Blog Posts

Culpeper Minutemen Chapters Shines on TV During Fox 5 DC's Zip Trip to Culpeper

7/24/2026

24 Jul 2026 Culpeper, VA

Left to right: Sue Evangalista (CMM/DAR), Della Edrington (CMM/DAR), Kelly Kuvakas (FCHC/DAR), Cat Schwetke (FCHC/DAR), Eddie Daniel, Bill Schwetke, Joe Riddle, Charles Jameson, President Mark Crain, Jim Bish, Rex Hancock, FOX 5 DC Reporter Jacqueline Matter, Michael Dennis.

Early this morning Fox 5 DC's Zip Trip crew visited Culpeper and set up activities on Davis Street near the Train Depot. The Culpeper Minutemen were invited for an interview and we invited the DAR to join us. Two DAR Chapters, the Culpeper Minute Men Chapter and the Fauquier Court House Chapter joined us. We were interviewed by Jacqueline Matter of Fox 5 and Jim Bish and Charles Jameson admirably fielded her questions. This was fun!!!

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Five Separate Patriot Grave Markings in Conjunction with Congress

7/16/2026

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09 - 16 July 2026 North Carolina

Each ceremony that a compatriot participated in gave him credit for five patriot graves marked, enough for the Patriot Grave Marking Medal and 2/3 of the way to an Oak Leaf Cluster. CMM members John Kuvakas, Doug Schwetke, and Bill Schwetke each participated in all five ceremonies and all three participated in the Color Guard each time.

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Hot News from SAR Congress - CMM is once again #1, Virginia too!

7/13/2026

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13 Jul 2026 Greensboro, NC

Many Thanks to Kelly Kuvakas for all of the photos used in this report.

The Top Three Chapters in the 50-99 member range, left to right: 3rd Place - the Blue Ridge Mountain Chapter of NC; 2nd Place - the Sgt Major John Champe Chapter represented by Ken Bonner; President General Mike Elston of Virginia; 1st Place - Culpeper Minutemen Chapter represented by John Kuvakas!

Virginia SAR Chaplain and Culpeper Minutemen Chapter Chaplain John Kuvakas delivers the Benediction at the NSSAR Memorial Service.

President General Mike Elston presents congratulations and a Gold Color Guard Medal to Bill Schwetke who was named Color Guardsman of the Year for NSSAR in 2025.

CMM members on Awards night, left to right, Virginia National Trustee Mike Weyler (dual member), Chaplain John Kuvakas, Registrar Bill Schwetke, Historian General Jeff Thomas (dual member), and Doug Schwetke.

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250 Anniversary of the First Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence - Joining Compatriots and other Patriots Across the Country and Even the World in a Synchronized Reading Simultaneously with the Reenactment in Philladelphia.

7/8/2026

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08 Jul 2026 Culpeper, VA

In Culpeper Charles Jameson and Rex Hancock read the Declaration of Independence with significant help from the DAR. They used the "Charters of Freedom" as a wonderful backdrop (thanks to Foundation Forward that provided the charters and Compatriot Keith Price who really made them happen in Yowell Meadow Park).

08 Jul 2026 Orange, VA

In Orange Thomas Jefferson, portrayed by Mark Holma, read the Declaration of Independence to a crowd estimated to be about 125. The CMM participants, President Mark Crain and Eddie Daniel provided the Color Guard. This program was co-sponsored by the Orange County Historical Society.

08 Jul 2026 Warrenton, VA

This evening in Warrenton 40 people, 2 dogs and 1 John Marshall gathered to hear a public reading of the Declaration of Independence just as it was done for the first time 250 years ago. Tom Hamill was our Master of Ceremonies and Reader. His reading was met with "Hear Hear's" and Huzzahs.

In Warrenton we had participation by three DAR Chapters, one C.A.R. chapter, and the Fauquier Historical Society who cosponsored with us. Our chapter had five members participating, four in period dress: Tom Hamill, John Kuvakas, Doug Schwetke, and Bill Schwetke were in period dress, and David Gerrish not only attended but set up the program for us.

After the reading of the Declaration of Independence by Tom Hamill, Doug Schwetke marched up the center to in front of the flags of 250 years ago with today's US Flag and we all proudly recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

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Mark Crain Starts the Culpeper Freedom 5K Race with a Musket shot.

