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New River Chapter Gains New Member

2/28/2017

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report by New River Chapter President Terry Blevins

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Left to right: President Terry Blevins, Dave Wallace, C.G. Thomas.
     At the February 2017 meeting of the New River Chapter, President Terry Blevins and Sponsor Compatriot C. G. Thomas Installed the Chapter’s newest member, Compatriot Dave Wallace.  Compatriot Wallace is a descendant of Francis Meadows who served in the 10th and 12th Virginia Regiments during the Revolutionary War.
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241st Anniversary of the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge

2/25/2017

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report by George Washington Chapter President Paul Walden
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Steve Pittard, Le Marquis de Lafayette Chapter, NCCSAR, on left, and Paul Walden, President, George Washington Chapter, VASSAR, on right, at the Moore’s Creek Bridge monument.
     Paul Walden, President, George Washington Chapter, presented a wreath at Commemoration of the Battle of Moore’s Creek Bridge on February 25.  A total of thirty nine SAR, DAR, CAR and other societies presented wreaths at this event, which due to the spring-like weather, attracted a large crowd.  In addition to the wreath laying event, the day also included battle re-enactments, musical performances by bagpipe and fife and drum corps, and guided tours of the battle site.  As part of this commemoration, the Lower Cape Fear Chapter hosted a dinner the previous evening at the Cape Fear Country Club, where President General Tomme and his wife gave an interesting presentation---in period attire--- on life in the eighteenth century. 
     The Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge was a battle of the American Revolutionary War fought near Wilmington in present-day Pender County, North Carolina on February 27, 1776. The victory of North Carolina Revolutionary forces over Southern Loyalists helped build political support for the revolution and increased recruitment of additional soldiers into their forces.
     Loyalist recruitment efforts in the interior of North Carolina began in earnest with news of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, and Patriots in the province also began organizing Continental Army and militia units. When word arrived in January 1776 of a planned British Army expedition to the area, Josiah Martin, the royal governor, ordered the Loyalist militia to muster in anticipation of their arrival. Revolutionary militia and Continental units mobilized to prevent the junction, blockading several routes until the poorly armed Loyalists were forced to confront them at Moore's Creek Bridge, about 18 miles north of Wilmington.
     In a brief early-morning engagement, a charge across the bridge by sword-wielding Loyalist Scotsmen was met by a barrage of musket fire. One Loyalist leader was killed, another captured, and the whole force was scattered. In the following days, many Loyalists were arrested, putting a damper on further recruiting efforts. North Carolina was not militarily threatened again until 1780, and memories of the battle and its aftermath negated efforts by Charles Cornwallis to recruit Loyalists in the area in 1781.

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251st Anniversary of the Leedstown Resolutions

2/25/2017

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     A crowd of about 75 people filled the Council House at Stratford Hall today for a ceremony to celebrate the 251st Anniversary of the Leedstown Resolutions, co-hosted by the Northern Neck of Virginia Historical Society and Stratford Hall.  SAR participation was organized by the James Monroe Chapter and the Virginia Society was represented by President Mike Elston.  Seven Virginia SAR Chapters participated in the program: Colonel Fielding Lewis, Colonel William Grayson, Culpeper Minutemen, George Washington, James Monroe, Richard Henry Lee, and Richmond.
     After welcomes from the co-hosts, the James Monroe Chapter Color Guard presented the colors for the Pledge of Allegiance.  Next, framed resolutions from the Virginia Senate and the Virginia House of Delegates were presented and read.  The last reading was of the Leedstown Resolutions by Carlee Slater of Washington & Lee High School, herself a descendant of Richard Henry Lee.

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The five members of the James Monroe Chapter Color Guard present the colors.
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Northern Neck of Virginia Historical Society Past President Steve Walker with the State Senate Resolution.
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James Monroe Chapter President Charles Belfield reads the House of Delegates' Resolution.
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Richard Henry Lee descendant Carlee Slater reads the Leedstown Resolutions.
     The program continued with a 21st Century Interpretation of the Leedstown Resolutions, with both a modern band, and participants participating in a spirited debate of the Resolutions.  The debate featured Charles Belfield, members of the Northern Neck of Virginia Historical Society, and High School Students.
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Charles Belfield rises to support the resolutions.
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A supporter of the King rises to object
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High School students participating in the vigorous debate.
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The Resolutions are passed, yet again.
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The band responded with the Beatles' "Revolution".
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Then the keynote speaker, Virginia SAR President Mike Elston put everything in perspective.
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  Next wreaths were presented by SAR and DAR chapters and other organizations, orchestrated by Virginia SAR Graves Chairman Mike Lyman.
     After the ceremony, everyone enjoyed a great lunch buffet in the Stratford Hall Dinning House.
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Col James Wood II February Chapter Meeting Highlights

