Participants with wreaths, Ken Bonner 2nd from right with SMJC   wreath
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​27 August 2022 Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Building, Huntington Village, Brooklyn, NY
 
Sgt Maj John Champe Chapter Virginia SAR President President Ken Bonner joined Virginia SAR Secretary Tim Dioquino and President General Peter Davenport of the SAR mid-Atlantic Association to commemorate the Battle of Brooklyn, also known as the Battle of Long Island. The Battle was the first major action between American forces led by General George Washington and the strong British Army entrenched in New York. The Battle was fought 27 August 1776 on the west edge of Long Island in present-day Brooklyn. It was a crushing defeat for the Americans when General Howe attacked the American flank causing wide-spread panic and retreat. Of roughly 9000 Continental troops the Americans lost 300 killed, 800 wounded and 1079 missing or captured. Only the brave stand of 400 Maryland and Delaware troops prevented further American casualties. General Washington withdrew the Army without further loss of equipment or life over the night of 29-30 August. The strategic withdrawal saved the bulk of his army to fight another day.
President Bonner presented the chapter wreath to honor the fallen and he carried the chapter standard in the Color Guard. The commemoration was held at the Old Stone House in Brooklyn, the center of action during the Battle

Battlefield with flags commemorating the fallen
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Musket Volley
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​On September 4, Paul Walden, Flag Chairman for the George Washington Chapter, presented the Jaguar/Land Rover of Alexandria dealership with a flag certificate for their very prominent display of the U.S. Flag.  This very large flag can be seen by thousands of motorists on the Capital Beltway near the Van Dorn exit.  In the photo, Paul Walden presents the certificate to Darshan Patel, Internet Sales Manager for the dealership.

​On August 14, 2022, the Colonel Fielding Lewis Chapter of the Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution sponsored a patriot grave marking ceremony in Stafford, Virginia to honor Patriot John Wallace who participated at the Valley Forge encampment in late 1777 through June 1778, as well as other battles and campaigns for the duration of the Revolution.  After the war, he continued to serve as a Captain in the Virginia militia in Falmouth.
Patriot Wallace is buried in the Wallace Family Cemetery located in the Liberty Hall Estates community. During the development of the community, Patriot Wallace’s headstone was destroyed.  Members of the Colonel Fielding Lewis Chapter petitioned the Veterans Administration for a replacement headstone which was set in late July. In addition to the headstone, a SAR grave marker was placed as well as a DAR grave marker being placed by the Falls of the Rappahannock Chapter of the DAR. 
The ceremony attendants included VASSAR President Bruce Meyers, the VASSAR Color and Honor Guard, SAR members of the Colonel Fielding Lewis Chapter, Colonel James Wood Chapter, Sergeant Major John Champe Chapter, Culpeper Minutemen Chapter, George Washington Chapter, Williamsburg Chapter, Fairfax Resolves Chapter, George Mason Chapter, DAR members from the Falls of the Rappahannock Chapter, Elizabeth McIntosh Hammill, Washington-Lewis Chapter as well as state representative Tara Durant and Stafford county supervisor Darral English.

​9 July, Stafford County, VA. Several members of the Colonel Fielding Lewis Chapter erected a Veterans Administration acquired headstone for John Wallace, a Corporal from both the 1st State Regiment and Falmouth Militia. This event marks a year-long effort spearheaded by Secretary Brian Madigan and Registrar Seth Roderick to mark Patriot Wallace's grave after the original sandstone grave stone was damaged. The event was covered by the Fredericksburg local paper, the Free Lance Star.
Around May 2021, Compatriot Roderick was contacted by Gordon Silleck, a direct descendant of John Wallace, requesting assistance marking his Patriot Ancestor's grave. Upon inspection, the original sandstone grave stone was damaged and likely beyond repair. Compatriot Roderick asked Compatriot Brian Madigan, also the Chapter Veteran's Committee Chair for assistance. Compatriot Madigan successfully submitted documentation to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for an official Veterans Headstone.
 In November 2021, the new headstone was delivered to Compatriot Roderick for installation. Mr. Silleck began coordinating with the Liberty Hall Estates housing development contractor which is now sitting on the old family farm, Liberty Hall. After some lively discussion and intervention by Compatriot Roderick the contractor agreed to allow the Chapter to erect the new headstone.
On 9 July, Colonel Fielding Lewis Chapter President Jim Wachter, Secretary Brian Madigan, Registrar Seth Roderick, Compatriots John Carberry and Quinn Roderick loaded the 350-400 pound marble stone to a flatbed trailer and transported it to the gravesite. They dug approximately two feet into the ground only to find the base of the original stone that had to be hauled from the hole. After setting the stone and placing a layer of concrete around it's new footer, the stone was leveled and plumbed. The old sandstone gravemarker was then placed immediately to the foot of the new stone.
On 14 August at 1PM, the Colonel Fielding Lewis Chapter, Falls of the Rappahannock DAR, descendants of the Wallace Family, and local area dignitaries will dedicate the new stone at the corner of Liberty Hall Drive and Lloyd Drive in Southern Stafford County. The Fielding Lewis Chapter will also emplace the SAR Patriot's Marker. The event is open to the public and those interested in attending can contact the Fielding Lewis Chapter at historian@cflvirginia-sar.org for details. 

