Blog Archives

November Birthdays & Service Anniversaries

10/31/2015

Margaret (née Cochran) Corbin November 12, 1751 – January 16, 1800

First woman to receive a pension for military service from the US Congress.
She was seriously wounded while manning a cannon in her fallen husband's place at Ft. Washington, Nov 16, 1776.

November Birthdays
James Robert Baird
James Ernest Ball
Thomas Daniel Brooks
Donald James Cope
Alonzo Leonard Lacey, Jr.
Scott Wesley Mitchell
Ethan Manuel Schumacher
Ronald E.H. Woodaman, PhD

November Service Anniversaries
Benjamin Crocker Works - 48yrs*
Junior Edens - 12yrs
James Simpson Cooper - 4yrs
Grant Alexander Cooper IV - 4yrs
Austin Trevor Martin - 1yr
Price Edward Martin - 1yr
William Travis Martin - 1yr
David Roy Wheeler - 1yr
* interrupted

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Warrenton Fourth Weekend for October

10/23/2015

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23 Oct 2015 Warrenton, VA

Since the First Friday in Warrenton was rained out, the fourth weekend in October was chosen as a substitute. Friday evening President Bill Schwetke set up our display beneath the statue of John Marshall, next to the court house. Our camp was quickly overrun by re-enactors from the Hessian Regiment von Huyn under the command of Kapt'n Ben Williams, shown seated in the picture. President Schwetke was forced to sing songs in German celebrating the Hessian Regiment before he was paroled and allowed to distribute license plate applications.

Kapt'n Williams of the Hessian Regiment von Huyn leads the singing.

25 Oct 2015 Warrenton, VA

Warrenton Halloween Parade

Though there was no activity on Saturday, 24 Oct, on Sunday afternoon there was a Halloween Parade and a good crowd. More license plate applications were passed out and several people learned about the Culpeper Minutemen and the participation of local hero John Marshall.

Crowd by the Court House.

Crowd on Main Street.

Three applications go out.

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Planning for Revolutionary Walk in Yowell Meadow Park

10/21/2015

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21 Oct 2015 Culpeper, VA

Culpeper Tourism Director Paige Read, Karen Quaintance of Culpeper Tourism and the Culpeper Minute Men Chapter, DAR, Cat Schwetke, representing Fauquier Court House Chapter, DAR, and Lon Lacey, representing Culpeper Minutemen Chapter, SAR.

A meeting was held in the Culpeper Tourism Office to discuss plans for a Culpeper Minutemen Statue as a center piece of a Revolutionary War Walk in Yowell Meadow Park. Lon Lacey and Bill Schwetke represented the CMM, Cat Schwetke represented the Fauquier Court House Chapter DAR, Karen Quaintance of the Culpeper Tourism Office also represented the Culpeper Minute Men Chapter of the DAR, and the meeting was chaired by Paige Read, Culpeper's Director of Tourism.

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2015 Yorktown Victory Day

10/19/2015

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19 Oct 2015 Yorktown, VA

Victory Monument at Yorktown.

Today the SAR conducted a memorial service at the tomb of General Thomas Nelson in Yorktown, then marched in the Yorktown Victory Day Celebration. The SAR Color Guard had sixteen uniformed participants, including four members of the CMM: Mike Lyman, Andrew Lyngar, Lance Lyngar, and Bill Schwetke. Cat Schwetke also attended and took the pictures in this report.

SAR Color Guard at the Memorial Service for General Thomas Nelson. CMM participants, Andrew Lyngar on far right in Marine uniform, second from right with musket is Lance Lyngar, Bill Schwetke can be seen just to the left of the Color Guard Commander.

CMM President Bill Schwetke, on right, presents the CMM wreath to Color Guard Commander Darrin Schmidt.

CMM President Bill Scfhwetke salutes the grave of General Thomas Nelson.

