Dedication ceremony to rename bridges over the Shenandoah River

On November 19, 2022, the Colonel James Wood II Chapter of the Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution co-sponsored with the Shenandoah Christian Alliance a ceremony to dedicate the renaming of the bridges over the Shenandoah Rivers. The bridges were renamed to honor Major General D. Joseph Warren and Brigadier General Daniel Morgan.

The members and dual members of the Colonel James Wood II Chapter, standing left to right: Brett Osborn, Will Reynolds, Erick Moore, Bill Schwetke, Mike Dennis, Larry Johnson, Marc Robinson, Jim Cordes, Dave Cook, Jim Simmons, Barry Schwoerer, Tom Reed, Patrick Moore, Dale Carpenter and Kelly Ford. Kneeling left to right: Chip Daniel, Ken Bonner, Richard Tyler, Charles Jameson, Dale Corey, Sean Carrigan, Mike St Jacques and Ernie Coggins. (Photo courtesy of Anita Bonner.)

The bridge over the South Fork was renamed for Warren, who was killed in the Battle of Breeds Hill (the Battle of Bunker Hill) on June 17, 1775, the battle that was the beginning of the Revolutionary War. Warren was instrumental in early efforts to organize rebellion against British actions leading up to the Revolution. He authored the Suffolk Resolves, which protested the Intolerable Acts. It became in large part, the basis for the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.

The bridge over the North Fork was renamed for Morgan, who at the beginning of the Revolution, recruited Morgan’s Rifles and fought at various times throughout the war. He was instrumental in patriot victories at the Battles of Saratoga and Cowpens. The Cowpens victory in January 1781 as a follow up to the patriot victory at Kings Mountain in October 1780, began the downfall of the British Southern Campaign. He died in Winchester and is buried in Mount Hebron Cemetery.

The color guard, left to right: Ken Bonner, Richard Tyler, Patrick Moore and Bill Schwetke. (Photo courtesy of Dale Corey)

The ceremony was held at Riverton United Methodist Church in Front Royal and attended by multiple local county and state representatives. Pastor Allan Morrison emcee’d with Pastor Marc Roberson providing an invocation. The colors were posted by the Virginia State Color Guard, led by Brett Osborn of the Colonel James Wood II Chapter. The Pledge of Allegiance and National anthem were led by members of the Dominion Ridge Academy. Greetings were presented by Colonel James Wood II Chapter President Thomas “Chip” Daniel and Virginia SAR President Bruce Meyer.

Presentations on Daniel Morgan (Mike St Jacques) and Joseph Warren (Christian Di Spigna) followed by recognition and awards given to individuals who were responsible for the dedication ceremony. A musket salute was provided by the Virginia State Musket Squad, followed by a rifle salute from the American Legion Post 77 of Strasburg, Virginia.

The Musket Squad firing a salute in front of the Strasburg American Legion Post 77 rifle squad.

Participants from the Virginia SAR included Dale Carpenter, Sean Carrigan, Dale Corey, Chip Daniel, Kelly Ford, Larry Johnson, Erick Moore, Patrick Moore, Tom Reed, Will Reynolds, Marc Robinson, Mike St Jacques and Richard Tyler from Colonel James Wood II Chapter, Dave Cook and Jim Cordes from Fairfax Resolves Chapter, Mike Dennis, Charles Jameson and Bill Schwetke from Culpeper Minutemen Chapter, and Ken Bonner and Barry Schwoerer from Sgt Maj John Champe Chapter. The Virginia Society was further represented by Ernie Coggins (1st Vice President) George Washington Chapter  and Mike Weyler (3rd Vice President) Colonel William Grayson Chapter.