SAR Member Donald Smith Honored with Distinguished Service Medal

Weems resident Donald Smith was recently awarded the Distinguished Service Medal in recognition of his outstanding personal service exemplifying the finest American ideals to the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR).  The award was presented by the Richard Henry Lee Chapter (RHLC), Virginia Society, SAR to Compatriot Smith for his long-time, dedicated service to the organization.

Compatriot Smith has served in a host of capacities over a number of years, including Chapter President, Historian, Nominating Committee Chair, Awards Committee Chair, Revolutionary War Graves Committee Chair, and Community Affairs Committee Chair, just to list a few. 

Smith was a pilot in the United States Marine Corps early in his military career, flying jet aircraft (F9F-5, F9F-8 and FJ4 B); multiple prop planes , helicopters and KC-130s. While serving at Headquarters USMC between two tours in Vietnam, he attended and graduated from the George Washington University Law School.  He retired from the United States Marine Corps in 1978 as a Colonel serving as Assistant Judge Advocate of USMC.  He then practiced law in a civilian capacity until his retirement in 1993.

Compatriot Smith and his wife, Jo Ann, have lived in Lancaster County since his retirement.  In addition to his active role in the SAR, Smith has held several leadership positions at his church, served two years as President of the Indian Creek Yacht &Country Club and served six years as a trustee of Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury.

Compatriot Smith exemplifies American patriotism in his steadfast integrity and sacrificial service to his country.

Submitted by Michael Rhodes

804-929-1444

[email protected]

Kilmarnock VFD Provides Support at Local SAR Flag Retirement Ceremony

In celebration of U S Flag Day, the Richard Henry Lee Chapter (RHLC), Virginia Society, Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) conducted a formal U S Flag retirement ceremony on June 23^rd.  With RHLC President, Michael Rhodes, presiding, some 800 flags which were no longer serviceable were destroyed by fire with solemn dignity. 

Two members of the Kilmarnock Volunteer Fire Department, President Ray Lewis and Firefighter Thomas Todd, were on hand with KVFD Brush Fire Truck 10 to monitor the burning ceremony and extinguish the fire at conclusion.

Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777, by resolution of the Continental Congress.  The resolution read: “Resolved, that the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”

At first a new stripe (and star) was added every time a new state was admitted in the Union.  However, by 1818 it was recognized that the addition of one stripe per state would become challenging, so a new resolution was passed that stated the number of stripes would remain 13 for the original colonies, and each state added to the Union would add a star to the canton.

To date, there have been 27 national flags.  The flag has not changed since 1960, when a star was added for the state of Hawaii.

The flag retirement ceremony took place at the Kiser property off of Remo Road in Wicomico Church, Virginia.  On hand were representatives of RHLC, as well as Cobbs Hall and Augustine Warner Chapters of National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR).

The unserviceable flags were gathered over the course of the past year from individuals, drop-off locations such as ACE Hardware, and members of SAR and NSDAR Chapters.  The majority, some 650+ were collected by Cobbs Hall NSDAR’s Bernice McElroy and Donna Weiler (Regent).

Submitted by Michael Rhodes

804-929-1444

[email protected]

The Virginia Society of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Williamsburg Chapter held the Commemoration of the Battle of Spencer’s Ordinary at Freedom Park, James City County, Virginia on June 22, 2024.  The battle took place on June 26, 1781 between a detachment from the Marquis de Lafayette’s army, commanded by Colonel Richard Butler and a British unit commanded by Lieutenant Colonel John G. Simcoe’s Queens Rangers, Highlanders and Hessian Jaegers under the command of Lord Cornwallis.  This battle was a prelude to the events in Yorktown, October of 1781.

Wreath presentations were made by:

William Greaf, President, Virginia Society SAR

John Lynch, President, Williamsburg Chapter SAR

Samuel Tate, 1^st Vice President, Thomas Nelson Jr. Chapter SAR

Chris Yohn, President, Richmond Chapter SAR

Elizabeth Greaf, Regent, Ann Wager Chapter NSDAR

Robin Doucette, Regent, Williamsburg Chapter NSDAR

Harrison Meharg, 2^nd Vice President, George Wythe Society NSCAR

Ken Morris, President, George Mason Chapter

Virginia Society Color Guard with William Greaf, President VASSAR.

On 29 June, 2024, our Chapter will hold its INAUGURAL commemoration of the 1 July 1774 James City County Resolves. It will be held at Freedom Park (same location as the 22 June 2024 Spencer’s Ordinary event). Start time is 11:00 AM.

The location where the James City County Resolves were discussed and voted upon took place at Isham Allen’s Ordinary near where the modern Lightfoot shopping center and WaWa gas station are on Richmond Road. The Resolves, which banned all trade with England, was passed in support of Boston following punitive actions taken by the Crown subsequent to the Boston Tea Party.

This is a 250th Celebration of the American Revolution event.

Respectfully,

John S. Lynch II
President, Williamsburg Chapter, VASSAR

From today's CJWII Chapter event for George Washington's Birthday at the George Washington, Headquarters in Winchester, VA.  Nice turn out from VASSAR Chapter Color Guards and local DAR Chapter.

Steven Faught, who was presented the Fort Harrison Chapter Citizen of the Year in December was named the Virginia Society Citizen of the Year at its annual meeting in Richmond on February 10^th.

As the owner of two Automotive Service Centers, Steven has balanced a successful business and community involvement and continually looks for opportunities to serve his employees and the community. Being named the 2022 Harrisonburg Rockingham Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneur of the year shows the innovation, purpose and vision it takes to compete in a competitive market. Steven also received the 2022 DAR Community Service Award, the 2023 Rockingham Union #27 Community Builders award, and the 2023 Corporate Philanthropist Award from the Shenandoah Chapter of Fundraising Professionals. These recognitions illustrates his spirit of giving back.

His support for cancer research, survivors, and fundraising are extraordinary. He gives two annual scholarships to local high school students, one for automotive studies and one for a student in a family dealing with cancer. As a supporter of the American Cancer Society, events such as Relay for Life, Run Row and Rep for Breast Cancer, Be an Angel for Breast Cancer and Real Men Wear Pink are everyday activities for Steven. This year is the 7^th Annual Free Oil Change Day for cancer survivors where all materials and labor are free of charge.

Since 2017 donations of socks collected at his business has sent 12,000 pairs to the Sentara RMH Pediatric units to be worn by children receiving care.

Recently Steven, his wife, Robyn and his team started hosting a Veterans Appreciation Breakfast as well as a First Responders Breakfast where participants receive a complimentary breakfast as a way of thanking them for their service.

Shenandoah Automotive offers an annual tutorial class for new drivers where safety is the main emphasis. New drivers learn defensive driving and understanding the basic car functions.

In his spare time Steven participates in public safety events such as the Harrisonburg Police Ride Along program as well as serving as a volunteer with the Rockingham-Augusta Search & Rescue.

The Power of Role Models

Captain “Commodore” James R. Poplar III, USN (ret)

             Ros Poplar, USN, a native of Havre de Grace, Maryland, and son of a World War II submariner, graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1974.  He served in USS LEAHY (DLG 16) as Gunnery Officer, ASW Officer, and Navigator, and participated in the historic US/USSR ship exchange visit (Leningrad) in 1975.  Upon completion of this initial sea tour, he reported to Vanderbilt University as an NROTC Instructor.  After receiving a Master of Science degree in Engineering Management, Captain Poplar reported as the pre-commissioning Operations Officer in USS LEWIS B PULLER (FFG 23).