2016 is fully upon us and we are in a busy time of the year. In this month we have the Crossing of the Dan, Washington's Birthday Parade in Alexandria, Virginia SAR Annual Conference, George Washington's Birthday, 250th Anniversary of the Leedstown Resolves, and Spring Leadership in Louisville. I will be at each of these except for the Leedstown Resolves which conflicts with Spring Leadership; hope to see many of you at these events.
I will make a special request that you support the 250th Anniversary of the Leedstown Resolves, in Warsaw, VA (88 miles from Culpeper), on Saturday morning February 27th. This is an important event, and important anniversary, and a time to support our own Mike Lyman, who is one of the organizers of the event. A good turnout by the Culpeper Minutemen would be most appropriate.
I would also like to see more of us attend the Virginia Annual Conference in Richmond. Looking at old scrapbooks, it wasn't long ago that as many as ten chapter members attended a Annual Conference. This is a great place for officers to meet their counterparts in other chapters and the state officers that support them. It also offers opportunities to learn how our state organization functions and to participate in committees and other efforts that make our society great. If you are not fond of wearing a tux, bring your uniform and participate in the Color Guard.
Closer to home I would like to thank Scott Mitchell, our newest member, for stepping up to be our Graves Chairman. We should mark at least one patriot grave this year, and must mark the grave of one of our compatriots who died last year. We still have a need for an Orations Committee Chairman. We now have more local interest in competing in Orations and we need someone to provide proper support to the youth that want to participate. A little effort on your part will add so much to what our chapter is able to do in the community.
At the January meeting Color Guard Commander Lon Lacey displayed many uniform parts that are available to aspiring color guardsmen. Though not for everyone, the Color Guard is our best advertisement in the community. If you have an interest, contact Lon and see what he has that might get you started to having your own uniform.
I hope that everyone has escaped the burdens of the latest snow storm. It won't be long until we are at Graves Mountain, celebrating spring. Please keep Jim and Linda Lillard in your prayers.
Your Servant,
Bill Schwetke, president