Seven Chapter Meeting at Graves' Mountain Lodge

23 Apr 2016                                                         Syria, VA

Colonel Fielding Lewis President John Hamilton, the Master of Ceremonies, calls the meeting to order.

     Today 73 compatriots and wives, from 11 chapters, including the Virginia SAR President, 2nd Vice President, Secretary, Chaplin, Registrar, Surgeon, Color Guard Commander, and 3 past Virginia SAR Presidents, gathered at Graves' Mountain Lodge for the meeting of 7 Chapters.  John Hamilton, of the Colonel Fielding Lewis Chapter was the Master of Ceremonies and Virginia SAR President Ed Truslow was the guest of honor.
     After the opening formalities Thomas Jefferson Chapter Acting President Phil Williams offered a eulogy to Bob Short, who died in office as the Thomas Jefferson Chapter President.  Then Ed Truslow installed Mackey Tilman as the newly elected president.

Virginia SAR President Ed Truslow, on right, installs Mackey Tilman, center, as the new Thomas Jefferson Chapter President.

Outgoing Thomas Jefferson Chapter President Phil Williams places the president's neck drape on Mackey Tilman.

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     Next a special edition "Liberty Sprig" broach was given to Phil Williams to present to his wife Marilyn in recognition of her support for both Phil and the Virginia Society.

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     Wayne and Wink Rouse were then called forward, with the Presidents of all the Seven Chapters who make up the meeting.  On behalf of all 28 Chapter Presidents in the Virginia Society a Culpeper Minutemen Gold Medal was presented to Virginia Society Secretary Wayne Rouse for everything that he does to help all the chapter presidents.  All 28 Virginia Chapter Presidents signed the certificate.

Eight Chapter Presidents, representing all 28, with Wayne and Wink Rouse, left to right: Tom Pettit, Bill Schwetke, Mackey Tilman, Wink Rouse Wayne Rouse, John Hamilton, behind Wayne, Edmund Davidson, Gary Howard, Brett Osborn, and Lance Lyngar.

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     Next all the presidents gave updates to the compatriots on activities in their chapter or society.

Mackey Tilman - Thomas Jefferson Chapter

Bill Schwetke - Culpeper Minutemen Chapter

Tom Pettit - Fort Harrison Chapter

John Hamilton - Col Fielding Lewis Chapter

Edmund Davidson - Gen. Daniel Morgan Chapter

Gary Howard - Col William Grayson Chapter

Brett Osborn - Col James Wood II Chapter

Ed Truslow - Virginia Society

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     After a family style lunch of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, various vegetables, and apple cobbler, Virginia SAR President Ed Truslow delivered the keynote address.  President Truslow talked about the men who lost America, our British opponents.  He gave a brief description of each, their qualifications, and their impact on the American Revolution.
     By the time we left the earlier rain was gone, the sun was out, and it was definitely spring-time in the Blue Ridge Mountains.