Junior Color Guard trainees after training to present a wreath.  L-R:  MacPhearson Strassburg, Jack Mills, Grace Mills (Light-Horse Harry Lee Society CAR), Dale Corey (CJW-II instructor), Henry Powers (in front of Mr. Corey), Erik Powers, Christian Powers, and Otto Powers
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​Presenting Colors L-R: SMJC Members Joe Rohrbaugh and Rhett Wade, MacPhearsons Strassburg, Christian Powers, SMJC Dale Corey

​Following a Junior Color Guard workshop at VFW Post 1177 in Leesburg, several members of the Junior Color Guard were honored to present colors for the SMJC Chapter meeting at the Loudoun Museum in Leesburg.  MacPhearson Strassburg carried the National Ensign, Christian Powers carried the Virginia Flag and Powers brothers Erik, Otto and Henry stood as sentries at the SMJC Chapter flag and the 250th Anniversary flag.  This was the first live action event for the Junior Color Guard.   Col James Wood II member Dale Corey acted as Color Guard Commander and was an instructor for the workshop the morning of 20 August. Mr. Corey is a dual member of the SMJC Chapter.

Junior Color Guard trainees after training to present a wreath.  L-R:  MacPhearson Strassburg, Jack Mills, Grace Mills (Light-Horse Harry Lee Society CAR), Dale Corey (CJW-II instructor), Henry Powers (in front of Mr. Corey), Erik Powers, Christian Powers, and Otto Powers
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The Sgt Maj John Champe (SMJC) and Col. James Wood II Chapters of the Northern Region Virginia SAR hosted another successful Junior Color Guard Training Workshop.  The training was held at VFW Post 1177 in Leesburg and started with a reminder that safety is everyone's responsibility, whether the event is a workshop or a formal ceremony. All attendees were briefed on hydration and heat safety, how to check the site of an event for ground, overhead and brush hazards, and the importance of a complete and updated Virginia SAR emergency call card.  
 
The Junior Color Guard participants were trained in protocol and procedures involving U.S., state, international, local, and SAR chapter flags.  In preparation for historical events and community service, trainees were instructed how to march with flags, present colors and post colors.  The students were also provided practice in how to properly present honors and salutes at formal meetings and wreath-laying ceremonies. Many trainees wore period-appropriate attire.  Over half a dozen youngsters participated, including one young lady, a first for the Junior Color Guard Workshop.  Several SAR and C.A.R. Societies were represented by the participants, including:  SMJC SAR; Col. Wm Grayson SAR; Light-horse Harry Lee C.A.R. Society; and Reverend John Marks C.A.R. Society.   

​At the August meeting of the Williamsburg Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, Bruce Laubach, President, welcomed their newest member Alex Johnston.

​At the August meeting, Bruce Laubach, President of the Williamsburg Chapter of Sons of the American Revolution presented John Quarstein, award winning historian, preservationist and author a Certificate of Appreciation for his presentation about the French Navel victory in 1781, the Battle of the Capes

At the August meeting of the Williamsburg Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, Williamsburg Chapter President Bruce Laubach presents the SAR Military Service Veterans Corps Certificate to Robert Neely.

​At the August meeting of the Williamsburg Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, Williamsburg Chapter President Bruce Laubach presents the SAR Military Service Medal with Vietnam Clasp Veterans Corps Certificate to David Ledbetter.

​Sons of the American Revolution, Williamsburg Chapter President Bruce Laubach presented SAR Certificates of Recognition to Jake Scott, Kane Dacier and James Packer.  They each received their rank of Eagle Scout at their Court or honor Troop 300 Eagle Scout Court of Honor on July 30, 2022.  Pictured with Bruce Laubach are Kane Dacier, James Packer and Jake Scott.

