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New River Valley Chapter Presents Certificate of Appreciation to Director of Historic Smithfield Plantation

2/25/2018

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 ​The New River Valley Chapter held its February 25, 2018 meeting at Historic Smithfield Plantation (home of Col. William Preston) in Blacksburg, VA.  The Director, April Danner, gave a program on the friendship and trials of Col. William Preston and Col. William Fleming.  The Chapter awarded Ms. Danner and the Smithfield-Preston Foundation a Certificate of Appreciation for the informative program and hosting our meeting. (Submitted by Terry Blevins)
 
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Director April Danner (L) receives a Certificate of Appreciation from Chapter President Rev. Terry Blevins (R)
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252nd Anniversary of the Leedstown Resolutions

2/24/2018

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24 Feb 2018                                               Oak Grove, VA

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     Today over 150 people gathered at Ingleside Winery in Oak Grove, VA to celebrate the 252 Anniversary of the Leedstown Resolutions.  President Pat Kelly led the Virginia SAR delegation which included seven chapters: Colonel Fielding Lewis, Colonel William Grayson, Culpeper Minutemen, James Monroe, Richard Henry Lee, Richmond, and Thomas Jefferson.  The Color Guard included six Virginia SAR Color Guardsmen from three chapters, augmented by three members of the C.A.R. and three members of the Yorktown Fife & Drum.
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Part of the crowd of about 150.
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The Yorktown Fife & Drum lead the Color Guard.
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Virginia SAR President Pat Kelly addresses the gathering
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Virginia SAR wreaths are presented, left to right: Dennis Petters, George Beckett, Jim O'Kelley, Mike Wyler, Pat Kelly, Jim Russell,,and Skip Nolan
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Virginia SAR President Pat Kelly with the Virginia Society wreath.
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Forgotten Patriots

2/23/2018

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23 Feb 2018                           Museum of Culpeper History

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   This evening Culpeper Minutemen Chapter Vice President Charles Jameson gave a talk on "Forgotten Patriots" at the Museum of Culpeper History in Culpeper, VA.  About 40 people gathered in the museum to hear the talk and engaged in a lively question and answer period, Compatriot Jameson explained the factors that motivated free and enslaved Blacks, and Native Americans, to support, or fight against the colonists fighting for their independence, giving several examples. You can download a copy of Compatriot Jameson's talk with the link below.

forgotten_patriots_1_.pdf
File Size: 74 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

     The Culpeper Minutemen Chapter also established a temporary exhibit in the museum on the Forgotten Patriots of the American Revolution that will be available to museum visitors for the next month.
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Color Guard support for Charles during the question and answer period. Left to right: Michael Dennis, Bill Schwetke, and Culpeper Minutemen Chapter VP Charles Jameson.
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Williamsburg Chapter:  Ringing the Freedom Bell at First Baptist Church, Williamsburg, VA

2/22/2018

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​Harley Stewart, Steve McGuffin, and President Bill Greaf of the Williamsburg Chapter Sons of the American Revolution ringing the Bell for Freedom at First Baptist Church on February 22, 2018.  This historic church in Williamsburg was originally founded by American slaves in the early days of the Revolutionary War when they met in secret for worship services.  Community members are invited to ring the Bell for Freedom every February in commemoration of Black History Month.
(Reported by John Holt)

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VASSAR Celebrates George Washington's Birthday in Old Town Alexandria, VA, 19 Feb 2018

2/19/2018

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Today's commemoration began with a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary Soldier Buried in the Old Presbyterian Meeting House.  Members from the Col. William Grayson, Fairfax Resolves, George Mason, and George Washington Chapters, as well as VASSAR President Pat Kelly presented wreaths at the Tomb

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George Washington VASSAR Chapter President Ernie Coggins and Kate Waller VADAR Regent Kathy Gray lead the ceremony
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VASSAR Color Guard Posts Colors
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Rev. Tom Costa, portraying Parson Massey, Colonial Rector of Pohick Church...the parish church of George Washington and George Mason...reads Psalm 37 while members and public place carnations at the Tomb

The event continued with over 20 VASSAR Compatriots marching in the George Washington Birthday parade, led by the Frederick Town Fife and Drum Corps.  Despite the gloomy weather, there was a great turnout for the parade through Old Town

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George WashingtonChapter VASSAR President Ernie Coggins, VASSAR President Pat Kelly, and VACAR President Emily Elston in the parade car
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Mecklenburg Chapter, NC SAR Appeal for Funds for Grave Marking for 33 Patriots

2/17/2018

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​Last summer, Compatriot John Allen discovered that in the cemetery of Centre Presbyterian Church in Mooresville 33 American Patriots are memorialized.  Since then the Board of Managers has been working with the Centre Session to find a way to honor these men who left their homes and families in order to take up arms in the cause of freedom.  Last night, at the Presidents Day Dinner, I was able to announce plans to install a granite monument in the Centre Church Cemetery as a lasting tribute to these men.
 