SAR Color Guard Marches in the Parade at Yorktown. Front row, left to right: National Color Guard Commander Dave Hoover, Virginia SAR President Reverdy Wright, Virginia SAR Color Guard Commander Darrin Schmidt. CMM past President Lance Lyngar can be seen over President Wright's shoulder carrying a musket; the other CMM participants are hidden back in the ranks.

CMM Participants, left to right, President Bill Schwetke, past President Lance Lyngar, past President Mike Lyman, New Mexico SAR President Andrew Lyngar.

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2015 Community Awards Meeting

10/17/2015

17 Oct 2015 Inn at Kelly's Ford, Remington, VA

The CMM 2015 Community Awards Meeting was held today at the Inn at Kelly's Ford in Remington, VA. Thirty people attended: 13 CMM members, 7 wives, a prospective member with his wife, and eight honorees and family members.

Four New Members inducted by Jim Bayne.

Tom Brooks

Bill Mutziger

Past Virginia SAR President Jim Bayne inducts the new Culpeper Minutemen.

Aaron Hamill receives rosette from his father.

Aaron Hamill

Tom Hamill

TOM BROOKS is a native of Newport News, who has lived in almost every corner of Virginia. He studied Wildlife Conservation and Management at Northern VA Community College before joining the army in 1999. He served with the 416 Transportation Co at Hunter AAF, Savannah, GA until 2003. He has worked as a manager in the food and beverage business and is currently in sales for a craft beer distributor. He lives in Orange with his wife Christina. His patriot is Pvt. Mason Colvin

BILL MUTZIGER is a native of Cheverly, MD, and graduate of Benjamin Franklin University. He served in the Army National Guard and worked for the US Army Audit Agency, then for the IRS for 31 years. He and his wife Linda live in Brightwood, VA; they have two children and five grandchildren. His hobbies are wood working, stamp collecting and gardening. His patriot is Edmund Wayman.

AARON HAMILL is a native of Manassas and is in the 5th grade at Grace Miller Elementary School. Aaron is especially interested in Legos and video games, particularly “Sonic the Hedgehog”. His patriot is Capt Robert Patterson.

TOM HAMILL is a native of Tacoma Park, MD, and grew up in Bowie. He graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in Aerospace Engineering, then worked as an intelligence analyst and engineer for the government, and since 2003 has worked for TASC Inc. supporting another government agency. Tom is an elder in the Presbyterian Church and his interests include genealogy, history, football, and juggling. He lives in Bealton with his wife Suzan and two children. Tom's patriot is Capt. Robert Patterson.

Tom Brooks

Bill Mutziger

Tom Brooks and Bill Mutziger both received the SAR Military Service Medal.

Lon Lacey presents SAR Law Enforcement Commendation Medal to Lt. Andrew Terrill.

     Lt. Andrew Terrill was awarded the SAR Law Enforcement Commendation Medal. Lt. Terrill is an 18-year veteran of the Culpeper Police Department and currently leads a team of detectives in the Criminal Investigations Division.   Also, since 2009 he has led the Community Policing program, which he reorganized. He expanded the program from 9 struggling neighborhood watch programs to 20 fully functioning ones. He initiated and leads bi-monthly meetings where neighborhood watch participants are trained and exchange ideas.
     He has also been instrumental in establishing new physical fitness programs for the Culpeper Police Department and led participation in the national LawFit competition.
     Recently Lt Terrill has been the lead detective in investigating the robbery at the Sun Trust Bank last January. Leading his team of detectives and coordinating with various other county, state, and federal agencies, Lt Terrill developed a case that led to the arrest of several suspects who are now awaiting trial.
     The Culpeper Minutemen of the SAR are proud to recognize Lt. Terrill’s contributions to the safety of our community with the SAR Law Enforcement Commendation Medal.

Lon Lacey with Major Dillon who accepts the SAR Law Enforcement Medal for Sgt Timothy Carter.

