Virginia Children of the American Revolution President (2019-2020) Madeline Herring successfully led the effort to raise $20,000 to restore the bell at St. John's Church in Richmond, and this evening was given the honor of being the first to ring the restored bell at a ceremony conducted by the St. John's Church Foundation.  The Virginia SAR and many of our chapters and compatriots contributed to this wonderful project.

 VASSAR President Bill Schwetke and VASSAR Elementary School Poster Contest and Middle School Brochure Contest Chairman Tom Hamill presented the winner of the VASSAR Brochure Contest with her $250 prize on June 1st.  The 2020 winner is Chelsea Perez who is an 8th grader at Pennington School in Manassas.  Chelsea's brochure entry was on the Articles of Confederation.  Her love of calligraphy was readily apparent in her excellent penmanship and hand inked graphics.  
 
Chelsea's brochure entry was sponsored by the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter, and is now at SAR National awaiting the start of the National Competition Judging.  Pictured below are Chelsea's parents: Wilson and Deira Perez, Chelsea Perez, Tom Hamill and VASSAR President Bill Schwetke.  Submitted by Tom Hamill.  

     Today, in Buford, SC, a ceremony was organized by Martha Bratton Society of the South Carolina Children of the American Revolution to mark the 240th Anniversary of the Battle of Waxhaws, also known as Buford's Defeat.  President Bill Schwetke presented the Virginia SAR wreath, Culpeper Minutemen Chapter President Charles Jameson presented his chapter's wreath, and dual member Greg Ohanesian spread Blessed Soil of Virginia on the mass grave of Virginians who died in the battle and lie here.

     The ceremony can be seen on Facebook.

​Roger Cross, Chapter President,, presented a Certificate and a check for $150 to Jena Naswadi, Principal of the Lower School of Walsingham Academy on May 27, 2020.  The certificate and check was for Alayna DeLaGarza, the 1st Place winner in this year’s Sgt. Moses Adams Memorial Middle School Brochure Contest.  Her winning entry will be submitted to the VASSAR competition.
 
The contest was 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.  This contest was organized and conducted by Compatriot Paul Huchko, chairman of Chapter Youth Programs.
 
Submitted by:  Harley Stewart

On 22 May 2020, the National Cemetery in Winchester held a commemoration ceremony for Memorial Day.  Participants included the Colonel James Wood II Chapter, Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution; The American Red Cross, VFW Chapter 2123, The Northern Shenandoah Valley Community Veterans Engagement Board; and Heroes on the River.  The ceremony was held to honor Americans who died in the military service of their country.  There were brief remarks, a moment of silence, the playing of taps and presentation of wreaths.  

​Pictured with the wreaths are Ashley Moslak, Marc Robinson, Adam Packham and Ralph Hensley. In the 2nd picture are participating members of the Sons of the American Revolution.  Chip Daniel, Clay Robinson, Dale Corey, Nathan Poe, Brett osborn, Eric Robinson, Sean Carrigan, Marc Robinson & Paul Christensen. 

Submitted by Dale Corey
   

On 17 May 2020, the Colonel James Wood II Chapter had a musket workshop for members and potential members of the organization.  The attendees were taught  safety, commands, proper positioning, firing sequence & etiquette when participating as a member of a Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard and Musket Squad.  Instructors were Marc Robinson, Commander, Colonel James Wood II Chapter Color Guard and Brett Osborn, Virginia State 2019 Color Guardsman of the Year.  The program began with a lesson in safety.  Next appropriate commands and firing sequence were discussed.  Then individuals were given the opportunity to go through the commands and firing sequence to fire.  The next step was to divide into 2 sections for individual instruction.  After an hour of working through the processes required, the individuals were brought together as a squad and performed a musket firing of three rounds as if in a formal ceremony.  This workshop allowed two of the individuals to gain certification to participate in official ceremonies.  Attending the workshop were Marc Robinson, Brett Osborn, Dale Corey, Eric Robinson, Sean Carrigan, Clay Robinson, Chip Daniel and Erick Moore.

   Submitted by Dale Corey
​

​On 13 May 2020, James Wood High School held a graduation ceremony for the class of 2020  Due to current restrictions, the ceremony was held virtually through a video presentation of the normal ceremony, without an audience.  This included the Colonel James Wood II Chapter presenting the colors and a traditional firing of a cannon to honor the graduates.
​
 Submitted by Dale Corey 

     This afternoon the Virginia SAR Executive Committee met with 22 of our Chapter Presidents to provide an update on State-wide issues, answer questions, and encourage sharing of ideas.  State Registrar Bill Haskins also joined the meeting.  Similar meetings are scheduled every two months to increase the flow of information to and from chapters.  The meeting was conducted via Zoom.

     Items discussed included:

1. An update on Congress - Still Scheduled for Richmond in July
2. Virtual Events & Meetings - Examples, such as the Fairfax Resolves Patriots' Day Ceremony and encouragement to take advantage of technology.  Anticipate full credit, as if you physically attended, during the pandemic restrictions.
   
3. Calendar Changes - Cancellations, Reschedules, and Virtual events.
4. Update on Presidential Initiatives including encouragement to donate to the Brennan, Jr. Fund for Youth Awards (goal is $15,000, current status is $3875 including matching dollars)
   
5. Caution for many email scams being received by Chapter Presidents and State Officers.
6. Inability to purchase medals from NSSAR - state medals and some national medals and certificates available through Secretary Rouse.
   
7. Extra time at home is an opportunity to participate in data entry for the NSSAR Patriot Records System.

     The next meeting of this group will be mid to late June at which we hope all chapters will be represented.  These meetings are not a response to the pandemic restrictions, but an effort to increase communication to the benefit of our chapters.