Compatriots and Friends:
On July 4th we celebrated the 238th Anniversary of our Declaration of Independence, which began a new country. I will use coverage of our Independence Day activities in Culpeper to launch this new blog as a replacement for our Muster Call newsletter. As many of you know, the Muster Call is the responsibility of the 1st Vice-President, a position that has been vacant now for two terms. I have not done very well at covering all the responsibilities of President and both Vice-Presidents. This blog will allow me to get the same information to you, sooner, and in a way more suited to my own skills, which do not include much in the way of constructing a newsletter.
You can access this blog directly, or as we prefer, by the link on our chapter website. What you should expect to see as the first entry each month is a “President’s Message”, such as this, followed by “Calendar of Events” and lists of Birthdays and SAR Anniversaries such as you see now in the Muster Call. The list of officers and committee chairman on our website will suffice for that normal item from the Muster Call, but you can expect ongoing encouragement from your president for you to pick up some of the load as a committee member, chairman, or chapter officer.
For the month of July I would like to reflect upon events one year before the signing of the Declaration of Independence. On July 3rd, 1775, General George Washington assumed command of the American Army at Cambridge, Massachusetts, as depicted in the Currier and Ives print below.
On July 4th we celebrated the 238th Anniversary of our Declaration of Independence, which began a new country. I will use coverage of our Independence Day activities in Culpeper to launch this new blog as a replacement for our Muster Call newsletter. As many of you know, the Muster Call is the responsibility of the 1st Vice-President, a position that has been vacant now for two terms. I have not done very well at covering all the responsibilities of President and both Vice-Presidents. This blog will allow me to get the same information to you, sooner, and in a way more suited to my own skills, which do not include much in the way of constructing a newsletter.
You can access this blog directly, or as we prefer, by the link on our chapter website. What you should expect to see as the first entry each month is a “President’s Message”, such as this, followed by “Calendar of Events” and lists of Birthdays and SAR Anniversaries such as you see now in the Muster Call. The list of officers and committee chairman on our website will suffice for that normal item from the Muster Call, but you can expect ongoing encouragement from your president for you to pick up some of the load as a committee member, chairman, or chapter officer.
For the month of July I would like to reflect upon events one year before the signing of the Declaration of Independence. On July 3rd, 1775, General George Washington assumed command of the American Army at Cambridge, Massachusetts, as depicted in the Currier and Ives print below.
George Washington had little military experience, but possessed strong character, integrity, and resolve. Also, notably, in his General order issued the next day, July 4th, 1775, General Washington proclaimed the forces under his command now served not their individual colonies, but the "United Provinces of North America. "
“The Continental Congress having now taken all the Troops of the several Colonies, which have been raised, or which may be hereafter raised for the support and defence of the Liberties of America; into their Pay and Service. They are now the Troops of the UNITED PROVINCES of North America; and it is hoped that all Distinctions of Colonies will be laid aside; so that one and the same Spirit may animate the whole, and the only Contest be, who shall render, on this great and trying occasion, the most essential service to the Great and common cause in which we are all engaged.”
The US Army dates its birth from the day the Continental Congress voted to assume authority for the forces opposing the British at Boston and appointed George Washington as its commanding general, June 14th, 1775. But this did not become fact until George Washington assumed command and issued the above General Order. Ahead of our ancestors lay a long and difficult struggle. They persevered, and their legacy to us is our great nation and a great Army.
Jerry Hubbard and I had the privilege over the past month of attending four JROTC Awards Ceremonies (3 for Jerry, 1 for me). We were able to meet and give recognition to the next generation of our Army’s leadership. George Washington would have been proud of all of them; his legacy is in good hands. I suggest that you take the time next year to join us in recognizing our JROTC Award winners; you will be inspired.
Your Servant,
Bill Schwetke, President
“The Continental Congress having now taken all the Troops of the several Colonies, which have been raised, or which may be hereafter raised for the support and defence of the Liberties of America; into their Pay and Service. They are now the Troops of the UNITED PROVINCES of North America; and it is hoped that all Distinctions of Colonies will be laid aside; so that one and the same Spirit may animate the whole, and the only Contest be, who shall render, on this great and trying occasion, the most essential service to the Great and common cause in which we are all engaged.”
The US Army dates its birth from the day the Continental Congress voted to assume authority for the forces opposing the British at Boston and appointed George Washington as its commanding general, June 14th, 1775. But this did not become fact until George Washington assumed command and issued the above General Order. Ahead of our ancestors lay a long and difficult struggle. They persevered, and their legacy to us is our great nation and a great Army.
Jerry Hubbard and I had the privilege over the past month of attending four JROTC Awards Ceremonies (3 for Jerry, 1 for me). We were able to meet and give recognition to the next generation of our Army’s leadership. George Washington would have been proud of all of them; his legacy is in good hands. I suggest that you take the time next year to join us in recognizing our JROTC Award winners; you will be inspired.
Your Servant,
Bill Schwetke, President
Compatriot Jerry Hubbard presents our JROTC Bronze Medal to Cadet Gregory Landes on June 5th at Orange County High School .
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