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A NSSAR Flag Recognition Certificate was awarded to John and Cheri Grantz by Chapter Flag Chairman George Corbett in recognition of exemplary patriotism in their display of the American Flag, especially a 24-hour per day display properly illuminated during hours of darkness. Pictured left to right are George Corbett, Cheri and John Grantz. Grantz is a retired U.S. Army officer and the Grantz’ are a very patriotic family. Submitted by: Harley Stewart  The Colonel James Wood II Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution had a ceremony to mark the grave of Jeffrey Collins, a Revolutionary War Patriot. The event was held in Browntown, 20 Aug 2019. Collins served from 1777-1778 during the Revolutionary War. He was a private and spent his time at Ft Pitt and in Wheeling where his unit was assigned to contain the Indians on the western frontier. After his discharge, he returned to Browntown where he lived out his life, married to Jemima Arterburn. He lived until 1851 and was the oldest living Revolutionary War patriot in Warren County. The ceremony was conducted by Chapter President Dale Corey at the Lewin-Lawson Cemetery in Browntown and was attended by family descendants, Sherry Young, Sharon Collins Brunson, Jeff White and Mark White. The SAR Color Guard was comprised of Marc Robinson, Peter Davenport (President, VASSAR), Nathan Poe, Charles Jameson (First Vice President, Culpeper Minute Men Chapter), Bill Schwetke (First Vice President, VASSAR), Mike Weyler (President Colonel William Grayson Chapter), Paul Christensen and Brett Osborn. A musket salute of three rounds was fired by Robinson, Davenport, Schwetke, Christensen and Osborn to honor Patriot Collins. Submitted by Dale Corey, President 17-18 Aug 2019 Mattanock Town, VA  The Nansemond Indian Nation gathered with many friends and neighbors for their Annual Pow Wow at Mattanock Town in Suffolk County this past weekend. The Mattanock Nation supported the American Revolution and all tribal members are likely qualified to be members of either the SAR, DAR, or C.A.R. Many Nansemond ancestors served as soldiers and others supported the Revolution with supplies or with their taxes. The Virginia SAR Color Guard marched in the Opening Ceremony each day to honor the Nansemond Nation for their efforts in the struggle for American Independence. SAR members from around the state also helped the Nansemond Indian Patriots Chapter man a recruiting tent. Last year this new chapter was started with primarily members of the Nansemond Indian Nation. The Virginia SAR is now working to help start a similar DAR chapter and the DAR was also working from our recruiting tent. On Saturday the public program included the induction of two new members into the SAR and the Nansemond Indian Patriots Chapter. Virginia SAR 1st Vice President Bill Schwetke inducted new compatriots Keith Anderson and his son Kalen Anderson with assistance from their sponsor, Nansemond Assistant Chief Tom Badamo, and Joe Vermaelen of the Empire State Society who has worked tirelessly to establish this chapter. This was a great event, blessed with partly cloudy skies, though the heat and humidity made the drink vendors very popular. There was traditional Pow Wow food and at least two dozen vendors selling appropriate items. The program consisted of several series of dances representing various traditions that were carefully explained by the master of ceremonies. There were also opportunities for everyone to participate in the dances. All SAR members present participated in one particular dance, the one to honor veterans, which had about 50 participants. This is an annual event and each Pow Wow is a great opportunity for the Nansemond Indian Patriots Chapter to tell of the heroism and sacrifices of their ancestors in the American Revolution and invite others to join us.  Virginia SAR President Peter Davenport, left and 1st Vice President Bill Schwetke at the Nansemond Indian Patriots Chapter Recruiting Tent.  Left to right: Jeff Brown (Thomas Nelson Jr. Chapter, Virginia SAR President Peter Davenport, Nansemond Indian Patriot Chapter President Sam Bass (also Nansemond Indian Nation Chief), Bill Schwetke (Culpeper Minutemen Chapter) and Kimball Thomspson (Thomas Nelson Jr Chapter). Not pictured is Chirs Melhuish of the Norfolk Chapter, who participated in the Color Guard on Saturday.   As the drums and singers begin the "Honor Song", our two new members parade around the arena with their sponsor and our supporting genealogist. Left to right: Kalen Anderson, Tom Badamo (sponsor), Joe Vermaelen (genealogist), and Keith Anderson. Submitted by Charles Belfield, James Monroe Chapter VASSAR
