August Birthdays George Washington Bryson, Jr. Robert Reynolds Burnett James Thomas Hamill Michael Eugene Howard William Roberts Hurst Raymond Phillip Mills, Jr. Eric Stuart Schumacher | August Service Anniversaries Nathan Richard Skipper III - 30yrs Ronald E. H. Woodaman - 30 yrs Donnel Jerome Hubbard - 20yrs Travis Q. Lyday - 19yrs Robert Lee Bowen - 16yrs Donald Elton Jennings - 15yrs David Warren Lyman - 15yrs Richard Holmes Knight, Jr. - 9yrs Doug Thomas Collins - 7yrs Loren Edward Lay - 7yrs Andrew Stephen Lyngar, Jr. - 7yrs John Hardin Chance - 6yrs Fred Wesley Goodenough - 6 yrs William Lewis Schwetke - 6yrs Eric Anthony Messick - 3yrs Ronald Hugh Messick - 3yrs Douglas Lynn Schwetke - 2yr David Marshall Messick, Jr. - 1yr David Marshall Messick, IV - 1yr William James Messick - 1yr William Nicholas Mutziger - 1yr |
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30 Jul 2016 Bolivar, OH Today the 237th anniversary of the siege of Fort Laurens was marked by a ceremony at the tomb of the unknown at Fort Laurens Historical Site, Bolivar Ohio. Four members of the Virginia Society, including CMM President Bill Schwetke, participated in the ceremony. Bill marched with the color guard and presented the CMM wreath. PG Joe Dooley, past Virginia SAR President, was the keynote speaker.
23 Jul 2016 Mountain Run Lake Park, Culpeper, VA left to right: Bill Schwetke, Cat Schwetke, Bill Mutziger, Tom Hamill, Lea Hamill, Aaron Hamill, Mary Ann Cowherd, Len Cowherd, Louis Dennis, Jr., Lance Lyngar, Shirley Hubbard, Jerry Hubbard, kneeling: Bill Everett, Beverly Alexander, Larry Alexander, Brandy Haley, Con Jennings, Kathryn Jennings, Jackson Fray, and Ben Works. With temperatures in the 90's and the heat index over 100, the CMM and their spouses, children, and friends, gathered at Mountain Run Lake Park for our annual picnic. The gathering included 10 members, 1 prospective member with his DAR applicant daughter, two children (C.A.R. applicants), and five wives.
The picnic included a brief business meeting, with several votes, which authorized and defined the replacement for the old chapter pin. The new pin will still feature the 1775 Culpeper Minute Battalion Battle Flag, but will be larger and of higher quality. 8 - 14 Jul 2016 Boston, MA The 126th National Congress of the Sons of the American Revolution was held in Boston from July 8th to July 14th. Of the approximately 450 attendees, two were regular CMM members and one wife, and five dual members and one wife. The first event for Virginia SAR participants, on Friday afternoon, was a Duck tour of Boston and the Back Bay of the Charles River. This was followed by buses to Faneuil Hall for dinner. Saturday began with a bus tour of the Lexington and Concord battle sights. Starting with the Green at Lexington, where the first shots of the American Revolution were fired. After a stop at the Nation Park Visitors Center for a program on the events of April 19, 1775, we continued to Concord and the scene of the fight at the Old North Bridge, where patriots drove back the British who then began their long and bloody retreat to Charlestown. Saturday evening was the host society's reception, which was attended by many compatriots from the Virginia SAR and the Virginia SAR orations contestant. Virginia SAR compatriots, wives, and friends, left to right: Virginia First Lady Laura Truslow, Holly Lynne Schmidt, Darin Schmidt, Virginia Orations Contestant Alexandria Redriguez, Mrs. Rodriguez, Mr. Rodriguez, Greg Bodge, Virginia SAR President Ed Truslow, Cat Schwetke, and CMM President Bill Schwetke. Sunday began with the Color Guard Breakfast, the Trustees' Meeting, several committee meetings, and the semi-finals of the Joseph S. Rumbaugh Orations Contest. After lunch the National Color Guard assembled, was reviewed by President General Lawrence, and marched to the Old South Church for the Memorial Service. In the afternoon there were several other committee meetings. After dinner the Joseph S. Rumbaugh Orations Contest Finals were conducted, with Virginia SAR past President Larry McKinley as the master of ceremonies, ably assisted by Darrin Schmidt of the Fairfax Resolves Chapter. Our state winner, Alexandria Rodriguez, placed second in this national competition! Monday morning the Opening Session of the 126th Congress commenced with the posting of the colors by the national color guard. The main order of business this morning was the reports of the general officers and the committee chairs. This was followed by the Youth Awards Presentation Luncheon. During this luncheon the Virginia SAR was recognized as tied for first place for the President General's special award for participation in youth awards programs. One of the special features of Monday was the call by past President General and Culpeper Minutemen Chapter Dual Member Ed Butler for those who have them, to wear their seersucker suits. Three CMM members participated, PG Butler , PG Lindsey Brock, and Bill Schwetke. In the afternoon the Congress reconvened and continued the morning's business. In the evening the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS), the oldest and largest genealogical society in the world hosted a reception for compatriots. The NEHGS was founded in 1845 and today has over 25,000 members and a staff of 50. Their seven story building is a treasure trove of genealogical information. Later in the evening the Congress reconvened for Recognition Night, during which the Virginia SAR received many awards. Significantly, the George