WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA - 15 DEC 2018

On Saturday, December 15, 2018, the George Washington Chapter participated in Wreaths Across America will be at Alexandria National Cemetery to Remember and Honor our veterans through the laying of Remembrance wreaths on the graves of our country's fallen heroes and the act of saying the name of each and every veteran aloud. This year we contributed 300 wreaths.

CHAPTER MEETING - 8 DEC 2018

Congratulations to our 2019 Chapter Officers. At our December meeting, we installed our new officer: Dave Thomas, President; Jay Henn, Vice President; Tom Roth, Treasurer; and Richard Rankin, Secretary

VETERANS DAY WREATH LAYING CEREMONY AT GENERAL 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

CHAPTER MEETING - 10 NOVEMBER

Congratulations to our 2019 Chapter Officers. At our November meeting, we elected by acclamation: Dave Thomas, President; Jay Henn, Vice President; Tom Roth, Treasurer; and Richard Rankin, Secretary

GEORGE WASHINGTON CHAPTER HONORS VETERANS IN ASSISTED LIVING - 10 NOV 2018

On November 10, President Ernie Coggins, Secretary Tom Roth, and Paul Walden honored seven veterans living at the Sunrise at Mount Vernon Assisted Living facility in Alexandria. The Reverend Thomas Costa, who was spoken to our chapter before, and conducts Sunday morning prayer services at the facility, started the ceremony by reading the lyrics from the Johnny Cash song “Ragged Old Flag.” After Reverend Costa’s wife, Susan, let us in singing the National Anthem, each veteran was presented with a certificate of recognition for their service and a “Proud to be a Veteran” lapel pin. Many veterans now living in assisted living facilities and nursing homes are often forgotten, so the ceremony reminded them of our nation’s gratitude for their service. The veterans honored were: Henry Malik (Navy), Bob Stickell (Navy), Eric Wilder, (Army), Karl Norris (Army), Ron Sedlacek (Navy), Irwin Simensky (Army), and Gene Swedo (Air Force). A cake in red, white and blue icing with the caption “Sons of the American Revolution Salutes Our Veterans” was then served. The George Washington Chapter was indeed honored to salute these esteemed veterans of our armed forces. Then, to show our chapter’s gratitude for Reverend Costa’s service to the public, our chapter, and supporting local Revolutionary War-era history, the Bronze Good Citizenship medal was awarded to him. We even met a resident of the facility who is interested in joining the SAR!

COLONEL ROBERT CARR (USA RET.) INTERRED AT ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY WITH FULL HONORS

Scenes from the interment at Arlington National Cemetery of our Compatriot, Colonel Robert F. Carr, U.S. Army (Retired)

SONS OF AMERICAN REVOLUTION HONOR SHERIFF, DEPUTIES - 24 OCT 2018

John Blair of the George Washington Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution presented Deputy Brian Wade, Deputy Gerald Wooden and Deputy Myrna Juarez with awards on Oct. 24 for their outstanding responses in two incidents last year. Then Blair presented an award to Sheriff Dana Lawhorne in recognition of his exceptional public service. Blair, who serves as the chapter’s Public Safety Awards chair, first awarded Wade and Wooden with law enforcement commendation medals for their quick thinking and rescue of an inmate who had attempted suicide. Then he presented Juarez with the chapter’s new life-saving award for her response, while off duty, to aid a man who had been critically injured in a crash on I-95. Blair stated that Juarez is the first person to receive this award. Members of the deputies’ families and many of their colleagues were present to see them receive their awards. Blair also announced that his chapter was presenting Lawhorne with the law enforcement commendation medal for his outstanding public service. Due to a prior commitment, Lawhorne was unable to be there so Undersheriff Tim Gleeson had the honor of accepting the award on the Sheriff’s behalf.

SCENES FROM THE 237TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICAN VICTORY AT YORKTOWN, 19 OCTOBER 2018

Yorktown Day marks the anniversary of the American-French victory in 1781 over the British. In 1781, following a nine-day bombardment, British forces in Yorktown under General Charles Cornwallis requested a cease-fire and then surrendered more than 8,000 soldiers and sailors to the combined American and French armies commanded by General George Washington. This was the last major military action of the American Revolution, effectively securing independence for the American colonies following a six and-a-half-year military struggle.

