Hungerford-Griffin Cemetery Grave Marking

7 May 2016                                                Leedstown, VA

     Today a group of about 50 people gathered at the Hungerford-Griffin Cemetery to honor 4 Revolutionary War patriots and 3 War of 1812 Veterans.  The Virginia Society and 4 Virginia SAR chapters participated in the event that was hosted by the James Monroe Chapter.  The ceremony was conducted jointly with the Society of the War of 1812 in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  James Monroe Chapter President Charles Belfield was the Master of Ceremonies and the keynote speaker was Stuart L. Butler, Councilor of the War of 1812 Society in Virginia.  The Virginia SAR was represented by Newsletter Editor Bil Schwetke.

Combined Color Guard presents the colors.

Master of Ceremonies and James Monroe Chapter President Charles Belfield.

Representing the Society of the War of 1812 in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Past President Mike Lyman.

Stuart L. Butler, keynote speaker.

Representative of the Hungerford Griffith Cemetery, Bay Baker.

Kathy G. Schuder, representing the Northern Neck Virginia Historical Society.

Mike Lyman, on left, and Hugh Markham, conduct the ritual for unveiling the grave markers and plaques.

Bill Schwetke, representing the Virginia Society, SAR. photo by Dough Graves

Mike Lyman, left, and Hugh Markham, prepare to unveil grave markers.

Dick Fickling unveiling a grave marker.

John Hamilton stands by the grave marker he has unveiled.

Dick Fickling, left, and Mike Lyman, unveil the cemetery plaque.

The Cemetery Plaque.

     During the ceremony grave markers were unveiled at the graves of John Pratt Hungerford, Thomas Hungerford, Anne Brickett Pratt, William Kendall, Henry Hungerford, and John Washington.  A musket volley was fired by a combined firing party and taps was played.  Then wreaths were presented by 14 participating organizations.

Combined Color Guard fires a musket volley, Bill Schwetke in the foreground, and Hugh Markham to his left.

Some of the wreaths presented by participating organizations.