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.

     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.

     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.

High School students participating in the vigorous debate.

  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.

report by Col James Wood II Past Chapter President Brett Osborn

     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.

     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.

     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.

     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

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.

     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.

     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.

     Several awards were presented, for service to the Virginia Society in 2016.

     Next five Color Guard Medals were awarded by PG Mike Tomme and Virginia SAR Color Guard Commander Darrin Schmidt.

     Next came the award of two Patriot Medals to Treasurer Rick Elofson, and President Ed Truslow.

     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.

     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.

     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.

     Newly installed President Mike Elston then gave a "Call to Arms" for an ambitious program for 2017 (details in a separate report).