2017 Multi-Chapter Meeting at Graves' Mountain

15 Apr 2017              Graves' Mountain Lodge, Syria, VA

     Today 40 compatriots from 9 chapters and 27 guests gathered at Graves' Mountain Lodge in the Blue Ridge Mountains to enjoy a beautiful spring day and SAR camaraderie.  Virginia SAR President Mike Elston was the guest of honor.  The Culpeper Minutemen Chapter organized the gathering and members of the following chapters attended:  Colonel Fielding Lewis, Colonel James Wood, II,  Colonel William Grayson, Fincastle Resoltions, Fort Harrison, General Daniel Morgan, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson.  Dignitaries from other organizations who honored us included: the Secretary of the Virginia Society, Order of Founders and Patriots, Doug Graves; President-Elect of the Virginia C.A.R., Emily Elston; Historian of the Virginia C.A.R., Will Elston; Regent of the Culpeper Minute Men Chapter, NSDAR, Mary Ann Cowherd; and Regent of the Fauquier Court House Chapter, NSDAR, Cat Schwetke.

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The early arrivals in the Lounge.

     The gathering began in the Lounge for drinks and social time.  In the lounge a slide show of WWI, accompanied by WWI music, ran on a continuous loop in honor of our ancestors who 100 years ago sailed to France in the Great War.  The slide show was produced by Cat Schwetke.

     After the social time, the attendees gathered in the Main Dinning Room for the program.  Edmund Davidson, President of the General Daniel Morgan Chapter, was the Master of Ceremonies.  Chaplain Roy Martain began the meeting with a benediction, the colors were advanced, the pledges said, and the colors posted.  The flags included the US. Flag, the Virginia Flag, The Virginia SAR Flag, the OFPA Flag, and the flags of six of the participating chapters, all carried by uniformed color guardsmen.  The color guard was led by Mike Taimi, dressed as his ancestor, a sailor in the Continental Navy.
     Next Edmund Davidson introduced the distinguished guests, who in addition to Virginia President Mike Elston, included 8 other Virginia SAR officers.

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     After the introduction of our distinguished guests, President Mike Elston, assisted by Color Guard Commander Bill Schwetke, presented the Silver Color Guard Medal to Ken Wallenborn of the Thomas Jefferson Chapter.  Ken has been a regular member of our color guard for many years and this medal was well deserved many times over.

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     Next, the presidents of each of the 7 primary chapters, and President Mike Elston, gave brief remarks.  The chapter presidents spoke in the order of their chapters date of charter.

Mackey Tilman, President of the Thomas Jefferson Chapter.

Jerry Hubbard, President of the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter.

Kirk Sheap, President of the Fort Harrison Chapter.

Skip Nolan, President of the Colonel Fielding Lewis Chapter.

Edmund Davidson, President of the General Daniel Morgan Chapter.

Mike Taimi, President of the Colonel William Grayson Chapter.

Rob Andrews, President of the Col James Wood, II, Chapter.

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Mike Elston, President of the Virginia Society, SAR.

     After a blessing by Virginia SAR Chaplain Roy Martin, a family stye lunch was served.

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     After lunch, Edmund Davidson introduced our speaker, Virginia SAR President Mike Elston.  President Elston gave a succinct description of his presidential initiatives (they can be seen here).  Afterwards, a check from the seven chapters, made out to President Elston's "Washington's Friends and Foes Initiative," was presented to President Elston.

President Elston on left, with the check for Washington's Friends and Foes, with Master of Ceremonies Edmund Davidson.

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     Edmund Davidson also displayed some his trade craft: beautifully made knives, worth many thousands of dollars each.  He is making two such knives, with elaborate engravings, to be auctioned to help fund our hosting of the 2020 Congress.

     With  the approval of a motion to adjourn, the meeting was closed for 2017.

The Combined Color Guard, left to right: Mike Taimi, Bill Schwetke, Pat Kelly, Don Jennings, Skip Nolan, Ken Wallenborn, Lon Lacey, Roy Martin, John Hamilton, Paul Chase, and Brett Osborn.