SAR participates in George Washington Birthday Parade

On February 20, 2023, the Colonel James Wood II Chapter of the Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution participated in the annual George Washington Parade, held in Alexandria, Virginia. The parade was sponsored by the George Washington Chapter and had over 4,000 participants march through the streets to a point near the Alexandria Masonic Temple.

Compatriots of the Virginia State Color Guard. (Photo courtesy of Dale Corey.)

Various Mason Chapters came from several areas to participate. The Virginia State Color Guard carried the National Colors to lead a major portion of the parade. This included compatriots from the Colonel James Wood II, Colonel William Grayson, Culpeper Minutemen, Jamestown and Fairfax Resolves Chapters carried the flags dressed in regimental attire. This unit was followed by the U.S. Army Fife and Drum Corps and then a procession of dignitaries from the local community and the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR).

The color guard carrying the colors, from left to right: Bill Schwetke, Chris Melhuish, Andrew Mills, Allan Phillips, Darrin Schmidt and Sean Carrigan. (Photo courtesy of Jerry Casper.)

SAR dignitaries included National Society Chancellor General Michael Elston, Mid-Atlantic Vice President General Peter Davenport and Virginia President Ernie Coggins. Also present was Children of the American Revolution Virginia Society President Will Elston.

Next was a contingent of SAR compatriots lead by Honor Guard Commander Joe Dooley. Included were members of the George Washington, Colonel James Wood II, Sgt Maj John Champe and George Mason Chapter. This was followed by a SAR float driven by Sgt Maj John Champe compatriot Warner Workman commemorating George Washington.

The SAR float celebrating George Washington with compatriots l. to r. Warner Workman, Steve Van Deusen, Dale Corey, Barry Schwoerer, Sean Carrigan and Paul Christensen. (Photo courtesy of Dale Corey.)

Additional Virginia Color Guardsmen participating included Sean Carrigan, Paul Christensen, Dale Corey, Allan Phillips, Will Reynolds, Richard Tyler and Will Weiss from Colonel James Wood II Chapter; Dave Cook, Forrest Crain and Darrin Schmidt from Fairfax Resolves; Bill Schwetke from Culpeper Minutemen; Andrew Mills from Colonel William Grayson; Ken Morris from George Mason and Barry Schwoerer from Sgt Maj John Champe.