The Right Reverend Shannon Johnston, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia, visited historic Little Fork Church today, and two members of the CMM, one member of the Col William Grayson Chapter, and one member of the Fauquier Court House Chapter, NSDAR (and a CMM wife), attended in revolutionary attire to support the congregation of this church.  Little Fork Church provided several members to the 1775 Culpeper Minutemen and today the congregation provides frequent support to the CMM.  Our November Chapter Awards Meeting will be held in their Fellowship Hall.  The current church building was constructed in 1773-1776, during the time that some of its men served in the Culpeper Minutemen.
     Those attending included Lon Lacey, CMM President Bill Schwetke and his wife Cat, Regent of the Fauquier Court House Chapter, NSDAR, and Paul Chase of the Col. William Grayson Chapter.

  Yorktown Victory Day began with the annual wreath laying at the tomb of Thomas Nelson, Jr., who signed the Declaration of Independence, served as a general of Virginia Militia, and was a governor of Virginia during the revolution.  President General Mike Tomme represented the SAR, President Ed Truslow represented the Virginia SAR, 1st Vice President Mike Elston was the master of ceremonies, and several states and chapters were represented.  The CMM were represented by Lindsay Brock, Mike Lyman, Andrew Lyngar, Lance Lyngar, and Bill Schwetke, all of whom participated in the color guard.  Joining us were Billie Brock, Louis Dennis, and Cat Schwetke.
     Before the wreath laying, President General Mike Tomme presented CMM President Bill Schwetke the SAR Color Guard Silver Medal for support of national and district events, and the Molly Pitcher Medal to Cat Schwetke for her support of the Color Guard at those events.
     After the presentation of the wreaths the participants gathered on Church Street for the march down Main Street in front of the reviewing stand and past the Victory Monument.

     The Virginia SAR Congress Planning Committee and the National Congress Planning Committee visited five hotels in Norfolk and Richmond over three days, October 17-19.  One of these hotels will be selected as the site for the 2020 Congress.  Those making the visits included National Congress Planning Chairman Paul Callanan and his wife Keitha, SAR Executive Director Don Shaw, Virginia Congress Planning Chair Mark Brennan, President General Mike Tomme, past President General (and CMM dual member) Lindsay Brock, Virginia President Ed Truslow and his wife Laura, 3rd Vice President Tom Whetstone, Secretary Wayne Rouse and his wife Wink, CMM President Bill Schwetke and his wife Cat, and Mrs. Julia Crider of Helms Briscoe.
     The hotels visited included Norfolk Waterside Marriott, the Hilton Norfolk The Main (still under construction), the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside, the Hilton Richmond Downtown, and the Richmond Marriott.  The group also visited the St. Paul's Church in Norfolk and the Richmond Convention Center.
     The National and Virginia groups will independently rank order the hotels, and if they agree on their first choices, negotiations will begin with that hotel for the 2020 Congress.  If the two groups do not agree, the SAR Executive Committee will decide.

     The Culpeper Minute Men Chapter, DAR, conducted their annual cleanup of Betty Washington Lewis' grave and three CMM compatriots were there to pitch in: Len Cowherd, Jackson Fray, and Bill Schwetke.  This is the grave of George Washington's sister, and is owned by the local DAR chapter, and is located in a remote section of a farm.  The owner of the farm keeps the cemetery in good condition, but the DAR maintains Betty Washington Lewis' grave.  She was the wife of patriot Col. Fielding Lewis.

     This past weekend was celebrated as Battle Days at Point Pleasant, WV, were the victory of the Virginia Militia under Andrew Lewis over Indians under Chief Cornstock was celebrated.  This was the major battle of "Dunmore's War".
     Saturday evening was the Governor's Banquet, followed by the Governor's Ball.  Sunday began with a Colonial Church Service, followed by the presentation of memorial wreaths.  At the wreath presentations the memorial address was delivered by Lt. Col. Rusty McGuire, commander of the 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Virginia National Guard, descended from the Virginia Militia which fought at Point Pleasant.
     The CMM were represented by President Bill Schwetke, and his wife, Cat.  Bill also participated in the Color Guard.

     The 236th Anniversary of the patriot victory at Kings Mountain, South Carolina, was celebrated in what was, at times, a heavy downpour. Fortunately for the attendees, the National Park Service set up tents for protection from the rain.  The CMM were represented by President Bill Schwetke, who presented the chapter wreath and marched in the color guard.

Compatriots and Friends,
     This is the busy season for the SAR.  We just finished our Semi-Annual State Meeting and the National Fall Leadership Meeting.  This weekend we will participate in the commemorations at Kings Mountain and Point Pleasant.  The following weekend is our Community Awards Meeting at Fauquier Springs Country Club, followed the next week by the Yorktown Victory Day Celebration.  Then to start November we have the Genealogy Workshop in Warrenton that we co-host.  There are many opportunities for you to help or participate.  I strongly encourage you to join the celebration in Yorktown on October 19th.  This is a spectacular event that you will enjoy.  We also need volunteers to help with the setup, registration, and cleanup for the Genealogy Workshop - you can also attend.
     Now is also the time to fill the nominations for elected officers for the chapter elections in November, and volunteer for the committee of your choice.  Also for next year we are asking members to take responsibility for functions, such as planning a chapter meeting.  I have volunteered to be responsible for the April Multi-Chapter Meeting at Graves Mountain, the Culpeper Minutemen Memorial Ceremony in June, and our participation in the Genealogy Workshop next year.  That leaves a lot more that needs to be covered.
     With the coming elections I am anticipating serving a new chapter president.  I will not fade away, but will continue to be very active, supporting the new president, and I hope, still serving as your registrar.  I hope to follow the example of the past presidents who have continued to support our chapter.
     Hope to see you at the Community Awards Meeting, a week from this Saturday.  We were surprised by the need for earlier than normal RSVPs for this meeting - please let me know by tomorrow, Wednesday, October 5th, if possible.  Still, don't let the lack of a timely RSVP deter you from coming if you can.
Your Servant,
Bill Schwetke, President