Sgt. Timothy M. Carter was awarded the SAR Law Enforcement Commendation Medal. Sgt. Carter is a 23-year veteran of the Warrenton Police Department and currently serves as the supervisor of the Investigative Section. Sgt. Carter distinguished himself with his efforts in a recent counterfeit money investigation. The investigation required coordination over multiple jurisdictions, and despite this obstacle was completed in only three months. This investigation required accuracy, thoroughness, and leadership skills. At the successful conclusion of this investigation the perpetrators were identified, arrested, and convicted.
The Culpeper Minutemen of the SAR are proud to recognize Sgt. Carter's efforts in behalf of our community with the SAR Law Enforcement Commendation Medal.

Adam Thomas accepts the Fire Safety Commendation Medal from Lon Lacey. Left of Adam is Chief Monaco, and to his right are his mother, brother, and behind Lon, his father.

     Adam Thomas was awarded the SAR Fire Safety Commendation Medal. Adam Thomas is a member of the Little Fork Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company. On the night of June 19th, 2015, Adam’s car was hit by another car, which had run a stop sign. Though seriously injured Adam extricated himself from his car to respond to the cries for help from the driver of the other car. In his efforts to aid the other driver he eventually collapsed due to his own injuries. When Little Fork Fire & Rescue arrived on the scene Adam directed them to the other driver, who was seriously injured and trapped in her car. The other driver was extracted and air evacuated.
     Adam was taken by ambulance to Fauquier Hospital where it was determined that his L-5 vertebrae was shattered. He was air transported to Fairfax INOVA for surgery. The surgery was successful and Adam has begun the long process of rehabilitation.
     Despite his own severe injuries and intense pain Adam had put the welfare of another citizen above his own. The Culpeper Minutemen of the SAR are proud to recognize Adam Thomas for his exceptional actions with the SAR Fire Safety Commendation Medal.

Silver Good Citizenship Medals presented to Jim Bayne and Lon Lacey

Past President Jerry Hubbard presents the Silver Good Citizenship Medal to Jim Bayne.

Past President Jerry Hubbard presents the Silver Good Citizenship Medal to Lon Lacey.

     James Manuel Bayne was awarded the SAR Silver Good Citizenship Medal for years of service to his country as a soldier, architect and engineer, leader in the US Space Program, accomplished author, and Civic Volunteer.
     He was a soldier in the 44th Infantry, Illinois National Guard .
     He is a graduate of the University of Illinois and Harvard Business School, and has been an adjunct professor at Lawrence Institute and Detriot Institute of Technology.
     After a successful career as an architect, structural engineer, and project manager in private business he became a member of the original NASA Space Task Group.
     From 1961-1967 he was the Director of Design for the Manned Spacecraft Center, later the Johnson Space Center, in Houston.
     Then from 1967 – 1971 he was the Director of Engineering for NASA’s Electronics Research Center in Cambridge, MA.
     Then from 1971 until he retired in 1989 he was the Director of Operations at NASA Headquarters.
     Jim Bayne’s accomplishments in his other endeavors and civic service are equally impressive. He is an accomplished horseman, officer in various Walking Horse Associations including past President of the American Walking Horse Association, and a skilled violin maker. He is a Mason and has held several leadership positions in the Masons. He has been an officer in many other non-profit organizations and has been active in many genealogical and lineage societies. He is a published author. On a lighter note he has experience as a Gandy Dancer and a Roustabout.
     In the SAR Jim has been president of our chapter and president of the Virginia Society.
     Among the many awards previously bestowed upon Jim is the Spaceship Earth Award for outstanding contributions to the well being of life on Spaceship Earth.
     Jim has devoted his life to excellence in many fields and we are all the better for his contributions. We are proud to award him the SAR Silver Good Citizenship Medal.

