We will soon observe the 291st birthday one of the founders of this great nation - George Washington born on February 22, 1732.  The intent of “Presidents Day” is to honor the legacy of all Presidents,  but  I believe this marginalizes his unparalleled  accomplishments.  Washington single handedly  lead the Continental Army to victory in the American Revolutionary War,  presided over the Constitutional Convention,  and was our very first president.

On 4^th  December 1783 – Nine days after the last British soldiers left America George Washington invited the officers of the Continental Army to join him in the Long Room of Fraunces Tavern so he could say farewell. The best-known account of this emotional leave-taking comes from the Memoirs of Colonel Benjamin Tallmadge written in 1830.

On 21 January 2023, the Colonel James Wood II Chapter of the Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution conducted a commemoration for Peter Muhlenberg's final sermon in Woodstock, as he was recruiting the 8th Virginia Regiment for the Revolutionary War.  Serving a congregation in Woodstock, Virginia, Peter became a follower of Patrick Henry.  This led him to election to the House of Burgess and he became Chair of the Committees of Safety and Correspondence for Dunmore County.  In 1776 he served as a delegate to the Virginia Convention where he was asked by George Washington to return to the Shenandoah Valley to raise and command the 8th Virginia Regiment.  In his final sermon, he read from the bible, “There is a time to preach and a time to pray, but there is also a time to fight, and that time has now come.” Muhlenberg removed his robes to reveal the uniform of a militia colonel.  During the war, he saw combat at Sullivan's Island, Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth and Yorktown.  An unsung hero of the Revolutionary War, he was one of a legion of firm, steady commanders who were indispensable in winning the fight for American independence.  After the war, he went into politics in his home state of Pennsylvania, serving on the Pennsylvania Supreme Executive Council and in the U.S. Congress.    He was appointed supervisor of revenue for Pennsylvania and customs collector for Philadelphia.  He died 1 October 1807, his 61st birthday in Gray's Ferry, Pennsylvania.  A true patriot and great American.   A Virginia State Color Guard with members from the Colonel James Wood II, Sgt Maj John Champe, Fairfax Resolves, Culpeper Minutemen, George Mason, General Daniel Morgan, Colonel William Grayson and Fort Harrison Chapters of the SAR presented and posted the colors.  The DAR had members from the Narrow Passage, Lane's Mill and Montpelier Chapters.  Members of both organizations presented wreaths to honor Muhlenberg as well as one from the Order of Founders and Patriots of America and the Black Robed Regiment.  Participants included Brian Bayliss, Bryan Buck, Ken Bonner, Dale Carpenter, Paul Christensen, Dave Cook, Dale Corey, Forrest Crain, Doug Hall, Tom Hamill, Larry Johnson, Pat Kelly, Erick Moore, Patrick Moore, Ken Morris, Brett Osborn, Paul Parish, Dennis Parmerter, Allan Phillips, Will Reynolds, Marc Robinson, Bill Schwetke, Barry Schwoerer, Jim Simmons, Mike St Jacques, Richard Tyler, Steve Van Deusen and Mike Weyler from the SAR. 

During the month of January 2023, the Colonel James Wood II Chapter of the Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution presented Certificates of Appreciation to three Senior Living Facilities.  These facilities had the chapter provide presentations to the residents throughout 2022.  The presentations provided were the Battle of Cowpens (January), George Washington (February), National Vietnam Veterans Day (March),  Patriots Day (April), Armed Forces Day (May), Memorial Day (May), Flag Day (June), reading the Declaration of Independence (July), the Constitution (September), Siege of Yorktown (October), Veterans Day (November) and Crossing the Delaware (December).  Compatriots from three chapters had participated during the year to provide educational and historic information about the colonial era.  From the Colonel James Wood II Chapter, Dale Corey, Bill Schwetke of Culpeper Minutemen and Barry Schwoerer of Sgt Maj John Champe joined Thomas “Chip” Daniel, Allan Phillips, Marc Robinson, and Richard Tyler.  The ceremonies consisted of an opening prayer, the pledge of allegiance and the historical presentation.  Compatriots took turns relating information and answering questions.  At the end of the ceremony, all would join in singing "God Bless America".  This was followed by a question and answer session.  The senior residents appreciated the efforts and often kept the members beyond the allotted time frame.  In recognition of their support to the Sons of the American Revolution and our educational goals, Certificates of Appreciation were provided to Commonwealth, Greenfield and Hidden Springs Senior Living Facilities.  Hidden Springs was represented by Mary Poe and given the certificate on 12 Jan.  For Commonwealth, Andrea Williams, Executive Director received the certificate on 20 Jan and on 21 Jan a certificate was presented to Meda Patton, Executive Director of the Greenfield facility.  The members of the SAR are greatly appreciative of the participation of the organizations. 

On 14 January 2023, the Colonel James Wood II Chapter of the Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution conducted a ceremony to commemorate the Battle of Cowpens.  The event was held at Mt Hebron Cemetery, near the grave site of Daniel Morgan.  Morgan was the commander of the American forces and won this decisive action against one of the elite units in the British Army.  This battle was the turning point in the southern campaign of the War for Independence.  It was fought on 17 January 1781 near the town of Cowpens, South Carolina.  General Nathanael Green was the commander of the American Army in the south.  He split his army, sending Morgan to southwest to cut supply lines and hamper British operations in the back country.  General Lord Cornwallis, British commander sent Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton to find and defeat Morgan. Tarleton was highly regarded by Cornwallis, but feared and hated by the Americans.  It was his army at the Battle of Waxhaws where American soldiers attempting to surrender were given no quarter.  This became known as Bufords Massacre and infuriated the colonists.  Morgan's Army was joined by militia units, increasing his force to about 2,000 men.  Tarleton led an army of 1,150 men, chasing Morgan through harsh weather conditions and rough terrain.  Morgan chose the spot for the battle and deployed his troop in three lines in an open pasture known as cowpens.  The land was between two low hills with the Broad River at his back.  Tarleton was an aggressive leader who pushed his men hard on an exhausting march to catch the Americans.  Morgan developed a plan of double envelopment which led to a devastating defeat for the British.  With superior tactics, he crushed an elite British army which eventually led to the Siege of Yorktown and the American victory in the War of Independence.  Morgan's army had 72 casualties and the British suffered over 300 casualties with over 500 men captured. 

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.