Blog Archives - CULPEPER MINUTE MEN - MUSTER CALL

Memorial Day at Culpeper National Cemetery

5/28/2018

Culpeper Minutemen Chapter Vice President Charles Jameson was the keynote speaker at Memorial Day Services at Culpeper National Cemetery. Also participating in the ceremony were members of three Virginia SAR Chapters: Colonel William Grayson, Culpeper Minutemen, and Fairfax Resolves. The Virginia SAR Color Guard, with five members, also participated.

Keynote Speaker, Vice President Charles Jameson.

Four of the five SAR Color Guardsmen, left to right: Michael Dennis, Mike Taimi, Paul Chase, and David Cook. Not pictured, is Charles Jameson, who was too busy being treated like a rock star.

National Memorial Day Parade

5/28/2018

28 May 2018 Washington, DC

Members of the Virginia SAR Color Guard. CMM past President Bill Schwetke, who commanded the Color Guard, is on the far left.

Virginia SAR President Pat Kelly led 22 compatriots in the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, DC this Memorial Day. There were participants from both the DC and Virginia Societies, including from six chapters: Culpeper Minutemen, Dan River, Fairfax Resolves, George Mason, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. SAR participation was hosted by the George Washington Chapter, which also provided medals for first time participants in this parade.

Clarke County Memorial Day Service

5/27/2018

27 May 2018 Berryville, VA

The Color Guard advances the colors with the aid of Piper Bryant Condrey

The Colonel James Wood, II Chapter organized and led SAR participation in the Clarke County Memorial Day Service in Berryville on Sunday. The Culpepr Minutemen Chapter augmented the SAR Color Guard with three members, Michale Dennis, Charles Jameson, and Bill Schwetke.

The keynote speaker, was General John J. Pershing, portrayed by Shuey. Special recognition was made of Marine Captain Lloyd Williams of Clarke County, who when ordered by a French officer to retreat, famously said "Retreat, Hell, we just got here", and led his men in a furious assault on the German positions. Captain Williams was wounded and later died of his wounds. When his remains were returned to Clarke County in 1921 he was eulogized by General Pershing.

The Color Guard, with the three CMM participants on the right.

Keynote Speaker, General John J. Pershing, portrayed by David Shuey.

David Shuey as General Pershing

238th Anniversary of the Battle of Waxhaws

5/26/2018

26 May 2018 Lancaster, SC

Monument and Mass Grave

     A crowd of over 50 people braved the light rain showers to honor the patriots of the 3rd Virginia Detachment, who died and were buried in a mass grave at the Battle of Waxhaws. The Virginia SAR delegation was led by President Pat Kelly and included five members from three chapters: Culpeper Minutemen, Dan River, and Thomas Jefferson. Three Virginia SAR compatriots marched in the Color Guard, Gary Hall Tom Hamill, and Bill Schwetke.
     President Kelly delivered remarks that placed this tragic battle in context, and then spread Virginia Soil on the mass grave of Virginians who died here in 1780.
     CMM President Tom Hamill presented the chapter wreath. Other CMM compatriots attending were Aaron Hamill and Bill Schwetke. Tom's wife Suzan, member of the DAR, and his daughter, Lea, member of the C.A.R., also attended.

CMM President Tom Hamill renders honors at the monument.

Virginia SAR President Pat Kelly spreads the Virginia Soil on the mass grave. Escorted by, on left CMM President Tom Hamill, and Dan River Chapter Vice President Gary Hall.

Virginia SAR participants, left to right: Bill Schwetke, Virginia SAR President Pat Kelly, CMM President Tom Hamill, Suzan Hamill, Aaron Hamill, Lea Hamill, and Gary Hall.

First "Founding Fathers Certificate" Awarded

5/22/2018

22 May 2018 Bealeton, VA

CMM President Tom Hamill presented the Founding Father's award to Ms. Deborah Blatchford - Civics teacher at Cedar Lee Middle School in Bealeton, VA. The Founding Father's award is a chapter level certificate of appreciation given to history and civics teachers who do an outstanding job in teaching about the founding of our nation.

