Blog Posts - CULPEPER MINUTE MEN - MUSTER CALL

244th Anniversary of Victory at Yorktown

10/19/2025

19 Oct 2025 Yorktown, VA

Today the SAR led many other organizations in a celebration of the 244th Anniversary of Victory at Yorktown. Prominent among the participants were members of the French military, as the French Fleet under De Grasse had enabled the victory with his defeat of the Royal Navy at the Battle of the Capes and Rochambeau's Army fought along side ours at Yorktown. The ceremony was in a different location and the parade was cancelled by the government shutdown, we still celebrated with joy. The CMM was represented by Bill Schwetke who participated in the Color Guard and presented the chapter wreath.

Bill Schwetke with the CMM Wreath and his wife, who presented the Fauquier Court House Chapter, NSDAR Wreath.

Patriot Grave Marking for Meredith Helm

10/18/2025

18 Oct 2025 Stephenson, VA

Meredith Helm served in Daniel Morgan's Riflemen during the American Revolution and also furnished supplies to the cause. According to records, dated 7 Apr 1778, he was a second lieutenant and on 1 Apr 1783 he was a captain. He lived on his home that was built in 1734, called "Bellevill Farm", 4 miles from Winchester, Frederick, Virginia. (from the bio submitted to PRS by Dale Corey).
Today the Col James Wood II Chapter marked his grave and the CMM was represented by Chaplain John Kuvakas, who also represented Virginia SAR as the State Chaplain.

Chaplain John Kuvakas with the two wreaths that he presented, representing the Virginia SAR as State Chaplain and the CMM as Chapter Chaplain.

John Kuvakas, second from right in back row (standing).

Revolutionary War Presentations to Culpeper and Rappahannock County Fifth Grade Students

10/16/2025

14-16 Oct 2025 Culpeper, VA

Yowell Meadow Park and some of the 10 stations set up for presentations.

Over three days 766 students and teachers from Culpeper and Rappahannock County public, private, and home schools visited ten presentations in small groups the cycled through the displays over three days. This was organized by President Jim Bish who coordinated with the schools to ensure that the new Standards of Learning on the American Revolution were appropriately incorporated into the presentations. The CMM received considerable support from other organizations such as the Culpeper Minutemen DAR, Fauquier Court House Chapter DAR, Museum of Culpeper History, Little Fork Volunteer Fire Department, Little Fork Episcopal Church, Culpeper Baptist Church, and Warrenton Bible Fellowship. There were several volunteers from the community who devoted time and use of trucks, trailers, awnings, tables, chairs, and storage space to make this possible. We look forward to honoring them as we distribute community awards.
The CMM were represented by President Jim Bish, Vice President Mark Crain, Michael Dennis, Patrick Edrington, Tom Hamill, Charles Jameson, John Kuvakas, and Bill Schwetke
We are already coordinating with the schools to repeat this program for next year's fifth grade students.

Many of the volunteers for this program.

Charles Jameson delivers his excellent presentation on Forgotten Patriots - thanks to Charles and others, no longer forgotten.

CMM Vice President Mark Crain tells the students how the ordnance inspired by Patrick Henry and adopted by the Third Virginia Convention to raise and train a military force for Virginia would have affected them 250 years ago.

Chaplain John Kuvakas talks about the religious aspects of our Revolution.

Cat Schwetke and Kelly Kuvakas of the Fauquier Court House Chapter, NSDAR, and Mary Ann Cowherd and Jojuan White of the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter presented the story of women in the Revolution.

250th Anniversary of the US Navy Presentation to Heritage Hall Senior Living

10/8/2025

08 Oct 2025 Front Royal, VA

Today Bill Schwetke joined three members of the Col James Wood II Chapter to tell the story of the founding of the US Navy to the residents of Heritage Hall Senior Living in Front Royal.

251st Anniversary of the Battle of Point Pleasant

10/5/2025

05 Oct 2025 Point Pleasant, WV

Virginia SAR Chaplain John Kuvakas presents the Virginia SAR Wreath.

CMM compatriots John Kuvakas and Bill Schwetke participated in the Commemoration of the 251st Anniversary of the Battle of Point Pleasant. Both participated in the Color Guard and both presented a wreath: John presented the Virginia SAR wreath and Bill presented the CMM Chapter wreath.

Bill Schwetke presents the CMM Wreath.

