​Members of the Col. James Wood II Chapter of the SAR based in Winchester participated in the commemoration ceremony for Gen. Anthony Wayne's Crossing of the Potomac River May 31st. 1781. The event was sponsored by the Fairfax Resolutions Chapter (President Tim Dioquino) and the City of Leesburg,VA.  Members of the Culpeper Minute Men Chapter, and the Col. William Grayson Chapter also assisted in the color guard duties and the presentation of the wreaths at the Revolutionary War Memorial Statue on the grounds of the Loudoun County Court House.  
 
 
photo 1 VASSAR Color Guard Commander Paul Chase marches in the colors.
photo 2 The Revolutionary War Memorial Statue, on the grounds of the Loudoun County Court House in Leesburg, VA.
photo 3 L-R Mike Weyler, President of the Col. William Grayson Chapter, 1st Vice President, Charles Jameson of the Culpeper Minute Men Chapter, and Dale Corey, President of the Col. James Wood II Chapter.
 
 
Submitted by William D. Wood
 

 Members of the Col. James Wood II Chapter Color Guard were busy over the Memorial Day Weekend and Monday's remembrance ceremonies in a number of local communities.  Dressed in full Continental military uniforms and some in militia attire, they presented the colors and stood at attention for the pledge of allegiance.  The first event was in Clarke County on the 26th at 2:00 pm, at Rose Hill Park, Berryville.  Monday's events started with the 11:00 am service at the National Cemetery in Winchester that was sponsored by the Red Cross Local Chapter.  The event was well packed with many Vietnam veterans and family members in attendance.  The second event at 1:00 pm was the Middletown Remembrance Service.  At each location, the Color Guard showed the respect for those who have fallen in defense of our country will always be honored.  They symbolize those that fell at Lexington and Concord all the way through to those who have died in the Middle East in defense of liberty and the right to live in freedom up to present day. Submitted by William D. Wood.
 
Photo 1 L-R VASSAR Color Guard Commander Paul Chase, Marc Robinson, Bill Schwetke, Dale Corey, Dave Cook, Kelly Ford, Paul Christensen, and Susan Saxton.
 
Photo 2 L-R Dale Corey,  Eric Robinson, Marc Robinson, Brett Osborn
 
Photo 3 L-R Brett Osborn, Marc Robinson, William Wood, Dale Corey
 

​On May 18, 2019, approximately 40 people gathered at the Glen-Gery brickyard in Manassas to mark the graves of SAR Patriot Robert Thurman and War of 1812 Patriot Thomas Thurman.  The event was planned by the Col. William Grayson VASSAR Chapter.  Due to the deterioration of Thomas Thurman’s grave, a new tombstone was installed at his grave.   Compatriot Thad Hartman (member of both VASSAR and the War of 1812 in VA)  did much of the research and labor in installing the grave markers. VASSAR Chapters presenting wreaths were, in addition to the VASSAR Wreath, Col. William Grayson, George Mason, Col. James Wood II, James Monroe, George Washington, and Fairfax Resolves.  VASSAR President Pete Davenport, VASSAR 1st VP Bill Schwetke, and VASSAR 2nd VP Jeff Thomas were in attendance. William Collier, Councilor, and Paul Walden, Secretary, of the Society of the War of 1812 in Virginia presented wreaths for that society.  The Elizabeth McIntosh Hamill, Falls Church, Fauquier Court House, and Prince William VADAR chapters presented wreaths, as well as the Col. William Grayson Chapter of CAR.
Curtis Robb of the Col. William Grayson VASSAR Chapter served as master of ceremonies.  The combined VASSAR and Society of the War of 1812 color guard presented colors as well as providing a 21 gun musket salute.
SAR Patriot Robert Thurman, paid property taxes in 1783, and his son, PVT Thomas Thurman served in the 89th Regiment of the Virginia Militia in the War of 1812 from July to September 1814.  He was deployed to Round Hill Church in King George County in the defense of the Potomac River, and to Mattox Bridge in Westmoreland County. 
Photos below:  clockwise:  Color Guard, MC Curtis Robb, graves of Robert Thurman and Thomas Thurman. Submitted by Paul Walden

​The James Monroe Chapter inducted into the SAR our newest members Mr. Woodrow Hynson and Peter Trible at May meeting. Also the Good Citizen Medal was awarded to Clara Lee for her outstanding work preparing and delivering Vets Kits to Veterans entering into McGuires Hospital Richmond Va.  Submitted by Charles Belfield

Col. James Wood II VASSAR Compatriot Marc Robinson along with other VASSAR dignitaries attended the SAR National event, "Raid on Martin's Station" on May 11, 2019. (L-R Bill Schwetke, Jeff Thomas, Michael Weyler, Vangy Robinson, Marc Robinson, and John Hamilton.
 
Martin's Station played a relatively short but significant part in the history of southwestern Virginia and the early settlement of Kentucky.  The station takes its name from Joseph Martin,  who was selected by the famous Virginia explorer Dr. Thomas Walker to lead an expedition into Powell's Valley Virginia in March of 1769.  This location became the last fortified station along the Wilderness Road as the westerly migration of settlers continued to push on.  Submitted by William D. Wood

​The 19th anniversary of the Raid on Martin's Station and Tribute to Pioneers and Patriots  sponsored by the Martin's Station and the Overmountain Men Chapters was held Saturday, May 11 at the Wilderness Road State Park in Ewing, Virginia. The main speaker was Peter Davenport, VASSAR president.  Other speakers included Allan Etheridge the Acting Superintendent of the Cumberland Gap Historical Park: Scott Bowen, WRSP Park Manager;  Louis Raborg, Jr, the VPG of the SAR Mid Atlantic District; David Carr, President of the Tennessee Society-SAR as well as local chapter officers. 
 
Submitted by: Bob Vogler, Col.  Geo. Waller Chapter

 
Below Photo: VASSAR members in attendance represented the following chapters:  Martin's Station, Overmountain Men, Col. Fielding Lewis, Fairfax Resolves, Co. George Waller,  Culpeper Minutemen, George Mason, &  Col. William Grayson.

​A NSSAR Certificate of Recognition and Medal were presented to Cadet Matthew Mckeon at an award ceremony of the Revolutionary Guards Battalion at the College of Willliam and Mary on April 24, 2019.  Cadet McKeon was selected for demonstrating the highest ideals of Americanism throughout his undergraduate career.  The awards were presented by Tom Morr, Chairman of ROTC awards of the Williamsburg Chapter.
 
Submitted by:  Harley Stewart