Blog Archives - CULPEPER MINUTE MEN - MUSTER CALL

James Monroe's 260th Birthday at His Tomb

4/28/2018

28 Apr 2018 Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, VA

US Army Color Guard presents the colors at Monroe's Tomb

    Today 1st Vice President Peter Davenport led the Virginia SAR and eleven of its chapters in presenting wreaths and remarks at the celebration of the 260th anniversary of the birth of James Monroe, a Revolutionary War hero and our 5th president. Chapters represented included the Colonel Fielding Lewis, Colonel William Grayson, Culpeper Minutemen, Fort Harrison, General Daniel Morgan, George Mason, James Monroe, Richard Henry Lee, Richmond, Thomas Nelson, Jr., and Richmond Chapters.
     In the first portion of the ceremony, President Trump was represented by US Army Quartermaster General, B/G Rodney Fogg. After his departure, G. William Thomas, Jr., president of the James Monroe Memorial Foundation took over as the master of ceremonies. Senator Amanda Chase brought greetings from the Virginia General Assembly and the keynote speaker was Congressman Dave Brat, Virginia 7th District.
     The CMM were represented by Charles Jameson, who presented the chapter wreath and delivered remarks. Also attending were Mike Lyman and Bill Schwetke. Wives who attended were Michele Jameson and Cat Schwetke.

B/G Fogg representing President Trump.

Virginia Senator Amanda Chase

Congressman Dave Brat

CMM Vice President Charles Jameson presents our chapter wreath.

CMM Vice President Charles Jameson delivers remarks to the gathering.

CMM attendees, left to right: Mike Lyman, Vice President Charles Jameson, Bill Schwetke.

James Monroe's 260th Birthday Celebrated at his Birthplace.

4/21/2018

21 Apr 2018 Colonial Beach, VA

Construction of a replica is underway on the original location of James Monroe's Birthplace.

Twelve Chapters of the Virginia SAR and many other organizations gathered at James Monroe's Birthplace today to celebrate our 5th president's 260th birthday. The CMM delegation was led by Vice President Charles Jameson and included Michael Dennis, Mike Lyman, Bill Schwetke, and applicant member Thomas Madden. All CMM members, except our applicant, participated in the Color Guard.
The Virginia SAR delegation was led by President Pat Kelly, and included 1st VP Peter Davenport, 2nd VP Bill Schwetke, and Asst Registrar Dave Cook. Twelve Virginia SAR chapters participated, Including: Colonel William Grayson, Culpeper Minutemen, Fairfax Resolves, Fincastle Resolutions, General Daniel Morgan, George Mason, George Washington, James Monroe, Richard Henry Lee, Richmond, Thomas Jefferson, and Williamsburg.

The gathering for James Monroe's Birthday.

CMM VP Charles Jameson with the chapter wreath.

CMM VP Charles Jameson addresses the gathering.

CMM Participants, left to right: Bill Schwetke, Mike Lyman, VP Charles Jameson, Michael Dennis, and Thomas Madden.

John Ball Grave Marking

4/14/2018

14 Apr 2018 near Warrenton, VA

Today, April 14th, 2018, the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter placed an SAR Patriot Marker on the grave of John Ball, a soldier and patriot of the Revolution. This was the culmination of a six month long effort to research the patriot, locate the owners of the property, secure access through another property, cleanup the cemetery, install the marker and plan and execute the dedication ceremony. This was done with significant participation by Rick Jenkins, owner of the adjacent property, who has now submitted his SAR application. Ric maintains a park-like appearance on his property adjoining the woods where the cemetery is located, and not only granted us access across his property for the cleanup and ceremony he actively participated in every work party at the site. Also helping in this effort was the Fauquier Court House Chapter of the DAR, who were participants in all activities, and were heavily involved in the cleanup. Both Rick Jenkins and the Fauquier Court House Chapter, DAR, were presented Certificates of Appreciation as part of the ceremony.

Past President Jerry Hubbard was the Master of Ceremonies, President Tom Hamill presented the keynote address, Virginia SAR 2nd VP Bill Schwetke represented the Virginia SAR, and all members present participated in the program in one way or another as shown in the pictures below.

