Blog Archives

Color Guard Workshop

8/29/2026

29 Aug 2026 Washington's Ferry Farm

Saturday the Col Fielding Lewis Chapter hosted a Color Guard Workshop with emphasis on Flag Protocol and Black Powder Musket Certification at George Washington's boyhood home at Ferry Farm on the banks of the Rappahannock. Beautiful weather, a perfect setting, and compatriots working together to improve our knowledge and skills and welcoming new color guardsmen. Great camaraderie. Bill Schwetke represented the CMM and conducted the Flag Protocol training. If you are interested in participating in our color guard, talk to Bill. Starting in September we will begin doing short, 10-15 minute color guard training sessions at the end of each chapter meeting.

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Monument Dedication and Marking of Five Patriot Graves

8/22/2026

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22 Aug 2026 Lovettsville, VA

At New Jerusalem Lutheran Church near Lovettsville DAR and SAR members from Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia gathered to dedicate a memorial to thirty-three patriots buried in the church cemetery and mark the graves of five of those patriots. Just shy of 100 people from the SAR, DAR, the church, and local community attended. The CMM were represented by President Mark Crain and Bill Schwetke; President Crain presented the CMM wreath and both Mark and Bill participated in the Color Guard and musket firing. The program was sponsored by the Fairfax Resolves and Sgt Major John Champe SAR Chapters of Virginia and the Sgt Lawrence Everhart SAR Chapter of Maryland.

Color Guard participants. CMM President Mark Crain is in the group on the right, front roll, second from right, and Bill Schwetke is behind him in the second row fifth from the left.

CMM participants President Mark Crain on the left and Bill Schwetke at the monument that was dedicated.

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August 2026 Chapter Meeting/Picnic

8/18/2026

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Culpeper, VA 18 Aug 2026

This evening for the CMM Annual Picnic Meeting we had a potluck dinner at Greenlee Tavern located at Mountain Run Winery. This tavern iis named for one operated by an ancestor of Mountain Run Winery owner David Foster in the 18th century. There were 17 attendees including eight chapter members, three prospective members, and six spouses including four DAR members. The owner of Mountain Run Winery, David Foster, and his father, John, are prosepective members of the SAR.

The program this evening was a talk by Charles Jameson on the tale of two half-brothers from the prominent Tutt Family who had emigrated from Culpeper to Missouri. Charles has Tutt ancestors, but these brothers are a different line. It's a fascinating story, you'll want to hear it. Maybe he'll do it again.

At the National SAR Congress in July, our chapter received streamers and certificates to recognize it as the best chapter of 50-99 members in the nation in 2025. They were accepted by John Kuvakas who presented them to President Crain at this meeting. Jim Bish, who was our chapter president in 20205 was invited to share in the presentation.

Jim Bish presented the chapter a rendition of the 1775 Culpeper Minute Battalion Flag done by world famous vexillologist, Steve Hill, an expert on 18th century flags. Last year the chapter voted to recognize this version of this historic flag as the most correct, it's nice to actually have a copy.

Bill Schwetke member of the SAR National Color Guard Committee, presented two color guard medals this evening, first to John Kuvakas the Virginia SAR Billy Flora Medal for service to the state, and then to President Mark Crain the National SAR Bronze Color Guard Medal for service to the chapter.

John Kuvakas receives the Virginia SAR Billy Flora Medal for his color guard participation in Virginia for 2025.

President Mark Crain receives the National SAAR Bronze Color Guard Medal for three years of color guard service to the chapter.

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2026 Nansemond Indian Pow Wow

8/15/2026

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15 Aug 2026 Mattanock Town, VA

Left to right: Tom Badamo (Nansemond Indian Patriot Chapter), Pat Hannum (Norfolk Chapter), and Bill Schwetke (CMM), picture by Cat Schwetke

Today, Bill Schwetke, a dual member of the Nansemond Indian Patriot Chapter, helped man the booth explaining the role of the Nansemond Indians at the Battle of Great Bridge and also recruiting for the SAR and DAR. Bill also participated in the Color Guard.

