Honoring George Washington on His 294th Birthday at Mount Vernon

MOUNT VERNON, VA—Members of the George Washington Chapter gathered at Mount Vernon today to honor the 294th birthday of our nation’s first president with a wreath‑laying ceremony at Washington’s Tomb. The program was led with distinction by our chapter Vice President and ceremony emcee, David Harrity, who guided the event with reverence and historical pride.

We were honored to welcome several distinguished guests. Virginia SAR President Darrin M. Schmidt brought greetings on behalf of the Virginia Society, and Past National SAR President Joseph Dooley, dressed in his impressive Washington’s Life Guard attire, served as the honor guard—adding a powerful historical presence to the ceremony.

A City Celebrates: Thousands Turn Out for the 2026 George Washington Birthday Parade

Alexandria, Virginia—The streets of Old Town came alive on Saturday, February 14, as more than 2,000 spectators lined the parade route to celebrate the 294th birthday of General George Washington. Under crisp winter skies and a festive spirit that warmed the entire city, the annual George Washington Birthday Celebration Parade became a showcase of patriotism, community pride, and the enduring legacy of America’s founding generation. Among the most visible participants were the compatriots, daughters, children, and guests of the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution, whose presence added both color and historical resonance to the day.

This year’s parade was made especially memorable by the participation of SAR President General Michael J. Elston, Esq., and DAR President General Ginnie Sebastian Storage, who served together as co‑grand marshals. Their leadership and partnership symbolized the unity of purpose shared by the SAR and DAR as America approaches its Semiquincentennial. Their presence drew warm applause from the crowds and set a tone of celebration rooted in service, remembrance, and national pride.

First in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his fellow countrymen

We will soon observe the birthday of one of the founders of this great nation—General and President George Washington who was born on February 22, 1732.  The intent of “Presidents Day” is to honor the legacy of all Presidents, but I believe this marginalizes our first Founding Father’s unparalleled accomplishments.  Washington single handedly lead the Continental Army to victory in the Revolutionary War, presided over the Constitutional Convention, and was our very Chief Executive. What a lasting legacy!

On the December 4, 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.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Feb. 15, 2025)—A joint SAR–DAR wreath laying ceremony was held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the American Revolution at the Old Presbyterian Meeting House Burial Ground, following by the 2025 George Washington Birthday Parade, held in downtown Alexandria.

More than 50 attendees braved the rain during the wreath laying ceremony and parade including newly inducted Virginia SAR President Michael Weyler, along with Virginia Society Children of the American Revolution (V.S.C.A.R.) State President Sarah Terpenning, SAR Secretary General Michael J. Elston, Virginia SAR Color Guard Commander Brett Osborn flanked by the Virginia SAR Color Guard in colonial attire, with numerous SAR chapter officers and compatriots from George Washington Chapter, George Mason Chapter, Fairfax Resolves Chapter, Col. William Grayson Chapter, Col. James Wood II Chapter, Sgt. Maj. John Champe Chapter, along with National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) chapters, including wreath-laying ceremony co-hosts, the Kate Waller Barrett Chapter, NSDAR; along with John Alexander Chapter, NSDAR; and the Dr. Elisha Dick Chapter, NSDAR, and members of local V.S.C.A.R. societies.