Captain John Ball
1742-1806

John Ball was born October 2, 1742, son of William Ball and Martha Brumfield. William Ball was a first cousin of Mary Ball Washington, thus John was a second cousin, of George Washington.

We know little of John Ball’s early life, but we know he married Sarah Ellen Payne on November 6, 1767

In 1769 John Ball hired on to work George Washington’s mill as a millwright.

Early in our struggle for independence, in February 1776, he was commissioned an ensign in the 6th Virginia Regiment.

It is believed that he served at some time on George Washington’s staff

The 6th Virginia fought at Trenton, Princeton, and Brandywine, where John Ball was wounded on September 11th, 1777.

He apparently returned to Fauquier County Virginia to recover. There he ran an iron works and contributed significant material to the Revolution.

While in Fauquier County he was appointed ensign of militia in March of 1779, and Captain of militia in October of 1779. In July of 1781 Captain Ball marched with the militia to join the forces responding to Cornwallis’ arrival in Virginia.

After the Revolution John Ball retired to Fauquier County where he died in 1806. He and Sarah had at least 8 children. Sarah died in 1826, and probably lies in one of the graves next to John Ball.

The Color Guard presents the colors, left to right: Michael Dennis, Charles Jameson, Tom Hamill, Bill Schwetke

Wreaths presented, left to right: CMM Chapter wreath, President Tom Hamill; Virginia SAR wreath, 2nd VP Bill Schwetke; Fauquier Court House Chapter DAR wreath, Regent Cat Schwetke

CMM President Tom Hamill delivers the Keynote Address

Virginia SAR 2nd VP Bill Schwetke presents greetings from the Virginia SAR

"Hymn for All Saints", sung by, left to right: Aaron Hamill, Tom Hamill, and Don Hollar.

CMM President Tom Hamill presents a Certificate of Appreciation to Ric Jenkins

CMM President Tom Hamill presents a Certificate of Appreciation to the Fauquier Court House Chapter, DAR, received by the chapter regent, Cat Schwetke

Left to right: Charles Jameson, Cat Schwetke, CMM President Tom Hamill, Michael Dennis, Aaron Hamill, Don Hollar, Ric Jenkins, Larry Alexander, Jerry Hubbard, Beverly Alexander, Bill Mutziger, Lea Hamill, Susan Hamill, Len Cowherd

Before and after pictures of the cemetery.

See the report on the cemetery cleanup below, and the October cleanup here.

Information for your Grave Marking Medal Reporting Form

Obtain a blank Grave Marking Medal Reporting Form here.

Preparing for the John Ball Grave Marking

4/13/2018

13 Apr 2018 Warrenton VA

CMM clean up crew, left to right: Applicant Member Ric Jenkins Larry Alexander, and Bill Schwetke.

FCHC DAR clean up crew, left to right: Laurie Bethea, Beverly Alexander, Cat Schwetke.

Today the Fauquier Court House Chapter, DAR, joined us in clearing the cemetery and a path through the woods for the ceremony tomorrow. Ric Jenkins, an applicant to our chapter, also mowed the pathway down to the turn into the woods. President Tom Hamill, assisted by Ric Jenkins, placed the Patriot Marker in concrete at the grave.

We are ready for tomorrow.

Hard at work.

The path cleared through the woods.

Tom Hamill digs a hole for the marker.

Ric Jenkins mixes the concrete.

Marker ready for unveiling.

242nd Anniversary of the Adoption of the Halifax Resolves

4/12/2018

12 Apr 2018 Halifax, NC

    2nd Vice President Bill Schwetke represented the Virginia SAR and led a delegation of four Virginia SAR chapters to celebrate the 242nd Anniversary of the Adoption of the Halifax Resolves in Halifax, NC. The chapters represented were the Culpeper Minutemen, Dan River, Fairfax Resolves, and George Washington. David Cook, Ralph Hall, and Bill Schwetke participated in the Color Guard. The National Society was represented by President General Larry Guzy, who was also the keynote speaker. This year's event was well attended with over one hundred participants and spectators, including over twenty 5th Grade students from the Halifax Academy.
     The festivities had commenced the evening before with a reception hosted by Sam Powell, past President of the SAR Foundation. This was followed by a buffet dinner at Ralph's BBQ in Roanoke Rapids.
     After the ceremony at the site of the Old Court House, buffet lunch was served at the Halifax Methodist Church.
     Both Virginia SAR 2nd VP Bill Schwetke and PG Larry Guzy are CMM members.

