Sons of the American Revolution celebrate George Washington’s birthday

On February 22, 2021, the Colonel James Wood II (CJWII) Chapter of the Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) participated in a commemoration to celebrate George Washington’s Birthday. George Washington was born at his family’s plantation on Popes Creek in Westmoreland County, Virginia, on February 22, 1732, to Augustine and Mary Ball Washington.

The combined color guard from left to right: Bill Schwetke, Dale Corey, Dave Cook, Pat Kelly, Mike Dennis, Mike Weyler and Dennis Parmerter.

For his birth date, there are two dates, February 22, 1732, and February 11, 1731. Both dates are correct. At his birth, Great Britain and its empire used the Julian calendar developed in in 46 B.C. by Julius Ceaser. It had three too many leap days every 400 years and the year began March 25th. The Catholic Church corrected the error in the 1582, implementing the Gregorian Calendar, skipping 10 days and starting the year on January 1st. Great Britain and her colonies were not catholic, and therefore did not adopt the new calendar. In 1751, Britain joined the majority of countries in the world and adopted the Gregorian Calendar. This created the change from February 11 to 22 for Washington’s Birthday.

An extraordinary figure in American history, Washington was an ordinary man. He possessed a wry sense of humor, and, like his wife Martha, tried to resist the vanities of public life. An unenthusiastic political leader, Washington nevertheless recognized his unique and symbolic role in keeping a fledgling nation together. He was keenly aware of setting unwritten rules of conduct for future presidents and struggled over what sort of image a president should project. He preferred one of dignity and humility.

Upon leaving office, Washington returned to Mount Vernon and indulged his passion for the rural life as a member of the Virginia planter class. Washington died on December 14, 1799, of a severe respiratory ailment. He identified himself in his will as George Washington, of Mount Vernon, a citizen of the United States.

The ceremony was conducted in Culpeper and emceed by Charles Jameson, President of the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter of the SAR. A combined color guard from the Culpeper Minutemen (CMM), Colonel James Wood II, Fairfax Resolves (FR), Thomas Jefferson (TJ), George Mason (GM) and Colonel William Grayson (CWG) SAR Chapters presented the colors. Excerpts from Washington’s farewell address were recited by various individuals and the presentation on George Washington by Tom Hamill.

Participating from the CJWII Chapter were Sean Carrigan, Dale Corey, Thomas “Chip” Daniel and Dennis Parmerter. Other SAR compatriots included Dave Cook (FR), Mike Dennis (CMM), Pat Kelly (TJ), Ken Morris (GM), Bill Schwetke (CMM) and Mike Weyler (CWG).