The Col. James Wood II Chapter held their annual summer "picnic" on July 27th.  This year's well attended event was held at the historic Wayside Inn located in Middletown, VA.  Built in the 1730's it was the perfect backdrop for the event.  A number of the Charter Members attended with others dressed in colonial and military attire.  All appreciated the picnic style buffet held in one of the air conditioned banquet rooms.  Chapter President Dale Corey officiated.  The Color Guard presented the colors.
 
This year's event was held in honor of the Chapter's Founding Fathers as well as the past presidents of the chapter.  James M. Bayne (VASSAR past president) initiated the discussion of a new chapter back in 2006 and became its mentor.  The first group of officers were formally in place in November of 2007.  With existing SAR members from other chapters living in the Winchester area and surrounding towns as well as prospective new members, the Col. James Wood II Chapter was created. The new chapter was designated in the medium size category.  Since then the Chapter has attained much recognition at the State and National level of the SAR for their community involvement and high level of sustained excellence. 
 
 
Photo 1 L-R  Mike Dennis, Charles Jameson, Marty Keesecker, Paul Christensen
 
Photo 2 Chapter Mentor and past VASSAR President James M. Bayne
 
Photo 3  l-r Past Presidents Steve Bush, Don Dusenbury
 
Photo 4 Color Guard preparing to post the colors

​submitted by Bill Wood

​Joe Jenkins was introduced by Ron Losee, Chapter Registrar, who noted that Joe had returned to Surry County, Virginia, the home of his ancestors, after a career served in New Jersey.  His patriot ancestor was introduced as David Charity, who paid a Supply Tax in Surry County.  Joe Jenkins was then inducted in a ceremony conducted by William Greaf, Chapter President.  Pictured L to R, Ron Losee, Chapter Registrar; Joe Jenkins, compatriot; William Greaf, Chapter President.
 
Submitted by:  Harley Stewart

​Chapter members plus 4th L to R, Celia Adolphi, Regent, Williamsburg Chapter, NSDAR; 5th, 6th 7th L to R, members of the Colonial Williamsburg Militia Unit acting as a color guard, drummer, and fifer.  John Lynch, chapter compatriot, 2nd from L, spoke on the history of the Battle of Green Spring.  4th R to L, William Greaf, President, Williamsburg Chapter.  Celia Adolphi and William Greaf presented wreaths.  At center is a large granite marker placed by the Chapter 11 years ago.  The marker records tribute to six Virginia militia and 22 Pennsylvania continentals buried near it, none of which have been identified.  The location is near the historic Church-on-the-Main, outlined by marking stones.
 
The British army under Lord Cornwallis had been moving down the peninsula shadowed by Colonial units commanded by Lafayette and Anthony Wayne.  But Cornwallis was then ordered to cross the James River and move to Portsmouth and the Jamestown ferry location was selected to do so.  Planning a trap Cornwallis kept his main force hidden in a tree line starting at Gov. Berkeley’s plantation along a causeway – now Green Springs Road – leading to Jamestown.  General Wayne’s troops prevented a disastrous defeat by charging the British causing them to temporarily halt. The result was a draw and successful withdrawal by Colonial units.  Cornwallis did not pursue and the next day was unopposed as his army ferried across the James.
 
Submitted by:  Harley Stewart

​The Battle of Spencer’s Ordinary was fought on June 26, 1781 between Continental troops and Virginia Militia of the army of the Marquis de Lafayette and Loyalist and Hessian troops of the army of Lord Cornwallis.  Patriot troops had been following the British as they moved down the peninsula towards Williamsburg and intercepted some of them near Spencer’s Ordinary, about six miles northwest of Williamsburg.  There was a back and forth engagement ending in a draw and both sides then withdrew.
 
In the first image, Chapter compatriots, including Celia Adolphi, Regent of the Williamsburg Chapter NSDAR and Linda West, Senior President of the George Wythe Society C.A.R. in the center, are gathered around the presented wreaths and the Marker done by VASSAR in the year 2014.
 
In the second image, left to right, are William Greaf, President of the Williamsburg Chapter SAR, Linda West and Celia Adolphi with their organization’s wreaths.
 
Submitted by:  Harley Stewart

On July 11, the Colonel George Waller Chapter presented a Flag Appreciation Certificate to Darrel & Shelly Peay of Martinsville, VA.  Mr. Peay served in two branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.  He served two tours in Viet Nam including with the Military Assistance Command and helped organized the first unit of Republic of Viet Nam Army Rangers.  He is a disabled veteran suffering the effects of Agent Orange from his time “in country.”  Photo below: Bob Vogler (Left) and Darrel Peay (right).  Submitted by Bob Vogler.

