Local News
Colonel James Wood II Chapter conducted a commemoration to General Daniel Morgan
On 18 June 2022, the Colonel James Wood II Chapter conducted a commemoration to General Daniel Morgan. The event was held at his gravesite in Mt Hebron Cemetery to commemorate Morgan’s contributions to the victory in the American Revolutionary War, beginning with the Bee Line March in August 1775.
After the battles of Lexington and Concord on 19 Apr 1775, the Second Continental Congress authorized 10 rifle companies to be recruited from local militia ranks. Two of these were to be from Virginia. Virginia answered the call to aid the Continental Army in June 1775.
The Berkeley County Riflemen, which mustered under Captain Hugh Stephenson in Mecklenburg on 21 June and a second, mustered under the command of Daniel Morgan from Frederick County at Winchester on 22 June. Morgan was chosen by a unanimous vote by the Committee of Frederick County to form one of these companies and became its commander. He recruited 96 men in 10 days and assembled them at Winchester on 14 July. His rifle company of marksmen was nicknamed “Morgan’s Riflemen”.
The long rifles used were more accurate and had a longer range than other firearms at that time, but took much longer to load. The company raised by Stephenson had planned to meet Morgan’s company in Winchester but found them gone. Morgan marched his men 600 miles to Boston in 21 Days, arriving on 6 Aug. Stephenson’s unit marched from Morgan’s Spring, arriving in Cambridge after 24 days on 11 August.
These marches became known as the Bee Line March. Both companies covered 600 miles in a relatively short period of time. Daniel Morgan would go on to experience one of the most adventurous paths among Colonial officers. He was taken prisoner at the Battle of Quebec on 31 December 1775 and paroled by the British in 1776. He returned to the Army to lead successful battles at Saratoga and the decisive victory at Cowpens in January 1781.
At the Cowpens, Morgan used tactics never before used in developing a double envelopment to encircle the British which resulted in the total destruction of one of the British elite units. The aftermath of the battle saw General Lord Cornwallis move his army to Yorktown and an eventual defeat at the hands of the colonial forces led by George Washington.
Participating for the Sons of the American Revolution were members of Colonel James Wood II (CJWII), Culpeper Minutemen (CMM), Fairfax Resolves (FR), General Daniel Morgan (GDM), George Mason (GM), George Washington (GW) and Sgt Maj John Champe (SJC) Chapters.
The Daughters of the American Revolution were represented by the Lanes Mill (LM) chapter. The ceremony was emceed by Dale Corey with chaplain duties presented by Rt Rev Larry Johnson.
Michael St Jacques of CJWII provided a presentation on the Bee Line March which was followed by a presentation of wreaths.
Ernie Coggins, 1st Vice President of the Virginia State Society presented greetings as well as a wreath for the State. John Petrie (CJWII), Bill Schwetke (CMM), Dave Cook (FR), Paul Parish (GDM), Ken Morris (GM), Richard Rankin (GW), and Ken Bonner (SJC) presented honors for the SAR chapters with Anita Bonner presenting for the DAR.
The color guard was a combined Virginia State guard. Brett Osborn commanded the Color Guard carrying the U.S., Virginia State, National Society SAR, and 250th Anniversary of the Revolutionary War flags. Ken Bonner led the Honor Guard carrying the various chapter flags. Marc Robinson was the commander of the sentinel squad.
A 15-man, three-round, musket salute to honor Daniel Morgan. Additional members of the color guard included Sean Carrigan, Paul Christensen, Jim Cordes, Pete Davenport, Thomas “Chip” Daniel, Kelly Ford, Doug Hall, John Petrie, Will Reynolds, Barry Schwoerer, and Mike St Jacques (all CJWII primary or dual members.)
Local News
Phase II of Greening-Up Skyline High School’s Section of Greenway Complete
The Front Royal community can now enjoy 30 newly planted native trees along the greenway in front of Skyline High School. With spring in full bloom, it’s the perfect time for a walk or run while admiring the hard work of local volunteers.
Front Royal’s Advisory Committee for Environmental Sustainability (ACES) recently completed Phase II of a multi-phase plan to enhance the Royal Shenandoah Greenway. This project focuses on “greening up” unused mowed spaces to create a more enjoyable recreational experience. Recognizing the high recreational use of the Eastham Park to Skyline High School to West Criser Road loop, ACES has worked tirelessly to convert open spaces into native canopies in front of Skyline High School.
Each year, ACES includes a student member who leads a project, and this year, Skyline High senior Christina Keresztesi oversaw the planting of 30 native trees, including Sycamores, Maples, and Redbuds. Christina managed the project from tree selection to volunteer recruitment and secured funding from the Front Royal Tree Stewards and the Beautification of Front Royal Committee. She organized everything precisely, ensuring the trees were planted under perfect weather conditions.
