WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA - 16 DEC 2017

Beautiful day for honoring our veterans by placing an evergreen wreath with a red bow on their graves – we had hundreds of volunteers come out to place over 2,900 (a record!) wreaths at Alexandria National Cemetery. Event attended by Chapter members Paul Walden, Paul Briggs, Ernie Coggins, Tom Roth, Jamie Callender, Jack Coulter, and John Brigden

CHAPTER MEETING - 9 DEC 2017_OLD

At this joint chapter meeting, VASSAR President Michael J. Elston installed the 2018 officers from both the George Washington and George Mason Chapters.

2017 VETERANS DAY COMMEMORATION & WREATH LAYING AT GEN. GEORGE WASHINGTON’S TOMB

The George Washington Chapter Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution and the Kate Waller Barrett Chapter Virginia Daughters of the American Revolution conducted their annual Veteran's Day commemoration and wreath laying at General Washington's tomb at Mount Vernon at 2:15 pm on November 11. The wreath was presented by Col. John Brigden, USA (Ret.) and Cdr. Joseph Famme, USN (Ret.). Kate Waller Barrett Virginia DAR Chapter Regent Kathy Gray and George Washington Virginia SAR Chapter President Paul Walden gave remarks. George Washington Chapter Vice President Ernest Coggins served as Master of Ceremonies. The VASSAR Color Guard presented colors and Fifer MSG. Don Francisco, USA (Ret.) provided the music accompaniment, in addition VASSAR President, Mike Elston and the Virginia President of the C.A.R., Emily Elston were also in attendance. Despite the cold weather, there was a large turnout from the public.

23 OCT - SAR PUBLIC SERVICE AWARDS

On October 23, the George Washington Chapter, Virginia Society, Sons of the American Revolution presented public service awards to members of the Prince William County Fire and Rescue Department at the McCoart County Administration Building. A heroism award was presented to Technician Jason Zappas for rescuing a child trapped in a burning automobile while off duty. Fire Safety Awards were presented to Lt Dave Jones, Captain Walt Hunt, Lt Kevin Tobey, Technicians Matt Pullen, Daniel McGee, Pamela Bray, David Worrell, Edward Schmidt, Paul Racco, Aaron Dillon, and Asley Amequita for their response to a house fire on June 20, 2016. Finally, Emergency Medical Service awards were presented to Captain Bob Montminy and Lt. Randy Coggin for implementing a High Performance CPR program for Prince William County Fire and Rescue personnel.

19 OCT - CHAPTER WREATH PRESENTATION AT YORKTOWN DAY

On October 19, VASSAR celebrated the 236th anniversary of our ancestors' victory at Yorktown. A strong contingent of Virginia SAR compatriots participated in the celebration, led by President Mike Elston and seven other state officers with 13 Virginia chapters participating. President Larry Guzy represented the NSSAR. Festivities began the evening before with a dinner at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. The featured speaker was General Lafayette, portrayed by an actor. The morning began with the presentation of wreaths at the tomb of Thomas Nelson, Jr. Virginia SAR Secretary Wayne Rouse was the master of ceremonies, greetings were brought by President General Larry Guzy, and Virginia SAR President Mike Elston was the keynote speaker.

OCTOBER CHAPTER MEETING

14 October – Chapter Meeting at Belle Haven Country Club - keynote speaker Mrs. Carole Thomas discussed Patriot George Mason in a talked titled, George Mason: Influence of a Forgotten Founding Father. Mrs. Thomas provided historical information about George Mason, his family, his temperament and health issues, as well as information about his writings. These writing will include the Virginia Declaration of Rights and the Virginia Constitution and how they influenced the national documents of a developing country.

17 SEP - GEORGE WASHINGTON CHAPTER COMMEMORATES CONSTITUTION DAY

At 1:00 pm on September 17, the George Washington Chapter of the Virginia Society, Sons of the American Revolution, commemorated the 230th anniversary of the signing of the United States Constitution at historic Pohick Episcopal Church in Lorton, Virginia. Pohick Church was the parish church of General George Washington and George Mason. The Rev. Thomas A. Costa, D. Div. (left) portraying Rev. Lee Massey, Colonial Rector of Pohick Church during Washington’s time, read the Preamble to the Constitution and gave a benediction. George Washington SAR Chapter President, Paul Walden (right) gave a brief history on the Constitution and its relevance today. The Pohick Church bell rang 13 times in celebration and to honor this momentous 230th anniversary of the signing of the United States Constitution.

9 SEP - PRESIDENT GENERAL GUZY PRESENTS WREATH AT THE TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER

On September 9 the George Washington Chapter hosted President General Larry Guzy as he presented the NSSAR Wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. PG Guzy was assisted by VASSAR President, Mike Elston in presenting the wreath, and escorted by George Washington Chapter President, Paul Walden and Virginia SAR Color Guard Commander, Bill Schwetke. The Virginia SAR Color Guard flanked the march down the steps to the tomb in uniform with flags.

