The Norfolk Chapter organized an evening at the Ball Park for the Saturday evening game between the Norfolk Tides and the Toledo Mud Hens,  The home team won in 12 innings, 4-3, and the Virginia SAR had a great time.  Chris Melhuish commanded the Virginia SAR Color Guard, which presented the colors for the National Anthem before the game.  SAR literature was passed out, hot dogs consumed, and an exciting game was won by the home team.  SAR participation was organized by Virginia SAR 2nd Vice President Tom Whetstone.  Ten compatriots and twelve family members attended.

 On August 12, 2017 at 10am at the entrance to the Leedstown Campground on the Rappahannock River in Leedstown. Westmoreland County, a Virginia historic road sign honoring Brigadier General John Pratt Hungerford.was unveiled.  The marker was sponsored by the Society of the War of 1812 in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and many SAR members participated in the ceremony.  The Culpeper Minutemen, Fincastle Resolutions,  and James Monroe Chapters were represented.

Compatriots,

      With Flag Day rapidly approaching, I want to take this moment to again ask for your Chapter's support of the VA SAR Flag Recognition Program.  This year, your Americanism Report to VA SAR will give your Chapter credit not only for having presented a Flag Certificate to an appropriate recipient but also for the number of Certificates your Chapter has presented during the course of the calendar year and also if you have sent a photograph and short description of the presentation to the "Virginia Dispatches" of VA SAR for publication.  As of today, I have been notified by eleven of our Chapters of their presentations (Col. William Grayson, Culpeper Minute Men, Fairfax Resolves, Fincastle Resolutions, Fort Harrison, George Washington, James Monroe, New River Valley, Richmond, Thomas Jefferson and Williamsburg) and by another Chapter (Col. George Waller) of a pending presentation this summer.  I hope that all of our Chapters, as well as VA SAR, will participate again this year as they have done in the past.  When a Flag Certificate is presented, please let me know the name of the recipient, their address (just the name of the city, town or county) and the date of the presentation.  

My sincere thanks,
Christopher N. ("Kirk") Sheap M.D.,
Chairman, VA SAR Flag Recognition Program   

     The Colonel William Grayson Chapter Flag Committee Chairman, Kevin Schwoerer, presented a NSSAR Flag Certificate to the Schenkl family of Aldie, Virginia on 22 April.   He also presented Navy Veterans Adam and Trisha Schenkl, Certificates of Appreciation for  their military service.

     The Thomas Jefferson Chapter presented a flag certificate to Thomas Dolan, former Nassau County, N.Y., police helicopter pilot who was present in NYC on 9/11.  Also pictured is neighbor Aubry Breeden, who received our flag certificate a few years ago.  They are with Compatriot Fr. Henry Minich, Thomas Jefferson Chapter, VASSAR.

FINCASTLE RESOLUTIONS CHAPTER, Roanoke, presented a Flag
       Certificate on March 21 to Rick & Jean Hogue -- an ex- Marine, who
       flies a lighted Marine Flag, superimposed by our National Flag at his
       home daily in Moneta, VA.  He served at Quantico - 1961-65 -- as a
       highly classified courier for Marine Logistics, Preparation, & Deployment
       between Quantico and Camp LeJeune -- Vietnam & Cuba Missile Crisis.
       Phil Sheridan, President -- Fincastle Resolutions Chapter, SAR

     At the Sunday Morning Service on April 2nd, James Monroe President Charles Belfield presented a flag certificate to Cobham Park Baptist Church in Warsaw. They have a beautiful Memorial with the names of their members that were veterans and fly the flag properly over it. Mr, Webster Sanders a life long member of Cobham Park Baptist is pictured receiving the certificate.

     The Fairfax Resolves Chapter presented 5 Flag Certificates to local residents for their patriotic display of the American Flag on Washington's Birthday Holiday.. In the photos, certificates were presented to Debbi and Dave Johnson, a Navy veteran who served from 1964-1968, and to Philip and Jacob Johnson. The presentations were made by President Jeff Thomas, Color Guard member Vern Eubanks and CAR member Justin Thomas, resulting in one potential new member whose sister is a DAR member.

     The Kroger Food Market at Bellgrade Shopping Center in Midlothian, VA
and its Manager Albert Espinoza were honored January 26 by the Richmond Sons of the American Revolution.

