The Richard Henry Lee Chapter (RHLC) held its meeting on April 11^th at Historic Christ Church.  RHLC President, Michael Rhodes, presided.

The meeting began with compatriots Kurt Muse and James Harding being honored with twenty-five- and ten-year membership recognition, respectively.

Photo of the inductee and those having a part in the induction: From left-Dr. Cheryl Davis, mother of the inductee; Andrew West, the inductee; Mike Weyler, 2^nd VP of VASSAR and Michael Rhodes, President RHLC.

The Richard Henry Lee Chapter (RHLC) of the Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution (VASSAR) had its first membership meeting in 2023, 14 March, in its new home, the Bayne Center,  at Historic Christ Church, Weems. Seven more membership meetings are scheduled in its new home in 2023.

The RHLC President, Michael Rhodes, chaired the meeting. He began the meeting by recognizing the many guests who were attending to include Mike Weyler, the 2^nd Vice-President of VASSAR. After lunch, the program started.

Opening the program, Weyler made some preliminary remarks and then called on Mike Lyman to present him with a certificate of appreciation from VASSAR for all the work he has done locating Patriot’s burial sites in Virginia.

Next President Rhodes gave a brief accounting of how RHLC was recognized at the VASSAR annual meeting this past February as well as the Chapter’s participation in the annual Crossing the Dan ceremony where he presented the Chapter Wreath.

At the annual meeting, President Rhodes said, RHLC received six streamers to be attached to the RHLC flag to include one streamer for the 1776 Gwynn’s Island affair that saw the last of British control of Virginia with the ouster of John Murry the 4^th Earl of Dunsmore. Also, the Gwynn’s Island event in early July has been made a VASSAR annual event with RHLC overseeing the details.

Next he called upon Andrew West to induct him as a new member of RHLC. Rhodes administered the oath and Weyler pinned the Rosette onto West’s collar. The Rosette is the official Recognition Emblem of the Sons of the American Revolution. Its blue and buff colors represent the colors in the uniform worn by General George Washington. Also standing with the new inductee was his mother, Dr. Cheryl Davis, director of the Chesapeake Chorale and an avid participant in the Virginia DAR.

A five-year award certificate was presented to Reverend Dennis Martin

The speaker for the program was Stephen Wilson. Mr.  Wilson is Executive Director at the St. John’s Church Foundation in Richmond, a nonprofit organization established in 1938 whose mission is to spark a global appreciation for understanding the role that Patrick Henry’s “Give me liberty or give me death!” speech had in setting America on its path to liberty for all, and to ignite the public’s interest in preserving the historic site where it happened on 23 March 1775.

Rhodes said our next meeting will be in this room starting at 11:30am on12 April. He further said if you interested in learning more about the Sons of the American Revolution call him 1-804-929-1444 or email: [email protected].

Photo of Rhodes IL) giving a book gift to Wilson. ®

The speaker for March chapter of the Richard Henry Lee Chapter program was speaker Stephen Wilson. Mr.  Wilson is Executive Director at the St. John’s Church Foundation in Richmond, a nonprofit organization established in 1938 whose mission is to spark a global appreciation for understanding the role that Patrick Henry’s “Give me liberty or give me death!” speech had in setting America on its path to liberty for all, and to ignite the public’s interest in preserving the historic site where it happened on 23 March 1775.

Wilson has been at St. John’s Church Foundation since 2019. He served for two years as the organization’s first Director of Development and was named Executive Director in 2021.
Rhodes continued, Wilson has earned degrees from the University of Mary Washington and Richard Bland College of William and Mary, and he holds a certificate on Sustainable Urban Agriculture from Virginia State University.

Wilson then commenced his presentation. He first asked how many of the audience had visited St John’s Church. About 3/4^th of approximately 30 attendees raised their hand. Then he asked how many had seen a program at the site. Again most of the original group raised their hand. This would be a continuing theme for Wilson: visit St John’s Church and see a program.

Then Wilson shifted to his slides. The first slides depicted St. John’s Church as it looked when built in 1741. Then the slide showed how the Church looked like in March 1775 when Henry made his famous speech that concluded with the powerful words “Give me liberty or give me death.” He noted that the Church was the only building in the Richmond area large enough to accommodate the 2^nd Virginia Conference. Attendees at that Conference included Thomas Jefferson and George Washington.

To bolster the idea that Henry’s speech had a role on “setting America on its path to liberty for all” Wilson noted that the battles at Lexington and Concord occurred less than a month later on 19 April and had a connection with the Intolerable Act passed by the British parliament that among other things closed the port of Bostin until the Colonies paid for the tea dumped into sea at the Boston Tea Party in 1763.

Henry’s fame as a skilled orator preceded his famous speech.
He had ripped the British parliament’s Stamp Act on many occasions. He had called for a well-armed military in Virginia. He had argued for the independence of the Episcopal Church in Virginia

Much of the rest of Wilson’s presentation was about St. John’s Church. He encouraged visits to the Church and to attend the many of the programs offered. He noted that there were 9 professional actors to present the programs. The programs time and cost can be found at the Foundations web site: www.HistoricStJohnschurch.org, This concluded Wilson’s presentation. He received a standing ovation for his effort and President Rhodes presented him with a book as a gift for his presentation.

At the February 18^th meeting of the Williamsburg Chapter SAR held at Colonial Heritage Club House, Williamsburg, Virginia.  Bruce Laubach, President presented Gerald Sailors the Roger Sherman medal.  This is awarded to a compatriot in recognition and in appreciation for outstanding services rendered to the Williamsburg Chapter.

VASSAR COMPATRIOTS ASSEMBLED FOR PARADE