Christina, who will soon attend UVA, acknowledged how her ACES experience helped her get accepted into college: “Participating in community service projects and leading my own really helped me get accepted.”
These new trees offer much-needed shade for walkers and runners during the hotter months while making the greenway more beautiful for everyone. As volunteers planted the trees, passersby admired their work, offering congratulations and snapping photos.
The project wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of the Front Royal Tree Stewards, the Beautification of Front Royal Committee, the Department of Public Works, and dedicated volunteers. ACES is proud to contribute to Front Royal’s commitment to its Tree City USA designation and to create safe outdoor opportunities for the community. To learn more about ACES, visit their website or attend a monthly meeting held on the second Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the back of Vibrissa.
Local News
Congratulations to Skyline High School Seniors – Class of 2024
Royal Examiner presents the Skyline High School Class of 2024. Congratulations to these wonderful seniors on their hard work and deserved accomplishments! We wish you the best in your next big endeavors. Photos courtesy of Victor O’Neill Studios and Tolliver Studios, LLC.
If your Skyline senior is not listed, please send in their Name and Senior Picture to news@royalexaminer.com.
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Local News
Eastham Park Loop Enhanced with New Safety Measures for Pedestrians
Local News
POLICE: 7 Day FRPD Arrest Report 4/28/2024
Front Royal Police Department’s arrest report for the past 7 days:
Local News
VDOT: Warren County Traffic Alert for May 6 – 10, 2024
The following is a list of highway work that may affect traffic in Warren County during the coming weeks. Scheduled work is subject to change due to inclement weather and material supplies. Motorists are advised to watch for slow-moving tractors during mowing operations. When traveling through a work zone, be alert to periodic changes in traffic patterns and lane closures.
*NEW* or *UPDATE* indicates a new or revised entry since last week’s report.
INTERSTATE 66
*NEW* Mile marker 0 to 15, eastbound and westbound – Overnight alternating lane closures for pavement marking installations, 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. Monday and Tuesday nights.
*NEW* Mile marker 0 to 2, eastbound – Right shoulder closures for utility work, 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. through May 31.
*NEW* Mile marker 8 to 7, westbound – Right shoulder closures for sign work, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Mile marker 9 to 7, westbound – Overnight right lane closures at Shenandoah River bridge for utility work, 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Thursday night.
INTERSTATE 81
*UPDATE* Mile marker 299 to 300, northbound – Overnight alternating lane closures for overhead sign repairs, 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. Monday night.
Mile marker 299 to 300, northbound – Right shoulder closures for utility work, 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. through May 31.
Mile marker 299 to 300, northbound and southbound –Overnight lane closures and traffic-lane shifts as needed, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. through December 2024. Shoulder closures 24/7. Work zone speed limit: 55 miles an hour. Work is related to southbound acceleration ramp extension and bridge widening, with estimated completion in late 2024.
PRIMARY ROADS
*NEW* Route 55 (John Marshall Highway) – Flagger traffic control between Front Royal town limits and Route 647 (Dismal Hollow Road) for guardrail upgrades, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday (May 2) and Tuesday (May 7).
*NEW* Route 340 (Stonewall Jackson Highway) – Flagger traffic control between Route 674 (Limeton Church Road) and Route 607 (Rocky Lane) for pipe replacement, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 7 – May 14.
SECONDARY ROADS
Route 658 (Rockland Road) – Closed to through traffic between Route 340/522 (Winchester Road) and Route 705 (Fishnet Boulevard) for the construction of a bridge over Norfolk Southern Railway. Estimated completion December 2025.
Vegetation management may take place district-wide on various routes. Motorists are reminded to use extreme caution when traveling through work zones.
Traffic alerts and traveler information can be obtained by dialing 511 or at www.511Virginia.org.
Local News
VSP Investigating I-81 Dump Truck/Sheriff’s Vehicle Accident
The Virginia State Police are investigating a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 81 in Shenandoah County. The crash occurred Friday, May 3, at 5:46 a.m. at the Route 646 overpass at the 292-mile maker of I-81.
A 2005 Kenworth dump truck was traveling north on I-81 when the driver accidentally engaged the dump bed, which raised it and caused it to collide with the bridge overpass. The collision caused the dump bed to detach from the truck, slide backward, and land on a northbound 2022 Ford Explorer, which was driven by a Frederick County Sheriff’s deputy.
The dump truck driver, Gaylon R. Miller, 71, of Toms Brook, Va., was not injured in the crash. He was wearing his seatbelt.
The sheriff’s deputy suffered minor injuries and was transported to Winchester Medical Center for treatment.
Miller was charged with reckless driving.
(From a Release by the Virginia State Police)