Capt Asa Lay joined the patriots besieging Boston shortly after Lexington and Concord and served until the successful end of our Revolution. His actions brought him to the attention of General Washington. After the war General Washington encountered one of Asa Lay's sons and asked him to "Give my Love to your father; I knew him well; he was a brave man." Very high praise from one remarkable man to another. Asa Lay also has many remarkable descendents, some of whom are or have been sturdy members of the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter. This past month we buried one, Dan Lay, Asa Lay's 4xgreat grandson, and welcomed another, his 6xgreat grandson Raymond Mills, our newest member. We should each strive to emulate the Lay family in honoring Asa Lay and our other patriot ancestors.
Along with welcoming Raymond Mills, we welcomed a reinstated transfer, Ben Works. There is now a very healthy stream of new members in the process of being approved and our future is brighter because of them.
The 250th Anniversary of our patriot ancestors' struggle is a most appropriate time to honor their accomplishments. I have set a goal for our chapter of appropriately honoring the quarter millennium milestones of significant events in our Revolution. One event has passed: the Stamp Act of 1765 was a milestone in setting our ancestors against England, and it was marked by Jim Baynes' article in the Culpeper Star-Exponent. We should not let any similar milestone pass unnoticed. The pace will be naturally slow at first and this project will last for at least another 18 years. The highlight for us will be the 250th anniversaries of the forming of the Culpeper Minutemen and the Battle of Great Bridge in 2025. We should call national attention to these two events. We have ten years to do this, but it is not too early to start. One project I propose is a postage stamp honoring the Culpeper Minutemen, or one commemorating the Battle of Great Bridge that prominently features the Culpeper Minutemen. Your idea's are needed.
I hope you're enjoying the warmer weather and will join me in enjoying a fine spring day at Graves' Mountain Lodge with the camaraderie of seven SAR chapters and our state leaders.
Your Servant,
Bill