Sons of the American Revolution celebrate the anniversary of Patrick Henry’s election as the 1st Independent Governor of Virginia

On 26 June 2021, the Colonel James Wood II (CJWII) Chapter, Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) participated in a commemoration ceremony to celebrate the anniversary of Patrick Henry’s election as the 1st Independent Governor of Virginia.

On 29 June 1776, Henry was elected for the first of five, 1-year terms as Governor.  He served from 1776-1778 and 1784-1786.  The event was held at the Governor’s Palace in Williamsburg, Virginia in front of 130 spectators.

Virginia State Color Guard at Present Arms. Photo courtesy of Tom Roth

CJWII dual member Ken Bonner reading Proclamation from Virginia Governor Ralph Northam. Photo courtesy of Tom Roth.

Members of CJWII l. to r. Ken Bonner, Dale Corey, Mike Dennis, Kelly Ford, Charles Jameson, and Thomas “Chip” Daniel. Photo courtesy of Thomas “Chip” Daniel.

Virginia Society President Jeff Thomas emceed the ceremony in concert with greetings and presentations made by President Jeff Thomas; Amy Ritchie, Community Affairs Manager of Colonial Williamsburg; President Roger Cross, Williamsburg Chapter; Dr. Kenneth Hawkins, Councilor Virginia Order, Founders and Patriots of America; and President Sara Cox, Virginia Children of the American Revolution (C.A.R.).

Proclamations were read proclaiming 26 June 2021 as Patrick Henry Day by Virginia SAR Color Guard Commander Ken Bonner and Caleb Rogers, Council Member City of Williamsburg.

A special appearance was made by Patrick Henry who then received wreath presentations and greetings from Paul cox (Colonel Fielding Lewis Chapter), Thomas “Chip” Daniel (CJWII), Charles Mills (Colonel William Grayson), Charles Jameson (Culpeper Minutemen), Dave Cook (Farfax Resolves), Ken Morris (George Mason), Tom Roth (George Washington), George Becket (James Monroe), Gary Hodges (Thomas Nelson, Jr), Stephen McGuffin (Williamsburg), Virginia Snyder Lee (Ann Wager, DAR), Kim Defibaugh (Williamsburg, DAR), Anna Cox (Colonel Alexander Spotswood, C.A.R.) and Justin Thomas (Colonel William Grayson, C.A.R.).

Additional Color Guard members included CJWII members Dale Corey, Kelly Ford, and Mike Dennis.