On 12 November 2022, the Colonel James Wood II Chapter of the Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution conducted a grave marking ceremony to honor Revolutionary War Patriot Major Peter Philip Helphenstine.  The ceremony was held at Mount Hebron Cemetery, Winchester, Virginia.   Helphenstine was in the American Revolution with the 8th Virginia Regiment, known as the German Regiment, commanded by Colonel Peter Muhlenberg.  He was injured in battle in South Carolina in April 1778 and returned home to Frederick County, Virginia.  The Virginia SAR combined color Guard presented colors and fired a musket volley to honor the patriot.  Compatriots from the Colonel James Wood II, Culpeper Minutemen, Fairfax Resolves, Fort Harrison, George Mason and Sgt Maj John Champe Chapters along with the Lanes Mill DAR Chapter and the Order of Founders and Patriots of America paid homage to Helphenstine.  Descendants of the patriot participated with Ed Helphinstine, Jr and his daughter Sarah unveiling the marker.  Ed Helphinstine, Sr and his daughter Leah presented a wreath. 

On 22 October 2022, the Colonel James Wood II Chapter of the Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution conducted a patriot grave marking ceremony to honor Hans Casper Rinker.  The ceremony was held at the Back Creek Quaker Cemetery in Gainesboro, Frederick, Virginia. 

The ceremony was emceed by Dale Corey with Chaplain duties performed by the Reverend Jim Simmons.  The Colonel James Wood II Chapter Color Guard presented the colors and fired a musket salute under the command of Brett Osborn.  Guard members included Sean Carrigan, Paul Christensen, Thomas "Chip" Daniel, Doug Hall, Marc Robinson, Richard Tyler and dual member from the Culpeper Minutemen Bill Schwetke.   Wreaths were presented by Thomas "Chip" Daniel (Colonel James Wood II), Doug Hall (Order of Founders and Patriots) and Bill Schwetke (Culpeper Minutemen) with the unveiling performed by descendant Marshall DeHaven. 

            The Richard Henry Lee Chapter (RHLC) of the Virginia Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (VASSAR) held its final meeting in 2022 on 13 December at the Indian Creek Yacht & Country Club (ICYCC). The RHLC President, Michael Rhodes, presided. Thirty four members and guests attended the event to include the VASSAR President, R. Bruce Meyer.

            Following lunch, the meeting began. Rhodes first called on
Brian Darlak , ICYCC general manager, to award him a certificate of appreciation for hosting RHLC in an exemplary manner the past four years. Rhodes then announced that RHLC meetings will be held at Historic Christ Church in Weems in 2023.

On November 12, the George Washington Chapter conducted a flag retirement ceremony during the chapter meeting at Belle Haven Country Club in Alexandria.  Compatriots Jamie Callender, Tom Bland, and Paul McComb presented flags for retirement and were recognized with a Flag Retirement certificate.  

Sgt Maj John Champe CHAPTER PRESENTS FLAG CERTIFICATE TO LOWRY’S CRAB SHACK

9 September 2022 420 W Colonial Highway, Hamilton, VA 20158

On October 15, the Sons of the American Revolution and the Society of the War of 1812 placed markers and conducted a grave marking ceremony at Flint Hill Cemetery in Oakton.   The event was planned by Paul Walden, George Washington Chapter Grave Marking Chair and Vice President General for the Society of the War of 1812.   Several days before the event, GWSAR Compatriot Luc Chevalier assisted Compatriot Walden in placing the markers and flags on the graves (see 1^st photo).  The marker for John Chapman Hunter is unique in that it has the insignia of both the SAR and Society of the War of 1812 indicating his service in both conflicts.  Compatriot Dale Corey, of the Col James Wood II Chapter, assisted in the design and procurement of this unique marker that will be used in future joint ceremonies with the Society of the War of 1812.   Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution chapters participating included George Washington, George Mason, Col. William Grayson, Col James Wood II, Sgt Maj John Champe and Culpeper Minutemen.  The Virginia Society SAR Color Guard included Chip Daniel, Richard Tyler, Paul Christensen, Ken Morris, Thad Hartman and, representing the War of 1812, Mike Lyman.  The markers were officially dedicated by Thomas Roth, Historian, Virginia SAR and Mike Lyman, Past President, Society of the War of 1812 in VA. 

An Eagle Scout Court of Honor from Troop 103 was held at the United Methodist Church on October 9, 2022.  Bruce Laubach, President of the Williamsburg Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution presents SAR Certificate of Recognition and Scholarship Package to the new Eagle Scouts.  Pictured L to R: Matthew Harrell, Connor Heath, Bruce Laubach (SAR Chapter President), Harley Stewart (SAR Chapter Past President) LeBron Jones, and Ethan Auge.

On Saturday, 23 OCT 2022, the Sgt Maj John Champe and Fairfax Resolves Chapters provided color guard for the Lanes Mill Chapter NSDAR dedication of a Trex® bench at St John's Episcopal Church in Centreville. St John's is a historic church located in the Centreville Historic District.

The Fairfax Resolves honored public service at the chapter meeting on October 23.  Law Enforcement Medals and Commendations were presented to Captain Tu Farhan of the Vienna Police Department and Captain Steve Elbert of the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Department. 

Captain Farhan has been a member of the Vienna Police Department since 2000. His citation notes that “during his tenure Captain Farhan has excelled as an Officer, Detective, Supervisor and now he is helping to lead the agency as a Captain. He continually challenges himself and others to improve

On 2 November 2022, at the Ferguson Residence in Ashburn, VA, the Ferguson Family was awarded the SAR Bronze Good Citizenship Medal for Outstanding and Extraordinary Citizenship in preparing and delivering meals to William “Bill” Cain and wife Linda from 13 May 2020 to June 2022 and then to Bill Cain after the passing of Linda from June 2022 to current time.  Fredrick and Silvia Ferguson and their three children, Sophia, Fredrick M., and Brianna, have treated the Cains as family, making sure their meal needs were met.

SAR Float awarded MOST CREATIVE by Kiwanis Club of Leesburg

Constitution Day Celebrated at Fairfax County Schools

PG PICKETTE VISITS THE TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER

President General C. Bruce Pickette laid a wreath on behalf of the SAR at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery on September 10. The tomb contains the remains of the unknown soldiers of World War I, World War II and the Korean War. The Unknown Soldier from World War I was interred on Nov. 11, 1921.

SMJC AND CJW-II HONOR WWII HERO ELI LINDEN

9/29/2022

On 17 September 2022, the Colonel James Wood II Chapter of the Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution conducted a ceremony to honor the memory of Daniel Morgan on Constitution Day

On 8 October 2022, the Colonel James Wood II Chapter of the Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution, participated in the Apple Festival held at Mount Jackson.  The festival has arts and crafts, food, music, and other activities for the community.  The SAR set up a display table with items from the colonial era in Virginia.  Compatriots told visitors about the Sons of the American Revolution and colonial living in the Shenandoah Valley from 1750 - 1800.   Participating in the chapter were Erick Moore, Patrick Moore, Dennis Parmerter, and Will Reynolds.  Georganna Moore gave presentations on making corn husk dolls.