Sgt Maj John Champe Chapter participated in three events at Graves Mountain Lodge

The Virginia SAR held an annual meeting of chapters from across Virginia on Saturday, April 18 at Graves Mountain Lodge in Syria, VA. Chapters attending were: Thomas Jefferson chapter from Charlottsville, Culpeper Minutemen Chapter (Host) from Culpeper, Fort Harrison Chapter from Harrisonburg, Col. Fielding Lewis Chapter from Fredericksburg, Col. William Grayson Chapter from Haymarket, Col. James Wood II Chapter from the Winchester area, and Sgt Maj John Champe Chapter from Loudoun County. The purpose of the multi-chapter meeting is to share information. future plans and fellowship.

Before the start of the meeting, Compatriots meet in front of the lodge to gather and bless Virginia soil. The soil is carried in an urn to the grave site of Virginia Patriots killed in the Battle of Waxhaws, or Buford's Massacre. Patriots killed at the Battle of Waxhaws were buried in a mass grave. Every year the President of Virginia SAR carries blessed Virginia soil to the mass grave and sprinkles the soil on the site.

During the multiple chapter meeting Sgt Maj John Champe Chapter President presented a summary of chapter accomplishments in 2026 and future plans through Independence Day. New Chapter member Chad Harris was inducted into SAR by VA President Darrin Schmidt.

Following the multiple chapter meeting a commemoration of Patriots Day was held. Patriots Day is the commemoration of the first battle of the Revolution when Patriot forces met British regulars marching from Boston to Lexington and Concord. SMJC Chapter member Ken Bonner acted as Color Guard Commander, SMJC President Barry Schwoerer participated in a blackpowder flintlock volley.

For more information on the Loudoun County based Sgt Maj John Champe Chapter visit our website at johnchampe-sar.org/