Blog Archives - CULPEPER MINUTE MEN - MUSTER CALL

First Annual Andrew Lewis Day

6/30/2018

30 Jun 2018 Salem, VA

     Today just over 50 people gathered in front of the Salem Civic Center, around the statue of General Andrew Lewis, to honor this patriot of the Revolution. The event was inspired by past West Virginia SAR President Bill Lester and then organized and executed by the Fincastle Resolves Chapter of the Virginia SAR, under the leadership of President Phil Sheridan. The keynote speaker was Congressman Morgan Griffith of Virginia's 9th District. Four Virginia SAR chapters participated: Colonel George Waller, Culpeper Minutemen, Fincastle Resolutions, and Fort Harrison. Past CMM President Bill Schwetke represented the Virginia SAR and President Tom Hamill represented the CMM; both also participated in the Color Guard.
     After the ceremony lunch was served in the Civic Center, followed by a pilgrimage to Andrew Lewis' grave, a short drive away.

Organizer and Master of Ceremonies, Fincalstle Resolutions Chapter President Phil Sheridan.

Past West Virginia SAR President Bill Lester, who worked with Fincastle Resolutions Chapter President Phil Sheridan to make this honor to Andrew Lewis a reality.

Congressman Morgan Griffith

SAR Central District Vice President General Robert Fish

Lewis Pitzer of the Colonel George Waller Chapter, and a descendant of Andrew Lewis, addresses the gathering.

Virginia SAR 2nd Vice President Bill Schwetke

West Virginia SAR President Joe Khare

President Tom Hamill presents the CMM wreath and renders honors.

President Tom Hamill, on left, and Bill Schwetke with the CMM wreath.

The Combined VA/WV Color Guard. CMM participants President Tom Hamill and Bill Schwetke, are 4th and 3rd from the left respectively.

Organizing Meeting of the Nansemond Indian Patriots Chapter

6/24/2018

24 Jun 2018 Mattanock Town, VA

NANSEMOND
INDIAN
PATRIOTS
CHAPTER

Charter members of the Nansemond Indian Patriot Chapter. Left to right: Charles Bass, Samuel Bass (Assistant Chief), Brian Bass, Jared Bass, Andrew Bass, Aaron Bass, Eric Bass, Thomas Badamo, and Earl Bass (Chief Emeritus).

The Nansemond Nation participated in the American struggle for independence, and as a result, probably all tribal members are eligible for SAR, DAR or C.A.R. membership as appropriate. A member of the tribe, Tom Badamo, and his three sons, recently joined the Long Island Chapter, SAR in New York. The president of that chapter, Joe Vermaelen, then took on the task of bringing more members of the tribe into the SAR. Since a large number of the tribe live on or near their original homeland in Suffolk County, VA, it followed that a new chapter could be formed from the Nansemond Nation.
A big step forward to that goal was made this past Sunday with the organizational meeting of the new chapter, which adopted the name "Nansemond Indian Patriot Chapter". At this meeting eight new members were inducted and a slate of officers elected for the chapter. The next meeting will be in conjunction with the Atlantic Middle States Association District Meeting in Newport News on August 10th and 11th. The Virginia SAR Color Guard has been invited to participate in the Annual Nansemond Pow Wow on August 18th and 19th.

Elected Officers for Nansemond Indian Patriots Chapter

President & Chaplain - Sam Bass
Vice President - Earl Bass
Secretary - Joe Vermaelen
Treasurer - Jerod Bass
Registrar - Tom Badamo
Chancellor - Mike Elston

Virginia SAR President Pat Kelly inducts eight new members who will be charter members of the Nansemond Indian Patriot Chapter. On the left side of the picture, looking on, are Joe Vermaelen and Tom Badamo, with whom the idea for this chapter originated.

As Secretary-elect, Tom Badamo takes over the conduct of the organizing meeting.

June 2018 Chapter Meeting

6/16/2018

Dennis Loba begins his talk on 18th Century shoe buckles.

Twelve Chapter Members, five wives, all DAR members, and two other guests gathered in Luigi's Italian Restaurant today for our June Meeting. After the formalities and introductions Jerry Hubbard, in our Minute for a Patriot, told us about his ancestor, Samuel Thompson, who fought the Indians on the Western Frontier from Point Pleasant until late in the 18th century.

Jerry Hubbard tells about his ancestor, Samuel Thomas.

The Guest speaker was Dennis Loba, who gave an excellent presentation on 18th century shoe buckles. He is an amazing expert on the topic and an entertaining speaker.

