Local SAR Chapter co-sponsors Stars, Stripes & Fall Delights

On November 10, the Loudoun County based Sgt Maj John Champe (SMJC)Chapter Sons of the American Revolution joined with several Chapters of Virginia Daughters of the American Revolution District VIII for an afternoon of events titled "Stars, Stripes and Fall Delights. The events were held at the Events Center at the Winery at LaGrange near Haymarket.

Participating for Sons of the American Revolution were the SMJC Chapter and Colonel William Grayson Chapter. For the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR): Providence Chapter, Elizabeth McIntosh Hammill Chapter, Phillis Wheatley Chapter, and Lanes Mill Chapter. District VIII Director Kimberly Scott participated. The Providence Society Children of the American Revolution also participated.

A Color guard composed of members of Sons, Daughters and Children of the American Revolution advanced and posted the colors to open the days events. Andrew Mills of the Colonel William Grayson (CWG) Chapter SAR was Color Guard Commander. Lead musket was Ken Bonner of the SMJC Chapter, carrying the Flag of the United States was CWG President Mike Wilson, Jack Mills of CWG carried the SAR 250 flag, Jim Watts of SMJC carried the SMJC flag, Shannon Combs-Bennett of the Prince William Resolves chapter DAR carried the DAR Flag, Grace Mills, applicant for Children of the American Revolution carried the DAR 250 flag, Jocelynn Wilson, President Providence Society C.A.R carried the Providence Society Flag, and Mark Sink, Vice President SMJC Chapter was trail musket. The National Anthem was played followed by reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.

After a short interval, a Missing Man Table ceremony was conducted. To open the ceremony the POW/MIA flag was solemnly advanced and posted by an honor guard consisting of lead musket: Mark Sink, POW/MIA flag: Mike Wilson, Trail musket: Ken Bonner. The POW/MIA flag was posted next to the Missing Man Table. The ceremony for the Missing Man Table with the POW/MIA Flag was held to commemorate veterans who are missing, or unaccounted for. We cannot shake their hands to thank them for their service, or visit their graves to lay a wreath or place a flag. The ceremony describes each item on the round table covered with a white tablecloth with a single empty chair. Barry Schwoerer, President SMJC Chapter was narrator for the Missing Man Table ceremony.

A small team performed a skit commemorating the 250th Anniversary of the First Continental Congress held September 5 to October 26, 1774 at Carpenters Hall, Philadelphia. The skit was a discussion summarizing the accomplishments of the Congress between President Peyton Randolph of Virginia (Played by Don McAndrews, CWG Chapter SAR), and secretary Charles Thomson of Philadelphia (Played by Ken Bonner SMJC Chapter SAR). James Watts, SMJC Chapter read an impactful prayer by Reverend Jacob Duché and Michael Wilson, CWG Chapter read a letter written by John Adams to his wife,Abigail, describing how impactful the prayer was to all delegates. Jocelynn Wilson played a servant girl when she delivered coffee (no tea) and cakes to President Randolph and Secretary Thomson. Mark Sink, SMJC Chapter, as Patrick Henry made cameo appearances to restate remarks which stimulated the delegates at the First Continental Congress and at the 2nd Virginia Convention where his "Give me Liberty or Give me Death" was presented. Shannon Combs-Bennett, Prince William Resolves Chapter DAR, portrayed Hannah Thomson when she brought news of ladies in Edenton, North Carolina who convened their own association to debate and send a letter to the Parliament protesting the Intolerable Acts and declaring to Boycott English goods imported to the Colonies.

With the 249th Birthday of the United States Marine Corps on November 10, a USMC Cake cutting ceremony was held. The Marine Corps hymn was played to open the ceremony. USMC Veteran Captain William Gazes read the 13th Commandant's message to the Corps then used his Mameluke sword to cut the cake. The first piece of cake was presented to the guest of honor, Kimberly Scott, Director Virginia DAR District VIII. The second piece of cake was presented to the oldest Marine present, USMC Veteran Gunnery Sergeant Mark Sink. Gunnery Sergeant Sink then presented the 2nd piece to the youngest Marine present, Marine Veteran Staff Sergeant Caitlin Gedney-Ray. The Narrator for the USMC Birthday Cake cutting ceremony was Mike Watson, Commander, United States Coast Guard (Retired). At the end of the ceremony Commander Watson reminded the crowd that November 11 was Veterans Day and asked everyone to remember all veterans of our military services.

Multiple organizations presented displays of items related to the history of Prince William County, the American Revolution, and Virginia. Included were: The Prince William County Virginia 250th anniversary committee, Daughters and Sons of the American Revolution. Mrs. Paula Schwoerer of the Elizabeth McIntosh Hammill Chapter DAR raffled two patriotic quilts.