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250th Anniversary of the Beeline March

7/26/2025

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26 Jul 2025               Winchester, VA

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     Today the Virginia SAR Celebrated the 250th Anniversary of the Beeline March.  Four members of the CMM participated in the ceremony, all marching in the Color Guard: Mark Crain, Charles Jameson, John Kuvakas and Bill Schwetke.  John Kuvakas presented  the chapter wreath and Bill Schwetke participated in firing the musket salute.
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Patriot Henry Gunnell Grave Marking

7/19/2025

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19 Jul 2025                              Vienna, VA

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     Henry Gunnell is a patriot who served on the Fairfax County Committee of Safety and was a signer of the Fairfax Resolves.  He is buried on his property which is now in Vienna, VA.  CMM members Chaplain John Kuvakas, Doug Schwetke and Bill Schwetke participated in the Color Guard during the ceremony and John Kuvakas presented the chapter wreath.  Doug Schwetke presented the Texas SAR's Maj K. Van Zandt Chapter wreath; he is a dual member of that chapter.
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Two descendants of Henry Gunnell unveiled the marker for his grave. The descendant on the right is Annie Campeol of the Fauquier Court House Chapter NSDAR.
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The Marker.
PictureThis was President General Mike Elston's first official event as the President General of the NSSAR. Doug Schwetke who acted as his aide de camp was was awarded the aide de camp pin.

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251st Anniversary of the Fairfax Resolves

7/19/2025

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19 Jul 2025                      Lorton, VA

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The Colors are presented in Historic Pohick Church. CMM compatriots Bill Schwetke with the US Flag and Doug Schwetke with the America 250 Flag.
     Today the SAR marked the 251st Anniversary of the Fairfax Resolves in Historic Pohick Church where many of the signers were members.     John Kuvakas, Doug Schwetke, and Bill Schwetke represented the CMM by marching in the Color Guard and by presenting the chapter wreath. 
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Governor John Trumbull Bench Dedication

7/17/2025

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17 Jul 2025                      Lebanon, CT

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     Today the NSSAR, led by PG Addington, dedicated a bench to Governor Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., in front of the "War Office" in Lebanon, CT.  The CMM were represented by Chaplain Kuvakas and Bill Schwetke.
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CMM compatriots at the Gov. John Trumbull house, left to right: Bill Schwetke, Cat Schwetke, Kelly Kuvakas, John Kuvakas.
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135th NSSAR Congress

7/13/2025

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13-17 Jul 2025              Uncasville, CT

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     The 135th NSSAR Congress was held in the Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino, Uncasville, CT.  This Congress was noteworthy to the CMM and the Virginia SAR for:
  • Virginia SAR was selected best of the large states (1,000 members or more)
  • CMM was selected 3rd best of chapters with 50-99 members
  • A Virginia Chapter was best in 3 of 4 size categories
  • Mike Elston of the the Virginia SAR was elected President General
  • Peter Davenport of the Virginia SAR was elected Chancellor General
  • Jeff Thomas of the Virginia SAR was elected Historian General
  • Ken Bonner of the Virginia SAR was elected Vice President General for the International District
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Virginia Delegates celebrate!
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President General Addington presents the 3rd place certificate for the CMM to Virginia SAR President Mike Weyler and CMM Chaplain John Kuvakas.
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Bill Schwetke and John Kuvakas with the 3rd place certificate.
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Virginia SAR state dinner. Kelly and John Kuvakas in the foreground.
CMM attendees, left to right below: Kelly Kuvakas, Chaplain John Kuvakas, Doug Schwetke, Cat Schwetke, Registrar Bill Schwetke
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249th Anniversary of the Battle of Cricket Hill (Gwynn's Island)

7/12/2025

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12 Jul 2025              Hudgins, VA

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     Today we joined the celebration of the 249th Anniversary of Virginia Forces under the command of Andrew Lewis driving Lord Dunmore and his forces away from Virginia.  CMM participants included Chaplain John Kuvakas, Bill Schwetke, and Doug Schwetke.  Chaplain Kuvakas gave the invocation and presented the chapter wreath.  Doug Schwetke presented a wreath for the Maj K.M. Van Zandt Chapter of the Texas SAR where both he and Bill are dual members.  All CMM participants participated in the Color Guard and Bill fired in the Musket Salute.
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CMM Chaplain John Kuvakas renders honors at the CMM Wreath presentation.


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CMM participants, left to right: Bill Schwetke, Chaplain John Kuvakas, Doug Schwetke.
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Charles Jameson Recognized by Congress

7/4/2025

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04 Jul 2025            Culpeper, VA