CHAPTER MEETING - 13 OCT

October 2018 Chapter meeting and luncheon. Our guest speaker was Ms. Katrina Krempasky of the Fairfax Circuit Court Historic Records Center, whose mission is to preserve and make available to the public the historic records of the Fairfax Circuit Court. Katrina spoke on “The Colonial Courtroom: The Who, Why and How of the Early Virginia Court”

CONSTITUTION DAY – 16 SEPTEMBER 2018

To commemorate the 231st Anniversary of the Signing of the Constitution, the George Washington Chapter led a service at Historic Pohick Episcopal Church in Lorton, VA. Pohick Church was the parish church of General George Washington and George Mason. The Master of Ceremonies was Paul Walden. The Reverend Thomas Costa, portraying Parson Massey, Rector of Pohick Church during the Revolutionary War period, read the preamble to the Constitution and led us in prayer, following a solemn tolling of the church bell 13 times.

VASSAR SEMI-ANNAUL MEETING 14-15 SEP 2018

Semi-Annual Meeting began with the Board of Managers meeting on Friday afternoon. During Friday evening, four different workshops were offered: Registrar/Genealogy, Admin./Awards, Color Guard and Americanism. The General Membership meeting was held Saturday morning followed by an afternoon luncheon.

WREATH LAYING CEREMONY AT TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER - 08 SEPTEMBER 2018

Honoring and recognizing those men and women who have served our country and have paid the ultimate sacrifice is one of the core missions of the Sons of the American Revolution. The George Washington Chapter is in the distinctive position of hosting the annual NSSAR Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Leading the NSSAR Wreath Laying Ceremony this year was NSSAR President General Warren Alter and George Washington Chapter President Ernie Coggins. Attending Chapter members and their guests witnessed this unique and inspiring wreath laying ceremony performed by the U.S. 3rd Infantry, The Old Guard.

CHAPTER MEETING - 08 SEPTEMBER 2018

NSSAR President General Warren M. Alter was our guest speaker for September. Compatriot Alter had a thirty-nine year career as a law enforcement officer and then taught law enforcement-related courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. He joined the SAR in 1998 because of the SAR’s Law Enforcement Commendation program, as well as an interest in genealogy.

WREATH LAYING CEREMONY, WASHINGTON’S TOMB – 04 JUL 2018

As part of a tradition that spans 57 years, the George Washington Chapter organized an Independence Day Commemoration at George Washington's Mount Vernon. The parade up the bowling green in front of the mansion was led by the talented Frederick Town Fife and Drum Corps and the VASSAR Color Guard. Chapter Vice President Dave Thomas served as Master of Ceremonies, Chapter President Ernest Coggins delivered an address, greetings were offered by 1st VASSAR Vice President Pete Davenport and VADAR Historian Holly Lynne McKinley Schmidt, and VASSAR Orations Contest winner, Miss Gabby Lucchetti from Bishop O'Connell High School, delivered her speech. The event concluded with a wreath laying at General Washington's tomb by 1st VASSAR Vice President, Pete Davenport and past George Washington Chapter President, Paul Walden. Members of the SAR, DAR, CAR and public were then invited to lay carnations at the entrance to General Washington’s tomb. Over 40 members from the George Washington, George Mason, Fairfax Resolves, Culpeper Minutemen, Norfolk, Richmond, Dan River, and William Grayson VASSAR Chapters participated in the event. After that event, GWSAR Vice President, Dave Thomas participated in the Mt. Vernon Naturalization Ceremony for 101 new citizens in leading their first Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

NATURALIZATION CEREMONY AT MT. VERNON – 04 JULY 2018

At the invitation of George Washington’s Mt. Vernon, the George Washington Chapter represented by Vice President, Dave Thomas participated in the Mt. Vernon Naturalization Ceremony. The Chapter’s traditional participation in the ceremony goes back many years, and has always been an honor for the Chapter’s Vice President to lead the first Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag for newly naturalized United States citizens. This year 101 naturalized citizens were welcomed as United States citizens. The Naturalization Ceremony had welcoming remarks by Dr. Douglas Bradburn, President and CEO, George Washington’s Mt. Vernon, Chip Fulghum Deputy Under Secretary for Management Department of Homeland Security performed the Oath of Allegiance, thoughtful remarks were extended by General Washington portrayed by Dean Malissa and closing remarks by Ziad Ojakli Group Vice President, Government and Community Relations, Ford Motor Company were offered.

