Blog Archives

NSDAR Annual Flag Raising Ceremony

6/23/2026

23 Jun 2026 Washington, DC

Today, as part of the NSDAR 2026 Congress, the NSDAR held their Annual Flag Raising Ceremony at Constitution Hall in Washington, DC. The Virginia SAR provided the Color Guard for the ceremony with members of three chapters participating. CMM compatriot Bill Schwetke carried the modern national colors. The ceremony was held indoors due to heavy rain.

Left to right: Brett Osborn, Bill Schwetke, Jim Cordes, Ken Bonner.

All pictures provided for this report by Abigail Compton photographing page for Daughters of the American Revolution

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Col James T. O'Kelley, Jr, USMC Ret., was Honored by the Virginia House of Delegates Today

6/22/2026

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22 Jun 2026 Richmond, VA

The Virginia House of Delegates applauds our compatriot, Jim O'Kelley.

A message received from Geoff Cobham of the Thomas Jefferson Chapter about our compatriot and friend to many of the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter:

Monday, June 22, 2026 at 2pm in the House of Delegates in Richmond, Virginia 55th District Delegate Amy Laufer put forward a Commending Resolution to honor retired Colonel James (Jim) O'Kelley Jr. for his extraordinary lifetime achievement, both in military and civilian life. His family, friends and several Veteran groups across Central Virginia were in attendance to support this memorable and extraordinary recognition.

The 4 minute YouTube video captures the event live streamed:
https://youtu.be/f7TtZqY2SkY?si=O6KyciGDi-4gZpf1

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251st Anniversary of Washington Taking Command of the Continental Army

6/20/2026

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20 Jun 2026 Colonial Beach, VA

Virginia SAR President Darrin Schmidt address the crowd at Washington's Birthplace

Today at George Washington's Birthplace National Monument the Virginia SAR conducted a ceremony to mark the 251st anniversary of George Washington taking command of the Continental Army. About 55 visitors to the monument attended our ceremony which was conducted by about 15 members of the SAR. Bill Schwetke presented the chapter wreath, marched in the Color Guard and participated in the musket volley.

Presentation of the Colors, Bill Schwetke with the US Flag.

Presentation of wreaths, CMM wreath fourth from right.

Musket Salute to General Washington.

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Juneteenth at Berryville

6/19/2026

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19 June 2026 Berryville, VA

Charles Jameson's display boards at the Junteenth Celebration at Berryville.

Charles and Michele Jameson set up a table under a tree which Michele ended up tending as Charles walked around with the image of the Culpeper Patriots of Color Marker. Charles spoke of Billy Flora, Great Bridge and Culpeper's Marker of Known Patriots of Color.

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Flag Day at 4J's Brewery, Warrenton

6/14/2026

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14 Sep 2026 Warrenton, VA

The CMM celebrated Flag Day at 4J's Brewery where before a crowd of about 40 people Tom Hamill made a presentation on our flag and a musket salute was fired. We also inducted our newest member, Shawn Greer, who has been very active in our chapter events as he patiently waited for his application to be approved. Color Guard participants were President Mark Crain, Eddie Daniel, Shawn Greer, and Bill Schwetke. Mark and Bill fired the musket salute.

President Mark Crain presents the SAR Membership Certificate to Shawn Greer.

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250th Anniversary of the Virginia Declaration of Rights

6/13/2026

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13 Jun 2026 Lorton, VA

CMM President Mark Crain, fifth from the left, participated in the Color Guard and fired in the Musket Salute.

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Naturalization Ceremony

6/12/2026

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12 Jun 2026 Fairfax, VA

Today at the Fairfax County Government Center the Virginia SAR participated in a Naturalization Ceremony for over 50 new citizens. An SAR/DAR Color Guard presented the Color for the new citizens' first singing of the national anthem that is now theirs. Five SAR chapters participated: Col James Wood II, Col William Grayson, Culpeper Minutemen, Fairfax Resolves, and Sgt Maj John Champe.

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Commemoration of Joseph Warren's Birth and Death

6/11/2026

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11 Jun 2026 Front Royal, VA

This morning a gathering of 9 SAR members, 2 DAR members and 16 from the general public gathered in front of the Warren County Courthouse to celebrate the Anniversary of the birth of Joseph Warren, hear the proclamation of the Warren County Board of Supervisors read, and commemorate the heroic death of Joseph Warren at the Battle of Bunker Hill. The proclamation also stipulated that the flags of Warren County would be flown from June 11th to June 16th each year in honor of Joseph Warren.
The CMM was represented by Bill Schwetke, who presented the chapter wreath and commanded the Color Guard for the ceremony. The Front Royal Royal Examiner wrote a very nice article on the ceremony.

County Bard of Supervisors Proclamation presented by former County Planning Director Matt Wendling

Bill Schwetke renders honors as the CMM wreath is presented.

Wreaths presented, left to right: Col James Wood II Chapter by Paul Christensen; George Mason Chapter Chapter by Ken Morris; Culpeper Minutemen Chapter by Bill Schwetke; Fort Loudoun Chapter DAR by Katherine Collins

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Charles Jameson presents Culpeper Minutemen 1775 at the Graffiti House

6/6/2026

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06 Jun 2026 Brandy Station, VA

Today Charles Jameson gave a talk at the Graffiti House in Brandy Station on the Culpeper Minutemen of 1775 which included his own ancestor, David Jameson, who carried the famous flag.

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3 Patriots' Graves Marked in 3 different Cemeteries

6/6/2026

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06 Jun 2026

Old Strasburg Cemetery at Mt Zion UMC, Strasburg

Notable attendees: in dark suit, Virginia SAR President Darrin Schmidt; in purple shirt, Ashleigh Kimmons, Vice Mayor of Strasburg; standing third from right in green hunting shirt, CMM representative Bill Schwetke.