Today the Colonel William Grayson Chapter marked the grave of Captain James Campbell, 5xGreat Grandfather of Chapter President Mike Taimi.  Thad Hartman was the Master of Ceremonies and the Virginia SAR was represented by President Mike Elston.  Four Virginia SAR Chapters, two DAR Chapters, and one C.A.R. Society participated in the ceremony:  Colonel William Grayson, Culpeper Minutemen, Fairfax Resolves, George Washington, Elizabeth McIntosh Hammill Chapter, DAR, Fauquier Court House Chapter, DAR, and Colonel William Grayson Society, C.A.R.  The CMM were represented by Registrar Bill Schwetke.

     Master of Ceremonies Thad Hartman opened the ceremony with the presentation of colors by the combined SAR/DAR/C.A.R. Color Guard, followed by the rituals and ceremonies appropriate for the occasion.  President Mike Elston presented greetings from the Virginia Society and explained the importance of these ceremonies to the goals of the SAR.  Colonel William Grayson Chapter President Mike Taimi followed with a biography of Captain Campbell, his ancestor.

     Saturday, Fairfax County celebrated it's 275th Birthday.  Festivities centered around the Old Courthouse.  There were various amusements, re-enactors, and ceremonies.  The George Washington Chapter organized SAR participation and had a booth educating the public about the SAR and a ceremony to dedicate a plaque honoring 47 Fairfax Citizens, who died in the cause of liberty during the Revolutionary War.

      George Washington Chapter President Paul Walden was the Master of Ceremonies and 3rd Vice President Bill Schwetke represented the Virginia SAR.  Distinguished guests included Nicholas, 14th Lord Fairfax of Cameron, Sharon Bulova, Chair of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, and Fairfax Mayor David L. Meyer.

     I think I can safely speak for all of us when I say that every single one of us would rather be somewhere else today.
     We would rather be sitting down to lunch with Ed and Laura.
     Or singing with Ed in a choir.
     Or attending a Sons of the American Revolution event with Ed.
      Personally, I would rather be meeting up with Ed in the bar at the Southampton Princess in Bermuda.
     Each of you has something else you'd rather be doing with Ed and Laura right now.  But instead we are here, against our will, to say goodbye, and to honor an extraordinary man.  Quite simply, Edward Truslow was one of the finest men that I have known. Always kind,
gracious and thoughtful, he was a Virginia gentleman through and through. He was a much beloved father, grandfather and husband. To most of us in this place he was a dear, dear friend. His departure to join the communion of saints in heaven leaves a void in our lives.
    Since this past February, I've had the challenge of succeeding Ed as the president of the Virginia Sons of the American Revolution, one of many organizations, including this parish, in which Ed was involved and to which he was deeply committed. This is my last assignment from Ed (he was always good about giving me the easy jobs). For four years it was my privilege to work alongside Ed to advance the patriotic and educational goals of the SAR.  I have no doubt that he has left a legacy in every place he served, including this parish. But I can only speak to the legacy he leaves to the SAR.
     First and foremost, he established a partnership with the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown that will bear fruit for years to come. I can recall with clarity the day we first discussed his idea. There was a twinkle in his eye and excitement in his voice – and when I said "yes, I think we can raise that much," he smiled that smile.
     Ed also led the Virginia SAR's effort to bring our national Congress to Virginia in 2020. In just over three years we hope about 1000 people will descend on Richmond for a week and tour some of Virginia's most historic sites before, during and after the meeting. The event will show Ed’s beloved Virginia at its best, and generate revenue and goodwill for the Commonwealth. It's success will be due in no small part to Ed's efforts.
    But perhaps his greatest legacy is a more personal one. No doubt, each of you have multiple stories of how Ed touched your lives. For me, it is how he was always attentive to my wife in – only the most appropriate ways, Laura – and kind to my children. They all regularly attend SAR events, but they don't expect to be the center of attention. Let me just give you one example how he made them feel welcome and a part of it.
    Last year, my son, Will, who was nine years old at the time, begrudgingly prepared to accompany me to the state semi-annual meeting here in Williamsburg. Suffice it to say, he was not looking forward to it. But he ended up having a great time.  Why? Because of Ed. Ed knew William would be bored with nothing to do, so he appointed Will to be the Virginia SAR's official time keeper. He even gave him one of those old hotel desk bells to ring whenever someone spoke beyond their allotted time. And Will loved it. Fortunately, several of our more verbose colleagues obliged Will and went over their time. And Will rang the bell with gusto – to the laughter and cheers of the men in the room.
    Ed saw a way to make a difference in someone's life. He thought about it, and he found a way to make a nine-year-old the center of attention for a little while. And now a young man looks forward to going to those meetings.
    Ed did this kind of thing all the time. For this and so many other small acts of kindness over the years, both of my children love Ed and Laura dearly, and they, like all of us, will miss him greatly.
    All of you have stories like that about Ed. I urge you to share them today and in the future.  Because they are Ed’s greatest legacy. He showed us how to act thoughtfully, to care for each other, and to leave each person we meet a little happier, a little better off, for having known us.
     Ed touched each of our lives, and we are each better off for having known him. If we can all just be a little more like Ed, our world will be a better place.
     Laura, I pray that you and your family find comfort, as we all do, in our many memories of happy times with Ed.
     He was, quite simply, one of the finest men I have ever known.
 
