Blog Archives - CULPEPER MINUTE MEN - MUSTER CALL

CMM Member Memorializes the Lochry Massacre in Indiana

8/24/2019

24 Aug 2019 Aurora, IN

CMM Member Jim Arnold laid a wreath at a ceremony commemorating those patriots who fought in the battle known as Lochry's Defeat. The ceremony was part of the activities at the annual meeting of the Central district, SAR. In the summer of 1781, the Americans in the Ohio River Valley, under the command of General George Rogers Clark, were amassing forces to oust the British from Detroit. A band of about 100 Pennsylvania militia led by Archibald Lochry were trailing the main force on 24 Aug 1781 near Aurora, Indiana when they were set upon by about an equal number of Indians lead by Mohawk leader Joseph Brant. The ambush left 37 dead and 64 captured. The loss of Lochry's men proved to be the fatal setback that prevented General Clark and the Americans from attacking Detroit.

Board of Managers Meeting

8/24/2019

24 Aug 2019 Culpeper, VA

The CMM Board of Managers met at Pepper's Grill in Culpeper on Saturday, 24 Aug. In attendance were CMM President Tom Hamill, CMM Vice President Charles Jameson, CMM Treasurer Bill Mutziger, CMM Color Guard Commander Mike Dennis, Keith Price and Jim Lillard. The following actions were taken:

The dedication of the CMM Memorial in Yowell Meadow Park has been delayed until early 2020. The company that will be doing the polishing of the granite did not think they could get to the polishing of our stone until November due to their current work schedule. The board proposed holding the ceremony on 19 April 2020 - which would be the 245th anniversary of the Battle of Lexington and Concord. This date also falls on a Sunday, and is the day after the Grave's Mountain Lodge meeting.

The current treasury balance is at its lowest point in a number of years. The special collection for the 1775 Society probably kept other donations from going directly into the general fund. After some discussion, the board voted to raise the annual dues starting this year to $20 per year for the Chapter with an additional raise to $25 per year in 2025. An e-mail explaining this action will be put forth by the CMM President.

The BOM will be bringing forth the following changes to the Chapter's Constitution and By-Laws: First is the moving of the monthly Chapter meetings to the 2nd Monday of each month. Second is to set the terms of officers to 2 years from 1 year - with the elimination of the 2nd Vice President post. Finally, the addition of a requirement to review and renew the Constitution and By-Laws every 5 years. As per our current Constitution and By-Laws, these proposals with explanations will be sent to the Chapter membership for consideration, discussion and ultimately voted on during the 26 Oct 2019 meeting.

Private Jeffery Collins Grave Marking

8/20/2019

20 Aug 2019 Browntown, VA

Lewin-Lawson Cemetery

Patriot Jeffrey Collins was born 14 Feb 1756 in Virginia. He served as Private in the Virginia Militia during the Revolutionary War. In March 1777, he volunteered for Captain Michael Rader’s Company. The company marched to Fort Pitt and then on to Wheeling where the unit fought Indians. His company remained to guard the fort at Wheeling until his discharge on 26 March 1778.
Today the Colonel James Wood II Chapter marked Jeffery Collins' grave in a ceremony at the Lewin-Lawson Cemetery in Browntown, VA. President Peter Davenport represented the Virginia SAR at the ceremony and the CMM were represented by Vice President Charles Jameson, who presented a wreath, and past President Bill Schwetke. Both Jameson and Schwetke marched in the Color Guard and Schwetke participated in the firing of musket volleys.

Private Jeffery Collins' grave.

CMM Vice President Charles Jameson, on left, and past President Bill Schwetke with the CMM Wreath.

Patriot Service must be submitted to the Patriot Record System and accepted before this can count as a grave marking for the Patriot Grave Marking Medal. Form may be found here.

Nansemond Indian Pow Wow

8/18/2019

17-18 Aug 2019 Mattanock Town VA

The Nansemond Indian Nation held their Annual Pow Wow at Mattanock Town in Suffolk County this past weekend. The SAR Color Guard marched in the Opening Ceremony each day and the Nansemond Indian Patriots Chapter manned a recruiting tent that was shared with the DAR. The CMM were represented by Bill Schwetke who marched in the Color Guard and manned the recruiting tent.

SAR participants, left to right: Jeff Brown of the Norfolk Chapter, Virginia SAR President Peter Davenport, Nansemond Indian Patriot Chapter President Sam Bass (who is also Chief of the Nansemond Nation), CMM past President Bill Schwetke, and Kimball Thompson of the Thomas Nelson, Jr., Chapter.

The SAR Recruiting Tent. Virginia SAR President Peter Davenport on left, CMM past President on right.

Tribal dancers.