​Date:  August 22, 2022
John Lynch, Vice President, presented the wreath of the Williamsburg Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution during a SAR Patriot Grave Marking in Stafford County on August 22.  The Williamsburg wreath was one of the 13 wreaths presented to honor the Revolutionary War service of Private John Wallace.  Private Wallace served during the entire Revolutionary War and was present at the Valley Forge encampment of 1777-1778.  In attendance; included Bruce Meyer, the President of the Virginia Society of the American Revolution (VASSAR), members from ten SAR chapters, members from two Daughters of the Revolution (DAR) chapters, Delegate Tara Durant, (Virginia House of Delegates, 28th District), Supervisor Darrell English from the Stafford County Board of Supervisors, Gordon Silleck, one of John Wallace’s descendants, 18 VASSAR color guard members from six SAR chapters comprised the event’s color guard, honor guard, and musket detachment. The musket men fired three volleys at the end of the ceremony. 

​Pictured are: Bruce Meyer and john Lynch.  Also, pictured Private John Wallace grave site.

Combined Virginia Color Guard presents colors in front of the Spirit of Loudoun Revolutionary war Memorial (Dale Corey CJW-II VA SAR)
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​On 12 August 1776, two-hundred and forty-six years ago plus one day, the Declaration of Independence was read, for the first time in Virginia, from the door of the original Loudoun County Courthouse by Sheriff Philip Noland. The reading on 12 August 1776 was in response to an order by Virginia Governor Patrick Henry that the Declaration must be read in every Virginia county and town. The order by Governor Patrick Henry and repeated by Loudoun County officials is recorded in a Court Order Book in the Historic Documents section of the Loudoun County Courthouse. Copies of that Order Book entry, and other historic Revolutionary War era documents were displayed by Historical Archivist Eric Larsen. 
The Sgt Maj John Champe (SMJC) Chapter sponsored a re-enactment of the Reading of the Declaration of Independence with multiple Virginia SAR Compatriots in militia uniform, similar to the uniforms worn by the majority of Loudoun County men who marched off to the Revolutionary War. Representatives of Daughters and Children of the American Revolution joined SMJC SAR and shared in the reading of sections of the Declaration. A one-third size liberty bell brought by SMJC applicant, and Loudoun County resident ,Warner Workman, was rung after each section was read and the bell was rung multiple times as the reading completed. "LET FREEDOM RING" and three "HUZZAH's" were spoken loudly along with multiple rings as the ceremony closed. Children from the Reverend John Marks Society Children of the American Revolution (C.A.R) and their acting Senior President Holly-Lynn Schmidt, led the Pledge of Allegiance and handed out small American Flags and booklets of the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. Col. William Grayson C.A.R member Jacob Schwoerer was bell ringer, and carried his Society flag in Color Guard. Leesburg Mayor Kelly Burk brought greetings on behalf of Leesburg residents, and was presented a Certificate of Appreciation for her participation in the 18 June 2022 Commemoration of the Loudoun Resolves. 
Declaration of Independence readers were: Barry Schwoerer (SMJC), Nancy Spannaus (Historian and Katoctin DAR), Dale Corey (CJW-II), Anita Bonner (Lanes Mill DAR), Richard Ryan (SMJC), Mayor Kelly Burk (Leesburg), Ed Spannaus (President Sgt Lawrence Everhart MD SAR), Jim Cordes (Fairfax Resolves), Joe Rohrbaugh (SMJC), Steve Riddle (SMJC), Jeff Sterling (CWG), and Ken Bonner (SMJC).
 
Wreaths to honor the Declaration of Independence were presented by Ken Bonner for SMJC, Vice President General Peter Davenport for the mid-Atlantic Assn. SAR, Ken Morris for George Mason, Dave Cook for Fairfax Resolves, Jeff Sterling for Col Wm Grayson, Dale Corey for Col James Wood II, Ed Spannaus Sgt Lawrence Everhart MD SAR, Nancy Watford Ketoctin DAR, Paula Schwoerer Elizabeth McIntosh Hammill DAR, Anita Bonner Lanes Mill DAR, Anne Ballenger Mary Hemings Bell DAR, and Jacob Schwoerer CWG C.A.R. 
A combined Honor and Color Guard presented the Flags of the United States, Commonwealth of Virginia, 250th Anniversary of the USA, and chapter flags for SMJC, CJW-II, Fairfax Resolves, George Mason, Daughters of the American Revolution, Elizabeth McIntosh Hammill DAR, CWG C.A.R. Barry Schwoerer acted as Color Guard Commander, Darrin Schmidt was Honor Guard Commander, Clay Robinson and Richard Tyler both from CJW-II were sentries for the Liberty Bell replica and the Spirit of Loudoun memorial statue