     For proper display and flag etiquette, Mr. Espinoza was presented an award by Robert Halpern, a Vice President of the Richmond SAR. “This flag salutes our country proudly 24 hours a day and is properly lighted at night,” Halpern told the Kroger officer. “Our organization encourages businesses and private citizens to always display our American symbol properly and lighting it at night is an important protocol. Not everyone does this as they should.”

     Espinoza thanked the SAR for its recognition saying his SAR award certificate would be proudly displayed in his store.

     Today, January 28th, the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter presented a Flag Certificate to Steven Hunsberger, of Culpeper.  Mr. Hunsberger is an officer with the Prince William County Police.  He proudly and properly displays the US Flag on his new flag pole that is illuminated at night.

     Virginia SAR's Flag Recognition Program for 2017 is off and running.  Today Kirk Sheap presented a Flag Certificate on behalf of the Fort Harrison Chapter to Betsy Putney, Public Works Coordinator for the Town of Bridgewater in recognition of the proper display of the American Flag in front of the Town Hall.

     Kirk Sheap presented a Flag Certificate today, January 16th, to Kingmor Supply, Inc. of Mt. Crawford, VA (actually a shade to the north of Mt. Crawford on U.S. 11).  Receiving it are the owners, Floyd and Brenda Morris.

     Marine Corporal Larry Bailey lost both legs below the knee and his left hand to the blast of an IED in Afghanistan  six years ago.  The Stephen Siller Tunnel to the Towers Foundation bought property of Larry's choice in Sumerduck, VA and on that land built a specially designed home for Cpl Bailey and his family.  That very special home was dedicated on August 1st and Cpl Bailey saw his new home for the first time.
     The Stephen Siller Tunnel to the Towers Foundation is named for New York Fireman Stephen Siller, who came in on his day off, donned his gear at his fire station, and was last seen entering the tunnel that led to the World Trade Center Towers.  In his memory the foundation bearing his name is building special homes that meet the special needs of our warriors and first responders with serious injuries.
     The Culpeper Minutemen Chapter Color Guard was honored to participate in the dedication ceremony to present the colors for the National Anthem.

     29 July, 2017.  The VASSAR Color Guard presented colors at a pre-game ceremony at Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge, VA.   The Colonel William Grayson Chapter planned, coordinated the event and participated in Color Guard.  VASSAR President Michael Elston in Continental uniform carried the flag of the United States of America, Colonel William Grayson Chapter Compatriot Paul Chase in Continental uniform was Color guard Commander, Vern Eubanks of the Fairfax Resolves Chapter in Continental Uniform Carried a musket, Jeff Thomas, President Fairfax Resolves in Continental Uniform carried the VASSAR Flag, Colonel William Grayson Chapter Compatriot Barry Schwoerer in militia uniform carried the Virginia Flag, Mike Taimi, President Colonel William Grayson Chapter in Continental Sailor uniform carried a cannon ram.   The VASSAR Color Guard was accompanied by Paula Schwoerer, Elizabeth McIntosh Hammill Chapter NSDAR, in a Revolutionary period dress, carried the NSDAR Flag, and Jacob Schwoerer in militia uniform carried the Colonel William Grayson Chapter Children of the America Revolution Flag.
     Members from the VASSAR leadership team, members of several chapters of Virginia SAR Chapters, and members from several chapters of Children of the American Revolution witnessed presentation of Colors and stayed to enjoy the ballgame between the Potomac Nationals and the Mrytle Beach Pelicans

     About 25 members of the Virginia SAR attended an Evening at the Ball Park to showcase the SAR to the public.  This evening's event was organized and hosted by the Richmond Chapter, and members of six chapters participated: Colonel Fielding Lewis, Colonel William Grayson, Culpeper Minutemen, Dan River, George Washington, and Richmond. The Virginia SAR was represented by President Mike Elston, 3rd Vice President Bill Schwetke, and Secretary Wayne Rouse. The Virginia SAR Color Guard presented the colors for the National Anthem, the Virginia SAR was recognized on the scoreboard and by the announcer, SAR trifolds were passed out to interested men in the crowd, we had a great time, and the Flying Squirrels won in an exciting game!  Next Saturday we will be at the Potomac Nationals' game in Woodbridge.