Blog Archives - CULPEPER MINUTE MEN - MUSTER CALL

CMM Marks Vietnam Veterans Day with a Ceremony in Culpeper

3/29/2021

29 Mar 2021 Culpeper, VA

Our Chapter Wreath at the Culpeper Vietnam War Memorial.

The combined Color Guard presents the colors.

     The Culpeper Minutemen joined with the Culpeper Minute Men Chapter DAR and VFW Post 2524 to mark Culpeper's participation in the Vietnam War and to honor Vietnam and Vietnam Era Veterans. Joining our chapter were the Governor of the Virginia Society of Founders and Patriots, and members of the Col James Wood II Chapter, and the Col William Grayson Chapter.

     President Charles Jameson was the Master of Ceremonies and the keynote speakers were President Jameson, Bill Schwetke, Dale Corey of the Colonel James Wood II Chapter, and Mike Weyler of the Colonel William Grayson Chapter.

     The Color Guard was a combined SAR/VFW Color Guard, with CMM Color Guard Commander, Michael Dennis in command. The SAR participants included seven compatriots: Michael Dennis, Charles Jameson, and Bill Schwetke of the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter; Dale Corey, Sean Corrigan, Chip Daniels, and Dennis Parmerter of the Colonel James Wood II Chapter (all dual members of the CMM).

Bill Schwetke presents the CMM wreath.

The crowd at the ceremony - total in attendance was 35.

SAR Participants left to right: Sean Corrigan, Keith Price, CMM President Charles Jameson, Chip Daniels, Dennis Parmerter, Michael Dennis (hidden), Dale Corey, Bill Schwetke, and Mike Weyler.

Covered in the Culpeper Times

and in the Culpeper Star-Exponent

Vietnam Veterans Day at Middletown

3/28/2021

28 Mar 2021 Middletown, VA

The Color Guard. President Charles Jameson is standing, third from the right, and Bill Schwetke is kneeling on the left.

President Charles Jameson presented the chapter wreath at a ceremony in Middletown marking Vietnam Veterans Day. Also participating was Bill Schwetke; both Bill and Charles participated in the Color Guard and were keynote speakers for the event.

CMM President Charles Jameson gives his remarks as one of the three keynote speakers.

Bill Schwetke gives his remarks as one of the three keynote speakers.

New SAR Logo

3/26/2021

The National Society Son of the American Revolution has a new logo and the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter has received permission to use this for the following:

business cards
letterheads
banners
exhibit boards
and PowerPoint (or similar) presentations.

The new logo is available in color or black and white and in the following formats: jpg, png, psd, and svg. Contact Bill Schwetke for the download file if you need the logo for any of the approved purposes.

246th Anniversary of Patric Henry's "Give Me Liberty" Speech

3/20/2021

20 Mar 2021 Richmond, VA via Zoom

246 years ago on March 23rd Patrick Henry rose at the 2nd Virginia Convention in St John's Church, Richmond, to advocate for the formation of military forces to respond to the Convention and the Committee of Safety. That speech included the immortal phrase: "Give me liberty, or give me death". Today the Virginia Society gathered on Zoom to commemorate that stirring speech. President Charles Jameson presented the CMM wreath during the ceremony and both he and Bill Schwetke participated in the Color Guard. Bill also participated in the filming of the posting of the colors at St. John's Church that was used in the ceremony.

The highlight of the program was a re-enactor's portrayal of Patrick Henry that explained the context of the speech. A notable line from that speech was "“The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms!" In less than a month the battles of Lexington and Concord would bring just that.

CMM President Charles James presents the chapter wreath.

CMM HELPS JUDGE VIRGINIA HISTORY DAY COMPETITION - Online

3/19/2021

14-19 Mar 2021 Online

This year Virginia District 4 conducted all of its National History Day competitions online and the CMM answered the call for judges. President Charles Jameson and Bill Schwetke were our judges. This is a great opportunity , if you missed out this year, remember to sign up next year!

CMM Member attends Annual Meeting of the French Society

3/17/2021

17 Mar 2021 on Zoom

The 2021 General Assembly of the French Society was held on Zoom today, thus allowing CMM compatriot Bill Schwetke, a dual member of the French Society, to attend. The meeting reviewed accomplishments for 2020, plans for 2021, and elected new officers. The program featured a video of French participation in the American Revolution. The French Society is very active and participates in every Congress and Leadership meeting in the United States. Dual membership in the French Society is open to any member of the SAR.

James Madison's 270th Birthday

3/16/2021

16 Mar 2021 on Zoom

This evening the Virginia SAR conducted a ceremony to celebrate James Madison's 270th Birthday. President Charles Jameson presented the chapter wreath and was joined by three other CMM Members: Tom Hamill (joining in from Sydney, Australia), Doug Schwetke & Bill Schwetke. All but Tom Hamill participated in the Color Guard for the ceremony

President Charles Jameson presents the CMM wreath.

241st Anniversary of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse

3/13/2021

13 Mar 2021 on Zoom

The Battle of Guilford Courthouse was memorialized in a Zoom ceremony today. President Charles Jameseson led the CMM participants and presented the chapter wreath. Also participating were Doug Schwetke and Bill Schwetke. All CMM attendees participated in the Color Guard.
Guilford Courthouse was made possible by General Greene's successful crossing of the Dan, which we celebrated a month ago. The Virginia Militia that rallied to General Greene after that crossing played a prominent role in the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. As an example, Bedford County provided four companies of riflemen who fought on the right flank of each of the three American lines, being hotly engaged for the entire battle. Of the four captains of the Bedford companies only one survived, and he was wounded. He would also later claim that his best friend was "shot away at my elbow" at Guilford Courthouse. Bill & Doug Schwetke are thankful that Captain David Beard recovered from his wounds, as he is their 4xgreat grandfather. Many compatriots from Virginia lineages have patriot ancestors that fought at Guilford Courthouse. General Edward Stevens of Culpeper commanded the Virginia Militia during the battle.

CMM President Charles Jameson presents the CMM wreath at the online ceremony for the 241st Anniversary of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse

NSSAR Special Congress

3/13/2021

13 Mar 2021 Chantilly, VA

Delegates vote to amend the NSSAR Constitution and By Laws

At a brief Special Congress of the NSSAR held at the Westfields Marriott in Chantill, VA, the delegates voted to amend the Constitution and By Laws to allow online meetings for occasions such as the pandemic restrictions. CMM Historian Bill Schwetke was a delegate to the Congress and participated in the Color Guard.

Culpeper Star Exponent Covers Award to Keith Price

3/3/2021

Culpeper Star-Exponent March 3, 2021, p. 4