09 Dec 2021 Culpeper, VA
 As the eastern horizon grows light, the participants begin the ceremony at the Culpeper Minute Battalion Monument and the Display of the Charters of Freedom in Yowell Meadow Park. |
At day break, 246 years ago, the sentries at the south end of the Great Bridge sounded an alarm that the British, led by the fearsome grenadiers, were attacking. One sentry stood his ground and delayed the surprise attack by firing eight rounds, allowing the Second Virginia Regiment and the Culpeper Minute Battalion to race from their camp and man the barricades before the grenadiers could reach them. Then the 2nd Virginia and the Culpeper Minute Battalion unleashed their fire killing or wounding over 100 of the British with only one minor wound to a minuteman.
This morning, at day break, at the Culpeper Minute Battalion Monument in Yowell Meadow Park, the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter hosted a commemorative ceremony at which five chapters of the Virginia SAR were represented: Culpeper Minutemen, Colonel James Wood II, Colonel William Grayson, Fairfax Resolves and George Mason. In cold 20˚ weather the Color Guard marched, the history was read, wreaths were presented, and a volley was fired, all to honor the patriots who fought at the Battle of Great Bridge and preserved Virginia for the struggle for independence.
Culpeper Minutemen President Charles Jameson (a descendant of Lt David Jameson who fought at Great Bridge) and Secretary Tom Hamill shared the master of ceremonies duties. Culpeper Minutemen Color Guard Commander Michael Dennis (also a descendant of Lt David Jameson) organized the Color Guard for presentation of the colors and a musket salute.
After the ceremony the participants repaired to the Frost Cafe for warmth, coffee, and breakfast. They were joined there by Culpeper Mayor Mike Olinger, who was presented with the SAR Bronze Good Citizenship Medal for his years of service as Culpeper's mayor.
This morning, at day break, at the Culpeper Minute Battalion Monument in Yowell Meadow Park, the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter hosted a commemorative ceremony at which five chapters of the Virginia SAR were represented: Culpeper Minutemen, Colonel James Wood II, Colonel William Grayson, Fairfax Resolves and George Mason. In cold 20˚ weather the Color Guard marched, the history was read, wreaths were presented, and a volley was fired, all to honor the patriots who fought at the Battle of Great Bridge and preserved Virginia for the struggle for independence.
Culpeper Minutemen President Charles Jameson (a descendant of Lt David Jameson who fought at Great Bridge) and Secretary Tom Hamill shared the master of ceremonies duties. Culpeper Minutemen Color Guard Commander Michael Dennis (also a descendant of Lt David Jameson) organized the Color Guard for presentation of the colors and a musket salute.
After the ceremony the participants repaired to the Frost Cafe for warmth, coffee, and breakfast. They were joined there by Culpeper Mayor Mike Olinger, who was presented with the SAR Bronze Good Citizenship Medal for his years of service as Culpeper's mayor.
 Wreath presenters at the Culpeper Minute Battalion Monument, left to right: (out of view) Fairfax Resolves Chapter - President Dave Cook, CMM - Michael Dennis, Col William Grayson Chapter and Governor of Virginia OFPA - Mike Weyler, Virginia SAR - Trustee Bill Schwetke, George Mason Chapter - President Ken Morris, Col James Wood II Chapter Past President - Dale Corey. |  |
| The Musket Volley, left to right: Michael Dennis, Dale Corey, Dennis Parmerter, Dave Cook, Sean Carrigan, and Bill Schwetke |  |
 Presentation of the Bronze Good Citizenship Medal to Mayor Ottinger at the Frost Cafe. Left to right: Michael Dennis, Bill Schwekte, Mayor Olinger, CMM President Charles Jameson, and George Mason President Ken Morris. |
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