Culpeper Minutemen Memorial Ceremony

16 Jun 2018       Yowell Meadow Park, Culpeper, VA

     We gathered today in Yowell Meadow Park, near where the Culpeper Minutemen first mustered in 1775, to honor them.  Historian Jack Lynch and President Tom Hamill shared the master of ceremony duties.  Thirteen chapter member attended; five members participated, in the color guard.  Virginia SAR 2nd Vice President Bill Schwetke brought greetings from the Virginia Society.  Then President Tom Hamill read a brief history of the Culpeper Minutemen.  This was followed by the reading of the Roll of Honor.  As in past years, the names of twelve of the known Culpepr Minutemen were read in alphabetical order, and after each name a bell was rung, and a brief biography read.  Those honored today included:

Samuel S. Baker                             Private           Fauquier
Phillip Ballard                              Private           Fauquier
Peter Barker                                   Corporal        Fauquier
David Blackwell                            Private            Fauquier
Joseph Blackwell                            Private           Fauquier
William Blackwell                        Captain          Fauquier
William Bliss                                 Drummer       Fauquier
Benjamin Bohon                            Private           Orange
John Bohon                                     Private           Orange
William Bohon                              Soldier            Orange
Samuel Boyd                                 Surgeon         Fauquier
 _____  Bruce                              Captain          Orange

The bell was rung by Aaron Hamill, and the biographies were read by Don Hollar, Cat Schwetke, and Suzan Hamill.

Calling the Roll of Honor, left to right: Don Hollar, Cat Schwetke, Suzan Hamill, and Aaron Hamill.

     Following the Roll of Honor wreaths were presented by the Virginia SAR;  the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter, SAR; the Culpeper Minute Men Chapter, NSDAR; the Fauquier Court House Chapter, NSDAR; and the Ashby Gap Chapter, C.A.R.  Historian Jack Lynch presented the CMM wreath.

     This was followed by a musket volley, then taps, played by Gerry Schuck of Bugles Across America.

     After the ceremony, the Culpeper Minutemen held their June Chapter Meeting in Luigi's Restaurant in Culpeper.

The Color Guard prepares to fire a volley, Lon Lacey in the foreground.

Gerry Schuck of Bugles Across America plays taps. Looking on, left to right: Jack Lynch, Craig Truskey.

Left to right: Aaron Hamill, Ashby Gap, C.A.R.; Mary Ann Cowherd, Culpeper Minute Men NSDAR; Bill Schwetke, Virginia SAR; Jack Lynch, CMM; Cat Schwetke, Fauquier Court House, NSDAR.