May 2018 Chapter Meeting

5/19/2018

19 May 2018 VFW Post 2524, Culpeper, VA

President Tom Hamill responded to a necessary change in venue and moved the assembled meeting to VFW Post 2524, at the invitation of our newest member, and Commander of Post 2524, Keith Price. This worked well for the meeting attended by ten compatriots, one prospective member, and three wives, who were all members of the DAR.
Don Hollar led off a new feature that will become a part of our meeting program, "Minute with a Patriot" and gave a brief history of his patriot, Peter Heller

CMM President Tom Hamill opens the meeting.

Don Hollar presents the first "Minute for a Patriot".

Next President Hamill inducted our newest member, Keith Price. Compatriot Price's sponsor is Lon Lacey and his patriot ancestor iw Adam Cooper, who served as a private in the North Carolina Militia under Colonel Isaac Shelby.

President Tom Hamill, on right, inducts our newest member, Keith Price.

Tom Hamill pins the SAR rosette on Compatiot Keith Price

Compatriot Keith Price addresses the CMM.

The program for this meeting was a presentation by Charles Jameson on "Forgotten Patriots, African Americans and American Indians from the Revolutionary War".

JROTC Awards at Liberty High School

5/18/2018

18 May 2018 Bealton, VA

Gerry Culver represented the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter this evening in presenting the Bronze Color Guard Medal to Cadet Joshua Abate. Also in attendance was Compatriot Bill Schwetke, who took pictures.

Raid at Martin's Station 2018

5/12/2018

Recreation of Martin's Station at Wilderness Road State Park

Virginia SAR President Pat Kelly was the keynote speaker, and led the Virginia Society participation in the Raid at Martin's Station Ceremony. Participating were representatives from Virginia and Tennessee, including ten Virginia chapters: Colonel Fielding Lewis, Colonel George Waller, Colonel William Grayson, Culpeper Minutemen, Fincastle Resolutions, General William Campbell, Martin's Station, New River Valley, Overmountain Men, and Thomas Jefferson. NSSAR was represented by Chaplain General John Wakefield. William Cheak, Vice President of the Martin's Station Chapter, was the Master of Ceremonies, and Barney Penley, Secretary of the Overmountain Men Chapter, conducted the wreath presentations. The CMM were represented by Bill Schwetke who presented the chapter wreath and commanded the Color Guard.

Chaplain General John Wakefield.

Virginia SAR President Pat Kelly

The Color Guard

Militia re-enactors fire a musket volley.

Virginia SAR Participants, left to right: Bill Schwetke, John Hamilton, Dennis Fritts, Mike Weyler, Chaplain General John Wakefield, Virginia SAR President Pat Kelly, Bob Vogler, Jerry Phillips, Jim O’Kelley, Terry Blevins, Michael Shaver, Barney Penley, James Moore. Participating, but not in the picture: William Cheak, Larry Frazier

Sutlers at Martin's Station.

CMM past President Bill Schwetke with the chapter wreath at the Martin's Station Monument.

JROTC Awards at Culpeper County High School

5/10/2018

10 May 2018 Culpeper, VA

CMM President Tom Hamill presents the SAR JROTC Bronze Medal to Cadet Martinez

CMM President Tom Hamill presented a JROTC Bronze Medal to Cadet Jonathan Martinez at the Culpeper County High School JROTC Awards Ceremony this evening. Cadet Martinez is a Junior and also the commander of the JROTC Color Guard. Also in attendance was CMM Chaplain Len Cowherd, who was also representing the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.

2018 Multi-Chapter Meeting at Graves' Mountain Lodge

5/5/2018

5 May 2018 Graves' Mountain Lodge, Syria, VA

some pictures courtesy of Jennifer Kelly and Suzan Hamill

Today 36 compatriots from 7 chapters and 17 guests gathered at Graves' Mountain Lodge in the Blue Ridge Mountains to enjoy a beautiful spring day and SAR camaraderie. Virginia SAR President Pat Kelly was the guest of honor. The Culpeper Minutemen Chapter organized the gathering and members of the following chapters attended: Colonel James Wood II, Colonel William Grayson, Culpeper Minutemen, Fort Harrison, General Daniel Morgan, George Mason, and Thomas Jefferson. Dignitaries from other organizations who honored us included: the Secretary of the Virginia Society, Order of Founders and Patriots, Doug Graves; President of the Virginia C.A.R., Molly McCue; and Regent of the Culpeper Minute Men Chapter, NSDAR, Mary Ann Cowherd.

