Sergeant Major John Champe Chapter, Virginia SAR

Leesburg Independence Day Parade, with Compatriots (L-R) Mark Sink, Dave Welker, and Barry Schwoerer. Not pictured, but there, Ken Bonner, Steve Van Deusen, and Warner Worman .. the streets of Leesburg were full, the families and kids were having fun .. a great way to share our Patriotism with the community!

At DAR Constitution Hall for Defense Night, Saturday evening the 29th of June. Pictured (L-R) are past Chapter President Ken Bonner, good friend and Compatriot Teri Dioquino of the Florida DAR, past Chapter first lady Anita Bonner, Virginia SAR State President William Greaf, and his first lady Elizabeth Greaf.

In Regimental uniform with (L-R), Past Sgt Maj John Champe Chapter President Ken Bonner, and Bill Schwetke with the Culpeper Minute Men Chapter and past Virginia SAR State President. Taken during the National DAR Congress Friday evening the 28th of June, in support of the DAR/SAR/S.R. Relations Committee at their 'Sparkle in Service' expo. To Bonner's immediate right is his lovely wife Anita, Vice Chair of the Committee for the Eastern Division. Also joining us are Compatriot Vice Chairs to Anita's right, and past Texas SAR State President Bob Cohen on the far right of the picture.

Additional footage from the DAR Flag Raising Ceremony, and Virginia SAR Color Guard presentation of the colors. Chapter Past President Ken Bonner, joined by Bill Schwetke with the Culpeper Minute Men and Brett Osborn and Allen Phillips with the Col James Wood II Chapters, are pictured by National DAR President General Pamela Rouse Wright and her leadership on the C Street portico at DAR Headquarters in Washington, DC.

Compatriots, our Chapter - joined by members Brett Osborn and Allen Phillips of the Col James Wood II and Bill Schwetke of the Culpeper Minute Men Chapters - had the unique opportunity to present the colors at a Flag Raising Ceremony at DAR Headquarters ahead of the opening of their Continental Congress today.

The Virginia SAR Color Guard was invited to present the Colors during the unveiling ceremony of a Lafayette Trail Marker, at the Loudoun County Courthouse in Leesburg, Virginia this morning.

Joining Sgt Maj John Champe Chapter Compatriots Ken Bonner and Mark Sink was Steve Boulton with the Col Fielding Lewis Chapter of Fredericksburg, Virginia. Thank you Steve for your support this morning!

In addition to event sponsor, The Lafayette Trails, Inc., District VIII Virginia DAR Chapters, Loudoun VA250, the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, and the Consulat General de France a Washington were recognized for their contributions to organization and participation in this event.

Our program began at 10 am and 85 degrees and ended a little after 11 am and 93 degrees .. it was a hot one, but we were prepared with ample shade and cold water! As you can see, we were in our light weight uniform of the day, to ensure comfort.

Well done gentlemen!

Past Chapter President Ken Bonner presented our Chapter wreath during Leesburg's Memorial Day commemoration at the 'Spirit of Loudoun' statute, at the Loudoun County Courthouse Monday morning, the 27th of May. Pictured at center is Past President Bonner, joined by DAR Compatriots with the Ketoctin, Lane's Mill, and Mary Hemmings Bell Chapters, Virginia DAR. A special mention - Bonner's wife and Lane's Mill Regent Anita Bonner, is pictured third from left.

Our Chapter proudly led this year's Hamilton Memorial Day parade on Monday the 27th. Out in front, from left to right are Compatriots Mark Sink, Dave Welker, Jacob Schwoerer, and Steve Van Deusen. Following closely on Compatriot Warner Workman's SAR and Memorial Day - themed float are Chapter President Barry Schwoerer, Chaplain Jim Watts, and Virginia SAR 1st VP Mike Weyler. Also riding are Paula Schwoerer and Margaret Welker with the Virginia DAR!

After the parade, the float became a static display at Hamilton's Town Park, where children of all ages had a chance to ring the 'Liberty Bell,' and make 18th century period cork and feather 'darts.'

Lastly, President Schwoerer presented Hamilton Mayor Kenneth Wine with an SAR Flag Certificate for proper display and lighting of the National flag at the park entrance.

Huzzah!

Join Sergeant Major John Champe Chapter, Virginia SAR to hear from guest speaker George Washington, surveyor, as presented by Ryan Williams. This chapter meeting is taking place at Loudoun Museum on Saturday, May 25th at 11 am. It is free and open to the public!

Commemorating the 266th observance of James Monroe's birthday, at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond on Sunday the 28th of April. President Monroe was the last U.S. President who also was a Revolutionary War soldier.

The Sons of the American Revolution were well represented by former SAR Vice President General Peter Davenport, Virginia President William D. Greaf, and nine other Chapter Presidents and Past Presidents. Other Societies including the DAR, C.A.R., SR, and Society of the Cincinnati, also participated.

Past President Ken Bonner is pictured with the Chapter wreath in front of President Monroe's grave. Photo credit, Anita Bonner.

