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.

SAR and C.A.R Patriot Grave Markers were dedicated on 15 October for Captain Thomas Logwood at the Logwood Family Cemetery near Bedford, VA.  The SMJC Chapter and Seven Hills Society C.A.R of Lynchburg co-sponsored the event.  The original Logwood home built before the Revolution is still standing and occupied by a Logwood descendant who attended the ceremony.  Logwood’s 6^th great granddaughter, Paula Schwoerer, of the Elizabeth McIntosh Hammill Chapter NSDAR, gave a short biographical sketch and presented a wreath.  Her grandson, Jacob, a member of SMJC SAR and Colonel William Grayson Society C.A.R participated In Color Guard, C.A.R marker dedication, presented a wreath, and removed marker shrouds.  A total of fifteen SAR, DAR and C.A.R organizations participated.  SMJC Vice President Barry Schwoerer was MC, President Ken Bonner presented a wreath, participated in the SAR marker dedication, presented National Colors, and was in the musket volley.  Other SAR Chapters included: Patrick Henry Chapter: President Mark Day;  Thomas Jefferson Chapter: Pat Kelly (also represented the French Society); and Col .James Wood II Chapter members Dale Corey, Sean Carrigan and Brett Osborn.  Several members of the Seven Hills Society C.A.R participated in the C.A.R grave marker dedication and in the wreath presentation.  Other C.A.R Societies were: William Byrd (Richmond), Mill Mountain (Roanoke), Col. William Grayson (Springfield).  NSDAR chapters participating were: Elizabeth McIntosh Hammill (Manassas), Peaks of Otter (Bedford), Poplar Forest (Lynchburg), Col. William Preston (Roanoke), and Blue Ridge (Lynchburg).  The West of the Falls Chapter Colonial Dames of the 17^th Century also participated

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

It may not be unusual for a SAR event to draw 150 attendees; however, it is unique when more than half of the attendees are French. Such was the case at the 241 Anniversary of the Battle of the Virginia Capes Commemoration held on Saturday, September 3, 2022 aboard Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek - Fort Story in Virginia Beach. The event hosted by the Norfolk Chapter honored the French naval forces under command of Admiral Francois Joseph Paul, Comte de Grasse, that defeated the British Royal Navy.

The base, located on Cape Henry, the first landing site of Virginia’s 1607 settlers, hosts a small National Park honoring both the first landing of the Jamestown settlers on Virginia soil and Admiral de Grasse’s victory.

Constitution Day Celebrated at Fairfax County Schools

On September 4, Paul Walden, Flag Chairman for the George Washington Chapter, presented the Jaguar/Land Rover of Alexandria dealership with a flag certificate for their very prominent display of the U.S. Flag.  This very large flag can be seen by thousands of motorists on the Capital Beltway near the Van Dorn exit.  In the photo, Paul Walden presents the certificate to Darshan Patel, Internet Sales Manager for the dealership.

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.

SMJC AND CJW-II HONOR WWII HERO ELI LINDEN

9/29/2022

On 17 September 2022, the Colonel James Wood II Chapter of the Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution conducted a ceremony to honor the memory of Daniel Morgan on Constitution Day