A crowd gathered on the steps of the Fauquier County Courthouse in Warrenton to join in the nation-wide festivities celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party.  Those in attendance represented four SAR chapters, four DAR chapters, one D.A.R. society, and one Colonial Dames chapter.  Many bystanders joined in at various times in the ceremony.  There were well over thirty in attendance.

     Colonial era Bohea tea was served before the start of the ceremony.  Then we learned why we had gathered, the lead up to the Boston Tea Party, and instructions on how we would destroy the tea. Then, in unison with patriots across the country, as the Courthouse Clock struck 8:00 pm we tossed the "noxious weed" tea into "Boston Harbor" which was replicated with a trash can.  Coffee was then served and we learned what the aftermath of the Tea Party looked like in Virginia.  Then hearing that "A struggle for our rights as Englishmen had taken full bloom and would end in our independence."

     The CMM participated in Wreaths Across America at Culpeper National Cemetery and at White Oak Cemetery in Fort Worth, TX, today.  Charles Jameson and Bill Schwetke were at Culpeper and Doug Schwetke was in Fort Worth.  All wore revolutionary uniforms and placed wreaths at graves.  Bill joined the "All American" Color Guard and represented the Revolutionary Soldier during the ceremony.

     Today Bill Schwetke joined two members of the Col James Wood II Chapter who are also dual members of the CMM, Dale Corey and Marc Robinson, to present the story of the Boston Tea Party to thirty students and teachers at the Montessori School in Front Royal.  The teachers provided tea for the students to drink during the presentation and samples of the types of tea that were destroyed in Boston Harbor on Dec 16, 1773.

     Bill Schwetke participated with members of the Col James Wood II Chapter in presenting the story of the Boston Tea Party to two separate groups of residents at Commonwealth Senior Living in Front Royal today.  It is always fun to interact with senior citizens such as Dale Corey, who is shown speaking in both pictures.

     CMM Registrar Bill Schwetke and his wife, Cat, represented the chapter at the Col James Wood II Christmas Party at the George Washington Hotel in Winchester this evening.  Past CJWII Chapter President and CMM dual member was the keynote speaker.

     CMM Registrar Bill Schwetke presented his talk on the "Origins of the DAR/SAR/C.A.R." to the Ann Wager Chapter DAR in Williamsburg today.  Thirty-five DAR members were in attendance.

     This morning, at daybreak, the time the battle began, the CMM commemorated the Battle of Great Bridge.  The ceremony included participation by five Virginia and one Kentucky SAR Chapters and one DAR chapter.  President Tom Hamill was the keynote speaker and Charles Jameson presented the chapter wreath.

     The 248th Anniversary of the Battle of Great Bridge was celebrated today on the battlefield.  The CMM wreath was presented by Chapter President Tom Hamill.  Tom Hamill, Michael Dennis, Aaron Hamill, Charles Jameson, Bill Schwetke, and dual members Virginia SAR President Ernie Coggins and NSSAR Color Guard Commander Scott Collins (who joined today!).

     David Jameson, ancestor of Michael Dennis and Charles Jameson, fought here in 1775 and carried the Culpeper Minute Battalion Flag.