About 25 members of the Virginia SAR attended an Evening at the Ball Park to showcase the SAR to the public.  This evening's event was organized and hosted by the Richmond Chapter, and members of five chapters participated: Colonel William Grayson, Culpeper Minutemen, Dan River, George Washington, and Richmond.  The Virginia SAR Color Guard presented the colors for the National Anthem, the Virginia SAR was recognized on the scoreboard and by the announcer, SAR trifolds were passed out to interested men in the crowd, we had a great time, and the Flying Squirrels won in an exciting game!  Next Saturday we will be at the Potomac Nationals' game in Woodbridge.

     The Colonel James Wood II Chapter hosted a Patriots' Pride Day at the Veterans' Memorial in Middletown, VA that drew a large crowd and several other patriotic organizations.  Two CMM members participated in the Color Guard at this event, Historian Charles Jameson, and Registrar Bill Schwetke.
     After the ceremony there were several demonstrations and exhibits, including a mock battle with Patriot, British, and Hessian re-enactors.  Charles Jameson participated in the re-enactments.   Jameson was also seen on local television, which can be seen on the Virginia Dispatches report on this event at:  http://www.virginiasar.org/latest-news/patriots-pride-day-middletown-va

     On Friday, July 21st, two members of the CMM and five members of the Fauquier Court House Chapter (FCHC) DAR planned and conducted a search for Revolutionary War Patriot graves in Rappahannock County.  This project was conceived by FCHC Regent Cat Schwetke, and planned by CMM Graves Committee member Bill Schwetke.  Larry Alexander was the second CMM member on the trip.  A similar group had conducted a similar effort in Southern Fauquier last month and more hunts are planned.
     On this day visits were planned to seven grave yards in which 10 Revolutionary War Patriots were buried according to Virginia SAR Grave Chairman Mike Lyman's recent book.  Reports for each cemetery follow:

Coordinates of cemetery:  38.652784, -78.023482.  Owner lives at 396 Mountain View Road, Amissville, VA.  Parking at that address.  Access through owner’s property.  Badly overgrown, some tombstones found, none for Patriots

This cemetery was skipped because of the extra time used up gaining access at Major-Corbin and the anticipation of similar access issues.

     The owner, Alexander Sharp, agreed to meet us and show us this cemetery.  He also cleared the way through brush and grass with his tractor.  The cemetery is slightly overgrown, but obviously cared for.  Both patriot graves we sought were located.

     The owner met us, pointed out the cemetery, gave us some interesting information about the cemetery, and one of his workers cleared a path through the grass for us.
     The cemetery is very well maintained, with several field stones, but no marker for our patriot – a possible son of the patriot with 1812 marker at tombstone was found.  Cemetery coordinates:  38.760756, -78.127628

     Our next stop was the Griffin Tavern in Flint Hill for lunch.

Elijah Anderson Cemetery - 27 Shurgen Lane, Amissville, VA

      Our first stop after lunch was at what we believed to be the Eijah Anderson Cemetery.  We met with the son of the owner of the land, and he led us through three fields of hay to the cemetery, which, though beautiful, was not the correct cemetery.  He gave us a good lead to follow up with on our next visit to this area.

Wrong Cemetery

Corder-Pierce Cemetery

     This cemetery was easily accessed, and workers in the field nearby gave us the address of the owner of the land.  The one grave we sought here was easily located in this obviously cared for cemetery.

     A modern tombstone marked the grave of Private John Corder at 38.692158, -78.037308

Pierce Cemetery at Narmada Winery  43 Narmada Ln, Amissville, VA

     The Pierce Cemetery is enclosed by a concrete wall on the grounds of the Narmada Winery.  It is currently densely overgrown with an abundance of poison ivy.  The owner and winery staff were very helpful, and promised to contact us when they had cleared the overgrowth after the grapes are harvested this Fall.
     GPS coordinates of the cemetery are:  38.688886, -78.025927

     The Narmada Winery had wine and cold water, from which we each took our choice to replenish ourselves and celebrate the successful location of 3 patriot graves.  We also made plans for clean-up projects and grave markings.

     Today 22 of us, 14 CMM compatriots and 9 spouses, gathered at Mountain Run Lake Park for the Chapter's 2017 Picnic.  The highlight of the picnic was the display of the trophy that our trailer won in the Culpeper Independence Day Parade as the best in category!

     Independence Day festivities in Culpeper commenced at noon with a program by the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter that began with the Chapter Color Guard marching up Davis Street from the Train Depot to the sound a fife and drum to the Courthouse Lawn.  There Culpeper Mayor Michael Olinger, County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jack Frazier, and General Assembly Delegate Nick Freitas spoke to the significance of the day.  Then, Ben Franklin (wonderfully portrayed by Barry Stevens), fresh from Philadelphia, explained the deliberations that led to the Declaration of Independence.  Jim Bayne then read the Declaration of Independence and invited those gathered to add their names to those who had signed the document in Philadelphia.  Charles Jameson was the Master of Ceremonies.  The program concluded with music by the Blue Ridge Chorale and a sequential volley by 5 muskets.

     Later the Culpeper Minutemen climbed aboard a decorated trailer, towed behind Jim Bayne's truck, and led the parade down Main Street in Culpeper, followed by the DAR handing out 500 small flags to the crowd, and the C.A.R in a decorated van..  The Culpeper Minutemen were joined by Col William Grayson President Mike Taimi for the parade.

Preparing Jim Bayne's wonderful trailer for the Parade.

    Over 50 SAR compatriots, plus DAR and C.A.R. members, marched to George Washington's Tomb at Mount Vernon today, conducted a ceremony in the grove by the tomb, then presented a wreath and carnations at the tomb.  The event was organized and led by the George Washington Chapter.  President Mike Elston represented the Virginia SAR, and along with President Emily Elston of the Virginia C.A.R. presented a wreath to honor President Washington.
     Chapter Vice President Ernie Coggins organized the ceremony and was the master of ceremonies.  The keynote speaker was Kelly Shepperson, winner of the Virginia SAR Rumbaugh Orations Contest, who will be competing for national honors in Knoxville next week.  CMM Registrar Bill Schwetke led the Color Guard.
     Music for the march was provided by the 10 members of the Frederick Town Fife and Drum, which added considerable flair to the event.

     The Daughters of the American Revolution opened their 126th Continental Congress in Constitution Hall in Washington, DC with grand pageantry and patriotic spirit on Wednesday evening.  NSSAR President General Mike Tomme, a  dual member of the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter, presented greetings.  CMM Registrar Bill Schwetke was also in attendance with his wife, Cat, Regent of the NSDAR Fauquier Court House Chapter.

     On Opening Night NSDAR President General Ann Dillon highlighted the DAR efforts toward celebrating our Nations 250th Anniversary.  This link will take you to their web page to see more.