Blog Archives

Wreaths Across America 2017

12/16/2017

Today, over 200 people, including four members of the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter, gathered at Culpeper National Cemetery to place wreaths on the graves of our honored veterans. American Heritage Girls were the sponsors of this ceremony, and did an outstanding job organizing the ceremony. The keynote speaker was Delegate Nick Freitas, who represents the 30th District in the House of Delegates. The Virginia SAR Color Guard included three CMM compatriots: Michael Dennis, Charles Jameson, and Bill Schwetke. They were augmented by Mike Taimi of the Colonel William Grayson Chapter and Tim Dvorak of the All American Color Guard. The VFW Color Guard was the lead color guard for this ceremony. CMM Compatriot Lindsay Shaff also attended the ceremony.

The SAR Color Guard advances the colors.

Delegate Nick Freitas delivers the keynote address.

SAR and Color Guard participants, left to right: Mike Taimi, Michael Dennis, Lindsay Schaff, Bill Schwetke, Charles Jameson, and Tim Dvorak.

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2017 DAR/SAR Christmas Party

12/9/2017

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Today the Culpeper Minute Men Chapter of the DAR hosted a Christmas Party that included the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter SAR and the Fauquier Court House Chapter DAR in the Saint Steven's Parish Hall in Culpeper. The setting was perfect for Christmas, complete with snow outside, that fortunately left the roads clear. The ladies beautifully decorated the tables and a fantastic Christmas Buffet was prepared by Staff Sergeant Major (ret.) Lemuel Brown. It was truly a time of good cheer and Christmas joy.
President Jerry Hubbard presented greetings from the CMM and headed the participation of eight of our compatriots, one perspective member, and seven of our wives.

President Jerry Hubbard presents greetings from the CMM to all gathered

Lon and Mary Margaret lead the first group down the buffet line.

Greg Schumacher's wife, Kathy, a member of the Fauquier Court House Chapter, DAR, played Christmas piano music, adding to the festive spirit.

The gathering in St. Steven's Parish Hall.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE!!!

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Honor and Remember - 8th Annual Gold Star Family Evening

12/4/2017

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3 Dec 2017 Founder's Inn, Virginia Beach, VA

At the Founder's Inn on the evening of Sunday, December 3rd, Honor and Remember hosted a "Family Evening" for Gold Star Families. George Lutz, father of a fallen soldier, is the founder and executive director of Honor and Remember, Inc. This organization's purpose is to recognize the sacrifices of our fallen service members and their families. The Family Evening is held once a year, on the first Sunday in December. Gold Star families are sponsored for an evening to honor and remember these sacrifices. The Virginia SAR Color Guard, under the leadership of Southeast Region Commander Chris Melhuish, has provided the Color Guard to present the colors to begin each evening for the past five years. This year Chris was joined by three members of the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter, Michael Dennis, Charles Jameson and Bill Schwetke.

The Color Guard advances the colors.

Chris Melhuish leads the Color Guard into position to present the colors.

The Virginia SAR Color Guard for this event, left to right, Commander Chris Melhuish, Charles Jameson, Bill Schwetke, and Michael Dennis

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242nd Anniversary of the Battle of Great Bridge

12/2/2017

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    The 242nd Anniversary of the Battle of Great Bridge was celebrated this Saturday in Chesapeake, VA. The ceremony was moved to an alternate location, Great Bridge Presbyterian Church because of ongoing construction of the new Visitors' Center which impinged on the site of the monument. The CMM were represented by President Jerry Hubbard. President General Larry Guzy and First Lady Karin Guzy represented the NSSAR, President Mike Elston represented the Virginia SAR, 1st Vice Regent Becky Rodgers represented the Virginia DAR, and President Emily Elston represented the Virginia C.A.R. The City of Chesapeake was represented by Mayor Rick West. Over one hundred people joined in the celebration that marked the victory that preserved Virginia and its resources to the cause of liberty.
     Ten members of the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter and three wives attended the ceremony, including three members who participated in the Color Guard, Michael Dennis, Charles Jameson, and Bill Schwetke. We also received our newest member, a dual member from Georgia, President General Larry Guzzy.
     This national event was organized and executed jointly by the Norfolk Chapter of the SAR and the Great Bridge Chapter of the DAR. Norfolk Chapter President Ken Hawkins, and Great Bridge Chapter Regent Donna Crisp, shared Master of Ceremonies responsibilities.
     The keynote speaker was Phillip Hamilton, PhD., an author and professor of history at Christopher Newport University, who spoke on "From Rebellion to Revolution: Great Bridge and Its Momentous Consequences".
     Dr. Hamilton was presented the SAR Silver Good Citizenship Medal by the Norfolk Chapter. Also receiving recognition was Caroline Phillips, past regent of the Great Bridge Chapter, DAR, who received one of the first Battle of Great Bridge Medals for her sustained outstanding service over decades in supporting this event.
     Approximately thirty wreaths were then presented.and the bagpiper, Chris Pearcy, played the centuries old lament, "Flowers of the Forest". This was to specifically to honor our heroic adversaries who fell in this battle.

CMM at the 242nd Anniversary of the Battle of Great Bridge, left to right, Lindsay Schaff, Bill Mutziger, Beverly Alexander, Larry Alexander, Tom Hamill, Charles Jameson, President Jerry Hubbard, President General Larry Guzy, Karin Guzy, Michael Dennis, Cat Schwetke, Bill Schwetke

President General Larry Guzy address the gathering on the importance of remembering our heritage

Dr. Hamilton speaks on "From Rebellion to Revolution: Great Bridge and Its Momentous Consequences"

Norfolk Chapter President Ken Hawkins presents Dr. Hamilton the Silver Good Citizenship Medal.

Bill Schwetke pins the Culpeper Minutemen Battle Flag Pin on the lapel of our newest chapter member, President General Larry Guzy.

The new Battle of Great Bridge Medal, available for purchase from the Great Bridge Chapter by anyone who has attended a Battle of Great Bridge Ceremony.

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Birthdays and Service Anniversaries for December 2017

12/1/2017

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James Armistead Lafayette

10 Dec 1760 - 09i Aug 1830

December Birthdays
James M. Bayne
German Pierce Culver
Thomas Alan Lacey
John Carbery Lay
Eric Anthony Messick
Joseph Alvin Rebentisch III
John Michael Tomme

December Service Anniversaries
Christopher Lee Hubbard - 12yrs
Lance Michael Lyngar - 12yrs
James Mark Harbour - 8yrs
Joseph Alvin Rebentish III - 8yrs
Richard Hunt Benfer - 7yrs

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Wreaths Across America 2017

2017 DAR/SAR Christmas Party

Honor and Remember - 8th Annual Gold Star Family Evening

3 Dec 2017 Founder's Inn, Virginia Beach, VA

242nd Anniversary of the Battle of Great Bridge

Birthdays and Service Anniversaries for December 2017

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