​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)
 

     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.

​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.

     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.

     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.