The 2016 Fall Leadership/Trustee Meeting was held at the Brown Hotel in Louisville, KY on Sep 29 - Oct 2, 2016.  The CMM were represented by President Bill Schwetke and his wife Cat, and dual members Lindsay Brock, Doug Collins, and Andrew Lyngar.  For details see the report on Virginia Dispatches at:                                   http://virginia-sar-bulletin.weebly.com/blog/fall-leadership-2016


     The 2016 Virginia SAR Semi-Annual was held in Williamsburg, VA, on September 16 & 17, 2016.  The CMM were represented by past presidents Mike Lyman & Lance Lyngar; and President Bill Schwetke.  More details can be found on Virginia Dispatches at:        http://virginia-sar-bulletin.weebly.com/blog/2016-semi-annual-in-williamsburg-september-16-17

     On the afternoon of September 11th, the CMM marked the grave of Compatriot Daniel Harmon Lay.  Dan, a member of the Lay Family that provided many of our most active members, was honored in a ceremony witnessed by many members of the Lay Family who were gathered for a family reunion.
     1st Vice President Jerry Hubbard conducted the ceremony, assisted by Chaplain Len Cowherd.  Bill Mutziger led the Pledge of Allegiance and SAR Pledge, and also presented the CMM wreath.  Fauquier Court House Chapter Regent Cat Schwetke also presented a wreath. Compatriot Jake Lay represented the family by talking about Dan's life, and unveiling the SAR Marker.  Don Jennings led the Color Guard, which also consisted of Bill Schwetke, and Peter Davenport of the George Mason Chapter.

     On Sunday, September 11th, the CMM join Bugles Across America, the VFW, the Culpeper Volunteer Fire Department, the Culpeper Police Department, and the Culpeper County Sheriff's Office in commemorating the sacrifices of the heroes of 9/11.  The CMM were represented by Color Guard Deputy Commander Don Jennings and President Bill Schwetke, who, with Peter Davenport of the George Mason Chapter, participated in the Combined Color Guard.  Also attending the ceremonies were Ben Works and Len Cowherd.  Cat Schwetke also attended and took these pictures.
     The ceremony began in front of the Culpeper Fire Station at 8:46 am, the time that American Airlines Flight 11 hit the North Tower.  As the Color Guard saluted, Dave Shuma of Bugles Across America played Taps.

     At 9:03 am, the time that United Flight 175 crashed into the south tower, a ceremony was conducted in front of the Culpeper County Sheriff's Office.  There Dick Stageberg, of Bugles Across America played Taps.

     At 9:37 am, the time that American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon, a ceremony was held at the Wine Street Memorial Park.

     At 10:03 am, the time that United Flight 93 crashed into a field in Somerset County, PA, a ceremony was held at the intersection of Main and Davis Streets.  Both buglers participated in this ceremony, which honored not only the heroes of Flight 93, but the heroes of Benghazi.  This was followed by the playing of America the Beautiful and Amazing Grace.

     On September 10th, 21 members of the Virginia Society, including Virginia SAR President Ed Truslow and his First Lady Laura, joined President General Mike Tomme and his first Lady Celia for the presentation of the SAR wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown in Arlington National Cemetery.  The weather was perfect, though warm, sunny and 94°.  This is an annual event, hosted by the George Washington Chapter of the Virginia Society.  The CMM were represented by President Bill Schwetke, who also participated in the Color Guard. 

     39 Members of the Fauquier Court House Chapter, DAR, and their guests, gathered at Warrenton Bible Fellowship for their September meeting.  The CMM were represented by President Bill Schwetke, who brought greetings and answered questions about areas of mutual interest.  Items that concern the CMM included:

     Two of the male guests at this meeting are now potential SAR members.

Compatriots and Friends,
 
     We are now into a busy time in our schedule:  First Friday in Warrenton, Battle of the Capes this Saturday, wreath laying in Arlington, the 9/11 Ceremony and the Dan Lay grave marking on September 11th, Warrenton Heritage Day, Virginia SAR Semi-Annual in Williamsburg, Gathering of the Overmountain Men at Sycamore Shoals, and NSSAR Fall Leadership in Louisville.  And that gets us to October, which is just as busy.  If you would like to participate, there are many opportunities.
     We are still looking for volunteers to take 2017 officer and committee positions.  If you have an interest, please let me know.  2017 officers will be nominated at the October Meeting and voted on at the November meeting.  The new president, who I expect to be Jerry Hubbard, will appoint the committee members.  If you are interested, we will work with you to find a place to your liking.  Check last month’s letter for a list of officers and committees.  Added to the committees at the August Board of Manager’s meeting is an Audit Committee.  If you have the skill for that, we could use you next year for a long overdue audit.
     The Board of Managers also approved raising the cost to attend our chapter meetings to $25.  Though we will strive to keep the cost to the chapter down at $20 per attendee, we need to cover guest meals and honorariums for our speakers.  At the new price we will break even at 20 attendees at normal meetings.  Meetings with large numbers of guest, such as the Community Awards Meeting in October, will still deplete the treasury, but most other meetings we will expect to break even.
     The Board also considered increasing our chapter dues.  At $15, we are the least expensive chapter in Virginia, and probably much further.  We voted to keep the dues at $15, though you will see a surcharge on your Virginia Society dues to cover the 2020 Congress, which Virginia will host.  In lieu of raising dues, we will attempt a fund-raiser or two over the next year, in addition to taking donations at Warrenton’s First Fridays.
     Don’t forget Dan Lay’s grave marking, on the afternoon of Sunday, September 11th.
 
Your Servant,
Bill Schwetke, President