2/23/2017

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report by Col James Wood II Past Chapter President Brett Osborn
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CJWII Chapter President Rob Andrews, on right, with the speaker for this meeting, Colonel John Cassarino, USAF retired.
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Past CJWII Chapter President Brett Osborn, on right, posting streames for 2016 presented at the Virginia SAR Annual Meeting, while President Rob Andrews holds the chapter flag.
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Past CJWII President Brett Osborn presents the Military Service Medal to Robert Patrick Murphy, while Capter President Rob Andrews reads the citation.
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Fincastle Resolutions Chapter holds Washington Birthday Dinner

2/22/2017

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report by Fincastle Resolutions Chapter Secretary Wayne Miesen
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Chapter 2nd VP Tom Sales, on left, presents guest speaker, Warren Bingham with a certificate of appreciation.
     The Fincastle Resolutions Chapter held a George Washington's Birthday dinner on the 22nd of February. The guest speaker was author, Warren Bingham; his book and topic as speaker was "George Washington's Southern Tour 1791". Dinner was at the Shenandoah Club Roanoke Va. and was well attended by members of the SAR and DAR.
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George Washington Birthday Celebrations in Alexandria, VA

2/20/2017

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20 Feb 2017                             Old Town Alexandria, VA

pictures by Tom Roth, Virginia SAR Historian
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Compatriots and C.A.R. participants muster just before the parade in Old Town Alexandria.
     Today the George Washington Chapter organized and executed a memorial service at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider of the American Revolution at Old Presbyterian Meeting House in Old Town Alexandria, and participation in the annual George Washington Day Parade.  25 compatriots participated, mostly from the George Washington Chapter, but also from the Col James Wood II, Col William Grayson, Culpeper Minutemen, and Fincastle Resolutions Chapters.
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Program at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the American Revolution.
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Participants in line to place a red flower on the tomb.
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Red Flowers on tomb.
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Virginia SAR President Mike Elston in the second car, Behind the C.A.R. Virginia Society President, Ms Alexandra Slaughter.
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236th Anniversary of the Crossing of the Dan 

2/18/2017

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17-18 Feb 2017                                      South Boston, VA

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      The 236th Anniversary of the Crossing of the Dan was celebrated Saturday at the Prizery and on the river  front  in South Boston, VA. During the week there were several activities, including competitions among the school children, in remembrance of this significant Revolutionary War event.  22 Virginia SAR compatriots, from 14 chapters, were joined by many others from North Carolina for this event.  Virginia SAR was represented by President Mike Elston, and NSSAR was represented by Vice-President General Mark Brennan.
        Friday evening many of the SAR and DAR participants gathered at Ernie's Restaurant for camaraderie and a seafood buffet. The Dan River Chapter was our host.
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Compatriots gather at Ernie's
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Compatriots in the buffet line

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     Saturday  morning a crowd of well over 100 gathered in the Prizery auditorium for the Crossing of the Dan Program.  Past Virginia SAR President Phil Williams was the master of ceremonies.  The program began with the SAR Color Guard posting the colors, then greetings from: Host Chapter President Bernard Baker Halifax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Dennis Witt, Halifax Town Manager Carly Espy, South Boston Town Manager Tom Raab, and Berryman Green Chapter NSDAR Regent Barbara Bass.
     The program was an update on the progress of the Southern Campaign by General Nathanael Green, portrayed by Dan McMichael.

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Dan River Chapter President Bernie Baker presents greetings, while M/C Phil Williams, on right, looks on.
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SAR Color Guard posts the colors
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Dennis Witt, Chairman, Halifax County Board of Supervisors.
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Carl Espy, Halifax Town Manager.
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Tom Raab, South Boston Town Manager.
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Bargara Bass, Regent, Berryman Green Chapter, NSDAR.
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Anne Raab of the Berryman Green Chapter, NSDAR, who presented the student oration winner.
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General Greene reports on the Southern Campaign.
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General Greene, portrayed by Dan McMichael.

     After the program in the Prizery, the group marched behind the Color Guard down to the monument on the river for presentations of the wreaths.
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March to the Crossing of the Dan Monument
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Ceremony at the monument on the north bank of the Dan River.
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General Greene marches to the Dan, with a helper carrying the wreath to be thrown into the river.
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General Greene and his helper throw the wreath into the Dan River.