     Alonzo Leonard Lacey, Jr. was awarded the SAR Silver Good Citizenship Medal for years of service to his country as a Marine, FBI agent and supervisor, College professor, and Civic Volunteer.
     Lon Lacey was a US Marine from 1958 to 1964, achieving the rank of Sergeant.
     He then graduated from the University of Texas School of Law and was admitted to the State Bar of Texas.
     Next he joined the FBI working in Salt Lake City and Louisville. He was the supervisor of a 16 agent Fugitive Squad in Louisville.
     In 1975 he was assigned to FBI Headquarters where he worked with the Intelligence Division, coordinating with the Church Committee in Congress, participated in the development of investigating guidelines, and oversaw compliance with the Foreign Counterintelligence Surveillance Act in operational cases.
     In 1978 was appointed section chief of the Law Enforcement Arts Training and Research Section of the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA. This included all SWAT and Hostage Negotiation training and operational support; and training and operational liaison with Delta Force and Seal Team 6.
     From 1981 to 1986 Lon was the Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven, CT, Division, directing 97 agents and 53 support personnel, heavily engaged in operations aimed at organized crime and drug cartels.
     From 1988 – 1994 he was a tenured professor and head of the Department of Criminal Justice at Victoria College in Texas. During this time he was also Director of the Regional Police Training Academy at Victoria.
     He has also been a member and officer of the North-South Skirmish Association from 1975 to date, and is on the Board of Directors at the Friends of Cedar Mountain Battlefield. In the SAR he has held leadership positions in both our chapter and at state level.
     Lon Lacey has devoted his life to public service with much success and many accomplishments and we are proud to award him the SAR Silver Good Citizenship Medal.

President Bill Schwetke presents recent streamers awarded to the the CMM to Color Guard Commander Lon Lacey.

The CMM was recently awarded streamers for our chapter flag for participation in the commemorations at Ft. Laurens, OH, Point Pleasant, WV, and Kings Mountain, SC.

Betty Washington Lewis Grave Clean Up

10/11/2015

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11 Oct 2015 Stevensburg, VA

This afternoon fifteen workers from the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter NSDAR, the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter SAR, and family members, performed grounds maintenance on the cemetery on the Oldaker Farm including the grave of Betty Washington Lewis, sister of George Washington and wife of Fielding Lewis. The work party included three CMM participants, Len Cowherd, Bill Schwetke, and Ben Works.
Betty Lewis was George Washington's younger and only sister. She died in 1797 while visiting her daughter, Betty Lewis Carter, at Eastern View Plantation, where she was buried. The grave was deeded to the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter of the NSDAR who placed the current memorial over her grave in 1927.

The Culpeper Minutemen Chapter, NSDAR, dedicates the memorial they placed over the grave of Betty Washington Lewis in 1927. The young girl, fifth from the left, is Lucy Robb Winston, compatriot Ben Work's aunt. Photo courtesy of Rev Betty Works Fuller.

The work party cut down low hanging limbs from a nearby cedar tree and cleared weeds and overgrowth. With 15 busy workers and machinery furnished by Gerry Schuck of Bugles Across America the work was quickly accomplished.

The Work party. Compatriot Ben Works is on the far right, Len Cowherd is third from the left in the back row, and Bill Schwetke took the picture.

Mary Ann Cowherd, Regent of the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter NSDAR at Betty Lewis' grave prior to the start of work.

Work in progress, Gerry Schuck in the foreground with the weed eater.

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President General's Wreath Presentation at ARlington National Cemetery

10/11/2015

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10 Oct 2015 Arlington National Cemetery

President General Tom Lawrence, accompanied by his wife, Mickey Jo, present the National Society wreath to the Honor Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown in Arlington National Cemetery. Escorting them are George Washington Chapter President Dwight Whitney and Virginia SAR 2nd Vice President Mike Elston. photo by Ernie Coggins

Today President General Tom Lawrence presented a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown in Arlington National Cemetery. Also participating in the presentation were the First lady, Mrs. Mickey Jo Lawrence, Virginia SAR 2nd Vice President Mike Elston, George Washington Chapter President Dwight Whitney, and the Virginia SAR Color Guard under the command of National Color Guard Commander Dave Hoover. This is an annual event organized and executed by the George Washington Chapter. The CMM were represented by Past President Lance Lyngar, Jim Mitchell, and President Bill Schwetke; who all participated in the color guard.

CMM Participants, left to right: Lance Lyngar, Bill Schwetke, and Jim Mitchell.

