Richard Henry Lee Chapter holds December Meeting

            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.

            The meeting continued with Rhodes presenting membership awards to E. Derwin Booker, Jr. for 40 years’ service in the SAR and to Ritchard Norman Rounds and to Norman Edward Tadlock each for 5 years’ service in the SAR.
For each award, Rhodes gave an account of the patriot and his service in the Revolution.

            Recalling the terrible fire last April that took out a number of local businesses and left one-person dead Rhodes called upon Dick Manson, RHLC 3rd VP to make awards to four local fire departments and the Kilmarnock Emergency Medical Team (KEMT). Manson who chairs the public service and heroism committee for RHLC then called Ray Lewis, Kilmarnock Volunteer Fire Department (KVFD); Danny Akers, Upper Lancaster VFD; C.D. Hathaway, White Stone VFD; Phillip Keyser, Fairfield VFD and Dawn Thompson, past president of KEMP. Manson then awarded a certificate and medal to each volunteer organization.

            Next Rhodes called on Rev. Dennis Martin, RHLC’s 1st VP, to make the good citizenship award to Rev. Tom Coye, Pastor St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. Martin called Coye forward and after reading the many things he does for our community, presented him a certificate and a medal.

            Next order of business was recognizing the five members of RHLC who died in 2022. Those members were Willis H. “Bill” Burton, Jr., Philip Parker Purrington, Jr., David Carl Bresett, Cary Lee “Doc” Broadway, Jr., and Rick Frisbie. In Memory of Certificates were prepared for each and given to a representative. RHLC had invited the widow or family member of each deceased member but only Sue Broadway was able to attend.

            Next Rhodes called on Don Smith, chairman of the RHLC nominating committee, to conduct the election of officers to serve in 2023. Smith announced that the five officers in RHLC serve for one year. That year’s slate is President-Michael Rhodes, 1st Vice President (VP)- Rev. Dennis Martin, 2nd VP-Dirk Metzger, 3rd VP-Dick Manson, Secretary-Stu Kramer, and Treasurer-Todd Dabney. Smith then called three times if there were any candidates nominated from the floor. Hearing none, Smith moved that the slate be elected by acclamation, and they were.

            At this point, the VASSAR President, R. Bruce Meyer, came forward and inducted the newly elected officers. Meyer then addressed the audience with a few remarks.

            He called attention to a project that has been ongoing throughout 2022. He said the effort was to bring more cooperation among the Chapters of VASSAR. It is the new Virginia membership system “built by member clicks and customized for the use of the Virginia SAR.” It is now ready for all compatriots to access Meyer said.

            As an example of use of the new system, Meyer said in the past we have had a Color Guard for the State. But now we will have a Color Guard in each region. If a Chapter is planning an event where a Color Guard is desired, using the new system, the Chapter’s request will be put on the calendar of the appropriate Color Guard.

            Members will be able to talk with each other using the system. Dues and other expenses owed may be paid using the system.

            Meyer recommends that each Chapter appoint a member to become its expert in the new system. After concluding his remarks, the audience rose and gave him a strong round of applause.

            Rhodes then presented Meyer with a book, thanking him for his participation in the RHLC meeting. He then said our next member meeting will be 14 March 2023. He also noted that the annual VASSAR meeting will be held at South Boston, Virginia 9-11 February and will feature the annual VASSAR event, The Crossing of the Dan.

            Rhodes said if you are interested in learning more about
RHLC call him 1-804-929-1444 or email [email protected].
                               XXX



President Meyer inducts RHLC’s officers for 2023 L-R: Michael Rhodes-President, Rev. Dennis Martin-1st VP, Dirk Metzger-2nd VP, Dick Manson-3rd VP, Stu Kramer-Secretary and Todd Dabney-Treasure.

           

 


First responders who dealt with the April fire in Kilmarnock.

L-R: Dawn Thompson-past President KEMT, C.D. Hathaway-White Stone VFD, Danny Akers-Upper Lancaster VFD, Ray Lewis-Kilmarnock VFD and Philip Keyser-Fairfields VFD.

L-R Dawn Thompson-past President KEMT,

 

L-R: Rev Dennis Martin, Rev. Tom Coye being awarded the good citizenship certificate and medal by Michael Rhodes.

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