May, 2019 George Washington Chapter in April "65Th Anniversary"
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George Washington Chapter Sons of the American Revolution Newsletter Visit us online at www.gwsar.org Volume 20, Issue 5 May, 2019 George Washington Chapter in April "65th Anniversary" The George Washington Chapter celebrated its 65th year on April 13, 2019 at the Mount Vernon Country Club in Alexandria, with over 70 compatriots and guests in attendance. The chapter was chartered on April 2, 1954 with 14 charter members. Today, the chapter has over 250 members and continues to grow. (April Con't on Page 4) George Washington Chapter Sons of the American Revolution ~ Alexandria, Virginia 1 Alexander Chapter, Regent, Sarah Henze; President’s Corner DAR Mount Vernon Chapter, Regent, Katy Compatriots: Kane; NSSAR, C.A.R.–SAR Relations Committee Chairman, Darrin Schmidt; April was a very busy Col. William Grayson Chapter President, month for the Chapter to Mike Weyler; and Fairfax Resolves include the George Chapter, Past-President, Ken Bonner. Washington Chapter’s Guests of honor included Fairfax County 65th Anniversary Police, Master Police Officer, Kevin Webb; celebration, laying a JROTC Cadet, 1st Lt. Tyler Herod, and the wreath at James Monroe’s beloved Julia Carr, wife of Bob Carr, Past- 261st Birthday Celebration Ceremony, a President of the GW Chapter who passed Law Enforcement Commendation last year. In total we had over 30 guests in Ceremony and recognizing two Security attendance to be part of our Anniversary Access Control Officers who rendered celebration. timely assistance to a compatriot’s wife and were recognized with the Outstanding Notable George Washington Chapter Citizenship Award. Yep, we had a very Leaders included Past-VASSAR President busy month, so let’s get to the details. & GW Chapter Past President’s, Larry Lisle (1996-1997/1986) and Don Reynolds GW Chapter 65th Anniversary (2000-2001/1994); and GW Chapter Past- At the April 13th Chapter meeting we President’s Ernie Coggins (2018), Paul celebrated the 65th Anniversary of the Walden (2017), Dwight Whitney (2015) and George Washington Chapter representing David Walker (2009). These Chapter the founding and chartering of the Chapter Leaders, as well for those who couldn’t joining the Virginia Society on April 2, attend, represented the Chapter during 1954. We were honored to have 81 Chapter their respective tenures with distinction, members, SAR and DAR dignitaries and dedicating themselves to the goals and honored guests who joined us in the objectives of the Chapter, and for some, celebration at Mt. Vernon Country Club. performing as VASSAR President’s and, for a few, performing to the goals and objectives of positions at the National Society level. Please take a moment to reflect and recognize these compatriots for their outstanding service to the George Washington Chapter, the Virginia Society and for a few to the National Society. Thank you to all. The Chapter meeting had a true feel of celebration, given the mix of attendees, Pictured (2nd Left to Right): The Chapter was and a festive 65th Anniversary program to honored to have VASSAR 2nd Vice President, include dignitary greetings, 3 lively Jeff Thomas; NSSAR President General, Champaign toasts, having a 65th Warren Alter; DAR Kate Waller Barrett, Anniversary cake, distributing anniversary Regent, Claire Bennett and Virginia DAR Past coffee mugs and the playing of Happy Historian, Holly Lynne McKinley-Schmidt in Birthday by fifer Don Francisco. A good attendance. The Chapter was honored to receive time was had by all. greetings from each of these dignitaries. As a note, the anniversary celebration In addition, other notable DAR and SAR wouldn’t have been possible without the dignitaries included DAR Freedom Hill visionary, dedication and outstanding Chapter, Regent, Beth Boswell; DAR John (President's Corner Con't. Next Page) George Washington Chapter Sons of the American Revolution ~ Alexandria, Virginia 2 President’s Corner (Con't) Law Enforcement Commendation On April 11th, compatriot John Blair of the efforts of Chapter Vice President, Jay Henn; Public Safety Awards Committee presented Treasurer, Tom Roth; and DAR members three Fairfax County Police Officers – PFC Bonnie Henn and Claire Bennett. They Kelvin Catron, MPO Joseph Wallace and performed a magnificent job and I thank PFC Matthew Dobson with Law them for their hard work and efforts. Enforcement Commendation awards for James Monroe’s 261st Birthday their service in protecting the Mt. Vernon Celebration Ceremony community. Description of the morning On April 20th, the James Monroe Memorial events of September 8, 2018 follows. Foundation held its annual “On September 8, 2018, just before 11 a.m., commemoration of James Monroe's Mount Vernon patrol officer responded to a birthday at