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A Hero's Welcome: Virginia SAR and Honor Guards Unite at Dulles

Virginia SAR Compatriots Welcome Veterans with Honor and Respect at Dulles International Airport

(Dulles, Va. - August 28, 2024) — The Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution (Virginia SAR) compatriots from three chapters came together to extend a warm and patriotic welcome to 117 veterans arriving on a Chicago Honor Flight at Dulles International Airport. The event was a heartfelt tribute to the brave men and women who served in the Korean and Vietnam wars.

As the veterans disembarked from the People Movers and transitioned to waiting buses, the SAR team consisting of members of Sgt Maj John Champe, Col James Wood II, and Fairfax Resolves chapters proudly presented the colors, creating a striking and respectful display. The veterans, representing all branches of the military—ten from the USAF, 80 from the Army, seven Marines, and 20 from the Navy—were visibly moved by the honor and recognition bestowed upon them.

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Raid on Martin's Station Commemorated

COL. JAMES WOOD II TAKES PART IN COMMEMORATION OF DR. JOSEPH WARREN

On 10 June 2024, the Colonel James Wood II Chapter, Virginia Society combined with Warren County, Virginia to conduct a commemoration to honor Dr Joseph Warren, namesake of the county.  The event was held at the Warren County Administrative Building in Front Royal with support from four SAR chapters.  Col James Wood II, Culpeper Minutemen, Fairfax Resolves and Sgt Maj John Champe chapters had representatives present to present the colors and wreaths.  A Musket squad provided a three round salute in honor of Warren.  Joseph Warren was a principal figure leading up to the American Revolutionary War.  In 1759, he became the youngest physician in the colonies which included as his patients, Sam Adams, John Hancock, John Adams and John Quincy Adams.  When the Stamp Act was passed in 1765, he became a member of the rebellion against British rule.   Warren became involved in most of the protests in the Boston area.   He was a member of the provincial congresses held in Massachusetts, being selected as president of the third.  He was an active member of the Massachusetts Committee of Public Safety.  As a result of the rebellious movement in Boston, the provincial government was dissolved.  In an attempt to quell the uprising, British troops were sent to Boston and to march to Concord to capture Sam Adams and John Hancock, and destroy military arms and equipment.  On 18 April 1775, he sent Paul Revere and William Dawes along with William Prescott on the midnight ride to warn colonists at Lexington and Concord, the "Regulars are Coming".   Nest, Warren was selected as delegate from Suffolk County to develop protesting documentation against the British.  He helped draft the "Suffolk Resolves", which were adopted by convention on 9 September 1776.  The citizens were asked to cease paying taxes or trading with Britain and to undertake militia drills each week.  After passing unanimously, Paul Revere carried them to Philadelphia where they were endorsed by the Continental Congress.  Offered a commission as a major general on 14 June 1775, he declined and joined the Battle of Bunker Hill.  He was on Breed's Hill at the front of the battle and was killed on 17 June when the colonists ran out of ammunition and the British were able to overrun the rebel defenses on the third assault.  Fourteen States have counties named for him as well as numerous towns and streets.  The US Navy named five ships in his honor.  Joseph Warren was a medical doctor, public figure and soldier who fought heroically for American freedom.  The ceremony was emceed by Marc Robinson and Dale Corey gave a presentation on Joseph Warren.  CJWII was represented by Paul Christensen, Corey, Chip Daniel, Dennis Parmerter, Robinson, Jim Simmons and Richard Tyler.  Other SAR compatriots included Jim Cordes (FR), Mike Dennis, Charles Jameson and Bill Schwetke (CMM) and Barry Schwoerer (SMJC).

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BATTLE OF SPENCER'S ORDINARY

 

 

The Virginia Society of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Williamsburg Chapter held the Commemoration of the Battle of Spencer’s Ordinary at Freedom Park, James City County, Virginia on June 22, 2024.  The battle took place on June 26, 1781 between a detachment from the Marquis de Lafayette’s army, commanded by Colonel Richard Butler and a British unit commanded by Lieutenant Colonel John G. Simcoe’s Queens Rangers, Highlanders and Hessian Jaegers under the command of Lord Cornwallis.  This battle was a prelude to the events in Yorktown, October of 1781.

Wreath presentations were made by:

William Greaf, President, Virginia Society SAR

John Lynch, President, Williamsburg Chapter SAR

Samuel Tate, 1st Vice President, Thomas Nelson Jr. Chapter SAR

Chris Yohn, President, Richmond Chapter SAR

Elizabeth Greaf, Regent, Ann Wager Chapter NSDAR

Robin Doucette, Regent, Williamsburg Chapter NSDAR

Harrison Meharg, 2nd Vice President, George Wythe Society NSCAR

Ken Morris, President, George Mason Chapter

 

Virginia Society Color Guard with William Greaf, President VASSAR.

 

SAR PARTICIPATES WITH VFW IN ELKS FLAG DAY CEREMONY

photo is the participants for the Flag Ceremony

On 14 June 2023, the Colonel James Wood II Chapter of the Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) participated in a Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks Flag Ceremony.  This ceremony was held on the Winchester Walking Mall in front of the Old Court House.  The ceremony was conducted by Elks Lodge 867 and emcee'd by Dave Gardiner.  Compatriots from the SAR and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2123 participated.  The Elks is an organization dedicated to patriotic service and promotes the proper knowledge of and respect for, the American Flag.  One of the activities is to conduct an annual service on 14 June, the anniversary of the birth of the American Flag.  This service was first considered by the then Grand Exalted Ruler at the 1907 Grand Lodge Session in Philadelphia.  June 14th was adopted and called "Elks Flag Day".  The following year, the ritual for the Flag Day ceremony was approved.  On 3 August 1949, President Harry S. Truman signed Public Law 203, designating 14 June as Flag Day.  The Elks was the first fraternal organization to celebrate Flag with a formal ceremony which they had been observing since 1908.

During the ceremony, members of the VFW and SAR alternated presenting historical U.S. Flags while a short biography of that flag was read and appropriate music played.  There were nine flags presented, beginning with the "Appeal to Heaven Flag" (presented by Steve Renner), followed by the "Don't Tread On Me Flag" (Brian Bayliss) and the "Grand Union Flag" (Matthew Williams).  Seven stars and stripes flags beginning with the "Betsy Ross" (Kelly Ford), "15 Star" (Tony Ferrell),  "20 Star"  (Chip Daniel), "48 Star" (Larry Reynard) Flags and ending with the "50 Star Flag" (Brett Osborn) were presented.  The "POW/MIA Flag" was then presented by VFW member and Vietnam Veteran Wayne Garner, appropriately to honor those who are still missing or in a POW status.  After the final flag was brought forth, the assembly was asked to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance and then to sing "God Bless America".  A rifle salute was fired by members of the VFW Post 2123 rifle squad.  Participating for the SAR were Brian Bayliss, Dale Corey, Thomas "Chip" Daniel, Kelly Ford, Brett Osborn and Jim Simmons.  For the VFW were Wayne Garner, Larry Reynard, Tony Ferrell, Matthew Williams and Steve Renner.

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Frontier Region Color Guard Workshop & Training

SAR, DAR Chapters and a C.A.R Society PRESENT COLORS FOR FREDERICKSBURG NATIONALS BASEBALL TEAM