Two regular members and six dual members of the CMM with four wives were among the 540 compatriots and wives who attended the National Society's 125th Annual Congress in Louisville, Kentucky this past week.  A lot was accomplished and we saw CMM member Lindsey Brock pass the torch of President General.  The main events started on Saturday with a tour of General George Rogers Clark's home in Indiana, a visit to his sister's home, Locust Grove, KY, where he died, and a memorial service at the grave yard at Locust Grove.

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     Saturday evening the Kentucky SAR hosted a reception at SAR Headquarters.

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     The highlight of Sunday was the memorial service, which began with the Color Guard marching from the Galt Hotel to the Cathedral of the Assumption, followed by the Memorial Service at the Cathedral.

     The General Session of the 125th Congress began with the Color Guard posting the colors with CMM past President Lance Lyngar and CMM President Bill Schwetke participating in the Color Guard.  Then the first speaker to address the General Session was Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a member of the SAR.

     The General Session was recessed for lunch so that all could attend the Youth Awards Presentation Lunch.

     In the evening the Congress convened again for Recognition Night.  The highlight of the evening for the CMM was the presentation of the National Society Medal of Distinguished Service to Doug Collins.  Doug is a dual member of the CMM and for the past year has been both the Kentucky SAR President and the International District Vice President General.

     Tuesday began for the CMM delegates to the Congress with the North & Middle Atlantic States Districts Breakfast.  At the breakfast we heard from the various candidates for national office in preparation for the election Tuesday afternoon.
     The General Session was highlighted in a lively debate over increasing national dues by five dollars, effective 01 January 2016.  After a heated debate the measure narrowly passed.
     In the afternoon the delegates voted for candidates in contested races.  The most notable outcome in a contested race for the Virginia Society was the election of Virginia SAR 2nd Vice President Mike Elston to the SAR Foundation Board.

     The results of the elections for SAR general officers were:
President General _________________ Thomas E. Lawrence, TX
Secretary General__________________J. Michael Tomme, Sr., GA
Treasurer General__________________Larry T. Guzy, GA
Chancellor General_________________Davis L. Wright, DE
Genealogist General________________John D. Sinks, PhD, DC
Registrar General___________________Russel F. DeVenney, Jr., MO
Historian General___________________John T. "Jack" Manning, NH
Librarian General___________________C. Bruce Pickette, AL
Surgeon General____________________Larry M. Leslie, MD, KY
Chaplain General____________________Rev. Dr. James C. Taylor, TX

     Tuesday evening was the President General's Banquet.  Immediately before the banquet the Virginia SAR delegates and wives gathered for a picture, followed by the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter delegates and wives (picture is above at the beginning of this post).

     Wednesday began with a brief final session, which concluded the business of the Congress.  In the afternoon Lance Lyngar and Bill Schwetke attended training on the new online system for SAR applications.  The online application is running in beta form and can be used, but the application must still be printed on watermarked acid free paper for submission, at least for now.  Expect an opportunity to see this in action at the BOM Meeting in August.
     Wednesday evening was the Installation Banquet for the new general officers and vice presidents general.  President General Thomas Eugene Lawrence of Texas delivered his inaugural speech and announced a renewed emphasis on education.  We look forward to supporting him in this effort.

     Today was the culmination of many months of hard work as the CMM dedicated the memorial to Major Gabriel Long in Yowell Meadow Park in Culpeper, near where the Culpeper Minute Men first mustered in 1775.  A crowd of a little over fifty watched as the memorial was dedicated.  The keynote speaker was Virginia SAR President Reverdy Wright.  Twelve CMM Members and four wives helped make the dedication a success:  Lance Lyngar, Lon Lacey, Mary Margaret Lacey, Lon Lacey, III, Don Jennings, Gar Schulin, Jim Bayne, Jerry Hubbard, Ben Works, Jake Lay, Larry Alexander, Beverly Alexander, Ray Walker (A recent transfer from DCSSAR and this was his first CMM event)  Bill Schwetke, and Cat Schwetke.
     After the invocation by Jerry Hubbard the Old Guard Fife & Drums played while the SAR Color Guard posted the colors.

     The Pledge of Allegiance was recited, and the colors were posted

     The first speaker, Lon Lacey, Jr., introduced William R. L. Fuller, 6 x great grandson of Gabriel Long, then gave us the history and accomplishments of Gabriel Long.