his recently reconstructed 9-1-1 stating that a man came into her birthplace in Colonial Beach, Virginia. In apartment and fired a handgun three times. PFC honor to James Monroe, twelve VASSAR Kelvin Catron arrived on scene just as the Chapters presented wreaths: Richmond, subject exited the apartment, noticed the subject George Mason, Col. William Grayson, was still holding the weapon in his right hand James Monroe, Richard Henry Lee, Fairfax and challenged the subject to stop and drop his Resolves, George Washington, weapon. The subject refused to drop the weapon. Rappahannock, Williamsburg, Thomas PFC Catron, while holding the subject at Nelson, Jr., Culpeper Minutemen, and Col. gunpoint radioed to responding officers to Fielding Lewis. Chapter President, Dave coordinate their arrival without creating a Thomas presented a wreath on behalf of crossfire situation. MPO Joseph Wallace was the the George Washington Chapter. Mr. G. second officer on scene and took cover while William Thomas, Jr., President of the James attempting to negotiate with the subject. PFC Monroe Memorial Foundation served as Matthew Dobson arrived on scene and escorted Master of Ceremonies, with VA State other residents out of the apartment building. Delegate, Margaret Ransone and Hon. The subject eventually surrendered after MPO Woody Hynson, Westmoreland County Wallace was successful using his negotiating Board of Supervisors offering their skills and was transported to INOVA Mount greetings. Peter Davenport, VASSAR Vernon Hospital due to his unusual mental President, was the keynote speaker and behavior. The actions of all these officers led to a discussed James Monroe's contribution to quick response and stabilization of the scene. history. Their cooperation and coordination ensured a Outstanding Citizenship Award peaceful resolution for everyone around as well On February 10, early on a very frigid as the safe apprehension of the subject without morning, Montebello Condominium incident.” (Photo on Pg. 14) resident Denise Bean (wife of GW Chapter compatriot Lisle Bean) misjudged the Next up is the last Chapter meeting before height of a high curb and fell outside of the summer break on May 11th, and the their building, suffering a tibia plateau National Memorial Day Parade on May fracture. Montebello Security Access 27th. For those compatriots who have Control (SAC) Officers SGT Robert Fischer interest in marching in the parade, please and Officer Samford Kwarteng came to her submit your necessary Agreement of aid and stayed with her until Fairfax Release forms to Mike Elston soonest. County Fire and Rescue arrived. Because of their extraordinary efforts, Paul Walden, Thank you, Board of Managers, and Montebello Dave Thomas resident, presented them with the President Outstanding Citizenship Award on April 23 at the Montebello Community Center. George Washington Chapter George Washington Chapter Sons of the American Revolution ~ Alexandria, Virginia 3 GW Chapter Meeting in April (con't) ABOVE--Clockwise--Claire & Garner Bennett; Rich Rankin & Pete Farley; Richard Rogers; Don Kellerman, Rich Rankin & Past President, David Walker. (Continued Next Page) President David R. Thomas: 703-583-8791 Vice President Jay M. Henn: 703-447-0820 Treasurer Thomas Roth, III: 703-739-8811 Secretary Richard Rankin: 703-538-5805 Registrar Richard Sherman: 301-654-6319 The George Washington Chapter was chartered in its present form on April 2, 1954. With over 245 members, it is Virginia’s largest SAR chapter. Meetings are held at 11:30 a.m. on the second Saturday of each month (June, July & August excepted) at the Belle Haven Country Club, 6023 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria, Virginia. Immediate Past President: Ernie Coggins: 703-241-2807 Ride Share: Members in need of a ride to a chapter meeting or a chapter sponsored event may contact the Amenities Committee Chairman, Don Reynolds, at (703) 765-4947. This newsletter is edited by Pete Farley. Inputs from chapter officers, committee chairmen, and fellow compatriots are always needed. Please send your inputs and comments to [email protected] or call 703-585-3163. George Washington Chapter Sons of the American Revolution ~ Alexandria, Virginia 4 GW Chapter Meeting in April (con't) Clockwise Above--JROTC awardee 1st Lt. Tyler Herod with family and Paul Walden; Nancy Kellerman and John Brigden; Public Service awardee Fairfax Co. Police, MPO, Kevin Webb with family and supervisor Lt. Camilla Stewart Right--PG Alter with Public Safety awardee MPO, Kevin Webb. Bottom Right--MPO, Kevin Webb with family. Tom Roth, GW Chapter Treasurer (Continued Next Page) George Washington Chapter Sons of the American Revolution ~ Alexandria, Virginia 5 GW Chapter Meeting in April (con't) Above--Applause for Tom Roth, Jay Henn's wife, Bonnie and standing at Above Top Right-- right,