Culpeper F0rgotten Patriots Ceremony

02 Feb 2025               Culpeper

     Today, at the State Theater in Culpeper, a crowd of at least 67 DAR, SAR, the Culpeper African American Heritage Association and  local citizens gathered to honor the Forgotten Patriots of Culpeper.  The names of 20 Black Patriots were read by eight readers.  Noteworthy was Leroy Hackley, a descendant of Spencer Slaughter who traveled from Michigan to participate.  He was joined by eight other Spencer Slaughter  descendants.  Other VIPs were Virginia SAR President Bill Greaf and former NSSAR President General (2013-14) Joe Dooley.

The Following CMM members participated in the ceremony:
          Mark Crain - Master of Ceremonies in period dress
          Charles Jameson  - Keynote Speaker & Color Guard
          Tom Hamill - Invocation, Reader & Color Guard
          Patrick Edrington - Pledge of Allegiance
         Michael Dennis - Bell Ringer & Color Guard
         Bill Schwetke - Benediction & Color Guard
   
     Andrew Gutowski, Len Cowherd and Jackson Fray also attended.

     Significant support was provided by the Col James Wood II Chapter, particularly in the Color Guard.  In all seven Virginia SAR Chapters participated in the Color Guard: Col Fielding Lewis, Col James Wood II, Culpeper Minutemen, Fairfax Resolves, George Washington, Sgt Maj John Champe and Williamsburg. Four DAR Chapters  participated.

The Color Guard surrounds Virginia SAR President Bill Greaf. front row, left to right, Tom Hamill, Barry Schwoerer, Sean Carringan, Dale Corey, Chip Daniel, Eric Robinson. Back row, left to right: Bill Schwetke, Michael Dennis, Former PG Joe Dooley, Bill Tugman, Virginia SAR President Bill Greaf, Mark Crain, Allan Phillips, Jim COrdes, Paul Christenson, Eric Robinson.