This got great coverage in area newspapers, which can be seen at:

The Gazette Virginian: 

The Gazette-Virginian (#2):

The Martinsville Bulletin: 

Go Dan River.com: 

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Williamsburg Chapter Inducts new Members and Awards Medals

2/17/2017

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report by Lew de Seife
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The Williamsburg Chapter of SAR inducted four new Members in February. L – R MichaelBoyer, James Fiorito, Beverly Fiorito, Roger Hall, Ann Hall, Heath Richardson, Johanna Richardson, Harley Stewart, Chapter President, Jim Hess, Registrar.
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Jack Lee and Ron Losee were awarded the SAR Meritorious Medal for long, and faithful service to the Williamsburg Chapter of SAR. L – R Jack Lee, former Treasurer, Ron Losee, former Registrar, Haeley Stewart, Chapter President.
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Passing of Past Virginia SAR President (2004-5)   Capt John N. Dickie

2/13/2017

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13 Feb 2017                       Arlington National Cemetery

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     Captain Dickie was laid to rest today.  A large contingent of SAR compatriots honored their friend by attending the service at the Ft Meyer Old Post Chapel, and followed the caisson to his burial site in Arlington National Cemetery.

taken from the Washington Post, July 29, 2016
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DICKIE John Nevin Dickie Captain, USN (Ret.) Devoted dad, Pop-Pop and husband, joined his ancestral compatriots on July 23, 2016 with his family by his side. Captain Dickie''s life was rich in every sense of the word. He was an honest, loyal, selfless, patriotic leader. He did everything to its fullest and pushed himself to do his best in every endeavor, which was blatantly apparent with the volume of his successes, both personal and professional. The son of John Archibald Dickie and Olive M. Jean Cox, Captain Dickie was born in Danville, IL on November 6, 1938. After graduating from Rossville Community High School in 1956, he worked as a bookkeeper at a major corn canning company, Milford. Captain Dickie began his military career in the US Army in 1957 as an Electronics Technician supervising Radar Operators. After a three year tour, Captain Dickie went to the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign) where he earned a Bachelor of Science with a major in Economics. In 1964, he graduated not only with Honors, but also as one of the top ten graduating seniors based on his outstanding scholarship and activities. Captain Dickie had a lengthy and successful career as a Senior Federal Government Economist at the Department of Housing and Urban Development from the time he graduated college in 1964 through retirement in 1997. He held many significant positions, including Chief Economist for the New Communities Administration, Chief of the Mortgage and Capital Market Analysis Branch, and Director of the FHA Office of Financial Analysis. During his early career with HUD, he was selected for the "Key Executive Program" in which the agency paid for Captain Dickie to further his education. He graduated, with Honors, from American University in 1979 with a Masters in Business Administration. He was enthusiastic about his work with HUD, as he aspired to make the American dream of home ownership a reality for everybody in our country and to have an active role in revitalizing our cities. Captain Dickie was a decorated Naval Captain, serving from 1971 to 1998. He sought and received a direct commssion as an Officer in the Navy Reserves because he felt driven to help repay his country for giving him the opportunities he enjoyed. Over the course of his 30 years of military service, he was a Cryptologic Officer and Commanding Officer. Though he was too senior to serve aboard ship during the first Gulf War, Desert Storm, he was able to provide valuable service with the National Security Agency at Ft. Meade as a Cryptologic Officer. He was directly involved with breaking enemy codes and with missions to design systems to prevent the enemy from breaking our codes. Captain Dickie was involved in numerous historical societies and charitable organizations, as genealogy was a passion of his. He was a past Virginia State President of the Sons of the American Revolution, past Virginia Society President of the Society of War of 1812, District Vice President General in the National Society of War of 1812, a Mason, Chevalier of the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem (Knights Templar), a member of the Order of Saint Constantine, Clan McPherson, and The Society of the Sons of St. George. Captain Dickie''s family has been especially grateful of the support received from those societies and organizations during this difficult time. No task was below Captain Dickie; he even spent time as a garbage collector in Alaska over one of his college summer breaks. He always thought that everyone''s contribution, no matter how great or small, can make a difference. He believed that when working towards a noble purpose, everyone is a winner. He is the epitome of the American Dream, rising from an impoverished and orphaned childhood to achieve greatness. What Captain Dickie attained in his professional life was prestigious, but his greatest accomplishment was his role as a loving, supportive, and involved husband, dad and grandfather. He leaves behind his wife, Judy Dickie; two sons, Matthew and John-Thomas Dickie; daughter, Dresden Lawler; three grandchildren, Victoria Dickie, Athena Dickie, and Gavin Lawler. The wake for Captain Dickie is Friday, July 29, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Cunningham Turch Funeral Home on Cameron Street in Old Town, Alexandria, VA. Captain Dickie will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery with full Honors. His laughter could be heard a mile away. His wit, as sharp as a tack. His heart, devoted to his family. Our love for him eternal. His laughter could be heard a mile away. His wit, as sharp as a tack. His heart, devoted to his family. Our love for him eternal.


