18 Apr 2026 Syria, VA
Gathering the Soil of Virginia. Ken Bonner (FFR) commanding the Color Guard, with sword, Bill Tugman (CFL0 with US Flag, Barry Schwoerer (SMJC) with Virginia Flag, Paul Parish (GDM) with Virginia Det 3 Flag, Pat Kelly (TJ) with musket, Eddie Daniel (CMM) digging up the soil, Mark Crain (CMM) holding the urn, Virginia SAR President Darrin Schmidt (FFR) in mufti, Virginia SAR Chaplain John Kuvakas (CMM) in 18c clerical garb). picture by Kelly Kuvakas.
In a brief, but solemn, Ceremony soil of Virginia was collected in an urn which was then entrusted to the Virginia SAR President Darrin Schmidt, then the soil was blessed by Virginia SAR Chaplain John Kuvakas, and then President Schmidt pledged to take the soil to the Waxhaws, SC Battlefield and spread it on the mass grave of Virginian's who died there in 1780. At the Waxhaws Battlefield President Schmidt will be escorted by Chaplain Kuvakas and a Virginia Color Guard consisting of Ken Bonner and Bill Schwetke among others.
 CMM President Mark Crain presents the collected Soil of Virginia to President Darrin Schm idt. |  CMM President Mark Crain salutes the Soil. |  Virginia SAR Chaplain John Kuvakas blesses the Soil. |
 Virginia SAR President Darrin Schmidt pledges to spread the Soil on the Mass Grave of Virginia Soldier of the Revolution at the Waxhaws Battlefield. |
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