​The Virginia Society and its Williamsburg Chapter Sons of the American Revolution, partnering with Colonial Williamsburg, celebrated a Patrick Henry Day at the Governor’s Palace on June 26.  Henry became the first elected governor of an independent Virginia on June 29, 1776.  It was a public event and the third of three commemorations of Patrick Henry this year.  Many SAR, DAR, and CAR organizations from around Virginia attended, participated and presented wreaths.  Special features were the Virginia Society Color Guard, greetings and remarks by President Jeffrey Thomas, proclamations by Virginia and Williamsburg governments, and a speech by Patrick Henry, a Colonial Williamsburg interpreter.

​Members of the Williamsburg Chapter with Patrick Henry, 4th from the left.

​Picture is the Virginia State Color Guard with the colors l. to r.  Brooks Lyles, Ken Bonner, Mike Weyler, Charles Jameson, Dan Hesse, Bill Schwetke, Thomas "Chip" Daniel, Sean Carrigan and Dave Cook.  Picture courtesy of Deborah Corey. 

​On 19 June 2021, The Colonel James Wood II (CJWII) Chapter of the Virginia Sons of the American Revolution conducted a grave marking at Mt Hebron Cemetery, Winchester, Virginia.  They honored patriot Philip Bush.  During the Revolutionary War, Bush assisted the Berkeley District Committee in Winchester in selecting officers for regulars and minutemen raised in the district on 29 September 1775.  He then became a member of the Commission of Peace, helped purchase provisions for the troops and played a role in handling prisoners of war.  Dale Corey was the event emcee with participation by eight SAR Chapters, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and Children of the American Revolution (C.A.R.).  The Color Guard led by National Color Guard Vice Commander Brooks Lyles, presented the colors.  The guard included Ken Bonner (Fairfax Resolves), Sean Carrigan (CJWII), Paul Christensen (CJWII), Dave Cook (FR), Thomas "Chip" Daniel (CJWII), Mike Dennis (Culpeper Minutemen), Fred Gill (CJWII), Doug Hall (CJWII), Dan Hesse, Charles Jameson (CMM), Brett Osborn (CJWII), Dennis Parmerter (CJWII), Marc Robinson (CJWII), Jim Simmons (CJWII), Mike St. Jacques and Mike Weyler (Colonel William Grayson).  A dedication of the grave was provided by Thomas "Chip" Daniel and Dan Hesse with the marker uncovered by Fred Gill.  Wreaths were presented by Virginia SAR President Jeff Thomas, Virginia Children of the American Revolution Sara Cox, Virginia Order of Founders and Patriots of America Governor Mike Weyler, Brooks Lyles (International District), Fred Gill (CJWII), Tom Roth (George Washington), Paul Cox (Colonel Fielding Lewis), Charles Jameson (CMM), Dave Cook (FR) and Roger Cross (Williamsburg).  Anita Bonner presented for the Lanes Mill Chapter of the DAR and Anna Cox for the Colonel Spotswood Alexander Society of the C.A.R(DAR

​Photo is a musket salute l. to r.  Doug Hall, Mike St. Jacques, Dennis Parmerter, Paul Christensen, Bill Schwetke, Ken Bonner, Sean Carrigan, Thomas "Chip" Daniel, Mike Dennis, and Marc Robinson.

​Author David O. Stewart spoke at the Fairfax Resolves Chapter’s Spring lunch meeting May 16, discussing his newest book George Washington: The Political Rise of America’s Founding Father.  The book touches on the political education of Washington.   Stewart shared some of the ways our first president perfected the art of governing and service, earned trust, and built bridges to become a master politician and America's most essential leader.
The chapter also heard from author Mark Lender at the chapter meeting in April.  Lender presented his newest book, Cabal! The Plot Against General Washington.  This book addresses the “Conway Cabal” that directly challenged General Washington’s leadership of the Continental Army in the Spring of 1778.
In March the chapter hosted Compatriot John Brinsfield (Dalton Chapter, Georgia Society SAR) as speaker at its monthly meeting.  Compatriot Brinsfield is a retired Army colonel and chaplain who served as Army Chaplain Corps Historian.  He spoke on the history of the chaplaincy during American Revolution.

​Date:  June 1, 2021
 
The Williamsburg Chapter sponsored a Sgt. Moses Adams Memorial Middle School Brochure Contest for 6th grade students.  Entrants could choose from five foundational documents of the United States – Articles of Confederation, Declaration of Independence, U. S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, or Federalist Papers – as the theme for their brochure. 
At a ceremony at the Walsingham Academy on June 1 the Chapter presented certificates and cash awards to the winners.  Paul Huchko, chairman of chapter youth programs, presented the 1st place winner, Arianna Kokolis (on left), a Certificate of Appreciation and a $50 cash award.  Huchko presented the 2nd place winner, Ashley Singley (on right), a Certificate of Appreciation and a $25 cash award.  Witnessing the ceremony, but not pictured, were Jenafer Naswadi, Lower School director, and Jeffrey Nicoloff, Lower School history teacher – awarded a Bronze Good Citizenship medal in 2020 for his support of the SAR brochure contest.
 
