Blog Archives

Color Guard at Virginia DAR Dist V National Defense Luncheon

11/8/2025

08 Nov 2025 Syria, VA

Fifty-three daughters and guests attended the 2025 Virginia SAR District V Natinal Defense Luncheon at Graves Mountain Lodge today. The CMM Color Guard, augmented by two guardsmen from the Thomas Jefferson Chapter, presented the colors. CMM participants were Michael Dennis, Charles Jameson, and Bill Schwetke. From the Thomas Jefferson Chapter were Jim O'Kelly and CMM dual member Pat Kelly.

As part of the Color Guard presentation Bill Schwetke gave a report from Nov 8, 1775 on the activities of Virginia forces in Virginia and Massachusetts.

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Commonwealth Senior Living Visit

11/7/2025

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07 Nov 2025 Front Royal, VA

The Col James Wood II Chapter presented two series of talks on Veterans Day to two separate groups at Commonwealth Senior Living in Front Royal today. Bill Schwetke joined them and covered the origins and development of the Tomb of the Unknown at Arlington National Cemetery. There were veterans in each audience from the Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force. The Col James Wood II Chapter gave each previously identified veteran in the audience a certificate honoring their service.

Chip Daniels with three of the veterans that were honored.

Mary Breor Horea, US Navy

Elwood Wines, US Army

Nadine Witter, US Air Force

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Five Patriot Graves Marked at New Jerusalem Lutheran Church

11/2/2025

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02 Nov 2025 Lovettsville, VA

Chaplain John Kuvakas and Registrar Bill Schwetke represented the CMM today in a ceremony honoring five Patriots of the American Revolution by marking their graves at New Jerusalem Lutheran Church in Lovettsville. John presented the chapter wreath and participated in the Color Guard and Bill participated in the Color Guard and musket salutes.

Chaplain John Kuvakas with the CMM Wreath

Musket Volley

The Color Guard at New Jerusalem Church. John Kuvakas and Bill Schwetke are in the back row third and fourth from the right.

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2025 DAR/SAR Genealogy Workshop

11/1/2025

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01 Nov 2025 Warrenton, VA

Total attendance at the annual DAR/SAR Genealogy Workshop was 45 this year and our keynote speaker was Barbara Vines Little, perhaps the expert on Virginia Genealogical Research. She brought with her her new book, A Researcher’s Guide to Virginia’s Historical Records, sold many of them, and one was one of our door prizes. The CMM was represented by Tom Hamill and Bill Schwetke, who helped with set up and tear down and each presented a presentation. We were also joined by prospective members Jonathan Daw and Jeff King.

As was done for the past twelve years with SAR co-sponsorship and twenty years by the DAR, breakfast and a hot lunch was provided to all attendees, along with seven presentations. The presentations included:

1. Finding Hidden Gems on the Internet (Bill Schwetke)
2. DAR Resources for your Research (Valerie Payne)
3. DNA Research in Genealogy (Tom Hamill)
Keynote: The Latest Resources (and Some Likely Undiscovered Older Ones) for Virginia Researchers (Barbara Vines Little)
4. SAR Resources for your Research (Bill Haskins)
5. Using Full Text in FamilySearch (Gail Watson)
6. Beyond Dates and Places – Adding Personalities to Your Search (Cat Schwetke)

Virginia SAR Assistant Registrar and CMM Secretary Tom Hamill (picture by Kelly Kuvakas)

Virginia SAR Registrar Bill Haskins (picture by Kelly Kuvakas)

Cat Schwetke talks about bringing your family tree to life (picture by Kelly Kuvakas)

CMM Registrar Bill Schwetke (picture by Kelly Kuvakas)

Presentation of Certificates of Appreciation and an honorarium from the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter SAR and the Fauquier Court House Chapter NSDAR. From Left to right, Bill Schwetke, Barbara Vines Little, and Virginia Gerrish (wife of compatriot David Gerrish).

Cat Schwetke with Barbara Vines Little's new book and the author herself. (picture by Kelly Kuvakas)

Barbara Vines Little's new book was in great demand. (picture by Kelly Kuvakas)

Warrenton Mayor Carter Neville also presented a welcome and his proclamation on Literacy including Genealogy.

(picture by Kelly Kuvakas)

Virginia SAR members and prospective members with Barbara Vines Little, left to right: CMM Registrar Bill Schwetke, Virginia SAR Registrar Bill Haskins (Richmond Chapter), CMM Prospective Member Jonathan Daw, Barbara Vines Little, Bill Tugman (Col Fielding Lewis Chapter), Virginia SAR Assistant Registrar Tom Hamill, Prospective Member Jeff King, Virginia SAR Past President Ernie Coggins (George Washington Chapter).

As it has been every year, this is free to anyone who shows up and all who register in advance receive chances for the valuable door prizes.

Door Prizes (picture by Kelly Kuvakas)

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Color Guard at Virginia DAR Dist V National Defense Luncheon

08 Nov 2025 Syria, VA

Commonwealth Senior Living Visit

07 Nov 2025 Front Royal, VA

Five Patriot Graves Marked at New Jerusalem Lutheran Church

02 Nov 2025 Lovettsville, VA

2025 DAR/SAR Genealogy Workshop

01 Nov 2025 Warrenton, VA

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