Michael J. Elston
97th President
Virginia Sons of the American Revolution

     We performed a ceremony on Saturday, June 10th at the CMM memorial.  VASSAR 3rd Vice President Schwetke laid a wreath on behalf of VASSAR, Regent Mary Ann Cowherd placed a wreath on behalf of CMM DAR, President Jeff Thomas placed a wreath on behalf of Fairfax Resolves, and Historian Charles Jameson placed the CMM SAR wreath.  We read the name of 12 more Culpeper Minutemen.
     After the ceremony we went to Luigi’s for our membership meeting and luncheon.  Everyone ordered lunch off the menu.
     On July 3rd at 5:00 pm, we need some help in getting the trailer ready for the parade.  Compatriot Jim Bayne lives at 16360 Bradford Road, Culpeper and we will be using his trailer.   Please come and help decorate.
     CMM next event is July 4th.   We will hold the ceremony at the Culpeper County Court House courtyard.   A Benjamin Franklin actor will be there.  Field fife and drum music will be played.  County and town officials will be present.    Before noon the color guard will march from the train depot.   The ceremony will start at noon.     We could use some help at 10:00 am, when we start setting up the tent, banner, etc.   Please come, your help will be greatly appreciated
     The parade begins at 4:00 pm.   We need to line up at 3:30 pm, on East Piedmont Street.  We are at the front of the parade so we will be close to the intersection of N. Main Street and East Piedmont Street.  We will be riding on a trailer again this year.  No offense to the younger Compatriots but us “not so young” Compatriots find the walking a bit much.
     Between the noon event and the parade, many of the Compatriots go to a local restaurant and have lunch.   Come join us.
     Next event is the CMM SAR annual picnic at Mountain Run Lake Park, on Saturday, July 15th.  Pavilion #3 is reserved for us.  We will start at 11:00, conduct a short business meeting, and hopefully, get a report on the National Congress.  Chow line will open approximately 11:30 pm.  Please bring a dish to share.  Drinks will be provided by the chapter.  
     July is our biggest month for “putting on the Ritz” and getting in front of the public.  With your help, let’s make this year another great year.
     We will see you on the 4th of July.
Cheers, Jerry

     Today 9 members of the CMM, with 2 wives (also DAR members), one member of the Fairfax Resolves Chapter (President Jeff Thomas), and 3 spectators (including editor Jeff Say of the Culpeper Times), gathered to honor the Culpeper Minutemen who gathered here nearly 242 years ago.  CMM President Jerry Hubbard was the Master of Ceremonies.  The twelve members of the Culpeper Minute Battalion that we honored today were:

     Jerry Hubbard Called out the name, then one of the readers would read a short biography of the honored minuteman, and then Chaplain Len Cowherd would ring the bell.
     Following this ceremony, wreaths were presented by the Virginia SAR, Culpeper Minutemen Chapter SAR, Fairfax Resolves Chapter SAR, and Culpeper Minute Men Chapter NSDAR.  The CMM wreath was presented by Historian Charles Jameson.
     The June Chapter Meeting followed the ceremony.

     After the Culpeper Minute Battalion Memorial Ceremony the CMM gathered in Luigi's Italian Restaurant for our June Chapter Meeting.  We ordered from the menu and conducted a brief business meeting.

     Today a crowd of about 30 people gathered at Shockoe Hill Cemetery in Richmond, VA, to dedicate new tombstones for 8 Revolutionary War Veterans, 3 War of 1812 Veterans, and 35 Confederate Veterans.  Past President Larry McKinley presented the Virginia SAR Wreath, and members of six chapters participated in the program: Colonel Fielding Lewis, Colonel William Grayson, Culpeper Minutemen, Fairfax Resolves, George Mason, and Richmond.  Peter Davenport coordinated the Color Guard and Darrin Schmidt commanded the Color Guard.  Three Color Guardsmen fired a three-volley salute, which was followed by taps.  Bill Schwetke presented the CMM wreath and participated in the Color Guard and musket salute.

Those Honored Today
Private Anselm Bailey, 1st Virginia State Regiment
Matross Charles Broach, 1st Continental Artillery Regiment
Lieutenant William Carter, Henrico County Militia
Private Andrew Duncan, Montgomery County Militia
Private Thomas Griffin, Albemarle County Militia
Corporal John Potts, 7th Virginia Regiment
Captain John Pryor, 1st Continental Artillery Regiment
Private Andrew Smith, Virginia Volunteer Artillery

     The Fairfax Resolves Chapter organized and conducted the first annual Commemoration of General Wayne's Crossing of the Potomac, held to day at the Spirit of Loudoun Statue on the lawn of the Loudon County Courthouse.  A crowd of about 30 people gathered and the event participants included the DAR, C.A.R., local government.  3rd Vice President Bill Schwetke presented the Virginia Society wreath and 3 Virginia Chapters participated:  Colonel William Grayson, Culpeper Minutemen, and Fairfax Resolves.  Bill Schwetke also presented the CMM wreath, and participated in the Color Guard.