Patriotic Pomp and Pageantry: Celebrating Independence Day in Virginia

Virginia buzzed with a special kind of patriotic fervor on July 4th, 2023, as societies of American Revolution descendants gathered to honor the nation’s birth. The day was marked by momentous readings of the Declaration of Independence, a parade, and other commemorative activities organized by the Colonel James Wood II (CJW) Chapter of the Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution and other esteemed societies.

Readers of the Declaration of Independence at the Walking Mall, Winchester, l. to r. Dale Corey, Susan Lauren, Chip Daniel, Cheryl Dyksen, Patrick Moore, Sharyn Gaither, Robert Garret, Catherine Collins, Richard Tyler, Alexandra Collins, Richard Collins, Brian Bayliss, and Sean Carrigan. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Neal Gaither, MD)

The morning festivities kicked off on the Walking Mall in Winchester, where the CJW Chapter joined forces with the Fort Loudoun Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Laurence Augustine Washington Society, Children of the American Revolution. Thirteen readers, including Dale Corey, Susan Lauren, and Thomas “Chip” Daniel, delivered a passionate reading of the Declaration of Independence. The ceremony served as a reminder of the 56 signers who risked everything for independence from Great Britain. Dale Corey emceed the event while Chip Daniel performed chaplain duties. The event concluded with a heart-stirring rendition of “God Bless America.”

SAR at Culpeper reading of the Declaration of Independence, l. to r. Charles Jameson, Sean Carrigan, Mike Dennis, Chip Daniel, Tom Hamill, George Washington (portrayed by Steve Hawkins), Ernie Coggins, Dale Corey, Bill Schwetke, and Mark Crain. (Photo courtesy of Bill Schwetke.)

Following the Winchester event, a subset of the group, including Sean Carrigan, Dale Corey, and Chip Daniel, traveled to Culpeper to participate in another reading of the Declaration. The Culpeper Minutemen Chapter sponsored the reading at the Charters of Freedom in Yowell Meadow Park. Distinguished attendees included Virginia Society President Ernie Coggins, Mayor Frank Reaves, Jr., and Chairman Gary Deal, Culpeper County Board of Supervisors. The ceremony concluded with a rousing musket salute by the Virginia State SAR Musket Squad.

Participants in the Middletown Parade, l. to r. Richard Tyler, Marshal DeHaven, Ernie Coggins, Jim Simmons, Chip Daniel, Marc Robinson, Jim Cridge, Dale Corey, Sean Carrigan, Patrick Moore, and Doug Hall. (Photo courtesy of Chip Daniel.)

Afterward, the CJWII members joined the Middletown, Virginia, 4th of July Parade. They honored veterans from the Revolutionary War to the Korean War and modern military by riding with the Korean War Association Veterans. Virginia Society President Ernie Coggins also joined the ride.

The day’s activities served as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by the nation’s forefathers and the enduring importance of independence. From stirring readings of the Declaration to a patriotic parade, the descendants of American Revolution heroes in Virginia ensured that the legacy of America’s birth lives on, deeply rooted in the hearts of all present.