241st Anniversary of the Raid on Martin's Station

14 May 2016      Wilderness Road Sate Park, Ewing, VA

Reenactors fire a volley. photo by Paul Chase.

     The Sons of the American Revolution gathered at Wilderness Road State Park, in Ewing, VA, to commemorate the 241st anniversary of the Raid on Martin's Station.  This is a national level event hosted by the Virginia Society.  The Martin's Station and Overmountain Men Chapters are the local hosts and 15 members of the Virginia Society from eight chapters attended..  The ceremony began with a program in front of the Visitors' Center, with the local chapter president, Tom Coker as the master of ceremonies.  Virginia SAR President Ed Truslow was the keynote speaker.  President Truslow presented Tom Coker with the  Virginia Society State Service medal to recognize his significant efforts over the past years in organizing this national event.  The Captain of the reenactor Militia Company also addressed the crowd, in character, to explain the coming events.

Virginia Society Ed Truslow give the keynote address.

Virginia President Ed Truslow presents Tom Coker the Virginia Society State Service Medal.

Militia Captain Bill Martin (portrayed by Billy Heck) addresses the crowd.

     Next the Combined Color Guard, led by the JROTC Honor Guard in hunting shirt uniforms, marched to the Martin's Station monument, where the wreaths had been arranged for presentation.  J. Barney Penley of the Overmountain Men Chapter was the master of ceremonies for the wreath presentations.  Surgeon General Larry Leslie represented NSSAR and the Virginia Society was represented by President Ed Truslow.  Six Virginia Society Chapters presented wreaths.

The Combined Color Guard of SAR members and reenactors wait the command to proceed.

Color Guard marches in. photo by Laura Truslow.

Virginia Society Ed Truslow, left, and NSSAR Surgeon General Larry Leslie with their wreaths.

Four Virginia Society wreath presenters line up for the Ceremony, left to right, President Ed Truslow, Pat Kelly representing the Thomas Jefferson Chapter, Bill Schwetke representing the Culpeper Minutemen, and Bruce Meyer representing the Thomas Nelson, Jr. Chapter. photo by Paul Chase.

President Ed Truslow presents the Virginia Society Wreath.

Paul Chase, Col William Grayson Chapter.

Pat Kelly, Thomas Jefferson Chapter.

Bruce Meyer, Thomas Nelson, Jr. Chapter.

Bill Schwetke, Culpeper Minutemen Chapter.

Virginia SAR participants, left to right, William Meyers Cheak, Jerry Phillips, Bruce Meyer, Bill Schwetke, Paul Chase, Tom Coker, Don Campbell, President Ed Truslow, Brett Osborn, Pat Kelly, past President Reverdy Wright, Unknown, RonnieLail, Larry Fraizer, unkown. photo by Laura Truslow.