The Fauquier Court House Chapter, NSDAR, hosted the annual three chapter Christmas Party today at the Inn at Kelly's Ford.  Thirty-three people attended including ten CMM members, eight wives, and our special guests Genealogist General John Sinks and his wife.  CMM attendees were: Larry Alexander and his wife Beverly, Len Cowherd and his wife Mary Ann, Don Jennings and his wife Kathryn, Lon Lacey and his wife Mary Margaret, Jim Lillard and his wife Linda, Scott Mitchell, Gar Schulin and his wife Kathryn, Greg Schumacher and his wife Kathryn, Bill Schwetke and his wife Cat, and Ben Works.  Cat Schwetke, who is a member of the Fauquier Court House Chapter, NSDAR, presided.
     During the party the CMM awarded the first oak leaf cluster to the Culpeper Minutemen Gold Medal to Genealogist General John Sinks for his many years of research into the original Culpeper Minutemen and for his exceptional support for the joint SAR/DAR Genealogy Workshop.  Dr. Sinks is the very first two-time recipient of this medal.

     The CMM also presented Medals of Appreciation to four DAR members for their help in recruiting new members for our chapter.  Chris Gard received her first award; Cyndi Messick received her second award of this medal; Kathryn Schumacher received her first and second awards; and Cat Schwetke received her first award.

     Today eleven CMM members, a compatriot from Col William Grayson, and two CMM wives, helped place wreaths and participated in the ceremony for Wreaths Across America at Culpeper National Cemetery.  They included: Paul Chase of Col William Grayson, Tom and Aaron Hamill, Don Jennings, Lon Lacey and his sons Lon III and Alan, Lance Lyngar, Ron Messick's wife Cyndi, Bill Mutziger, Lindsay Schaff, Bill Schwetke and his wife Cat Schwekte, and Ben Works.  Seven compatriots, Paul Chase, Don Jennings, Lon Lacey and his two sons, Lance Lyngar, and Bill Schwetke participated in the Color Guard.  The ceremony also included participation by the Culpeper Minutemen Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol, the Culpeper VFW, Bugles Across America, and the All-American Color Guard.  Over 1700 wreaths were distributed across graves in the cemetery and a crowd of over 200 gathered for the occasion.  The CMM fife and drum by Lon III and Alan Lacey significantly enhanced the ceremony for all.

     The proposed site is in Yowell Meadow Park, near the pavilion and next to the volley ball court which may be moved.

     The proposed memorial is to have a 20ft diameter paved area, a large 7'x11' slab of Virginia Mist Black Granite, with the history of the battalion etched into the surface, and three 3'x3' slabs of Virginia Mist, one for each county that contributed to the minutemen.
     The Virginia Mist Black Granite is being donated by Virginia Mist Group, Inc., of Rapidan, VA.

     Richard Knight recently joined the CMM as a dual member.  He lives in Nashville, Tennessee and retired last September after 39 years of law practice.  He is a graduate of VMI and served three years in the Army as an armor lieutenant.  His 4th great-grandfather, Lt. Col. Lawrence Taliaferro, was the commander of the Culpeper Minute Battalion.  Richard is also a member of Founders and Patriots of America and is past Tennessee State Governor of the OFPA

     The 240th Anniversary of the Battle of Great Bridge was marked by a stirring ceremony at the site of the battle today and blessed with perfect weather: sunny, high 50's, and an occasional breeze to stir the flags.  240 years ago the Culpeper Minute Battalion, as part of a force assembled under Col Woodford, commander of the 2nd Virginia, repulsed an attack by British regulars backed by Tory Militia and freed slaves.  They inflicted significant casualties on the British and their allies at the cost of one minor wound to one of their own.  The defeated British soon took to the safety of their ships leaving Virginia in the hands the patriots.  The CMM were well represented by five members and three wives: Richard Knight, (dual member from Tennessee), Jim Lillard and his wife Linda, Lon Lacey and his wife Mary Margaret, Mike Lyman, and Bill Schwetke and his wife Cat.

     Four members of the CMM marched in the SAR Color Guard:  CMM Color Guard Commander Lon Lacey, Jim Lillard, Mike Lyman, and Bill Schwetke.

     That evening the SAR Color Guard augmented the Norfolk Chapter in marching in the Chesapeake Christmas Parade.

Compatriots and Friends,
     We have a few very important events in the beginning of December and then SAR things appropriately taper off so that we can spend Christmas with our families.  I hope this Christmas brings much joy to you and yours.
     The important things in early December are the 240th Anniversary of the Battle of Great Bridge, Wreaths Across America, and our SAR/DAR Christmas Party.  I strongly encourage you to attend them all.
     The ceremony at Great Bridge starts at 11:00am on Saturday, 5 December.  It is about a 3:15 drive from Culpeper, so it fits comfortably into a day trip.  This is a national level SAR event and our chapter is a co-host.
     The next event is Wreaths Across America on Saturday, 12 Dec, at 12:00pm (10:30 to help set our wreaths)  We will be at the old section of Culpeper National Cemetery.
     The last event is the SAR/DAR Christmas Party on Sunday, 13 Dec, at 3:00pm at the Inn at Kelly's Ford.  Please RSVP by 7 Dec to [email protected].  18th Century attire is encouraged - if you need help with that contact myself or Lon Lacey as we have some spare uniform parts.  We will pass out several medals to our friends in the DAR who have helped us with recruiting.  We will also give Genealogist General John Sinks an oak leaf cluster to his Culpeper Minutemen Gold Medal.
     As a bonus event we are joining a Culpeper County High School Assembly on Friday morning, 18 Dec, 08:30am, to present a Bronze Good Citizenship Medal to the Band Director, Duane Clore.  Mr. Clore and the band support many patriotic events, including our September ceremony in Yowell Meadow Park.  They are at Culpeper National Cemetery for every Veterans' Day and Memorial Day.
     A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and yours.  Hope to see you at the above events to express that in person.

Your Servant,
Bill Schwetke, President