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.

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.