​On July 4, the Rev. Thomas Costa, portraying Parson Lee Massey, colonial Rector of Historic Pohick Church and a Patriot of the American Revolution, read the Declaration of Independence from the pulpit of historic Pohick Church.  This is the same church that George Washington and George Mason served as vestrymen.   It is fitting too that the remains of Parson Massey were reinterred under that very pulpit in the early 1900s.  115 were in attendance, which is a large increase in attendance over last year’s Independence Day observation at Pohick.     Compatriot Paul Walden served as usher and bell ringer, and introduced Parson Massey.  Compatriot Dick Hamly, a docent at Pohick Church, then gave tours to visitors after the service.    Submitted by Paul Walden

The Col. James Wood II Chapter was involved with a number of Fourth of July activities this year.  The first occurred at the Walking Mall in Winchester, Va on Thursday July 3rd starting at 4 pm and ending with a wonderful fireworks display.  The Color Guard helped to open the evening's event by presenting the colors and the crowd singing the National Anthem.  Other members were on the Mall with an information booth in continental attire, giving out SAR / Chapter information and Betsy Ross Flags to the children (photo 1).  On the 4th, Compatriot Brett Osborn read the Declaration of Independence to those gathered on the walking mall in Winchester (photo 2)
 
 Photo #1 L-R CJWII President Dale Corey, VP Marc Robinson, Marty Keesecker Gen. Adam Stephens Chapter (dual member), and Vangy Robninson

 Photo #3 Declaration of Independence Reading L-R Lon Lacy, Alan Lacey, Paul Chase, Mike Tomme, Mike Dennis, Craig Trusky, Marc Robinson, Tom Hamill, Charles Jameson, Alonzo Lacey, Bill Schwetke.

  On the Fourth, Color Guard member, Marc Robinson assisted the Culpeper Chapter with their celebration reading of the Declaration of Independence on the Culpeper Court House Lawn (photo 3), while our compatriot Paul Christensen marched with the Color Guard in the local Leesburg 4th of July parade (photo 4, far right). 
 
 This year the surrounding SAR Chapters have stepped up to help each other's events to help spread the word and present a bigger presence at each event.  Other Chapters represented were: Culpeper Minutemen Chapter, James Monroe Chapter, Col. William Grayson Chapter, Fairfax Resolves Chapter. 

Submitted by Bill Wood

As part of a tradition that spans 58 years, the George Washington Chapter organized an Independence Day Commemoration at George Washington's Mount Vernon. The parade up the bowling green in front of the mansion was led by VASSAR Color Guard Commanders, Pete Davenport and Bill Schwetke and a full contingent of VASSAR Color Guardsman. Chapter Vice President, Jay Henn served as Master of Ceremonies, Chapter President, Dave Thomas delivered an address, greetings were offered by VASSAR President, Pete Davenport and VADAR State Regent, LeAnn Turbyfill, and VASSAR Orations Contest winner, Ms. Lauren Bradshaw, delivered her speech. The event concluded with a wreath laying at General Washington's tomb by George Washington Chapter past President, Ernie Coggins and George Washington Chapter compatriot John Brigden. Members of the SAR, DAR, CAR and public were then invited to lay carnations at the entrance to George and Martha Washington’s tomb. Over 45 members from the George Washington, George Mason, Fairfax Resolves, Culpeper Minutemen, Richmond, Col. William Grayson and Fincastle Resolutions VASSAR Chapters participated in the event. In addition, 3 compatriots from the MDSSAR John Paul Jones Chapter joined in the march. Of special note, the VADAR had an excellent representation with 19 DAR Chapters represented, led by newly installed Mrs. LeAnn Turbyfill, VADAR State Regent. In all, over 120 individuals participated in the ceremonies.  After that wreath laying ceremony, GWSAR Vice President, Jay Henn participated in the Mt. Vernon Naturalization Ceremony for 51 new citizens in leading their first Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
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Image 1:  Members of the Williamsburg Chapter sponsored and attended its 34th Annual Service of Prayer of Thanksgiving at Williamsburg Presbyterian Church in the morning of July 4th.  Rev. Charles Mullaly, officient, is fourth from left.
 
Image 2:  Members of the Williamsburg Chapter attended the 45th Annual Commemorative Ceremony Honoring Benjamin Harrison V, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.  The wreath laying by the Williamsburg Chapter, NSDAR took place at noon at the Harrison family cemetery, Berkeley Plantation, Charles City, Virginia.  The James River is in the background.
 
Image 3:  Two descendants of Benjamin Harrison V, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, were recognized at the Ceremony – Randolph Taylor, Compatriot of the Williamsburg Chapter SAR and Barbara Rooney, Member of the Williamsburg Chapter NSDAR.  From L to R: Randolph Taylor; Barbara Rooney; Celia Adolphi, Regent, Williamsburg Chapter, NSDAR; William Greaf, President, Williamsburg Chapter, SAR; Cynthia Gunther, Member Williamsburg Chapter, NSDAR (aka Mrs. Elizabeth Harrison).
 
Submitted by:  Harley Stewart