Sgt Maj John Champe Chapter VA SAR participated in the SOUNDS OF 1776

The Sounds of 1776 was sponsored by the Camron Parish Chapter NSDAR with participation by: the Reverend John Marks Society (RJMS) Children of the American Revolution, several other Chapters of DAR, the Sgt Maj John Champe Chapter Virginia SAR, and the Culpeper Minutement Chapter VA SAR. Virginia SAR President Darrin Schmidt attended and gave remarks.

The Sgt Maj John Champe Chapter was the major Virginia SAR participant in the event at the Loudoun Farm Museum. The chapter led presentation and retirement of Colors with Barry Schwoerer as Color Guard Commander, David Welker with the U.S. Flag, Warner Workman with the Flag of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Landon Mertel (age 14) with the SAR 250 flag, Charles Jameson from Culpeper Minutemen Chapter with the SAR flag, Cindy Nichols from Camron Parish Chapter DAR with the DAR Flag and RJMS President Addison Vaughan with the C.A.R flag.

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Following presentation of colors, the Declaration of Independence was read by guest speaker Michael O'Connor. After the reading was complete, Warner Workman rang his 1/3 size Liberty Bell 13 times in commemoration of the first 13 States of the newly formed United States of America. Warner also deployed a desk with a signable copy of the Declaration of Independence. By the end of the day, two copies were nearly filled with signatures of visitors.

The chapter deployed their Patriots Chest with Craig Mastapeter entertaining visitors with a history of Loudoun County in the Revolution. Landon Mertel assisted at the Patriots Chest display as did Martin Gainey. Paula Schwoerer and Karla Gainey, both members of DAR, acted as camp followers.

At mid-way through the event the chapter conducted a three-shot firelock demonstration preceded by a presentation on Flintlock weapons of the Revolution and demonstration of the SAR pre and post-fire safety checks.

Highlights of the event were presentations of famous people of the Revolution. David Welker gave two first-person presentations of John Champe's experiences during the Revolution and he gave two first-person presentations of Daniel Morgan and his Riflemen. Warner Workman gave two first-person presentations of the Reverend John Marks. Marks was a vocal advocate for Revolution from his pulpit at Ketoctin Baptist Church near Purcellville. Portraying an officer in the Army of BGen Anthony Wayne, Barry Schwoerer gave two presentations on Anthony Wayne from the perspective of an officer in his command.

Charles Jameson from the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter gave two presentations on Billy Flora, a free African-Americanand hero of the Battle of Great Bridge. Charles also displayed a graphic of African-American Patriots during the Revolution.