     Councilman Jon Russell brought greetings from the Town of Culpeper, which had strongly supported this monument.

     The keynote speaker was Virginia SAR President Reverdy Wright, who spoke of the SAR's dedication to supporting memorials like this one and to educate the public on our patriot ancestors.  The Virginia SAR's Knight Patty Trust provided the majority of the funding for this project.

    

On President Wright's command, Lance Lyngar unveiled the monument to Major Gabriel Long.

     The unveiling was followed by the presentation of wreaths.  The Col Fielding Lewis Chapter Wreath was presented by Wayne Rouse, the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter Wreath was presented by Gar Schulin, the Culpeper Minute Men Chapter/DAR wreath was presented by Mary Ann Cowherd, the Fairfax Resolves Chapter wreath was presented by  Vernon Eubanks, the Fauquier Court House Chapter/DAR wreath was presented by Beverly Alexander and Cat Schwetke, the Fort Harrison Chapter wreath was presented by Hank Almond, and the Order of Founders and Patriots wreath was presented by Jerry Hubbard.

     Virginia SAR President Reverdy Wright made the formal wreath presentation of the Virginia SAR wreath, escorted by Jim Bayne and Larry Alexander.

     As Virginia SAR President Reverdy Wright and his escort saluted, the color guard fired three musket volleys.

     This was followed by a performance by the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, the highlight of the afternoon.

     The SAR Color Guard then retired the colors, Jerry Hubbard gave a benediction, and the ceremony was concluded.

     After the ceremony the Virginia SAR President Reverdy Wright and the CMM presented the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps with a Certificate of Appreciation.

     That evening some of the CMM gathered with Virginia SAR President Reverdy Wright and his wife Lydia for dinner at Pepper's Grill.  The CMM presented President Wright with a small bust of the local hero, James Madison, in appreciation for his support in constructing and dedicating the Major James Long Memorial.

     We held our June Chapter Meeting today, just after the Culpeper Minute Men Memorial Service, at a new venue, Luigi's Restaurant in Culpeper.

     This was a very special occasion in that we honored two compatriots with the CMM Gold Medal.  Gar Schulin and Lance Lyngar both have worked tirelessly in support of the chapter after their terms as the last two chapter presidents.  Their long service includes several officer positions and many committee assignments and a term as president, two terms as president for Lance.  These awards, the highest chapter award, were well deserved.

  Our featured speaker, Robert J. Shade, CAPT, USN (ret), talked a length on Lord Dunmore's War, which is critical to understanding the Revolutionary War, especially in Virginia.  The Chapter presented him a small bust of our local hero, President James Madison, in gratitude for his fine presentation.

     The remainder of our meeting consisted of lengthy preparations for the Major Gabriel Long Memorial Dedication coming next Saturday, and our normally robust participation in Culpeper's Independence Day Celebrations.

     Nine members and three wives of the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter gathered this morning to honor the young men who answered the call of Patrick Henry to "..give me liberty, or give me death!" and near this spot mustered to form the Culpeper Minute Men in the Fall of 1775.  The young men of Culpeper, Fauquier, and Orange Counties filled out ten companies of the Minute Men Battalion and marched off to Williamsburg, then eventually the Battle of Great Bridge.
     Annually, on the Saturday closest to Flag Day, the CMM muster at this memorial to honor them, and read the names of a dozen, with what is known about them and their patriotic service.  Today nine compatriots and four wives joined the ceremony.
     The Color Guard posted the colors, we recited the Pledge of Allegiance and the SAR Pledge, then called the roll.  Past President Gar Schulin, as master of ceremonies, called the roll, Chaplain Len Cowherd rang the bell, then the readers, Jim Lillard, Past President Jerry Hubbard, and Past Virginia SAR President Jim Bayne, told us about each of the honored Minute Men.

     Next wreaths were presented, Jerry Hubbard presenting for the CMM, Regent Mary Ann Cowherd presenting for the CMM/DAR, and Librarian Cat Schwetke presenting for the FCHC/DAR.  Don Jennings and Lance Lyngar provided an escort of musket men for each presenter.

     Next the three Color Guardsmen fired a three-shot ripple salute.  The entire ceremony was covered by Culpeper Times photojournalist Jeff Seay.