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:

(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.

Veteran John Rossmann Honored on 100th Birthday by Sgt Maj John Champe Chapter and Local Veteran Service Organizations

ASHBURN, Va., Friday, July 12, 2024 — On a momentous occasion, the Sgt Maj John Champe Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) organized a heartfelt commemoration to celebrate the 100th birthday of John Rossmann, a distinguished World War II veteran. Mr. Rossmann, who celebrated his 20th birthday on Omaha Beach during the D-Day invasion of Normandy as a soldier with the 4th Infantry Division, was honored for his exemplary service and citizenship. 

The event brought together multiple Veteran Service Organizations in Loudoun County to pay tribute to Mr. Rossmann’s remarkable life and contributions. The Sgt Maj John Champe Chapter presented Mr. Rossmann with the SAR Bronze Good Citizenship Medal, recognizing his outstanding citizenship as a soldier in WWII and his 21-year career as a Treasury agent combating counterfeiting and drug trafficking. Additionally, Mr. Rossmann received the SAR Law Enforcement Medal for his exceptional service with the U.S. Department of the Treasury. (Photo right: Family, friends, and presenters with Nella and John Rossmann.)

On 2 November 2022, at the Ferguson Residence in Ashburn, VA, the Ferguson Family was awarded the SAR Bronze Good Citizenship Medal for Outstanding and Extraordinary Citizenship in preparing and delivering meals to William “Bill” Cain and wife Linda from 13 May 2020 to June 2022 and then to Bill Cain after the passing of Linda from June 2022 to current time.  Fredrick and Silvia Ferguson and their three children, Sophia, Fredrick M., and Brianna, have treated the Cains as family, making sure their meal needs were met.