Blog Archives - CULPEPER MINUTE MEN - MUSTER CALL

Memorial Day in Culpeper

5/29/2023

29 May 2023 Culpeper, VA

The Culpeper Memorial Day Ceremony was held indoors today because of rain. The host was VFW Post 2524, of which many CMM compatriots are members, and compatriot Keith Price organized and mc'd this year's ceremony. CMM President Tom Hamill presented the chapter wreath and other participants in the Color Guard were Mark Crain, Charles Jameson, and Bill Schwetke.

CMM participants, left to right: Bill Schwetke, President Tom Hamill, Mark Crain, and Charles Jameson.

DAR Historic Preservation Medal Award Ceremony

5/28/2023

28 May 2023 Lancaster, SC

Johannes Tromp accepts the medal and certificate from Anita Bonner.

Partners Johannes Tromp and John Craig have restored and maintained the colonial farm of John's ancestors at Craig Farm in Lancaster County, SC, which this year is celebrating its 250th Anniversary. Anita Bonner, Regent of Lane's Mill Chapter Virginia DAR, recognized the restoration and preservation of the farm of a patriot ancestor with the DAR Historic Preservation Medal. Bill Schwetke of the CMM attended the ceremony.

The mansion on 250 year-old Craig's Farm.

Patrick Henry's 287th Birthday

5/28/2023

28 May 2023 Brookneal, VA

The Virginia SAR celebrated Patrick Henry's 287th Birthday indoors, because of rain, at his last home and resting place, Red Hill. The CMM was represented by Bill Schwetke who presented the chapter wreath, marched in the Color Guard, and fired in the musket salute. This was a Virginia SAR Presidential initiative for 2023.

Bill Schwetke with the CMM Wreath.

243rd Anniversary of the Battle of Waxhaws

5/27/2023

26 May 2023 Buford, SC

In a light rain, on the 243rd Anniversary of the bloody defeat of the Virginia 3rd Detachment lead by Col Abraham Buford of Culpeper by British cavalry lead by Lt Col Banister Tarleton the SAR and others gathered on the battle field, next to the mass grave of Virginians, and paid tribute to their sacrifice. The Virginia SAR was lead by President Ernie Coggins (CMM dual member) who brought with him an urn filled with Soil of Virginia that we gathered and blessed at ceremony at Graves Mountain Lodge on 19 April. President Coggins spread the soil on the mass grave. In addition to President Coggins, the CMM was represented by Bill Schwetke, who marched in the honor guard and participated in the soil spreading ceremony.

Virginia DAR & SAR at Waxhaws, left to right: Bill Schwetke, Cat Schwetke Fauquier COurt House Chapter DAR), Judson Leviner (Col George Waller), Virginia SAR Coflor Guard Commander Chris Melhuish, Virginia SAR President Ernie Coggins, Historian General Brooks Lyles (dual), Regent Anita Bonner (Lanes' Mill Chapter DAR) Ken Bonner (President, Sgt Maj John Champe Chapter).

Certificate of Appreciation presented to Ken Bonner

5/26/2023

26 May 2023 Lancaster, SC

The CMM presented a Certificate of Appreciation for Ken Bonner's assistance in conducting the Color Guard Workshop at Graves Mountain as an instructor.

Bill Schwetke, left, presents the Certificate of Appreciation to Ken Bonner.

The Virginia SAR has lost a legendary compatriot, Wayne Rouse.

5/25/2023

R. Wayne Rouse 16 Jun 2005 - 25 May 2023

Robert Wayne Rouse's work for the Virginia SAR is legendary. So legendary that in 2016 the CMM voted to repurpose the Culpeper Minutemen Gold Medal to allow all 28 chapter presidents in the Virginia SAR to present this medal to Wayne for his unmatched support for chapter presidents. All 28 chapter presidents signed the certificate, which was framed with the medal. Wayne served for years as our state secretary and chairman of the state medals and awards committee. He was a true friend to the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter and a close personal friend to several chapter members.
Wayne passed away early this morning in Atlanta. He will be buried in Stafford, VA, with full Masonic and SAR honors on a date to be determined.

CMM President 2011-2013 Lance Lyngar presents the CMM Gold Medal to Wayne Rouse as his wife, Wink, as always, stands by his side.

The tentative date for Wayne's service is Monday, 26 June - watch for updates.

100th Anniversary of the Culpeper Minute Men Chapter DAR

5/21/2023

21 May 2023 Rixeyville, VA

Culpeper Minute Men Chapter DAR Regent Jojuan White cuts the 100th Anniversary Cake.

Sunday was a big day for the Culpeper Minute Man Chapter of the DAR, the chapter's 100th Anniversary. It was done in grand style at Liberty Hall. Liberty Hall was the childhood home of the founders of the Culpeper Minute Men Chapter. Liberty Hall was built in 1712 and during the Revolution was the home of Colonel John Green, who, as a captain, led the regular rifle company that was mustered alongside the Culpeper Minute Battalion. The current owner, Sara Coleman, is a descendant of the original owner.

Important guests included NSDAR First Vice President General Virginia Sebastian Storage and Virginia SAR Regent Laurie Nesbitt. The CMM were represented by Honorary President Charles Jameson, Andrew Gutowski and Bill Schwetke.

Liberty Hall in the background, in the foreground, left to right: Dan Coleman Culpeper Minute Men Chapter Regent Jojuan White, Sarah Coleman, Virginia DAR Regent Laurie Nesbitt, NSDAR First Vice President General Virginia Sebastian Storage.

The Liberty Hall Color Guard presents the colors.

May 2023 Chapter Meeting

5/16/2023

16 May 2023 Culpeper, VA

Our May 2023 Meeting was held at Mountian Run Winery. Eight members attend in person, one by Zoom, and two DAR members attended in person. The program was a talk by Jim Bish on Washington's Prayer at Valley Forge.

Mountain Run Winery owner David Foster let us use the meeting room, provided some wine to go with our dinner, and gave us a $500 check from the proceeds of Culpeperpaloza. That is remarkable support for the Culpeper Minutemen Chaper!

President Tom Hamill presents Charles Jameson with a Certificate of Appreciation for his program for the wives during the Graves Mountain Color Guard Workshop

Jim Bish talks about Washington's prayer at Valley Forge

Food catered by El Jaripeo Honduran Restaurant.

Raid at Martin's Station

5/13/2023

13 May 2023 Ewing, VA

This Saturday at Wilderness Road State Park in Ewing, VA, the SAR marked the struggle in our Revolution between Patriots and Native Americans in a national event hosted by the Martin's Station Chapter. The CMM were represented by Bill Schwetke, who presented the chapter wreath, and Doug Schwetke, who presented the Major K.M. Van Zandt Chapter wreath for his dual chapter in Texas. Both Doug and Bill participated in the Color Guard and Bill participated in the musket salute.
A compatriot from the Gen. William Campbell Chapter, Robert Richmond, approached Doug and Bill with a request to join the CMM to honor his patriot ancestors from Culpeper.

Left to right: Bill Schwetke, prospective dual member Robert Richmond, Virginia SAR President Ernie Coggins (dual CMM), and Doug Schwetke.

Left to tight: John Guillium, Bill Schwetke (CMM), John Hamilton, David Carr, Robert Richmond (new dual CMM), unknown.

CMM Awards Bronze JROTC Medal to Liberty High School Cadet

5/12/2023

12 May 2023 Bealton, VA

President Tom Hamill attended the Liberty High School JROTC Awards Ceremony and presented Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Whitney D. Sullivan with the SAR Bronze JROTC Medal. Cadet Sullivan will also receive a $200 scholarship from the CMM.