2018 DECLARATION DAY AT GUNSTON HALL

On June 9, 2018 Declaration Day was celebrated at Gunston Hall in Lorton, VA the home of Founding Father George Mason. The celebration was to honor and recognize the signing of the Virginia Declaration of Rights authored by George Mason and signed 242 years ago in June 1776. In remembrance and recognition of signing this significant document, the VASSAR George Mason, George Washington and William Grayson Chapters performed a wreath laying ceremony at the gravesite of Founding Father George Mason.

EDISON HIGH SCHOOL JROTC AWARDS - 30 MAY 2018

Cadet SSG Kathryn Moran and Cadet CPT Justin Martinez, juniors at Edison High School, received Sons of the American Revolution Bronze JROTC Medals at the school's annual awards ceremony May 30. Cadet Moran, in her first year of JROTC, was recognized for her leadership, for being an honor roll scholar and varsity athlete and ranking in the top five percent of JROTC students. Cadet Martinez, a third year ROTC participant, was cited for his leadership and potential as a cadet. He ranks in the top 25 percent of his class and the top 10 percent of JROTC students.

MEMORIAL DAY - 2018

On Monday, May 28, 2018 George Washington Chapter compatriots along with compatriot VASSAR and DCSSAR Chapters and members of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) participated in two 2018 Memorial Day events in Washington, D.C. and Alexandria, VA. Our unit of 22 compatriots marched down Constitution Avenue in honor to those men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and the cause of Liberty from the Revolutionary War to present day.

CHAPTER MEETING – 12 MAY 2018

Chapter Meeting - Saturday, May 12, 2018 Belle Haven Country Club, with guest speaker Chris Herndon, Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of White House Information Technology, addresses “Directing Cyber in the Trump White House”.

JROTC CADETS HONORED - APR 2018

JROTC cadets Scarlett Reyes and Mason Lamphier, center, are presented with Outstanding Cadet awards by the Sons of the American Revolution George Washington Chapter Awards Chair Jack Pitzer, left, and President Ernest Coggins April 14 at Belle Haven Country Club.

GWSAR GRAVE MARKING CEREMONY – 12 MAY 2018

Grave Marking Ceremony Honoring John Turpin Brooks, Joseph Dean, William McKnight and Dennis Ramsay - Patriots of the American Revolution - Presbyterian Meeting House Cemetery, Wilkes Street Complex, Alexandria, VA

WASHINGTON FRIENDS AND FOES - 3 MAY 2018

Mike Elston NSSAR National Trustee and VASSAR Immediate Past President GWC Jeff Thomas VASSAR Third V-P Fairfax Resolves Ernie Coggins GWC President Tom Roth VASSAR Historian, GWC Secretary Virgil “Pete” Farley GWC Newsletter Editor Bill Bland GWC Jack Coulter GWC

PATRICK HENRY COMMEMORATION - ST JOHNS CHURCH, RICHMOND MARCH 17, 2018

Hosted by the Richmond Chapter, VASSAR, this event commemorated the 243rd anniversary of Mr. Henry’s historic 1775 speech to the Virginia Convention at St. John’s Church, Richmond

CHAPTER MEETING – 10 MARCH 2018

10 March – Chapter Meeting at 11:30 a.m. at the Belle Haven Country Club, Alexandria, VA - Speaker: Edward G. Lengel — Washington, First Entrepreneur

GEORGE WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY PARADE - 19 FEB 2018

George Washington Chapter’s hallmark activities during the year - stepping off in the parade to honor the birth of George Washington.

OLD PRESBYTERIAN MEETING HOUSE. WREATH LAYING - 19 FEB 2018

An important and special remembrance associated with George Washington’s Birthday is the Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the Revolution. The purpose of the ceremony held at the Old Presbyterian Meeting House is to recognize and honor the soldiers of the American Revolution