Thomas Nelson Jr. Chapter Marks the Grave of Past Virginia SAR President (1992-93) Dr. Thomas Wirt Sale, Jr.

4 Jun 2016                                                    Hampton, VA

photos by Cat Schwetke, except where noted

photo by Candy Meyer

photo by unknown

     The Thomas Nelson, Jr. Chapter marked the grave of past Virginia SAR President Thomas Wirt Sale in a ceremony that included the several members of the Sale family,  the Virginia SAR Color Guard, the Fife and Drum of Yorktown, and a bugler from VMI.  Compatriot Sale was president of the Virginia Society in 1992-93, and NSSAR Surgeon General 1997-1998.  Compatriot Sale is buried in the cemetery of St. John's Episcopal Church, which was established in 1610 and is the oldest English speaking parish in continuous existence in the USA.

     The Master of Ceremonies was President Bruce Meyer of the Thomas Nelson, Jr. Chapter.  Family members gave detailed accounts of Compatriot Sale's life and the patriotism of his ancestor, Anthony Godwin.  The family members then unveiled the marker at their father's grave.  Wreaths were presented, a musket volley fired, then echo taps played by the buglers..  Afterwards their was a Thomas Nelson, Jr. Chapter meeting at the Grey Goose Restaurant.

Virginia SAR Color Guard prepares to fire musket salute, left to right" Bill Schwetke, Chris Melhuish, Jeff Brown.

Fife & Drums of Yorktown

Color Guard at present arms, left to right, member of Fifes & Drums of Yorktown, Bill Schwetke, Chris Melhuish, & Jeff Brown. photo by Candy Meyer

The Color Guard advances, left to right: three members of Fifes & Drums of Yorktown, Bill Schwetke, Chris Melhuish, & Jeff Brown.

Grave Marking Ceremony conducted by Thomas Nelson, Jr. President Bruce Meyer, on left, and Chaplain Gary Hodges, on right.

SAR marker is unveiled by the children of Compatriot Sale.

Bugler, VMI Cadet Thayer Meyer. His Taps was echoed by another bugler, Allison Bull, not pictured.

Wreaths with presenters, left to right: Don Smith, Richard Henry Lee Chapter; Charles Belefield, James Monroe Chapter; unknown; Ken; Thomas Nelson, Jr. Chapter; Unknown group of four, C.A.R.; Maury Weeks, Norfolk Chapter; Bill Schwetke (in Color Guard), Culpeper Minutemen Chapter; Cat Schwetke, Fauquier Court House Chapter, NSDAR; unknown; unknown; unknown. photo by Candy Meyer

A Thomas Nelson, Jr. Chapter meeting was held immediately afterwards at the Grey Goose Restaurant, a short walking distance away.