7/4/2026

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04 Jul 2026 Culpeper, VA

CMM President Mark Crain, Official Starter for the 5K Race

THEY'RE OFF!

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Culpeper Celebrates our Nation's 250th Birthday

7/4/2026

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04 Jul 2026 Culpeper, VA

The crowd was smaller than usual as many wisely staid out of the heat of 95˚ with a Heat Index of 105˚.

The heat reduced the size but did not dampen the spirit of the Crowd that responded to the reading of the just passed (250 years ago) Declaration of Independence with boisterous "Hear, Hear's" and "Huzzahs" as Culpeper celebrated our independence and establishment as nation.

After marching up Davis Street to gather the crowd the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter Color Guard presents the colors, left to right: Rex Hancock with the Betsy Ross Flag, Michael Dennis with the Virginia Flag, and Doug Schwetke with the Culpeper Minute Battalion Battle Flag. Out of the picture to the right was President Mark Crain with the CMM Chapter Flag.

Congress Eugene Windman who represents Virginia's Seventh District highlighted the round of speakers.

Richard Henry Lee (portrayed by Jim Bish) gave a wonderful report of his recent activities that initiated the process that led to our Declaration of Independence.

Tom Hamill read aloud the Declaration that had just (250 years ago) been approved the Continental Congress.

Wreaths were presented by, left to right: Regent Lauren May of the Culpeper Minute Men Chapter NSDAR, President Sue Evangelista of the Thomas, Lord Culpeper Chapter of the Colonial Dames of the 17th Century, President Mark Crain of the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter SAR, and Regent Lori Bethea of the Fauquier Court House Chapter NSDAR.

Musket Firing Sequence

President Mark Crain (background) and Bill Schwetke fire a musket volley
one of three perfect volleys

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250th Independence Day at Washington's Mount Vernon

7/4/2026

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04 Jul 2026 Mount Vernon

Today Doug and Bill Schwetke represented the CMM at Mount Vernon to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of our Declaration of Independence. The grand part of the ceremony was the march up the Bowling Green with the SAR Color Guard leading about 100 SAR and DAR members (participation was reduced from what we expected by the heat). Pictures will follow soon.

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NSDAR Annual Flag Raising Ceremony

6/23/2026

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23 Jun 2026 Washington, DC

Today, as part of the NSDAR 2026 Congress, the NSDAR held their Annual Flag Raising Ceremony at Constitution Hall in Washington, DC. The Virginia SAR provided the Color Guard for the ceremony with members of three chapters participating. CMM compatriot Bill Schwetke carried the modern national colors. The ceremony was held indoors due to heavy rain.

Left to right: Brett Osborn, Bill Schwetke, Jim Cordes, Ken Bonner.

All pictures provided for this report by Abigail Compton photographing page for Daughters of the American Revolution

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Col James T. O'Kelley, Jr, USMC Ret., was Honored by the Virginia House of Delegates Today

6/22/2026

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22 Jun 2026 Richmond, VA

The Virginia House of Delegates applauds our compatriot, Jim O'Kelley.

A message received from Geoff Cobham of the Thomas Jefferson Chapter about our compatriot and friend to many of the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter:

Monday, June 22, 2026 at 2pm in the House of Delegates in Richmond, Virginia 55th District Delegate Amy Laufer put forward a Commending Resolution to honor retired Colonel James (Jim) O'Kelley Jr. for his extraordinary lifetime achievement, both in military and civilian life. His family, friends and several Veteran groups across Central Virginia were in attendance to support this memorable and extraordinary recognition.

The 4 minute YouTube video captures the event live streamed:
https://youtu.be/f7TtZqY2SkY?si=O6KyciGDi-4gZpf1

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251st Anniversary of Washington Taking Command of the Continental Army

6/20/2026

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20 Jun 2026 Colonial Beach, VA

Virginia SAR President Darrin Schmidt address the crowd at Washington's Birthplace

Today at George Washington's Birthplace National Monument the Virginia SAR conducted a ceremony to mark the 251st anniversary of George Washington taking command of the Continental Army. About 55 visitors to the monument attended our ceremony which was conducted by about 15 members of the SAR. Bill Schwetke presented the chapter wreath, marched in the Color Guard and participated in the musket volley.