Pat Hammond talking to two of the more then fifty attendees that stopped by our booth to learn about the role the Nansemond Indians played in the American Revolution.

To the tune of the "Flag Song" the Eagle Staff lead the opening precession, followed by the US Colors, carried by compatriot Tom Badamo, and the Nansemond Nation's Flag.

An SAR Color Guard of Bill Schwetke and Pat Hannum rendered honors to the ceremonial flag procession.

A portion of the many vendors selling appropriate goods.

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Frontier Region Annual Meeting

8/15/2026

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15 Aug 2026 Wytheville, VA

Pomeroy marker dedication. Chaplain John Kuvakas eighth from the right.

The Frontier Region, consisting of seven chapters in southwest Virginia, held its annual meeting this weekend and CMM/Virginia SAR Chaplain John Kuvakas participated at the roundtable and conducted a chaplains workshop.

Round Table discussions

Chaplain Kuvakas

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Atlantic Middle States Association Annual Meeting

8/7/2026

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07-09 August 2026 Christiana, DE

Virginia SAR Attendees, front row, left to right: Rob Meyer (CMM dual), Virginia SAAR President Darrin Schmidt, Mid Atlantic District VPG Harry Roberts, Historian General and candidate for Secretary General Jeff Thomas (CMM dual), NSSAR President General Allan Greenly, Secretary General Brooks Lyles (dual), Bill Greaf, Ken Morris, Lary McKinley, Treasurer General Scott Colins (CMM dual). back row, left to right: North Atlantic District VPG (CMM dual), Bill Schwetke (CMM), Virginia SAR 1st VP Ken Bonner (CMM dual), Virginia SAR 3rd VP Forrest Crain, Rev Rusty Mills (dual), Rick Abbot, Virginia SAR Genealogist Dave Cook (CMM dual), Virginia SAR and CMM Chaplain Rev John Kuvakas (CMM), PG (2013-2014) Joe Dooley, Virginia SAR 2nd VP Randy Atkins, Joe Vermaelen (dual).

This weekend at the Hilton in Wilmington, DE, the seven chapters of the Atlantic Middle States Association meet to discuss common business and also to vote on our recommendations for various candidates to leadership positions in our national society. We forwarded our recommendation for the office of Secretary General of Jeff Thomas of Virginia (a dual member of the CMM) and for Treasurer General, Scott Collins of GA, (also a dual member of the CMM).

During Virginia SAR President Darrin Schmidt's report from our society he presented, on behalf of the Virginia SAR, the Virginia Society Medal to Rob Meyer of New Jersey for his efforts in support of the Virginia Society this past year, and over the years before. The CMM offered dual membership in our chapter to Rob and he was pleased to join us, so he is now a dual member of our chapter.

Virginia SAR President Darrin Schmidt presents the Virginia Society Medal to Rob Meyer, who, in turn, honored us by submitting his application to be a dual member of the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter.

Next year in Early August, the DC Society will host this meeting and what they have planned is very special. It won't be very far to travel for many Virginians and it is a great opportunity to mingle with some fine people from six other states and learn from them; to mingle with the current President General and at least the next three PGs, learn who they are and what their plans and dreams are for our SAR. Let' go to DC next August.

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Color Guard Workshop

29 Aug 2026 Washington's Ferry Farm

Monument Dedication and Marking of Five Patriot Graves

22 Aug 2026 Lovettsville, VA

August 2026 Chapter Meeting/Picnic

Culpeper, VA 18 Aug 2026

2026 Nansemond Indian Pow Wow

15 Aug 2026 Mattanock Town, VA

Frontier Region Annual Meeting

15 Aug 2026 Wytheville, VA

Atlantic Middle States Association Annual Meeting

07-09 August 2026 Christiana, DE

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