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Fauquier Court House Chapter NSDAR October Meeting

10/10/2015

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10 Oct 2015 Warrenton, VA

The FCHC/DAR "March to Great Bridge Progress Chart" next to the Culpeper Minutemen License Plate display.

CMM President Bill Schwetke attended the October meeting of the Fauquier Court House Chapter of the DAR this morning. The program was a short talk, then question and answer session by Mayor Powell L. Duggan of Warrenton. President Schwetke presented greeting from the CMM and invited the ladies to apply for Culpeper Minutemen license plates - several took applications. This DAR chapter is also making great progress with their effort to duplicate, with walks and runs, the mileage marched by the four Fauquier County companies of the Culpeper Minutemen to Great Bridge, which they track on a poster map. Next month the FCHC/DAR will co-host with the CMM a Genealogy Workshop in Warrenton, Saturday, 7 November.

CMM President Bill Schwetke brings greetings from the CMM to the FCHC/DAR.

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235th Anniversary of Kings Mountain

10/8/2015

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7 Oct 2015 Blacksburg, SC

Two CMM members, joined by their wives, participated in the celebration of the 235th Anniversary of the Patriot victory at Kings Mountain. On 7 October, 1780, Patriot Militia, including the "Overmountain Men", surprised and decisively defeated Torry Militia led by British Major Patrick Ferguson. Thomas Jefferson called this victory "The turn of the tide of success", because it reversed a string of British victories that had demoralized the patriots. Over one quarter of the Loyalist force was killed, including their commander, Major Ferguson; the remainder were wounded or captured. Patriot casualties were comparatively light. The CMM representatives were President Bill Schwetke, with his wife, Cat, and past PG Lindsey Brock, with his wife Billie.

CMM President Bill Schwetke salutes the monument at Kings Mountain.

The SAR Color Guard forms for the group photo. Back row, center, with CMM Chapter Flag is President Bill Schwetke, In front left of Bill, and covering part of the chapter flag, past PG Lindsey Brock.

The Overmountain Men fire a musket salute at Kings Mountain.

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Passing of Past President Paul Bess

10/5/2015

Paul Bess receives the President's Gavel from then Virginia SAR President Joe Dooley, and is sworn in as President of the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter in January 2008.

Jack Paul Bess, Jr.
April 20, 1965 - October 3, 2015

The CMM mourn the loss of Paul Bess, CMM President, 2008, and a member of the CMM 1992-94 and 2006-13, who died in Winchester Saturday. His online obituary and a link follow:

     Jack Paul Bess, Jr., 50, of Linden, Virginia and Tangier, Virginia
died Saturday, October 3, 2015 in the Winchester Medical
Center.
     Mr. Bess was born April 20, 1965 in Roanoke, Virginia, son of
the late Jack Paul Bess and Bennie Chesser Bess.
He worked for the Department of Defense and had served in the
National Guard during Desert Storm.
     He was a member of many historical organizations, including the
Sons of the American Revolution; the Society of the War of
1812 in Virginia; and the Jamestown Society.
Surviving are his wife, Monica Janette Schlegel Bess; and a
brother, Michael David Bess, of Kingsport, Tennessee.
Services will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Tangier Island
Health Foundation, PO Box 788, Irvington, Virginia 22480; or
the Tangier Volunteer Fire Department, 16344 Main Ridge Rd.,
Tangier, VA 23440.
http://www.endersandshirley.com/memsol.cgi?user_id=1669140#.VhLZJt3a0Jg.facebook

<<Previous

23 Oct 2015 Warrenton, VA

25 Oct 2015 Warrenton, VA

21 Oct 2015 Culpeper, VA

19 Oct 2015 Yorktown, VA

17 Oct 2015 Inn at Kelly's Ford, Remington, VA

11 Oct 2015 Stevensburg, VA

10 Oct 2015 Arlington National Cemetery

10 Oct 2015 Warrenton, VA

7 Oct 2015 Blacksburg, SC

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