Join the Dan River Chapter for the 2026 Crossing of the Dan Commemoration

Each February, the Sons of the American Revolution gather to honor one of the most remarkable strategic achievements of the Southern Campaign: the Crossing of the Dan. On February 14, 1781, General Nathanael Greene’s masterful retreat across the icy Dan River preserved the Continental Army in the South and set the stage for the victories that ultimately secured American independence.

The Dan River Chapter SAR and the Crossing of the Dan Committee warmly invite all SAR compatriots, DAR members, families, guests, and community supporters to attend this year’s commemoration and related events. The 2026 observance promises to be a meaningful tribute to the patriot forces whose endurance and determination changed the course of the war.

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.

(LOUDON COUNTY, Va. - Dec. 2024) —Four members of the Sergeant Major John Champe Chapter SAR were recognized with the Hannah White Arnett Bronze Medal of Distinction by three chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) in December DAR meetings.

The medal is presented to SAR Compatriots for "Extraordinary Cooperation and Outstanding Service to NSDAR." The awards were approved by the National Chair DAR/SAR/S.R. Relations Committee. Sgt Major John Champe Chapter SAR has closely worked with Virginia District V and VIII DAR Chapters since the chapter re-chartered in February 2022. The chapter gives presentations at DAR meetings, presents colors at DAR events, and jointly plans and executes a variety of events. An example of such an event was “Stars, Stripes and Fall Delights” at the Winery at LaGrange on November 10, 2024. At this event, the Sgt Major John Champe Chapter SAR and Col. William Grayson Chapter SAR with several DAR Chapters conducted a day-long event open to the public. The two SAR chapters led a commemoration of the United States Marine Corps Birthday, honored POW/MIA with a Missing Man Table presentation, opened the event with advancing and posting colors, and executed a skit commemorating the 1st Continental Congress.

PURCELLVILLE, Va., Tuesday, August 6, 2024 – The Sgt Maj John Champe Chapter of the Virginia Society, Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) partnered with the Elizabeth McIntosh Hammill Chapter of the Virginia Society, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to present an engaging and educational program on the American Revolution to 36 children at Franklin Park near Purcellville.

The Fort Loudoun DAR Regent Susan Lauren emcee'd the event with Melissa Clevenger providing chaplain duties.  During the dedication, Alexandra Collins, Lawrence Augustine Washington Society, Children of the American Revolution unveiled the marker.  Wreaths were presented by Susan Lauren, Fort Loudoun DAR; Alexandra Collins, Lawrence Augustine Washington, C.A.R.; Peter Davenport, Mid Atlantic District, SAR; and Thomas "Chip" Daniel, Col James Wood II, SAR

On 3 June 2023, the Colonel James Wood II Chapter of the Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution participated in a Revolutionary War Patriot Grave Marking Ceremony with the Fort Loudoun Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.  The ceremony was conducted for Reverend Christian Streit at Mt Hebron Cemetery in Winchester.  Reverend Streit was a Lutheran minister from New Jersey.  He graduated from the College of Philadelphia and took a position at the Lutheran Church in Easton, Pennsylvania.  When the Revolutionary War broke out, he became the Chaplain for the 3rd Virginia Regiment and eventually served as the pastor in Charleston, South Carolina.  While serving in Charleston, he was captured by the British at the siege of that city because of his support for the colonists in the War for Independence.  After his release from captivity, he returned to Pennsylvania and in 1785, accepted a position in Winchester.  He assumed pastoral oversight of a large congregation of German and English speaking members.  His church was the Reformed Lutheran Church that was located in what is now the Mt Hebron Cemetery.  The church cornerstone was laid in 1764, but had remained unfinished until Reverend Streit organized the congregation to complete the building.  His area of responsibility included a portion of the lower Shenandoah Valley.  He laid the foundation of numerous congregations throughout the region for 27 years.  He died 10 March 1812 and was buried beneath the brick pavement in the church he served.  His remains were eventually moved to a location just outside the wall of the Lutheran Church.  The wall remains inside the Mt Hebron complex.