John Green Plaque Unveiled at Liberty Hall

10/3/2025

03 Oct 2025 Rixeyville, VA

The marker is unveiled by, on the left, Sarah Coleman, descendant of John Green and current owner of Liberty Hall, and descendant Eleanor Long

Today a plaque as unveiled in honor of Colonel John Green at his home, Liberty Hall, in Rixeyville. John Green, as a captain in 1775, commanded the Regular Rifle Company that was raised in the Culpeper District and made part of Patrick Henry's 1st Virginia Regiment when it arrived in Williamsburg. The plaque was a project of the Museum of Culpeper History. Liberty Hall is now the property of Sarah Coleman, a descendant of John Green. The Culpeper Minutemen Chapter played a significant role in the program, Chapter President Jim Bish was the Master of Ceremonies and the color guard was comprised of Michael Dennis and Charles Jameson. Sarah Coleman and her husband Dan have played a significant role in honoring the area's rich heritage.

Michael Dennis and Charles Jameson also helped with the installation of the plaque.

Left to right: CMM Color Guard Commander Michael Dennis, Charles Jameson, and the Master of Ceremonies CMM President Jim Bish.

Charles Jameson, on left, and Michael Dennis with the plaque they helped install.

Installation of the plaque, CMM compatriots Charles Jameson, for right, and Michel Dennis second from the right.

2025 Fall Leadership

10/3/2025

03 Oct 2025 Louisville, KY

Trustees Meeting, Virginia SAR President Mike Weyler is at the lower right edge of the picture.

The leadership and Trustees of the NSSAR met in Louisville this weekend. The CMM were represented by Chaplain John Kuvakas and Bill Schwetke. Between them they participated as members of the following committees:

Chaplains Committee
Color Guard Committee
Council of State Presidents
DAR Liaison Committee
Genealogy Committee
History Committee
Information Technology Committee
Living History and Reenactor Liaison Committee
Records Digitization Committee

John and Bill also participated as members at meetings of the SAR France Society and the Germany SAR Society.

President General Elston Presents SAR Wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

9/20/2025

20 Sep 2025 Arlington, VA

President General Mike Elston and his wife, Julie, presented the SAR wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery today. The CMM was represented by Chaplain John Kuvakas and Registrar Bill Schwetke who both participated in the Color Guard.

President General Mike Elston and First Lady Julie Elston present the SAR wreath.

Left to right: unknown, Virginia SAR Color Guard Commander Brett Osborn, Becky Ebert, Lou Raborg, SAR Color Guard Commander Rob Meyer, Scor Bryant, First Lady Julie Elston, President General Mike Elston, Virginia SAR President Mike Weyler, International VPG and Virginia SAR 2nd VP Ken Bonner, CMM Chaplain John Kuvakas, CMM Registrar Bill Schwetke, John Carberry, Virginia SAR Historian Tom Roth, unknown.

Virginia SAR Semi-Annual Meeting

9/19/2025

19 Sep 2025 Herndon, VA

Seated, left to right: International VPG and Virginia SAR 2nd VP Ken Bonner (dualo CMM), Chancelor General Pete Davenport, Virginia SAR President Mike Weyler (dual CMM), Treasurer General Brooks Lyles, Historian General Jeff Thomas (dual CMM). First row standing, left to right: PG (2013-4) Joe Dooley, Mike Taimi, Chip Daniel, unknown, Virginia SAR Genealogist Dave Cook, Rick Abbott, Larry McKinley, Virginia SAR Secretary Tim Dioquino, CMM Secretary Tom Hamill, Michael Wilson, Richard Rankin, Virginia SAR Color Guard Commander Brett Osborn, CMM Registrar Bill Schwetke, Bill Tugman, unknown. Top rank, left to right: Paul Christensen, Mark Day, Allen Phillips, Bruce Meyer, unkinown, Bill Greaf, Virginia SAR 1st VP Darin Schmidt, Ross Schwalm, unknown, Phillip Barnard, Ken Hawkins, unknown, Michael Rhodes, covered-unknown, John Lynch, unknown, unknown, Gary Dunaway, Ron Fergusson, Virginia 3rd VP Randy Atkins, Ron Adolphi, CMM Chaplain John Kuvakas.

This Friday and Saturday the Virginia SAR held its Semi-Annual Meeting at the Westin Dulles Airport in Herdon. The CMM was represented by Secretary Tom Hamill, Chaplain John Kuvakas, and Registrar Bill Schwetke. John and Bill participated in the Color Guard. Tom, as the senior officer present, delivered the chapter report.

Ketoctin Baptist Church Grave Markings

9/19/2025

19 Sep 2025 Purcellville, VA

The Virginia SAR marked the graves of five patriots buried at Ketoctin Baptist Church in Purcellville today. The CMM were represented by Chaplain John Kuvakas who was the chaplain for the ceremony and Registrar Bill Schwetke who carried the US Flag in the Color Guard and fired in the musket volleys.

The patriots honor today were:
John Marks, Sr.
John Chew, Sr.
James Copeland
John C. Copeland
Thomas Humphrey

Chaplain John Kuvakas leads the gathering in prayer.

Chaplain John Kuvakas and Registrar Bill Schwetke with the CMM wreath at the grave marker.