238th Anniversary of the Battle of Waxhaws

26 May 2018                                                    Buford, SC

Monument and Mass Grave.

     A crowd of over 50 people braved the light rain showers to honor the patriots of the 3rd Virginia Detachment, who died and were buried in a mass grave at the Battle of Waxhaws.  The Virginia SAR delegation was led by President Pat Kelly and included five members from three chapters:  Culpeper Minutemen, Dan River, and Thomas Jefferson.  Three Virginia SAR compatriots marched in the Color Guard, Gary Hall Tom Hamill, and Bill Schwetke.
     President Kelly delivered remarks that placed this tragic battle in context, and then spread Virginia Soil on the mass grave of Virginians who died here in 1780.

Greg Ohanesian, Master of Ceremonies and organizer of the event.

South Atlantic District Vice President General, Jim Wood, representing NSSAR.

Virginia SAR President Pat Kelly delivers his remarks.

SAR Foundation past President Sam Powell.

Ken Obroit, president of the Friends of Buford's Massacre Battlefield.

     Next, wreaths were presented, followed by Virginia SAR President Pat Kelly spreading Soil of Virginia on the Mass Grave.  This soil had been collected and consecrated on May 5th at the 7-Chapter Meeting at Graves Mountain Lodge.

Virginia President Pat Kelly renders honors at the monument during the wreath presentations.

Virginia SAR President Pat Kelly on right, spreads Soil from Virginia on the Mass Grave at Waxhaws. His escort, left to right, Tom Hamill, Gary Hall.

The Friends of the Buford Massacre Battlefield present Virginia SAR President Pat Kelly with a desk sized version of the the 3rd Virginia Detachment flag.

Virginia SAR participants, left to right: Bill Schwetke, President Pat Kelly, Culpeper Minutemen Chapter President Tom Hamill, Arron Hamill, Dan River Chapter Vice Presient Gary Hall.