Community Awards Meeting - October 11th, 2014

Gerry Schuck of Bugles Across America with his Flag Certificate. Gerry Schuck, his wife, and President Bill Schwetke (Lance Lyngar in background)

The October Monthly Meeting, our Community Awards Meeting, was held today at Prince Michel Winery in Leon, VA.  There were 32 attendees including our honored guests, and special guests: Anthony Lyngar, 1st Vice President of the New Mexico Society, and Virginia Society Secretary Wayne Rouse and his wife Wink.

Gerry Schuck had previously received a Flag Certificate and was invited to join us for the Awards Ceremony.

Mr.Shaun Summerscales, second from left, receives our award as History Teacher of the year. Also pictured are his wife, President Bill Schwetke, and the Culpeper Middle School Assistant Principal Ms. Dillon.

Mr. Summerscales is a sixth-grade US History and Social Studies teacher at Culpeper Middle School and coaches the Culpeper County High School Varsity Soccer Team.  In addition to being an outstanding History teacher, Mr. Summerscales devotes extra hours to collaborating with other teachers on lesson plans, conducting data analysis, and working with special education specialists to ensure the needs of at-risk students are met.  Mr. Summerscales has imparted to his students an enhanced understanding of the noble country bequeathed to us by our patriotic ancestors, and for that we gratefully recognize him as out History Teacher for the year 2014.

Officer Richard McKnight of the Town of Culpeper Police Department receives the Law Enforcement Commendation Medal for Culpeper County. He is pictured with his wife and daughter, President Schwetke, and Chief Jenkins of the Town of Culpeper Police Department.

Officer Richard McKnight has given exemplary service to the citizens of the Town of Culpeper by his exceptional efforts as a member of the Joint Street Crimes Unit.  Relying on his years of experience and success in combating gang and drug crimes Officer McKnight worked jointly with the Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office to aggressively pursue, apprehend, and assist in the conviction of key individuals involved in gang and drug crimes in Culpeper and surrounding communities.  Officer McKnight’s tireless efforts in behalf of our citizens continue to this day.  We are proud to recognize the patriotic service of Officer McKnight with the Law Enforcement Commendation Medal.

1st Sergeant Robert E. Wines of the Fauquier County Sheriff's Office receives the Law Enforcement Commendation Medal for Fauquier County. Pictured are 1st Sergeant Wines, President Schwetke, and Captain Jenkins of the Fauquier County Sheriff's Office.

1st Sergeant Robert E. Wines’ 40 years of service with the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office are marked by distinguished service.  Today he is a leader in the Patrol Division, being both an outstanding example and an effective mentor to members of the Patrol Division.  His current projects are on the leading edge of technology as he has continued to daily increase his own considerable knowledge in law enforcement.  After 40 years of service he has famously said the he is “not done yet.”    We are proud to honor 1st Sergeant Wines for both his years of service and his commitment to the future peace of Fauquier County and present him with the Law Enforcement Commendation Medal.

Deputy Patty Zavaleta of the Fauquier County Sheriff's Office receives a Medal of Heroism from the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter. Pictured with her are President Schwetke and Captain Jenkins of the Fauquier County Sheriff's Office.

In August of this year Deputy Patty Zavaleta displayed exceptional resourcefulness and courage in her response to a life-threatening situation and successfully saved a life.  She responded to reports of a person in danger, quickly gathered information, recognized the need for prompt action and acted without regard for her own safety.  A woman was barricaded in a bathroom and threatening suicide.  Deputy Zavaleta gained access to the bathroom by taking off her duty belt to allow her to fit through the small window.  This left Deputy Zavaleta exposed to unknown threats inside the bathroom.  Once inside she found the woman hanging in a noose.  Deputy Zavaleta quickly cut the woman down and rendered life-saving aid.  We are proud of Deputy Zaveleta and recognize her heroism and skill in saving another person’s life, and award her the SAR Medal of Heroism.

Roger Depue's wife, Joanne, pins the SAR Silver Good Citizenship Medal on his coat.

Roger Depue receives the SAR Silver Good Citizenship Medal. Pictured with his wife, Joanne, and President Schwetke

Roger L. Depue, Ph.D., of Boston, VA, was awarded the SAR Silver Good Citizenship Medal.  Dr. Depue has a distinguished career in law enforcement, criminal science, and service to his country.  He is a veteran of the US Marine Corps and former Chief of Police in Claire, Michigan.  He entered on duty with the FBI as a Special Agent in 1968 and after training was assigned investigation of fugitives, kidnapping, extortion and other major crimes in the Washington Field Office.  He transferred to the FBI Academy in the early 1970’s and was assigned to The Behavioral Science Unit where he was the Unit Chief from 1980 to 1989. Under his direction this Unit entered into many new and varied fields, including the FBI’s National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime, a service to law enforcement nation-wide. Dr. Depue managed all FBI behavioral science functions and personnel, training, research projects on the aberrant behavior of individuals and groups, and conducted operational support during ongoing cases, both state and federal.

Dr. Depue has spoken at White House conferences, belongs to numerous professional organizations and has appeared as a speaker at major universities. He has managed the behavioral aspects of numerous nationally known major crimes and has testified as an expert witness many times. 

After retirement, he created the Academy Group, a corporation composed of retired FBI Supervisory Special Agents and other law enforcement experts creating a cadre of clinical and investigative expertise in the fields of: criminal profiling, threat assessment, forensic linguistics, violence in the workplace and schools, crisis planning, hostage negotiation, street survival, violent crime analysis, crime scene reconstruction and cybercrime, to list only a few. The Academy Group currently serves 40% of the top 50 Fortune 500 companies.

Dr. Depue has a BS in Psychology, an MA in Administration, and a PHD in Counselling and Development. In addition to numerous articles and training material, Dr. Depue co-authored “Between Good and Evil: A Master Profiler’s Hunt for Societies Most Violent Predators” in 2005..

For his dedicated service to our country the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter is proud to present the SAR Silver Good Citizenship Medal to Dr. Richard L. Depue.

CMM's copy of General George Washington's Headquarters Flag

Color Guard Commander Lon Lacey described the newest addition to our Historic Flags collection, General George Washington's Headquarters Flag.  This flag was flown at General Washington's Headquarters at least as early as Valley Forge and was carried by his Life Guard.  This flag may prove to be useful if our invitation to General Washington (actually a very gifted reenactor) is accepted to attend our Independence Day Banquet next year.