The three major activities:
1) The formal NSSAR Commemoration of the Battle of Great Bridge will start at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 02, 2017, in Great Bridge Battlefield Park, Chesapeake, VA. Dr. Phil Hamilton of Christopher Newport University, will speak on the history of the Battle of Great Bridge and Its Pivotal Importance. The ceremony will include the 64th annual wreath laying led by Great Bridge Chapter N.S.D.A.R. The formal ceremonies will conclude by noon.
Those chapters wishing to participate in the laying of wreaths and have their chapter and representative(s) recognized in the program brochure must provide that information to Ken Hawkins at [email protected] no later than Tuesday, November 14, 2017.
2. Norfolk Chapter SAR will host a luncheon immediately after the ceremony at Vino’s Italian Restaurant (located just across the bridge on Battlefield Boulevard – same location as last year). Food and drink will be “Dutch treat.” We are planning on at least 50 attending. There will be no speaker but it will be a time of good fellowship.
3. SAR color guard members and uniformed compatriots may march in the City of Chesapeake's Christmas Parade. This starts at 6:00 p.m. and is still under discussion at this point. Because it is at the end of a very full day, only 6 attended last year.
Additional Information:
On Saturday afternoon, all compatriots are encouraged to visit the colorful re-enactment of the battle and the re-enactor encampment on Saturday afternoon. Docents will be available for tours of Great Bridge Battlefield Park and the reenactment site all day Saturday and Sunday. Participants may also visit the Norfolk Chapter information/recruitment booth at the reenactment site.
As in the past, Great Bridge Presbyterian Church has offered its sanctuary for our formal ceremony in case of inclement weather. The weather in December is unpredictable, but our ceremony will proceed regardless of the weather.
Please bring your wreaths. To improve the flow and dignity of formal ceremony, only two wreaths will be carried to the DAR marker in Great Bridge Battlefield Park, one each by the senior representative of the SAR and the senior representative of the DAR. However, every attending SAR and DAR chapter or state society will be encouraged to set its wreath around the DAR monument prior to the start of the ceremony. Each organization will be recognized for laying its wreath, during the ceremony and in the program.
Medals. A SAR medal commemorating the Battle of Great Bridge will be available to all compatriots attending.
Hotel Reservations:
The Founders Inn and Spa will host our group. The hotel address is 5641 Indian River Rd., Virginia Beach, VA 23464. Please be sure to book by November 14th to receive the special group rate of $84.00 (std. colonial queen) or $94.00 (std. colonial double) per room per night + tax.
Please call the hotel toll-free at 1-800-926-4466 and ask for the Sons of the American Revolution Group Rate.
If You Would Like To Book Your Room Via The Internet Please Use This Link:
http://bookings.ihotelier.com/bookings.jsp?groupID=2027507&hotelID=73524
The Group code is: 568162
Visit the hotel website www.foundersinn.com for hotel info (directions, amenities, dining, room details, etc.) or call the hotel’s main number at 757-366-5700 for a hotel brochure.
Please book at the Founders Inn and Spa as soon as you can. This is most important so you don’t lose the great rate we received.