Participants in the ceremony to place an SAR Marker on the grave of Lt. Col. Charles Francis Lay. Left to right: CMM President Bill Schwetke, VASSAR Secretary Wayne Rouse, VASSAR Color Guard Commander Darrin Schmidt, Fairfax Resolves Chapter President Bill Price, Past VASSAR President Larry McKinley, Past VASSAR President Dr. Phil Williams, Providence Chapter DAR representative Marsha Price, Compatriot Andy Johnson, Past CMM President Lance Lyngar, Past CMM President Gar Schulin, Gerry Schuck of Bugles Across America, Doug Graves of the Order of Founders and Patriots, CMM Treasurer Don Jennings, and CMM Color Guard Commander Lon Lacey. Participating, but not in the picture: CMM Chaplain Len Cowherd and CMM Secretary Jake Lay.
We gathered on the Lay Family Farm to honor and place an SAR marker on the grave of Lt. Col. Charles Francis Lay. Francis was a long and faithful member of the Culpeper Minutemen. The CMM Color Guard, under the command of VASSAR Color Guard Commander Darrin Schmidt, and augmented by members of other chapters, posted the colors. Francis was memorialized in remarks by his brother, CMM Secretary Jake Lay, representing the Lay Family, and President Bill Schwetke, representing the CMM. Many organizations placed wreaths at Francis' grave in his honor, the color guard fired a musket salute, and Gerry Schuck of Bugles Across America sounded Taps.
James Dominic Lay, Jr. Francis' nephew, unveils the SAR marker on Francis Lay's grave.
Wreath Presentations, left to right: Wayne Rouse, Col Fielding Lewis Chapter; Bill Price, Fairfax Resolves Chapter; Phil WIlliams, Thomas Jefferson Chapter, Marsha Price, Providence Chapter DAR; Gar Schulin, Culpeper Minutemen Chapter; Doug Graves, Order of Founders and Patriots.
 The Color Guard fires their muskets in honor of Francis Lay. From left to right: Lance Lyngar, Don Jennings, Lon Lacey, Larry McKinley, Andy Johnson, Darrin Schmidt. |  Gerry Schuck of Bugles Across America sounds Taps for Compatriot Francis Lay. |
Lt. Col. Charles Francis Lay 1933-2012
Charles Francis Lay and his twin, James Dominic Lay (in the picture above over Francis' right shoulder), were born December 12th, 1933 in Las Vegas, NV to Wolcott Edward and Harriet Harmon Deeds Lay, and was raised in Dunn Loring, VA. In High School, Francis was active in 4-H and inducted into the Virginia Chapter of 4-H All Stars. He graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1956 with a degree in Agronomy and a commission in the US Army. Francis began work with 4-H Clubs and completed training as an infantry officer in the Army Reserve.
For two years, 1959-1961 Francis served as an Agricultural Technician in Vietnam. Returning from Vietnam he toured the world, then attended the University of Maryland, graduating in 1965 with a Masters in Agricultural Extension Education. Shortly after graduation he married Carlyn Anne Rollings, who survives him. In 1967 Francis became the first County Agricultural Agent in Arlington, VA.
In 1984 Francis began a career in financial services, then in 1988 he and Carlyn moved to a 65-acre farm in Madison County where he worked part time in landscaping and continued his career in financial services.
Francis held many prestigious professional organization offices, such as President of the Virginia Agricultural Extension Agents Association and National President of the Professional Grounds Management Society.
Francis was an active member of the Sons of the American Revolution as an officer in the local chapter and in various positions at the state level. He was president of the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter from 2009-10.
For two years, 1959-1961 Francis served as an Agricultural Technician in Vietnam. Returning from Vietnam he toured the world, then attended the University of Maryland, graduating in 1965 with a Masters in Agricultural Extension Education. Shortly after graduation he married Carlyn Anne Rollings, who survives him. In 1967 Francis became the first County Agricultural Agent in Arlington, VA.
In 1984 Francis began a career in financial services, then in 1988 he and Carlyn moved to a 65-acre farm in Madison County where he worked part time in landscaping and continued his career in financial services.
Francis held many prestigious professional organization offices, such as President of the Virginia Agricultural Extension Agents Association and National President of the Professional Grounds Management Society.
Francis was an active member of the Sons of the American Revolution as an officer in the local chapter and in various positions at the state level. He was president of the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter from 2009-10.
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