Graves Mountain Multi-Chapter Meeting

9 Apr 2022                                                    Syria, VA

    On 22 April 1995 the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter invited the Fort Harrison and Thomas Jefferson Chapters to join them in a joint meeting at Graves Mountain Lodge to enjoy lunch and Springtime in the mountains.  This has become a tradition every year, except only for 2020, and this Saturday the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter hosted seven other chapters to Graves Mountain Lodge where Virginia SAR President Bruce Meyer was the featured speaker.  In all there were attendees from eleven Virginia SAR Chapters, the DAR, the C.A.R. and the Order of Founders and Patriots, for a total of sixty-two attendees.

     The Culpeper Minutemen Chapter has organized this meeting every year, but, beginning in 2015 the master of ceremonies role has rotated through the chapters.  This year it was the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter's turn to provide the master of ceremonies and Chapter President Tom Hamill performed that role.

Culpeper Minutemen Chapter President Tom Hamill opens the meeting as the Master of Ceremonies

     Distinguished guests included, in addition to Virginia SAR President Bruce Meyer, Virginia SAR 1st VP Ernie Coggins, Virginia SAR 3rd VP Mike Weyler, Virginia SAR Surgeon Kirk Sheap, Virginia SAR Northern Region Chairman Dale Corey, Virginia C.A.R State President Sara Cox, and Virginia OFPA Governor Mike Weyler (yes, also our 3rd VP).

      Before the luncheon, chapter presidents, or their representatives, gave remarks in order of seniority.

Fort Harrison Chapter President Wes Dove

Col Fielding Lewis Chapter President Jim Wachter

Gen. Daniel Morgan Chapter President Edmund Davidson

Col William Grayson Representative George Ax

Col James Wood Chapter Past President Dale Corey

Sgt Major John Champe Chapter President Ken Bonner

Not pictured is Thomas Jefferson Chapter President David Cooke

     Lunch was served "Family-Style" and, as always, provided plenty of good food.  The main courses this year were meatloaf and chicken & dumplings.

    After lunch, Virginia SAR President Bruce Meyer briefed attendees on the plans for the State Society for 2022.  At the end of his talk he was informed that his honorarium of $300 would be sent, as he directed, to the Virginia SAR First Virginia Regiment for the Flathers/May Fund supporting communications.

Virginia SAR President Bruce Meyer talks about the year ahead of us

The Color Guard and other key participants, Left to right: Anne Simmons, Rev Jim Simmons, unknown, Charles Jameson, Mike Weyler, Will Reynolds, Barry Schwoerer, Virginia SAR President Bruce Meyer, Edmund Davidson, Forrest Crain, Thad Hartman, John Hamilton, Virginia SAR 1st VP Ernie Coggins, Dale Corey, Tom Hamill, Bill Schwetke, Ken Bonner.