CMM attendees included: President Tom Hamill and his wife Suzan, Len Cowherd and his wife Mary Ann, Michael Dennis, Charles Jameson, Mike Lyman, Bill Mutziger, and Bill Schwetke. Prospective member Thomas Madden also attended. Michael Dennis, Tom Hamill, Charles Jameson and Bill Schwetke participated in the Color Guard.

Prior to the social time, a ceremony was conducted to gather and bless Virginia Soil to be spread on the mass grave of Virginians at Waxhaws, SC. Tom Hamill, President of the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter, conducted the ceremony; Dale Corey, President of the Colonel William Grayson Chapter collected the soil; and Father Henry Minich of the Thomas Jefferson Chapter blessed the soil. Virginia SAR President Pat Kelly took charge of the soil and will take it to the Commemoration of the Battle of Waxhaws on May 26th, where he will spread the Virginia Soil on the mass grave. At Waxhaws President Kelly will be escorted by Tom Hamill and Bill Schwetke, both of whom participated in today's ceremony.

The Ceremony to Gather and Dedicate the Soil of Virginia to be spread on the Mass Grave at Waxhaws on May 26th.

Dale Corey places Virginia Soil in the urn held by Tom Hamill

Tom Hamill presents the Virginia Soil to Virginia SAR President Pat Kelly, who will spread it at Waxhaws.

Father Henry Minich blesses the Virginia Soil.

LINK TO VIDEO OF FATHER MINICH'S BLESSING HERE

After the social time, the attendees gathered in the Main Dinning Room for the program. Mike Taimi, President of the Colonel William Grayson Chapter, was the Master of Ceremonies, aided by his chapter Secretary, Mike Weyler, who filled in while Mike Taimi participated in the Color Guard. Father Henry Minich began the meeting with a benediction, the colors were advanced, the pledges said, and the colors posted. The flags included the US. Flag, the Virginia Flag, The Virginia SAR Flag, and the flags of the six participating chapters, all carried by uniformed color guardsmen.
Next Mike Taimi introduced the distinguished guests, who in addition to Virginia President Pat Kelly, included 3 other Virginia SAR officers.

Our Master of Ceremonies, Colonel William Grayson Chapter President Mike Taimi.

Next, the presidents or their representatives of each of the 6 primary chapters, and President Pat Kelly, gave brief remarks. The chapter presidents spoke in the order of their chapters date of charter.

Dr. Phil Williams represents the Thomas Jefferson Chapter.

President Tom Hamill represents the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter.

Dr. Kirk Sheap represents the Fort Harrison Chapter.

President Edmund Davidson represents the General Daniel Morgan Chapter.

President Mike Taimi, our Master of Ceremonies, represents the Colonel William Grayson Chapter.

President Dale Corey represents the Colonel James Wood, II, Chapter.

During his remarks, CMM President Tom Hamill presented the Culpeper Minutemen Gold Medal to Bill Schwetke, for his service to the chapter.

Culpeper Minutemen President Tom Hamill, left, presents the Chapter Gold Medal to Bill Schwetke.

After the chapter remarks, President Pat Kelly brought greetings from the Virginia Society to the gathering.

President Molly McCue of the Virginia Children of the American Revolution, gave a presentation on her presidential initiative.

Virginia C.A.R. President Molly McCue.

Virginia C.A.R. President McCue presents her initiative and solicits our support.

After a great lunch, President Pat Kelly gave the keynote address, a revealing look at the Revolutionary War on the Western Frontier of Virginia.

President Kelly used some very helpful slides to describe the war on Virginia's Western Frontier.

Master of Ceremonies Mike Taimi presented a check to President Kelly from the six chapters attending today, made out to the 1st Virginia Regiment, in President Kelly's name, for his initiative to support the 116th Infantry Regiment Museum.

The Color Guard at Graves' Mountain, left to right: Paul Chase, Bill Schwetke, Virginia SAR President Pat Kelly, Mike Taimi, Charles Jameson, Ken Wallenborn, Michael Dennis, Dale Corey, Edmund Davidson, CMM President Tom Hamill.