The Color Guard advances the colors.

Fife & Drum

PG Larry Guzy, CMM dual member, gives the keynote address.

Bill Schwetke presents greetings on behalf of the Virginia Society.

Color Guard fires a salute.

Past President Bill Schwetke renders honors during the wreath presentations.

Virginia Participants, left to right: Bill Schwetke (CMM past president), PG Larry Guzy (CMM deal member), Mike Geisinger, David Cook, Ralph Hall.

Vicars Grave Marking

4/7/2018

07 Apr 2018 Russell County, VA

Vicars Grave Marking4/7/2018
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07 Apr 2018     Russell County, VA
    On a cold day, with intermittent snow flurries, about 120 compatriots, DAR members, and guests from Virginia and Tennessee gathered to honor Robert Vicars, patriot of the revolution, by marking his grave in the Old Vicars Cemetery at Grassy Creek in Russell County. President Pat Kelly represented the Virginia SAR and had made this grave marking one of his presidential initiatives. The CMM were represented by past President Bill Schwetke, who presented the chapter wreath and marched in the Color Guard.
     There were a large number of Robert Vicars' descendants at the ceremony, including Virginia SAR First Lady Jennifer Kelly, and the Master of Ceremonies, Larry Underwood. As part of the ceremony, Virginia SAR President Pat Kelly inducted Robert Corey Vicars, a descendant of Robert Vicars, into the SAR and the Overmountain Men Chapter.

     After the ceremony a reception was held at the Old Russell County Courthouse, hosted by the Russell County Historical Society.

     All participants in the ceremony earned credit toward the SAR Patriot Grave Marking Medal

New River Chapter President Rev Terry Blevins unveils the marker. picture by Darrin Schmidt

The Color Guard fires a volley.

The musician who played a drum cadence, a tune on the fife, and taps on the bugle.

Robert Vicars' descendants at the ceremony, with the Color Guard as a backdrop.

Bill Schwetke with the CMM wreath.

SAR Day/Night at the Ball Park

4/6/2018

05 Apr 2018 Pfitzner Stadium, Woodbridge, VA

eft to right: Paul Chase, Barry Schwoerer, Joe Dooley, Dave Cook, Jeff Thomas, Paula Schwoerer, Jacob Schwoerer, Justin Thomas, Mike Taimi, Vern Eubanks, and Bill Schwetke.

10 members of the Virginia SAR Color Guard (including two C.A.R. members) and one DAR Flag bearer presented the colors for opening night for the Potomac Nations. They were joined by a sizable crowd of compatriots and friends in the stands to promote the SAR, DAR, and C.A.R. Past CMM President Bill Schwetke represented the CMM and commanded the Color Guard.

06 Apr 2018 Haley Toyota Field, Salem, VA

left to right: Pat Kelly (obscured, with musket) Bill Schwetke (US Flag), Charlie Coale (Virginia Flag), Phil Sheridan and Spurgeon Keith (with Fincastle Resolutions Banner).

On Friday evening the Fincastle Resolves Chapter hosted a Night at the Ball Park with a nice contingent of compatriots and wives, and the Virginia SAR Color Guard, who presented the colors for the National Anthem. Past CMM President Bill Schwetke represented the CMM and commanded the Color Guard.

April 2018 Birthdays & Service Anniversaries

4/1/2018

Thomas Jefferson

13 Apr 1743 - 4 Jul 1826

April Birthdays
Leonard Mallonée Cowherd II
Fred Wesley Goodenough
Philip Neal Johnson
Austin Trevor Martin
Nathan Richard Skipper III
Benjamin Crocker Works

April Service Anniversaries
William Robert Hurst - 13 yrs
Donald James Cope - 7 yrs
German Pierce Culver, Jr. - 6 yrs
Thomas Daniel Brooks - 3 yrs