A special meeting of the CMM Board of Managers was convened on August 25th at Pepper's Grill in Culpeper.  Attending were past President Jim Bayne, Chaplain Len Cowherd, past President Jerry Hubbard, Color Guard Commander Lon Lacey, and President Bill Schwetke.  The BoM voted to accept the proposal of Culpeper CIty Councilman Jon Russell to sponsor a specialty license plate honoring the 1775 Culpeper Minutmen.  We also voted to conduct a ceremony honoring the 240th Anniversary of the Muster of the Culpepr Minutmen in Yowell Meadow Park on Thursday, September 17th, at 6pm.  At that ceremony we will present a replica of the 1775 Culpeper Minutemen Battle Flag to the Eastern View High School JROTC Honor Guard, and we voted to make the same offer to the Culpeper High School JROTC Honor Guard.
     Other business included the discussion of the preservation of a specific Revolutionary War soldier's grave, that may be the victim of neglect or worse.  That issue is waiting on other events before it would be appropriate for us to take any action.
     Past President Jim Bayne brought up another Revolutionary War soldier's grave that he thought suitable for marking.  That will be explored in the near future.

     Six members of the CMM Board of Managers met today at Pepper's Grill in Culpeper.  Before the meeting started we presented a Bronze Roger Sherman medal to Lon Lacey for his long service culminating in the construction and dedication of a memorial to Major Gabriel Long in Yowell Meadow Park.  Lon also displayed the Certificate of Appreciation he received from the Culpeper Festival Committee for his many years of work on their Independence Day celebrations and Remembrance Days.  The CMM also, once again, received the Culpeper Festival Committee's trophy for the best display of American Spirit in the Independence Day Parade.

     The Board of Managers approved co-hosting, with the Fauquier Court House Chapter, DAR, a Genealogy Workshop on 7 November in Warrenton.  We have invited Genealogist General John Sinks to address the workshop on his recent discoveries concerning the Culpepr Minute Men of 1775.
     Perhaps the biggest accomplishment by the Board of Managers was the establishment of a new committee, led by Lon Lacey, to develop and execute a multi-year plan to establish a Revolutionary War Walk in Yowell Meadow Park consisting of memorial markers honoring Culpeper's Revolutionary War heroes, in line with the recently dedicated memorial to Major Gabriel Long.  A goal was set to dedicate the next marker in the fall of next year.  Look to hear more about this at our October meeting.

  Two CMM members and one wife represented the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter at the Atlantic Middle States Association Annual Conference in Bridgewater, NJ this past weekend:  past President General Lindsey Brock, his wife Billie, and CMM President Bill Schwetke.  In all 55 compatriots attended, including 11 from Virginia.  Virginia won the Jersey Devil award by amassing the most points for number of attendees and distance traveled.

    

     The Atlantic Middle States voted to support the following candidates for 2016:
President General                    Mike Tomme, Sr.,  GA
Secretary General                    Larry Guzy,   GA
Treasurer General                    Warren Alter,   AZ
Chancellor General                    Davis Lee Wright ,  DE
Genealogist General                    John Sinks,   DC
Registrar General                        Russell DeVenney, Jr.,   MO
Librarian General                        Bruce Pickette,   AL
Historian General                        Jack Manning,   NH
SAR Foundation Trustees                John Dodd,   GA
                                                James Engler   MD
Virginia President Reverdy Wright nominated Mark Brennan, Sr., to be the 2016 Middle Atlantic District Vice President General.

Compatriots and Friends,
      The future for the CMM is looking brighter, primarily because we are getting new members.  We have one new member ready for induction, one transfer approved, 6 applications at NSSAR (2 already approved by genealogy), one additional transfer/reinstatement submitted, one application scheduled to sign on Monday (with4 more in the same family soon),  one ready for signing but not scheduled, and one probably in late August.  Some of these are junior members, and some live in distant places, but this is still healthy growth.  We are growing, now we need new members to become active as some already have. If you are an officer and would like to pass the torch, contact the new members.  If you are a new member, there are many opportunities in leadership, find something you like.
      The pace of activity for the CMM is about to pick up again, with the last half of September through early December being especially busy.  If you look at the schedule you will see that there is some overlap and help is needed.  One great opportunity in September will be Warrenton Heritage Day where instead of marching in a parade we will have a booth on the lawn at the Spillman-Mosby House.  This should give us a much better opportunity to interact with people and spread our message.
      In the near future, but not yet on our schedule, will be the presentation to the Easter View High School JROTC of a 1775 CMM Battle Flag, to be used at local events by their honor guard.  We are also looking for opportunities to give presentations in classrooms, possibly starting at Eastern View.  Also in the works is sharing responsibility for a Genealogical Workshop with the Fauquier Court House Chapter of the DAR, in November if approved by the Board of Managers. 
      If you are able, join us at any of our “Coming Events” found on the Muster Call.  The next meeting is for the Board of Managers, but all are welcome to attend and voice your opinion.

Your Servant,
Bill Schwetke, President