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     Congressman Vindman of Virginia's 7th District read into the Congressional Record the above honoring Compatriot Charles Jameson of the Culpeper Minutemen.  This copy of what Congressman Vindman read into the record was presented to Charles during our Independence Day Ceremony this afternoon.  A clearer copy from the online Congressional Record is below
HONORING MR. CHARLES JAMESON
HON. EUGENE SIMON VINDMAN
OF VIRGINIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
     Mr. VINDMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize Mr. Charles Jameson of Culpeper County, Virginia—a veteran, educator, historian, and lifelong servant to our community.
     Although his education, military service and extensive career took him all over, Mr. Jameson, has remained a lifelong resident of Culpeper and still lives across the street from his childhood home.
     He began his journey at George Washington Carver Regional High School, where he and many other African American students from Culpeper, Orange, Madison, and Rappahannock counties were educated during segregation.
     He went on to attend Virginia Union University before transferring to Virginia Commonwealth University, where he earned his degree in 1970 in pursuit of his lifelong dream of becoming a teacher. However, before he could begin his teaching career, Mr. Jameson was drafted into the U.S. Army and deployed to Vietnam, where he served with honor and distinction. He received advanced artillery training and was awarded for his courage and three Bronze Star Medals, a Purple Heart, and two Army Commendation Medals.
     Before returning home, he joined his father, Saint Jameson, in the construction business. When his father retired, Charles took over his role, eventually rising to the position of Project Superintendent and later construction manager. After nearly four decades in the field, he retired in 2010.
     In retirement, Mr. Jameson redirected his time and energy into meaningful community service, becoming a driving force behind numerous local initiatives. He worked closely with fellow Carver High School alumni on scholarship programs, served on the boards of the Carver 4-County Museum and the Museum of Culpeper History, and played an active role in organizations such as the Carver Agriculture Research Board, the Culpeper Minutemen, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).
     He also holds a leadership position in the local chapter of the Sons of the American
Revolution, where he helps organize Culpeper’s annual July 4th Patriotic Presentation--
an event that honors the region’s rich historical legacy. His extensive service and
leadership have earned him numerous accolades, including the Culpeper Colonel Award,
the MLK Dreamkeeper Award, Aging Together’s 5 Over 50 Award, the NAACP Activism
Award, and the Neighborhood Watch Amazing Citizen Award.
     I want to personally thank Mr. Jameson for his lifelong dedication to service, education, and the preservation of our shared history. Today, he continues that legacy by focusing on his extensive research into African American participation in the Revolutionary War. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my colleagues join me in recognizing an extraordinary citizen in my district, Mr. Charles Jameson, for his unwavering commitment to our community.
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Independence Day at Culpeper

7/4/2025

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04 Jul 2025            Culpeper, VA

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The crowd, many of which are behind the flag, numbered 105 at one point. picture by Kelly Kuvakas.
         The CMM put on their annual celebration of Independence Day at the Old Court House in Culpleper.  The program started with the Colors paraded down Davis St to the beat of a drum, and finished with an opportunity for all to sign a copy of the Declaration of Independence.     The program included remarks by Mayor Frank Reaves, Jr., and County Board of Supervisors Chairman David Durr.  A Leadership Award was presented to Sharon Croushorn and Jennifer Smith from Wreaths Across America and a copy of the Declaration in the Congressional Record honoring Charles Jameson was presented to him.     The keynote was an excellent talk on the history of the Culpeper Minutemen by Patrick Hannum and our patriotism was stirred by Dale Corey's leading us in "God Bless America".     Next year will be special, the 250th Anniversary of our Declaration of Independence!
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CMM Jim Bish, Master of Ceremonies.
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CMM and Virginia SAR Chaplain John Kuvakas with our invocation.
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While advancing the Colors the salute to the flag from compatriots from the Col James Wood II Chapter is returned
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The Colors are presented and Andrew Gutowski leads us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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The keynote speech was on the Culpeper Minutemen in celebration of their 259th Anniversary delivered by Patrick Hannum.
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President Jim Bish, left, and Secretary Tom Hamill present a Certificate of Appreciation to Patrick Hannum.
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CMM Color Guard Commander Michael Dennis escorts Culpeper Minute Men Chapter NSDAR Honorary Regent Mary Ann Cowherd to the wreath presentation.
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Wreaths, left to right: Col James Wood II Chapter SAR presented by Dale Corey, Lanes Mill Chapter NSDAR presented by Cathy Peters, Culpeper Minutemen Chapter SAR presented by Vice President Mark Crain, Fairfax Resolves Chapter SAR presented by President David Peters, Fauquier Court House Chapter NSDAR presented by Chaplain Kelly Kuvakas, Culpeper Minute Men Chapter NSDAR presented by Honorary Regent Mary Ann Cowherd.
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SAR Participants, front row, left to right: Dale Corey, CJWII (dual CMM), Sean Carrigan, CJWII (dual CMM), CMM President Jim Bish, Pat Hannum (Norfolk), Charles Jameson. Back row, left to right: Bill Schwetke, prospective member Jimmy Croushorn, Ernie Coggins, GW (dual CMM), Ken Bonnell, CJWII, Michael Dennis, David Peters (FFR), Tom Hamill, Vice President Mark Crain, Andrew Gutowski.
Click Here for Culpeper Media Video of this Event
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Independence Day at Mount Vernon

7/4/2025

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04 Jul 2025         Mount Vernon, VA

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Color Guard preparing to present the colors at the Tomb Grave at Mount Vernon. Left to right: Virginia SAR 2nd VP Ken Bonner, Bill Schwetke, Virginia SAR 1st VP Darrin Schmidt, unknown, Paul Christensen.
     Chaplain John Kuvakas and Registrar Bill Schwetke participated in the celebration of the 249th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence this morning at George Washington's Mount Vernon.  Both John and Bill participated in the Color Guard and marched down to the Tomb Grove.  From there they made hast to join the rest of the Culpeper Minutemen for the chapter's program in Culpeper.
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