237th Anniversary of the Battle of Blue Licks

8/17/2019

Carlisle, KY 17 Aug 2019

CMM President Tom Hamill along with his son Aaron Hamill attended the 237th Anniversary of the Battle of Blue Licks Commemoration near Marysville, Kentucky on 18 Aug 2019. Both Tom and Aaron joined the SAR under Captain Robert Patterson who fought in this battle. President Hamill participated in the Color Guard and presented a wreath for the Chapter. Aaron Hamill also presented a wreath for the Ashby's Gap Society, CAR. There was a pretty good showing from Virginia at the event. VASSAR President Peter Davenport lead the contingent which also included Thomas Jefferson Chapter President Jim O'Kelley, VASSAR Past President and CMM Dual Member Pat Kelly, and Col. James Woods II Vice President and CMM Dual Member Marc Robinson.

Aaron Hamill on left and CMM President Tom Hamill on right.

Atlantic Middle States Association 2019 Meeting

8/10/2019

9-10 Aug 2019 Wilmington, DE

Virginia SAR participants

     The 2019 Meeting of the Atlantic Middle States Association was well attended by Virginia SAR compatriots and spouses. The CMM were represented by past President Bill Schwetke and his wife Cat, dual members Pat Kelly and his wife Jennifer, Jeff Thomas and new dual member, Treasurer General Bruce Pickett and his wife Rita. The Virginia SAR won the Jersey Devil Award for participation based on numbers attending and miles traveled.
     The meeting endorsed a slate of officers for the NSSAR 2020-2021 term, including CMM dual members Bruce Pickett for Secretary General and Doug Collins for Registrar General.
     Bill Schwetke, Pat Kelly and Jeff Thomas all participated in the Color Guard during the meeting.
     The meeting also included a tour of Brandywine Battlefield, where former Culpeper Minuteman Captain John Chilton fell heroically on September 11, 1777.

John Paul Jones' Serapis Flag, used as the flag of the Atlantic Middle States Association.

2019 Chapter Picnic

8/3/2019

3 Aug 2019 Culpeper, VA

Clockwise, from lower left: Jackson Fray, Keith Price, Susan Hamill, Michael Dennis, Charles Jameson, Tom Hamill, and Don Hollar. Picture by Bill Schwetke.

The Annual Picnic was postponed and location change due to the very hot weather on the planned date. Instead we gathered at the Jameson's Home today and they provided wonderful hospitality for those of us who showed up for the picnic. Charles Jameson manned the grill and all were well fed, without one piece of chicken being brought - perhaps a first.

SAR Night at the Ball Park - Norfolk Tides

8/3/2019

3 Aug 2019 Harbor Park, Norfolk, VA

All photos by Morgaine Beck

The Norfolk Tides beat the Durham Bulls 3-2, the SAR Color Guard augmented by Norfolk compatriots presented the colors for the National Anthem, there were fireworks, hot dogs, and a great time with a great group from the Norfolk Chapter.

Left to right: Triton, Jeff Brown, Bill Schwetke, Rip Tide, Norfolk President Ken Hawkins, Tom Whetstone, and Kimball Thompson.

First Friday in Warrenton

8/2/2019

2 Aug 2019 Warrenton, VA

This evening CMM President Tom Hamill and Bill Schwetke spread "Liberty Sprigs" and a little Revolutionary War history on Main Street in Warrenton during First Friday. Gar Schulin provided the "Liberty Sprigs" which were all taken up by the crowd in the little over two hours that Tom and Bill walked Main Street.

Tom Hamill explains the "Liberty Sprigs" to a group enjoying First Friday.

August Birthdays & Service Anniversaries

8/1/2019

David Jameson
Who as an ensign carried this flag

19 Aug 1752 - 2 Oct 1839

August Birthdays
George Washington Bryson, Jr.
Robert Reynolds Burnett
Andrew Christian Everett
James Thomas Hamill
Michael Eugene Howard
William Roberts Hurst
Raymond Phillip Mills, Jr.
Keith David Price
Eric Stuart Schumacher

August Service Anniversaries
Nathan Richard Skipper III - 33 yrs
Ronald E. H. Woodaman - 33 yrs
Donnel Jerome Hubbard - 23 yrs
Travis Q. Lyday - 22 yrs
Robert Lee Bowen - 19 yrs
David Warren Lyman - 18yrs
Russ Karr - 15 yrs
Richard Holmes Knight, Jr. - 12 yrs
Doug Thomas Collins - 10 yrs
Loren Edward Lay - 10 yrs
Andrew Stephen Lyngar, Jr. – 10 yrs
John Hardin Chance – 9 yrs
William Lewis Schwetke - 9 yrs
Eric Anthony Messick - 6 yrs
Ronald Hugh Messick - 6 yrs
Douglas Lynn Schwetke - 5 yr
David Marshall Messick, Jr. - 4 yrs
David Marshall Messick, IV – 4 yrs
William James Messick - 4 yrs
William Nicholas Mutziger - 4 yrs
William Lee Montgomery - 1 yr