Washington Chapter was recognized as the Outstanding Large Chapter in the SAR, receiving the President General's Cup!!! Virginia SAR Historian Larry Aaron received the Stephan Taylor Award for his research and writings, that made a distinguished contribution to the preservation of the history of the American Revolutionary era and its patriots. The Virginia Society also received the Genealogists Generals 1st Place Award. The Virginia Society surpassed all others in having no applications or supplementals pended. Tuesday morning began with the Atlantic Middle States Districts Breakfast. Virginia SAR President addressed the gathering, bring all up to date on events and plans in the Virginia Society. Virginia SAR past President Mark Brennan was recognized as the incoming Vice President General for the Mid-Atlantic States District. The General Session continued Tuesday morning and afternoon with lively discussion and votes on several issues. The Congress approved the expenditure of funds to support the copying and online publication of SAR applications with supporting documents by Family Search. Concerns about privacy were raised and addressed with assurances that information on living persons would not be published. A dues increase was also raised, debated, and defeated. A slate of nominees was approved for the General Officer positions for 2016-17. Only one position was contested, that of Treasurer General. Delegates voted for the candidates for Treasurer General, with Warren Alter of Arizona the winner. Installation of the new officers was scheduled for Wednesday. Tuesday afternoon the ladies had lunch in the Boston Library and were entertained by a program about Deborah Sampson, who served as a soldier in the light infantry company of the 4th Massachusetts Regiment. She enlisted as "Robert Shurtleff", was wounded in 1782, and honorably discharged in 1783 after serving 17 months. In 1805 she received a pension for her service in the Continental Army. Tuesday evening was the President General's Banquet, hosted by President General Tom Lawrence. The guest speaker, Dr. Peter S. Onuf, spoke on Thomas Jefferson's Imperial Vision. A special surprise was a living statue of Thomas Jefferson in the foyer as the attendees gathered for the cocktail hour. Also on Tuesday evening, CMM President Bill Schwetke presented a replica 1775 Culpeper Minutemen Flag to Virginia SAR Flag Recognition Chairman Dr. Kirk Sheap. Dr. Sheap had requested the flag to display at his home. Cat Schwetke also presented Norma Sheap with a pewter pin of the same flag. On Wednesday morning the final session of the Congress was held. This included the election of the new vice presidents general, including Mark Brennan as the Vice President General of the Mid-Atlantic District. The trustees were also elected, including Reverdy Wright as the Virginia Trustee and Ed Truslow as alternate. In the afternoon there were tours of the USS Constitution Museum and the Adams National Park . Wednesday evening was the Installation Banquet. Those of interest to Virginia who were installed include: President General J. Michael Tomme of GA (dual member of Col Fielding Lewis and George Washington Chapter of VA) Secretary General Larry T. Guzy of GA Treasurer General Warren M. Alter of AZ Chancellor General Davis L. Wright of DE Genealogist General John D. Sinks of DC Historian General John T. Manning of NH Librarian General C. Bruce Pickette of AL Registrar General Russell F. Devenney, Jr. of MO Surgeon General Dr. Larry M. Leslie of KY Chaplain General Rt. Rev. Louis C. Carlson, Jr. of CA Vice President General (Mid-Atlantic District) Mark S. Brennan of VA Virginia SAR 1st Vice President Mike Elston was appointed to the Executive Committee Compatriots and Friends,
The 240th Anniversary of our country is upon us and it is time to celebrate the accomplishments of our ancestors. We have big plans to celebrate Independence Day in Culpeper with the historic program at noon on the Court House Lawn, then at 4:00 pm with the parade. Please come out and join us, sign the declaration, then ride our trailer in the parade. This year's picnic, Saturday, July 23rd, will be special too. The Ashby Gap Society of the Children of the American Revolution will picnic with us and they will also present a demonstration on the proper disposal of an unserviceable US flag. We are are helping this society get back up on its feet and I encourage you to consider having your children or grandchildren join, as at least one of you I know is doing. Thinking ahead, we are the hosts from this year's SAR/DAR Christmas Party. The places we have tried are asking for significantly more money this year. The best option seems to be holding the party at Poplar Springs Manor House on Monday evening, December 12th. They will give us the main dinning room, which will give us ample room, and at price significantly below what others are asking. The program we are planning is an 18th century dance lesson. The dance director is lined up, provided by the Rappahannock Colonial Heritage Society in Fredericksburg. It is also time to start thinking about 2017, especially our elected officer positions and committee assignments. If there is a position where you think you can help our chapter, please step forward. Contact either Lance Lyngar, our nominations chairman, or myself, and we can find your place to contribute in 2017. Hope to see you in Culpeper on Independence Day. Your Servant, Bill Schwetke, President
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