Commemorating the 236th anniversary of the signing of the United States Constitution, at the Loudoun Museum in Leesburg, Virginia this afternoon. We were also pleased to induct new Compatriot Dan Schluckebier - welcome to the SAR and our Chapter Dan!

The Sgt Maj John Champe Chapter, and co-host Fairfax Resolves Chapter, commemorated the 242nd occasion of Gen'l Anthony Wayne's crossing of the Potomac near Leesburg on May 31, 1781. The event was held at the 'Spirit of Loudoun' statute on the grounds of the historic Loudoun County Courthouse in Leesburg, Virginia. Thank you to Carl Loveland with the Fairfax Resolves for his excellent photography!

Chapter Color Guard members Barry Schwoerer (2nd from left), Ken Bonner (4th from left), and Mark Sink (6th from left) joined the Col James Wood II and Culpeper Minutemen Chapters, participating in an Honor Flight for about 75 veterans at the Ashburn Senior Center on Saturday morning the 29th of April. Photo courtesy of Michelle Phillips.

Taken after the annual CMM - hosted Multi-Chapter luncheon at Graves Mountain Lodge in Syria, VA on Saturday the 15th of April. SMJC Chapter participants Ken Bonner (3rd from left) and Barry Schwoerer (middle of formation), participated on behalf of the Chapter. Virginia SAR President Ernie Coggins is standing to Barry's left.

Chariots of Honor organized a parade of vehicles to honor World War II Veteran PFC Eli Linden to celebrate his 100th birthday. Mr. Linden fought in Europe immediately after the Normandy invasion, was wounded and later captured . He was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and French Legion of Honor. A parade of vehicles totaling one-hundred and thirty-two (132) rolling stock included seven (7) military vehicles, one (1) tractor, fifty-one (51) motorcycles, the SMJC Float, and sixty (60) trucks and cars including the Bat Mobile and a Dune Buggy. Participants included multiple Motorcycle organizations, WWII Jeeps, men in WWII era uniforms. The parade drove past Eli, his family and friends under the portico at his residence, Ashleigh at Lansdowne. The Sgt Maj John Champe Chapter, Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution was represented by a 22’ float decorated with WWII graphics, multiple flags, and an image that included Eli Linden when he was a young Private in the Army. Chapter President Ken Bonner and Vice President Barry Schwoerer rode on the float and rang a 1/3 size liberty bell for spectators and to honor Eli Linden. The float was towed by Chapter member, and float owner, Warner Workman and the Chapter Treasurer, Steve Riddle. Multiple VFW, and American Legion Posts participated as well as many other Veteran organizations. It was a very patriotic and moving event for a Veteran of WWII.

Following the parade of Vehicles the SMJC SAR Chapter team presented colors to open an indoor ceremony that commemorated Eli’s life and accomplishments during WWII. The indoor ceremony was conducted by Levi's son, Robert Linden. SMJC Chapter Ken Bonner presented the family a large image of Eli on the event announcement created by Chariots of Honor.

Our Chapter observed National Vietnam Veterans Day at the Loudoun County Courthouse grounds. This somber event was conducted at the memorial to 12 Loudoun County military killed in that war.

Among more than 60 participants and audience, we were joined by Leesburg Mayor Kelly Burk, Loudoun County Supervisors Michael R. Turner and Kristen C. Umstattd, and Loudoun County Sheriff Michael L. Chapman.

We partnered with two local VFW Posts; 1177 and 2001, and were joined by Stacy Bassett with the Ketoctin Chapter and Anne Ballinger of the Mary Hemmings Bell Chapter of the Virginia DAR. A combined SAR and VFW Color Guard presented the colors, and VFW1174 bugler Richard Burns rendered "Taps" at the conclusion of the program.

Our guest speaker was Judge Thomas D. Horne, who served as a Marine Corps JAG from 1969 - 1972, and more recently as a Circuit Judge from 1982 - 2013. We presented Judge Horne with a Certificate of Appreciation for his presentation.

Photos courtesy of Chapter Compatriot Rhett Wade.

The Virginia SAR was well represented at the Princeton Battlefield in New Jersey today!

Sharing some pictures from our Chapter meeting held today, Saturday the 22nd of October 2022.

A scenic and serene section of the Old Carolina Trail near our home in Loudoun County. This trail was used by armies, moving north and south, during the Revolutionary War. It was up this road that British prisoners of war were moved to camps in Wi******er, VA and Fort Frederick, MD, after the Battle of Yorktown in October, 1781.

Honoring our Chapter's namesake, Sgt Major John Champe during his grave marking at Prickett's Fort near Fairmont, WV, on Saturday, the 8th of October, 2022. We were very pleased to be joined by Virginia SAR President Bruce Meyer, and Regent Nancy Watford of the Ketoctin Chapter, Virginia DAR and Regent Barbara Channell of the Col Morgan Morgan Chapter, West Virginia DAR. A most sincere thanks to all who made the trip to honor this deserving Patriot of our Revolution!