A meeting of the Williamsburg Chapter was turned into a re-enactment of a scene that took place on March 23, 1775 – the 2nd Virginia Convention of the House of Burgesses in St. John’s Church in Richmond, VA. Many members reported present as delegates from various stated counties of Virginia. Chapter President William Greaf represented Peyton Randolph, President of the House of Burgesses, Harley Stewart represented Edmund Pendleton, and Joseph Bromfield represented Patrick Henry, delegate from Hanover County. Being duly recognized, Henry presented his resolution to raise a militia in Virginia. Patrick Henry then proceeded to deliver his immortal speech in favor of the resolution, which ended with “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death.” The meeting will be long remembered by the chapter. The photo shows Peyton Randolph (aka William Greaf, Chapter President) presenting a Certificate of Appreciation and a Jefferson cup to Patrick Henry (aka Joseph Bromfield). Joseph Bromfield began doing reenactments in January 2017 with the St. John’s Church Foundation alternating between the roles of Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry. Since then, Bromfield has performed Patrick Henry’s ‘Liberty or Death’ speech for thousands of school children, Virginians, and patriots the world over. He has performed for Governor and First Lady Northam as well as new American citizens in a Naturalization Ceremony held at St. John’s Church. Submitted by: Harley Stewart  Steve Perger and Stephen Holm were inducted into the Williamsburg Chapter at a meeting on August 11, 2019. Pictured L to R are Perger, Holm, and Chapter President William Greaf, who presented their Certificates of Membership. Not pictured is Ron Losee, Chapter Registrar, who presented brief biographies of them and their patriot ancestors. Steve Perger’s ancestor was John Blakeley Jr., soldier 1776 at Chesterfield District, SC; quartermaster 1779 under Major Ross; adjutant under Co. Bratton, wounded at Sumter’s Surprise. Stephen Holm’s ancestor was Francis Lightfoot Slaughter, soldier in Captain Robert Yancey’s First Regiment of Dragoons, Continental Line. Submitted by: Harley Stewart  Tyler and Andrew Coenen were inducted into the Williamsburg Chapter at their home. Pictured, L to R, are Christine Coenen, their mother; Tyler (age 15); Andrew (age 12); and William Greaf, Chapter President who presented their Certificates of Membership. Not pictured are Ron Losee, Chapter Registrar, who presented their membership packages and Harley Stewart, Chapter Public Relations, who photographed the occasion. The Coenen boys patriot ancestor is James McMath, soldier, Pennsylvania 3rd Battalion, Chester County under Captain Thomas Carpenter and Lieutenant Colonel John Hannum. Christine Coenen is a member of the Williamsburg Chapter, NSDAR. Submitted by: Harley Stewart  Norman Fuss spoke on Virginia’s Royal Governor Dunmore’s Raid on the Williamsburg Magazine on April 21, 1775. Arms and gunpowder were removed to British ships anchored in the James River. The act aroused the community and ignited an escalating series of incidents that led to the expulsion of Royal Authority and British forces from Virginia for the next five years. Mr. Fuss presented many little-known details uncovered by him in his in-depth research of the event. Fuss is a living history interpreter, a tour guide for the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, and a consultant for the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. He has published over two dozen articles related to the Revolutionary War period. Pictured are Chapter President William Greaf (left) and Vice President Jay Smith (right) presenting Norman Fuss (center) with a Certificate of Appreciation and a Jefferson Cup. Submitted by: Harley Stewart  |
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