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127th Annual Meeting Banquet

2/12/2017

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     Saturday evening the Virginia SAR celebrated the success of President Ed Truslow over the past year, rewarded worthy compatriots, and installed our new president for 2017, Mike Elston.
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   The Virginia SAR Color Guard posted the colors as part of the opening rituals.

     PG Mike Tomme brought greetings from the National Society, followed by Holly Lynne Schmidt with greetings from the Virginia DAR., then greetings from Alexandra Slaughter, president of the Virginia Society of the C.A.R.
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PG Mike Tomme
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Virginia DAR State Historian Holly Lynne Schmidt
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Virginia C.A.R. President Alexandra Slaughter.
     Several awards were presented, for service to the Virginia Society in 2016.
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Confined to the platform, President Ed Truslow delegated the duty to present the awards to Mike Elston.
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Certificates of Appreciation for the Friday Night Reception to, left to right: Laura Truslow, Wink Rouse, and Betty Elofson.
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Virginia Society Ladies State Service Medals to, left to right, Ann Whitney and Cat Schwetke.
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The Lydia Darragh Medal for 2016 was presented to Wink Rouse.
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Laura Truslow received the Martha Washington Medal.

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Assistant Registrar Dave Thomas received the Distinguished Service Certificate.
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The Virginia Society State Service Medal was presented to, left to right: Barry Schwoerer, Mark Brennan, and Will Elston. Also receiving this award, but not present, was Dave Cook.
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The Virginia Society Medal was presented to, left to right: Newsletter Editor Bill Schwetke and an OLC to the medal to Secretary Wayne Rouse.
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The Silver Roger Sherman Medal was awarded to, left to right: Registrar Mike Taimi, Graves Chairman Mike Lyman, and Color Guard Commander Darrin Schmidt.
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The Meritorious Service Medal was presented to, left ot right: Ernie Coggins, Lance Lyngar, and, not present, Peter Davenport.
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Virginia Society Presidential Award Certificates were presented to, left to right: Pat Kelly, Rick Elosfson, and Tom Whetstone.
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Wayne Rouse, on right, came to the floor to award the Silver Distinguished Service Medal for 2016 to Mike Elston.
     Next five Color Guard Medals were awarded by PG Mike Tomme and Virginia SAR Color Guard Commander Darrin Schmidt.
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Cat Schwetke received the Molly Pitcher Medal, and Bill Schwetke the Silver Color Guard Medal.
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Lance Lyngar, center, receives the Silver Color Guard Medal.
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For Five additional years of Color Guard Service beyond the three required for Silver, the von Steuben Medal was presented to Brett Osborn.
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Holly Lynne Schmidt recieved the Molly Pitcher Medal.

     Next came the award of two Patriot Medals to Treasurer Rick Elofson, and President Ed Truslow.
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Wayne Rouse presents the Patriot Medal to Rick Elofson, on right.
     President Ed Truslow received a standing ovation upon the award of the Patriot Medal for his service to us, as our president, this past year.
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     The Color Guard was called forward again, to recognize Color Guard Commander Darrin Schmidt for his three successful years as the Virginia SAR Color Guard Commander, and to pass that office to Bill Schwetke for the coming year.
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Darin Schmidt relinquishes the Virginia SAR Color Guard Commander's sword as Mike Elston expresses our gratitude for his splendid service.
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Mike Elston presents the sword to Bill Schwetke and charges him to follow his predecessor's example in service.

     Then President General Mike Tomme swore in Mike Elston as the 97th President of the Virginia Society, and Vice President General Mark Brennan placed the badge of office on President Elston's neck.
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President General Mike Tomme installs Mike Elston as the 97th President of the Virginia Society.
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VPG Mark Brennan places the Society President's Medallion on Mike Elston's neck, as Julie Elston looks on.
     And Laura Truslow place the First Lady's necklace on Julie Elston.
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The 97th President of the Virginia SOciety, Mike Elston, presents a gift of gratitude to the 96th President, Ed Truslow.
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President Mike Elston presents Certificates of Appreciation to the ladies who had helped prepare his reception, which followed the banquet.
     Newly installed President Mike Elston then gave a "Call to Arms" for an ambitious program for 2017 (details in a separate report).
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