Dennis Loba with the oldest buckles in his collection, from the late 17th Century and very early 18th Century.

Many examples of 18th Century shoe buckles.

Our next chapter meeting will be the Annual Picnic in Mountain Run Lake Park on July 21st. Between now and then will be our big events on Independence Day - Our presentation on the Culpeper Courthouse Lawn and the Culpeper Parade.

Culpeper Minutemen Memorial Ceremony

6/16/2018

16 Jun 2018 Yowell Meadow Park, Culpeper, VA

We gathered today in Yowell Meadow Park, near where the Culpeper Minutemen first mustered in 1775, to honor them. Historian Jack Lynch and President Tom Hamill shared the master of ceremony duties. Thirteen chapter member attended; five members participated, in the color guard. Virginia SAR 2nd Vice President Bill Schwetke brought greetings from the Virginia Society. Then President Tom Hamill read a brief history of the Culpeper Minutemen. This was followed by the reading of the Roll of Honor. As in past years, the names of twelve of the known Culpepr Minutemen were read in alphabetical order, and after each name a bell was rung, and a brief biography read. Those honored today included:

Samuel S. Baker                             Private           Fauquier
Phillip Ballard                              Private           Fauquier
Peter Barker                                   Corporal        Fauquier
David Blackwell                            Private            Fauquier
Joseph Blackwell                            Private           Fauquier
William Blackwell                        Captain          Fauquier
William Bliss                                 Drummer       Fauquier
Benjamin Bohon                            Private           Orange
John Bohon                                     Private           Orange
William Bohon                              Soldier            Orange
Samuel Boyd                                 Surgeon         Fauquier
_____ Bruce                              Captain         Orange

The bell was rung by Aaron Hamill, and the biographies were read by Don Hollar, Cat Schwetke, and Suzan Hamill.

Calling the Roll of Honor, left to right: Don Hollar, Cat Schwetke, Suzan Hamill, and Aaron Hamill.

     Following the Roll of Honor wreaths were presented by the Virginia SAR; the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter, SAR; the Culpeper Minute Men Chapter, NSDAR; the Fauquier Court House Chapter, NSDAR; and the Ashby Gap Chapter, C.A.R. Historian Jack Lynch presented the CMM wreath.

     This was followed by a musket volley, then taps, played by Gerry Schuck of Bugles Across America.

     After the ceremony, the Culpeper Minutemen held their June Chapter Meeting in Luigi's Restaurant in Culpeper.

The Color Guard prepares to fire a volley, Lon Lacey in the foreground.

Gerry Schuck of Bugles Across America plays taps. Looking on, left to right: Jack Lynch, Craig Truskey.

Left to right: Aaron Hamill, Ashby Gap, C.A.R.; Mary Ann Cowherd, Culpeper Minute Men NSDAR; Bill Schwetke, Virginia SAR; Jack Lynch, CMM; Cat Schwetke, Fauquier Court House, NSDAR.

Ashby Gap C.A.R. Society Tours the White House

6/15/2018

15 Jun 2018 Washington, DC

Today six members of the Ashby Gap Society of the Children of the American Revolution toured the White House in Washington DC. They were accompanied by their adult leadership and chaperones, including CMM past President Bill Schwetke and his wife Cat.

Members of the Ashby Gap Society, C.A.R. on their field trip to the White House.

CMM Compatriot Bill Schwetke and his wife Cat in the White House.

SAR Night at the Ball Park - Richmond Squirrels

6/15/2018

14 Jun 2018 The Diamond, Richmond, VA

Virginia SAR Color Guard presents the colors - CMM past President Bill Schwetke is carrying the Betsy Ross Flag.

The Virginia SAR Color Guard, under the command of CMM past President Bill Schwetke, presented the colors for the National Anthem at the Flying Squirrels games in Richmond on Flag Day. In the stands a sizable group of SAR compatriots enjoyed the game from great seats behind home plate. This was the third SAR Night at the Ball Park this year - previously we gathered at games for the Potomac Nationals and the Salem Red Sox. In August we will visit the Norfolk Tides.

