Uncasville, CT (July 15, 2025) — During a stirring awards ceremony held at the Mohegan Sun Earth Conference Center, the Virginia Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) emerged as a dominant force at the 135th Annual Congress, earning accolades across nearly every category of recognition. From youth education to chapter excellence, Virginia SAR and its chapters demonstrated an unwavering commitment to patriotism, historical preservation, and community engagement.

Chapter and Individual Honors

• General William Campbell Chapter SAR received the Ohanesian History Presentation Award for chapters with 10–49 members.
• Brian Bayliss of the Colonel James Wood II Chapter earned an Honorable Mention in the Thomas J. Bond, Jr. Memorial Photography Award.
• Chris Yohn, editor of the Liberty Gazette, was honored with an Honorable Mention in the Carl F. Bessent Award for outstanding chapter newsletters.
• National Meritorious Service Medal (Gold): Jeff Thomas
  
• National Roger Sherman Commendation Medal (Gold): Ernie Coggins, Peter Davenport, Jeff Thomas
  
• National Henry Knox Achievement Medal (Gold): Biff Greaf, Scott Walker, Anita Bonner (wife of Kenneth Bonner)
  
• Bronze Liberty Medals were awarded to eight Compatriots for recruiting 10+ new members, including William F. Crain, William M. Haskins, Jr. (2), Kenneth L. Hawkins (2), Bruce A. Taylor, Barry F. Schwoerer, Kenneth E. Morris, and Richard M. Sherman.

Youth & Education Impact

Virginia SAR earned a Participation Streamer for its involvement in five national youth contests:

On a sunlit morning worthy of the occasion, over one hundred compatriots, allied guests and family members gathered on the historic grounds of Mount Vernon for the 64th Annual Independence Day March to General George Washington’s Tomb. The event commemorated the 249th anniversary of American Independence, a solemn moment etched in remembrance and reverence for the spirit of 1776.

Leading the contingent across the Bowling Green to the Tomb Grove was the majestic procession of the Virginia SAR Color Guard. Clad in regimental Continental uniforms and vivid militia regalia, the Virginia SAR Color Guard and Maryland SAR Color Guard—joined by the Virginia DAR Honor Guard and Virginia C.A.R. Honor Guard—brought history to life with each measured step. Their presence embodied the legacy of citizen-soldiers who once bore the nation's earliest burdens. Virginia SAR compatriots from Col. Fielding Lewis Chapter, Col. James Wood II Chapter, Col. William Grayson Chapter, Culpeper Minutemen Chapter, Fairfax Resolves Chapter, George Mason Chapter, Norfolk Chapter, Sgt. Maj. John Champe Chapter, and Williamsburg Chapter, along with John Paul Jones Chapter Maryland SAR were present for the festivities hosted by the George Washington Chapter, Virginia SAR.

See full story at https://www.virginiasar.org/army250

20 Jun 2025 Update: 
In support of Compatriot / C.A.R. applications for the Patriot Grave Marking Medal, I have submitted an approved SAR Patriot Grave & Biographies Report for:

WILLIAMSBURG, VA, (May 27, 2025) — On 3 May 2025, the Williamsburg Chapter of the Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation conducted a ceremony to commemorate the 250th Anniversary of Virginia’s first military response to the Royal Governor’s taking of gunpowder stored in Williamsburg’s powder magazine. Governor John Murray, Earl of Dunmore falsely claimed it was for Virginia’s protection. During the night of 20–21 April 1775, British Marines landed at Burwell’s Landing on the James River and marched to Williamsburg, Virginia’s colonial capitol. They had been ordered by Governor Dunmore to remove the gunpowder stored in Williamsburg’s powder magazine. The Marines were spotted and an alarm raised. As a result, they returned to their ships without completely emptying the magazine.

Public discontent increased throughout the colony fomenting unrest, with militia companies mustering to force return of the gunpowder. Patrick Henry learned of the event and issued a call to arms. On 2 May 1775, 160 mounted militiamen from Hanover County under Henry’s command began their ride to Williamsburg to either recover the powder or be paid for it. On 3 May, they stopped at Doncastle’s Ordinary near Toano in James City County. It was here Carter Braxton convinced Henry to halt his march. Braxton, the son-in-law of Virginia’s Receiver General, Richard Corbin rode into Williamsburg to negotiate the settlement of the incident. He returned to Henry with a payment of 330 pounds to pay for the gunpowder that was taken from the armory. The Hanover militia returned to their homes and Henry journeyed to Philadelphia to participate in the Second Continental Congress. Dunmore feared for his safety and on 8 June, he and his family left in the middle of the night to take up residence aboard the British ship HMS Fowey. This incident led to the Virginia Colony’s government being taken over by a Committee of Safety and Patrick Henry becoming the independent state’s first governor in July 1776.