Virginia SAR Membership Growth Accelerates in 2026 as America 250 Approaches

RICHMOND, VA - The Virginia Society, Sons of the American Revolution, is experiencing a surge of membership activity as the Commonwealth prepares to commemorate the 250th Anniversary of American Independence. Across the state, chapters are welcoming new compatriots and documenting additional Patriot ancestors at a pace that reflects both renewed public interest and the dedication of chapter registrars, genealogists, and volunteers.

Recent activity includes 40 new member applications, 21 supplemental applications, and 1 memorial application, documenting a total of 62 Patriot ancestors.

Charles E. Driscoll, MD, the Surgeon General, Virginia SAR has published the following articles:

Medical Tips - I Called the Urologist and the Receptionist Said "Can You Please Hold?"

Surgeon General's War Report: 1783 - Surgeon General’s War Report ~ Barnabas Binney’s Unusual Discovery

Charles E. Driscoll, MD, the Surgeon General, Virginia SAR has published the following articles:

Medical Tips - Is Cannabis A Useful Medication to Relieve Pain?

Surgeon General's War Report: 1776 - Surgeon General’s War Report ~ Burning of Norfolk ~ God Bless Our Men!

Celebrating Growth Since Independence Day: Welcoming New Members and Honoring Supplemental Achievements

RICHMOND, VA — January 1, 2026 — Since July 4, 2025, the Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) has experienced a remarkable surge in membership activity. We proudly recognize the addition of 127 new compatriots and the approval of 65 supplemental applications from 27 chapters, bringing our grand total to 192 new and supplemental recognitions.

This growth reflects not only the expanding interest in honoring Revolutionary War ancestors but also the commitment of existing members to deepen their genealogical connections.

America’s 250th Birthday not by accident but by design

This year marks a major milestone in our history – our 250th birthday officially known as our “semi-quincentennial.” This obviously is a once in a lifetime event which pays tribute to our nation, which despite its flaws continues to serve as the leader of the free world. When the Colonies declared their independence from then the most powerful nation in world – Great Britain – the chances of forming a new
nation were minuscule at best. Had it not been for the nexus of three factors: George Washington, Divine intervention, and the influence of sea power we would not be the nation we are today.

George Washington - not a perfect military leader by any means and his mistakes were many but the right man at the right time in our history. Like Dwight Eisenhower, he may have not had the battlefield brilliance and aggressiveness of a George Patton, but he had the innate ability to keep his army motivated even though his soldiers would go for months without pay or provisions. George Washington's leadership was characterized by his unwavering commitment to the greater good, strategic prowess, and ability to inspire and unite diverse individuals. 

Guest article by Ros Poplar

Watching this year’s endless cycle of both political and domestic violence perpetrated not only on national figures such as Charlie Kirk but also on an innocent subway rider who came to America to escape the violence of Ukraine only to be stabbed to death leaves me not only saddened but perplexed and bewildered. As a “Boomer” I was raised and influenced by the men and women of America’s Greatest Generation and wonder what they would think of the current sad state of affairs in our nation. Theirs was the generation that bore witness to the catastrophic consequences of misguided ideologies not based on truth, wisdom, and belief in the all mighty but rather on the false prophets of Communism  and Socialism. 

To our forefathers and mothers these were not just idlepolitical theories but rather the cruel realities  put into practice that benefited the power elites and not the masses. Many of the Greatest Generation stepped forward during some of America’s darkest hours and paid dearly with their lives to stop its insidious spread.They saw firsthand how totalitarian regimes manipulated idealistic language  promising much like today - equity, freedom, and justice - while systematically implementing  oppression and violenceon those subjugated caught under its enigmatic spell. 

Charles E. Driscoll, MD, the Surgeon General, Virginia SAR has published the following articles:

Medical Tips - If Santa Were Your Patient, What Would You Do?

Surgeon General’s War Report to Virginia’s Army Surgeons, 1776: 1776 - Surgeon General’s War Report ~ A Stirring Victory ~ God Bless Our Brave Men!

When Civics was taught in our public education system students memorized and later recited passages of many of our nations’ seminal documents – the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. Even to this day I can recall from memory many of these passages that not only defined our nation but shaped the minds and development of those who were fortunate at an early age to be exposed to the philosophy and thinking of America’s Founders. The powerful and timeless message contained in President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address still rings true and in view of our current political divisiveness and deserves reexamining. 

To refresh your memory, the address was delivered by President Lincoln on November 19, 1863, during the dedication of Soldiers' National Cemetery  known today as Gettysburg National Cemetery. This hallowed ground was where the brutal Battle of Gettysburg - the high-water mark of the Confederacy - was fought four and one-half months earlier. The Civil War was America’s most brutal and costly war fought in an effort to save the unity our nascent nation. To this day its scars are forever seared into our national psyche even though it occurred well over one hundred years ago. 

Charles E. Driscoll, MD, the Surgeon General, Virginia SAR has published the following articles:

Medical Tips - A Vaccine Update for 2025 - Are The Shots Still Important?

Surgeon General’s War Report to Virginia’s Army Surgeons, 1776:  Regarding Dr. Joseph Warren Unforgivable Death

Charles E. Driscoll, MD, the Surgeon General, Virginia SAR has published the following articles:

Medical Tips - Atrial Fibrillation - How Can It Hurt Me?

Surgeon General’s War Report to Virginia’s Army Surgeons, 1776: A Remark on Amputations

Thomas H. Bland (1948–2025)

Thomas “Tom” Henry Bland, 76, of Burke, VA, died surrounded by family at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, NC and he gained his angel wings on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at 3:31 PM.