Paul Chase (Col William Grayson Chapter, Nutasha (Flying Squirrels), Gary Hall (Dan River Chapter), Bill Schwetke (Culpeper Minutemen Chapter), Irv Owings (Richmond Chapter), Nutzy (Flying Squirrels)

Mathias Wilberger Grave Marking

6/10/2018

10 Jun 2018 Friedens Church, Mt. Crawford, VA

The grave of Private Mathias Wilberger, who served in the Maryland Militia in the Revolutionary War, was marked today in Rockingham County. Josh Wilberger of the Colonel Fielding Lewis Chapter, a descendant of Mathias Wilberger, organized and MC'd the ceremony. Four Virginia SAR chapters participated: Colonel Fielding Lewis, Colonel James Wood, II, Culpeper Minutemen, and Fort Harrison. Vice President Charles Jameson led the CMM contingent and presented the chapter wreath. CMM attendees included Michael Dennis, Jerry Hubbard, Charles Jameson, and Bill Schwetke. Dennis, Jameson, and Schwetke were in uniform and participated in the Color Guard. Bill Schwetke also represented the Virginia SAR, presented the Virginia SAR wreath, commanded the Color Guard, and participated in the musket volleys.

Josh Wilberger

The Color Guard presents the colors.

Left to right: Michael Dennis and Vice President Charles Jameson at the grave of Mathias Wilberger.

Information for Grave Marking Medal

Link to blank Grave Marking Medal Reporting Form

Jacob Sperry's Grave Marking

6/9/2018

9 Jun 2018 Mt. Hebron Cemetery, Winchester VA

Vice President Charles Jameson is seventh from the left and Bill Schwetke is fifth from the left.

Today the Colonel James Wood, II Chapter, spun off from the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter ten years ago, marked the grave of Jacob Sperry, who marched with Daniel Morgan. Vice President Charles Jameson led the CMM contingent, presented the chapter wreath, and marched in the Color Guard. Bill Schwetke marched in the Color Guard, presented the Virginia SAR wreath, and participated in the musket volley.

CMM Vice President Charles Jameson presents the chapter wreath.

Virginia SAR 2nd Vice President Bill Schwetke presents the society wreath.

Link to blank Grave Marking Medal Reporting Form

237th Anniversary of Wayne's Crossing of the Potomac

6/2/2018

2 Jun 2018 Leesburg, VA

     237 years ago General Mad Anthony Wayne led about 1200 men of the Pennsylvania Line in a perilous crossing of the Potomac to reinforce General Lafayette in the defense of Virginia against Cornwallis' invasion. Lives were lost in crossing the rain swollen Potomac, but the Pennsylvania troops soon made a strong impact on the defense of Virginia. Today we celebrated their crossing of the river, and the march through Leesburg.
     The Fairfax Resolves Chapter organized and conducted today's ceremony. The crowd was much reduced by the forecast of thunder storms, but the ceremony was moved inside of the Fellowship Hall of St. James Episcopal were all were safe and dry. In attendance were the Virginia SAR Chaplain, 2nd and 3rd Vice Presidents; five Virginia SAR Chapters; three Virginia DAR Chapters; and two Virginia C.A.R. Societies. The mayor of Leesburg, Kelly Burk, read the proclamation that she signed in honor of this occasion.
     Tim Dioquino of the Fairfax Resolves Chapter was the master of ceremonies, CMM past President Bill Schwetke represented the Virginia SAR and commanded the Color Guard, and CMM Vice President Charles Jameson represented the CMM and presented the chapter wreath. CMM compatriot Michael Dennis also attended and all three CMM attendees participated in the Color Guard.

Master of Ceremonies, Tim Dioquino of the Fairfax Resolves Chapter.

Leesburg Mayor Kelly Burk

The SAR Color Guard at Wayne's Crossing, left to right: CMM past President Bill Schwetke, Justin Thoas, CMM Compatriot Michael Dennis, Jeff Thomas, Rick Abbott, Paul Chase, CMM Vice President Charles Jameson, Brett Osborn, David Cook

June 2018 Birthdays & Service Anniversaries

6/1/2018

Dr. Joseph Warren
11 Jun 1741 - 17 Jun 1775

June Birthdays
Richard Hunt Benfer
Lindsey Cook Brock
Marcel Valentine Gordillo
Liam Jackson Hubbard
Charles Clifton Jameson
David Roy Wheeler

June Service Anniversaries
Edward Franklyn Butler - 32 yrs
Alan Bruce Hooker - 29 yrs
James Edward Mitchell - 13 yrs
Gar Christopher Schulin - 12 yrs
Joseph Alvin Rebentisch III - 12 yrs
Samuel Weisiger Pannill, III - 7 yrs
Andrew Christian Everett - 1 yr
Matthew Caelan Everett - 1 yr
Scott Christopher Everett - 1yr
William Thomas Everett - 1 yr