Memorial Day - 2017

Washington, DC Parade

report by Lew de Seife

     Today 24 members of the Sons of the American Revolution participated in the Annual Memorial Day parade in Washington, DC.  The George Washington Chapter organizes the SAR participation each year.  President Mike Tomme represented NSSAR and President Mike Elston represented the Virginia SAR.  Five Virginia Chapters participated: Colonel Fielding Lewis, Colonel William Grayson, Culpeper Minutemen, Fairfax Resolves, and George Washington. The parade was nationally televised.

SAR and C.A.R. Parade Participants.

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Culpeper National Cemetery

report by Cat Schwetke

     The typical large crowd gathered at Culpeper National Cemetery to honor our dead.  6 Virginia SAR members attended from 3 different chapters: Colonel William Grayson, Culpeper Minutemen, and George Mason.  3 members participated in the combined SAR/VFW Color Guard.  Charles Jameson presented the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter Wreath.

Part of the sizable crowd.

Combined SAR/VFW Color Guard.

Virginia SAR Color Guard participants, left to right: Peter Davenport, Mike Taimi, and Paul Chase.

Left to right: Michael Dennis & Charles Jameson, with the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter Wreath that Charles presented.

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Montross

report by James Monroe Chapter President Charles Belfield

Color Guardsmen Bart Morrison, on left, and Charles Belfield, on right>

     The James Monroe chapter color guardsman Charles Belfield and Bart Morrison presented the colors today at the Northern Neck Memorial Day Observance in Montross. The names of Westmoreland, Northumberland, Richmond and Lancaster County KIAs were read followed by a moment of silence then a musket salute and taps rounded out the program.

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Harrisonburg - Rockingham County

report by Fort Harrison Chapter President Kirk Sheap

On the right, Mrs. Penny Cummiskey, Regent of the Massanutton Chapter DAR, and on the left, Dr. Christopher N. Sheap, President of the Fort Harrison Chapter.

     On Memorial Day, Compatriots of the Fort Harrison Chapter participated with the Massanutton Chapter DAR in a ceremony honoring those from Harrisonburg and Rockingham County who died in the service of our nation from WW I through the present conflicts.  This is the second year that our Chapter has been invited by the Massanutton Chapter DAR to join with them in this ceremony.  

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Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery

report by past Virginia SAR President Reverdy Wright

Left to right: Al Linton, Charlie Coale, unknown, Reverdy Wright, Terry Blevins. picture courtesy of Al Linton

     Members of the Fincastle Resolutions Chapter and New River Valley Chapter laid wreaths at the Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery on Memorial Day.
     After the wreath-laying, the compatriots gathered at the Bench donated by Virginia SAR to dedicate it as our Society's gift to the Cemetery.  The short ceremony included a prayer that the Bench may provide comfort to those who come to pay respects to those who rest there.

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Williamsburg

report by Lew de Seife

Williamsburg Chapter members lineup in front of the Governor's Mansion at Colonial Williamsburg for the beginning of the Memorial Day Ceremony.

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Berryville

report by Brett Osborn

     The Colonel James Wood II Chapter Color Guard supported the Clarke County Memorial Day Service at Rose Hill Park in Berryville.
     Picture shows Bagpiper Bryant Condrey, CJWII Chapter President Rob Andrews with musket, Brett Osborn hidden behind National Colors and Ralph Pierce, CJW II Chapter 1st Vice President carrying Virginia State flag.

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