04 July 2015 Culpeper, VA
The CMM Color Guard prepares to fire a musket salute on the Culpeper Court House Green. Left to right: Lance Lyngar, Don Jennings, Lon Lacey.
It is Independence Day in Culpeper and the CMM celebrated with our "Historic Event" on the Culpeper Court House Green as we have now for ten years. Nine CMM members, one prospective member, and two wives were on hand with an audience of about 75 celebrating our Declaration of Independence. CMM members present were the project leader, CMM Color Guard Commander Lon Lacey and his wife, Mary Margaret; past Virginia SAR President Jim Bayne; Junior Compatriot Marcelo Gordillo, Treasurer Don Jennings, Jim Lillard and his wife Linda, past President Lance Lyngar, past President Gar Schulin, President Bill Schwetke, and Ben Works. The prospective member was Bob Burnette, who is also the director of the Blue Ridge Chorale.
Today's program included several patriotic melodies by the Blue Ridge Chorale, patriotic speeches by Culpeper City Mayor Mike Olinger and Culpeper County Board of Supervisors Chairman Steve Nixon. The Keynote speaker, fresh from 1776 Philadelphia, was Dr. Benjamin Franklin (portrayed by Barry Stevens), who reported on the deliberations of Congress and read the Declaration of Independence. All patriots who were there were invited to add their signatures to the Declaration.
Today's program included several patriotic melodies by the Blue Ridge Chorale, patriotic speeches by Culpeper City Mayor Mike Olinger and Culpeper County Board of Supervisors Chairman Steve Nixon. The Keynote speaker, fresh from 1776 Philadelphia, was Dr. Benjamin Franklin (portrayed by Barry Stevens), who reported on the deliberations of Congress and read the Declaration of Independence. All patriots who were there were invited to add their signatures to the Declaration.
 The Blue Ridge Chorale, directed by Bob Burnette. |  Benjamin Franklin reads the Declaration of Independence. |
 Culpeper Mayor Mike Olinger. |  Culpeper County Board of Supervisors Chairman Steve Nixon. |
 The CMM Color Guard posts the colors. |  CMM Color Guard fires a musket salute. |
Dr. Benjamin Franklin, portrayed by Barry Stevens.
Later in the day the Culpeper Independence Day Parade featured the CMM on a patriotically decorated trailer leading the parade, while a diamond formation of WWII era T-6 trainers roared overhead. The trailer worked out exceptionally well this year; it was provided by Jim Bayne and decorated by his daughter Melanie. The trailer allowed us to interact much more with the crowd, and the great signs left no doubt who we were. Many thanks to Jim and Melanie for really enhancing our parade participation.
The CMM set up on the trailer provided by Jim Bayne and prepare to lead the parade.
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