Submitted by:  Harley Stewart

240th Anniversary of the attack at The House in the Horseshoe

DATE/TIME:
August 07, 2021 / 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

ORGANIZED BY: Sandhills SAR Chapter

LOCATION: Alston House, 288 Alston House Road, Deep River, NC

The Sandhills SAR Chapter invites all to join us for a day of living history to honor the 240th Anniversary of the attack at The Alston House or The House in the Horseshoe. Living history displays on 18th Century life as well as scheduled demonstrations will occur throughout the day.

The event will be in person, on Saturday August 7th at 10:00 am and also broadcast via ZOOM at this link:

The site will have scheduled demonstrations including paint making,  medical display, display of antique firearms, a militia encampment and more. Tours of the Alston House are also available. The usual afternoon reenactment of the battle will not be held this year.  There will be no events on Sunday.

If you would like to present a wreath, that is very much appreciated and the opportunity is scheduled into the event planning. Please indicate below whether that would be on site or virtual.

If you have any questions, please contact Mike Fusselbaugh at Fusselmrf@gmail.com

Please use the following link to RSVP no later than August 1, if possible.

PLEASE REGISTER HERE:

https://ncssar.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=dc4a5f3d468db276b8fb3dca1&id=307afd12da&e=1b9f972fc4

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​Fairfax Resolves—Wayne’s Crossing Mayor Presentation: Compatriot David Huxsoll, Fairfax Resolves Chapter 1st Vice President presents the Good Citizenship Medal to Mayor Kelly Burk June 5 for her longstanding support of the Wayne’s Crossing commemoration.

​On June 5, the Fairfax Resolves Chapter commemorated the 240th Anniversary of the Crossing of the Potomac River by General Anthony Wayne and his army at the Spirit of Loudoun Revolutionary War Memorial in Leesburg, Virginia.   The movement of his 700 soldiers of the Pennsylvania Line across the Potomac and through Leesburg in June 1781 provided General Lafayette with the critical reinforcements necessary to push General Cornwallis and his army into Yorktown.
At the time of the Revolutionary War, Loudoun had the largest militia of any county in Virginia.  Its 1,746 men made a significant contribution to the war effort.  The militia drilled at the very courthouse grounds where this ceremony was held.
Participants included 54 compatriots from 35 different SAR, DAR and C.A.R. chapters and societies.  Seventeen Color Guard members including C. Louis Raborg, National Color Guard Commander, participated in the ceremony.  Featured speakers included Compatriot Don Cooper who spoke about the Spirit of Loudoun memorial.  Virginia Society President Jeff Thomas providing background on the history and importance of Wayne’s Crossing and Leesburg Mayor Kelly Burk read a proclamation recognizing June 5, 2021, as Wayne’s Crossing Day in Leesburg.  Following her proclamation, Mayor Burk was presented with the chapter’s Bronze Good Citizenship Medal for her longstanding support of the Wayne’s Crossing commemoration.

​Fairfax Resolves—Wayne’s Crossing Color Guard:  Members of the Color Guard gather on the steps of the Loudoun County Courthouse in Leesburg, Virginia, following the Fairfax Resolves’ annual Wayne’s Crossing commemoration.

​Fairfax Resolves—Flag Day:  Compatriot Forrest Crain, Fairfax Resolves Chapter 3rd Vice President, assists in the retirement of a worn U.S. flag at the Children of the American Revolution flag retirement ceremony June 14 in Great Falls, Virginia.  The Fairfax Resolves Chapter coordinates the annual event to retire unusable flags.

​On Flag Day, June 14, members of the Children of the American Revolution presented a flag retirement ceremony at the Great Falls Freedom Memorial.  The Fairfax Resolves Chapter coordinates the annual event to encourage the proper treatment of the Flag and to provide a public leadership opportunity for the C.A.R. in the community. The retired flags had been proudly displayed by citizens of Great Falls or surrounding areas. 
Several members of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Station 12 (Great Falls) assisted with the retirement of unusable flags.  Members of the Fairfax Resolves Chapter Sons of the American Revolution; Cameron Parish, Fairfax County, and Providence Chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution; American Legion Posts, and members of the community also supported this event with their presence and participation.  

​Gary Dunaway (on right), holding his membership certificate in the Sons of the American Revolution, was inducted into membership on May 8, 2021, in a ceremony at the Ford’s Colony Country Club.  The ceremony was performed by Chapter President Roger Cross (on left), who is congratulating Dunaway and welcoming him as a new compatriot of the Williamsburg Chapter.
 
Submitted by:  Harley Stewart