Born in Raleigh, NC on November 2, 1948, Tom entered the world with a built-in best friend- his identical twin brother Bill of Waco, TX- proving early that life doubles the trouble AND the fun. The son of Dorothy Heater and William Archibald Bland, he grew up with a love of service that led him to Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America and later to Goldsboro High School (Class of ’66). He earned a Business Administration degree from East Carolina University in 1971, and later a Master’s in Education from Old Dominion University.

One of my favorite hymns was Julia Ward Howe’s "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." Like our national anthem this song brings a chill to my spine every time I hear it. I can only imagine my Great-Great Grandfather Private William H. Baldwin who was mortally wounded at the Battle of Cold Harbor marching to it in his quest to free those in bondage. He was just a simple and poor Chesapeake Bay waterman but voluntarily answered the call to serve and paid dearly with his life leaving behind a family.

Howe's lyrics inspired Americans to action at one of the most critical times in our history when the nation was torn asunder and our fragile experiment in Democracy could have easily ended. My mind can still see the imagery of soldiers marching to their death in the name of Christ to unify the nation and eliminate the scourge of slavery:

Charles E. Driscoll, MD, the Surgeon General, Virginia SAR has published the following articles:

Medical Tips - Do You Snore Loudly When You Sleep and Still Feel Tired in the Morning?

Surgeon General's War Report: Surgeon General’s War Report to Virginia’s Army Surgeons, 1775

Charles E. Driscoll, MD, the Surgeon General, Virginia SAR has published the following articles:

Medical Tips - Remember Linus Pauling in the 1970’s?

Surgeon General's War Report:  Surgeon General’s Report to Virginia’s Surgeons June 1783

For many Memorial Day signals the onset of Summer with all the pleasantries that go along with it – vacations, barbeques, and family outings. But for those that this day of reflection honors unfortunately they are no longer with us to share in the joys of life because they sacrificed their life (many in the prime of life) as a downpayment for the freedom we as American enjoy today. From the founding of our great nation both men and women have willingly laid down their lives for the cause of freedom in such diverse places as Valley Forge, Gettysburg, Belleau Wood, Iwo Jima, Khe San, and Fallujah to name a few.

Some willingly volunteered for service and others may have been drafted but all shared a common bond of brotherhood that is only forged in armed conflict. As those that have been there will tell you when the bullets start flying you forget about the lofty rhetoric echoed by armchair politicians and rather fight for you and your brother/sister in arms very survival. Armed conflict unfortunately often reduces mankind and those who fight on the front lines to a baseless level where day-to-day survival motivates those who are in harm’s way. Americans have consistently sent their men and women servicemen to the four corners of the globe where they were viewed and selfless liberators vice oppresors.

Charles E. Driscoll, MD, the Surgeon General, Virginia SAR has published the following articles:

Medical Tips - Three Recommended Books

Surgeon General's War Report: Surgeon General’s Report to Virginia’s Surgeons June 1777

E Pluribus Unum by James "Ros" Poplar

As a proud member of the Fort Harrison Chapter Sons of the American Revolution I recently had both the distinct pleasure and honor of participating in a naturalization ceremony where 43 former immigrants from 26 different countries became citizens of the United States of America. It was the first such ceremony I ever attended, and I assure you it will not be the last. The two hours spent in that courtroom will be forever etched in my mind as one of the moments that made me proud to call myself an American.

At each and every ceremony our past President Mr. Tom Pettit is the first to greet our newest American citizens with a scroll consisting of the Star Bangled Banner wrapped in red, white, and blue ribbon lovingly assembled by our Chaplin Mr. Bill Blessing. It is a gift many have waited years to receive in their quest to become citizens of the land of the free and the home of the brave and one I am sure they will cherish for the rest of
their lives.

The Triple Test

by James "Ros" Poplar

In 1973, historian Richard B. Morris wrote the seminal work “Seven Who Shaped Our Destiny: The Founding Fathers as Revolutionaries." The book details a series of biographical sketches of the most seven influential leaders of the American Revolution along with a detailed chronology of the events that led to their commitment to the American cause. Mr. Morris refers to the men possessing the "triple tests" of leadership, longevity and statesmanship.

All of these men played indispensable roles in the formation of the of the United States of America. John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin were members of the Committee of Five that drafted the Declaration of Independence. The Federalist Papers, which advocated the ratification of the Constitution, were written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay. And last but not least, George Washington was the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, president of the Constitutional Convention, and our first president.

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.

Service Above Self

by Ros Poplar.

America was founded almost 250 years on the principles of rugged individualism and self-sufficiency. Even in those days the journey from the old world to the new world was fraught with peril and many of America’s early settlers did not survive the journey due to exposure to the elements or disease. Upon arrival in the new  world our ancestors, despite the harsh living conditions, banded together and formed the nascent communities that have over time evolved into major and vibrant colonial cities such as New York and Boston. The eventually expanded out west drawn by the prospects of abundant land and resources that were only available in the old world to nobility or people of means.

After these cities were established and thriving people were drawn to the vast expanse of the western United States where land was readily available for the taking and one could become affluent overnight if they struck it rich while panning for gold in the California Republic of striking oil in the vast expanses of the Republic of Texas. The American spirit of adventurism and self-reliance was  indeed, live, and well but even then, there were those who were less fortunate and American communities lead by church groups or simply good neighbors looked after those who were less fortunate or down on their luck. Neighbors indeed helped neighbors through such organized activities as barn raisings or even gestures of
kindness as preparing meals for those unable to provide for themselves.