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

​In recognition of Independence Day, on July 3, Paul Walden, Chapter Flag Chairman, presented the SAR Flag Certificate to four business in the Groveton area of Alexandria:  Chris Piscitilli, representing the Mount Comfort Cemetery on Kings Highway, was presented with a certificate.   The interesting fact about this cemetery is that until recently, it had one a replica of the Houdon statue of George Washington that stands in the Virginia State House.  However, the statue has been returned to the Masonic Temple in Alexandria.  Assistant Manager Annisa, for the Boston Market Restaurant on Richmond Highway, received the second certificate.  Cyprus Air and Heating Company, also on Richmond Highway, has perhaps the largest United States Flag flying in front of their building.  Ted Kennedy received the certificate on behalf of that firm.  Finally, a certificate was presented to Jan Kelly, Assistant Manager for the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks Lodge 758, also on Richmond Highway.  These four business have prominent locations on major commuter routes in Alexandria and their proud display of the United States Flag inspires many citizens on their daily commute.  Submitted by Paul Walden.

​Tabitha (Tab) Broyles and Rachel Moore’s topic was the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (CWF) Teacher Institute.  This is the 30th Anniversary of the Institute and since 1990 it has welcomed 9,300 teachers from 120 school districts to Colonial Williamsburg for training in the teaching of American History.  The Institute experience provides teachers with many approaches including innovative, engaging strategies to bring history to life in the classroom.  The excitement, inspiration and techniques are brought back to their schools and classrooms.
The Williamsburg Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution has provided scholarships to teachers  to enable attendance at the Institute - Rachel Moore in 2018 and Amy Yaugo in 2019.
Pictured (left) Rachel Moore and (right) Tab Broyles of the Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Institute are presented with Certificates of Appreciation by (center) Jay Smith, Vice President of the Williamsburg Chapter.
Submitted by:  Harley Stewart

​Timothy (Tim) Cordle, right, receives his Certificate of Membership in the National Society, Sons of the American Revolution from Jay Smith, left, Vice President of the Williamsburg Chapter.  Cordle’s patriot ancestor, Jeese Ray, served as a private and orderly sergeant in the North Carolina Militia.
 
Submitted by:  Harley Stewart

President William Greaf (right) and Vice President Jay Smith (left) of the Williamsburg Chapter present speaker John Sullivan (center) with a Jefferson Cup and Certificate of Appreciation.
 
John Sullivan’s topic was “The U. S. Flag – Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.”  Sullivan discussed the origins, evolution and uses of the U. S. Flag throughout history..  He also discussed proper U. S. Flag Protocol and Etiquette and the origins of some of the practices.
 
Submitted by:  Harley Stewart

​The Williamsburg Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution, sponsored a Sgt. Moses Adams Memorial Middle School Brochure Contest – open to all students in grades 6 through 9 in James City County/ Williamsburg.  Entrants could choose from five Foundational Documents of the United States – Articles of Confederation, Declaration of Independence, U. S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Federalist Papers – as the theme for their brochure.
A certificate and $150 cash award for 1st Place were given to Janae Sanabria at the Berkeley Middle School in Williamsburg by Paul Huchko, chairman of Chapter Youth Programs.  The winning entry has been submitted to the VASSAR competition.  Left is 1st Place winner Janae Sanabria, center is Paul Huchko, and right, also receiving a certificate, is Amy Kellog-Bouchard, Janae’s teacher.
Submitted by:  Harley Stewart