236th Anniversary of the Battle of Kings Mountain

7 Oct 2016                             Kings Mountain National Military Park, SC

The SAR Color Guard at Kings Mountain. Virginia participants are in the front row, 2nd from right - Bill Schwetke; fourth from the right - Peter Davenport; fifth from the right - Pat Kelly. Mostly hidden in the back row, over the left shoulder of the seventh man from the right in the front row, is Mike Elston.

     Despite rain, heavy at times, the SAR celebrated the 236th Anniversary of the patriots' victory at Kings Mountain in South Carolina.  Fortunately for the attendees, the National Park Service set up tents for protection from the rain. The Virginia SAR attendees included 1st Vice President Mike Elston, 2nd Vice President Pat Kelly, Surgeon Kirk Sheap and his wife Norma, Trustee Reverdy Wright, Peter Davenport, and Bill Schwetke.  Elston, Kelly, Davenport, and Schwetke participated in the color guard.

John Slaughter, National Park Service Southern Campaign of the American Revolution Parks Group Superintendent and an SAR member, was the master of ceremonies.

Keynote speaker B/G James R. Gorham.

Mike Elston with the Virginia SAR wreath.

Pat Kelly with the Thomas Jefferson Chapter wreath.

Kirk & Norma Sheap with the Ft. Harrison Chapter wreath.

Peter Davenport with the George Mason Chapter wreath

Bill Schwetke with the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter wreath.

Reverdy Wright at Kings Mountain.