For this effort, we have set a goal of raising $8900 by the end of July.  This is an ambitious goal, especially when you consider that our yearly budget is about $5000 which in itself is only possible due to the generous contributions that many of you made with your yearly dues.  We will be reaching out to other SAR and DAR Chapters along with other groups and individuals, but we will need your help.
 
You can find more information about this project along with directions for donating by check or credit card here - http://www.mecklenburgsar.org/chapternews/chapternews_33_patriots.html.  Donations in any amount will be greatly appreciated.  May I suggest that you consider a donation of $33 in honor of the sacrifices our own ancestors made for our independence?  All donations are tax-deductible and will be acknowledged in the program for the dedication ceremony.

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237th Anniversary of the Crossing of the Dan

2/17/2018

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17 Feb 2017                                           South Boston, VA

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In the front row, left to right: Past Virginia SAR President and Master of Ceremonies Phil Williams, Virginia SAR President Pat Kelly, North Carolina SAR President George Strunk, and Virginia SAR Color Guard Commander Bill Schwetke. photo by: JOE CHANDLER/GAZETTE-VIRGINIAN
     On February 14, 1781, General Greene narrowly beat his pursuer, Cornwallis, across the Dan River.  Reaching safety on the north bank of the river, after also destroying the boats Cornwallis would have needed to cross the river, Greene was able to rest, replenish, and reinforce his army.  His renewed force would later cross the Dan again to meet Cornwallis at Guilford Courthouse and inflict crippling casualties on Cornwallis' force.  Today the NSSAR celebrated this feat of arms.
     The Virginia Society, and the Dan River Chapter hosted this national event.  President Pat Kelly led a strong delegation from the Virginia SAR and presented the Virginia Society Wreath.  President Kelly was also joined by the 1st VP, 2nd VP, 3rd VP, and Surgeon of the Virginia SAR in marching, in uniform, in the Color Guard.  The 11 Virginia Chapters presenting wreaths were the Colonel George Waller, Colonel William Grayson, Culpeper Minutemen, Dan River, Fairfax Resolves, Fort Harrison, George Mason, George Washington, Norfolk, Thomas Jefferson, and Thomas Nelson, Jr. Chapters.
     The SAR celebration began with a welcoming dinner at Ernie's Restaurant.  During this festive event President Kelly installed the 2018 Officers for the Dan River Chapter.
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The scene at Ernie's Restaurant Friday evening.
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President Kelly congratulates the new officers of the Dan River Chapter as he shakes the hand of new President Mike Geisinger.

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Photo by: JOE CHANDLER/GAZETTE-VIRGINIAN
     On Saturday morning a crowd of about 100 gathered in the Prizery in South Boston for the Celebration Ceremony.  Virginia SAR past President Phil Williams was the master of ceremonies.  The keynote speaker, Michael Cecere, talked on "The War Comes to Virginia", the topic of his latest book.
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Keynote speaker Michael Cecere
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Two presidents, left to right: George Strunk of North Carolina and Pat Kelly of Virginia.
     After the indoor ceremony the entire group marched in parade to Constitution Square, where wreaths were presented.
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The SAR Color Guard leads the Parade to Constitution Square.
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photo by: JOE CHANDLER/GAZETTE-VIRGINIAN
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Invitation to Virginia SAR Compatriots to Join the Society of the War of 1812 in Virginia

2/12/2018

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Virginia Society Annual Meeting, Richmond, Virginia Feb 9-10, 2018

2/10/2018

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Outgoing VASSAR Officers address the Friday Meeting: L to R: Chaplain Roy Miller, Chancellor Eric Monday, Secretary Wayne Rouse, President Mike Elston at podium, 2nd VP Tom Whetstone, 3rd VP Bill Schwetke, and Treasurer Rick Elofson
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Barry Schwoerer, Col William Grayon Chapter, Receives the Wink and Wayne Rouse streamer for Youth Programs
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Ernie Coggins, President George Washington Chapter, Receives Streamer for Most Contributions to Washington Friends and Foes Initiative
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Rumbaugh Oration Contest: L to R Darin Schmidt, Chairman, President Elston, 1st place winner Lora Ivey, , , , Teacher Mary Lou Wentzel of Bishop O'Connell High School who led these students, and contest master of ceremonies Larry McKinley
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First Place Winner in the Rumbaugh Oration Contest: Lora Ivey
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Knight Essay Contest Winner:
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JROTC Awards Chair Spurgeon Keith looks on while President Elston awards the JROTC winner Cadet Capt. Scarlett Reyes (Mount Vernon H.S.)
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Virginia History Teacher of the Year Recipient: Matthew McDonald
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Representative Rob Wittman addresses VASSAR compatriots in the historic VA House of Delegates Chamber
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Representative Rob Wittman Received the Silver Good Citizenship Medal from President Elston
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Public Safety Award Recipient, , with his family
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Past NSSAR President Joe Dooley swears in 2018 VASSAR President Pat Kelly
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Swearing in of 2018 Virginia SAR Officers: L to R: Bill Schwetke, 2nd VP, Jeff Thomas 3rd VP, Wayne Rouse Secretary, Pat Kelly President, Dave Thomas Registrar, Tom Roth Historian, Gene Thomas Chaplain
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