JULY 22ND - 243RD ANNIVERSARY OF THE FAIRFAX RESOLVES - SIGNING CELEBRATION & WREATH PRESENTATION

On Saturday, July 22rd the Fairfax Resolves Chapter hosted a celebration event to recognize the 243rd Anniversary of the Fairfax Resolves. George Washington President, Paul Walden presented the Chapter wreath and VASSAR President, Mike Elston offered greetings and words of inspiration in honor of this important historical event. The Fairfax Resolves was crafted by founding father George Mason on July 18, 1774 two years before the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and are considered the most detailed, the most influential and the most radical objection of the British Parliament's claim of supreme

4TH OF JULY CEREMONY AND WREATH LAYING AT GENERAL WASHINGTON’S TOMB

Over 40 compatriots from at least nine different chapters marched down the bowling green at Mount Vernon at participated in the annual ceremony at Washington's Tomb.

JUL 1 - DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE READ AT POHICK CHURCH.

Compatriots from the George Washington Chapter attended the reading of the Declaration of Independence at Historic Pohick Church in Lorton, VA on 1 July. Rev. Tom Costa portraying Parson Massey, who was Rector of Pohick Church during the American Revolution, read from the pulpit, Pohick Church was the parish church of George Washington and George Mason.

17 JUNE – PLAQUE DEDICATION – REV WAR MEMORIAL

Patriots of the American Revolutionary War - We recognized the Fairfax County men who served and died advancing the Cause of American Independence

17 JUN - HISTORICALLY FAIRFAX DAY

Historically themed family-friendly activities, live musical performances, antique vehicles from the Police and Fire Departments, re-enactors and living history demonstrations, the annual Lord and Lady Fairfax Awards Program, talks on a variety of topics in the Historic Fairfax Courthouse, Virginia's WWI/WWII Anniversary Mobile, Historic Courthouse Tours, Revolutionary War memorial plaque dedication ceremony, Petting Zoo, and much more!

10 JUNE - GUNSTON HALL DECLARATION DAY

June 10, 2017 - historic event commemorating the anniversary of the ratification of the Virginia Declaration of Rights - “That all men are by nature equally free and independent, and have certain inherent rights...”

MEMORIAL DAY - 2017

The National Memorial Day Parade in our nation's capital, and the SAR is there, led by President General Mike Tomme and VASSAR President Michael Elston, with participation by numerous George Washington Chapter compatriots

MAY CHAPTER MEETING

At the May Chapter Meeting we admitted a new memorial member, Paul A Callender, Jr and our speaker was Christian McBurney who spoke about his latest book: "Abductions in the American Revolution: Attempts to Kidnap George Washtington, Benedict ARnold and Other Military and Civilian Leaders."

PATRIOT MOSES HENDRICKS GRAVE MARKING CEREMONY – 13 MAY 2017

President, Paul Walden and South Carolina Compatriot JD Norris (In uniform) pay respects at the May 13th Moses Hendricks Grave Marking Ceremony at Oolenoy Baptist Church in Pickens County, SC.

JAMES MONROE 259TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION IN COLONIAL BEACH, VA

VASSAR President, Mike Elston; Will Elston, GWSAR President Paul Walden; and VASSAR/GWSAR Historian Tom Roth III attending the James Monroe 259th Birthday celebration in Colonial Beach, VA.

APRIL CHAPTER MEETING

At the April 8 Chapter Meeting, the George Washington Chapter awarded the SAR Silver Good Citizenship Medal to Acting U.S. Deputy Attorney General Boente

MARCH CHAPTER MEETING

Our guest speaker at the March 11 chapter meeting was the Reverend Tom Costa. Tom has been involved as a church historian, school chaplain, writer, and lecturer since the beginning of his ministry work in California. After moving to Virginia in 2003, he began research on a historic Anglican liturgy project from the colonial and Victorian periods as a way to provide a method of evangelism using educational and dramatic approaches.

GEORGE WASHINGTON BIRTHDAY PARADE, ALEXANDRIA, 20 FEB 2017 

The nation’s largest George Washington Birthday parade marches a one-mile route through the streets of Old Town Alexandria. With nearly 3,500 participants, this community parade honors one of the Alexandria’s favorite sons: Grand Marshal: Retired Police Chief Earl Cook. Special guest: Olympic silver medal winner, boxer Shakur Stevenson.

WREATH LAYING AT TOMB OF UNKNOWN - FEBRUARY 2017

Wreath Laying at Tomb of Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier, Old Presbyterian  Meeting House, Alexandria, VA, 20 February 2017

127TH VASSAR ANNUAL CONFERENCE

On February 10-12, 2017 the Virginia Society, Sons of the American Revolution held its 127th Annual Meeting at the Omni Hotel and Resorts in Richmond, VA. The highlight of the session was the installation on Saturday night, February 11th, of our own Chapter member Mike Elston as Society President for the 2017-2018 year.

RUMBAUGH ORATIONS CONTEST - JANUARY 2017

On January 21, three contestants for the Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest were judged after the chapter workshop at Pohick Church. The three were Seylon Edmundson and Jesse Amoss, both from Bishop O'Connell HS, and Samuel Barge, a home-schooled senior from Woodbridge. Samuel Barge was the winner and will be delivering his speech again at the VASSAR Annual Conference in February. Congratulations to all three of these students for their scholarship and hard work!