-enactors to tell us about the Hessian soldiers that fought for the British and Bobbie LeViness of the Marshall House in Richmond, who talks on John Marshall’s experiences in the revolution. Watch the Muster Call for information. Spring is nearly here, and soon we will be going to Graves Mountain, April 23rd to be precise. We are all looking forward to better weather, flowers, green leaves, and also to springtime SAR activities. Your Servant, Bill Schwetke, president |
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