Sons of the American Revolution participate in multi-grave marking ceremony

On May 15, 2021, sixteen compatriots from the Colonel James Wood II Chapter of the Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) participated in a multi-grave marking ceremony at the Ebenezer Church in Bluemont, Virginia. This event celebrated the patriotic service of Lieutenant Samuel Butcher, Sr, Private Nathaniel Carpenter, Private Enoch Furr, Private James Grady, Sr and Private Stephen Thatcher during the American Revolutionary War. It is not definite how many Virginians fought during the war, but there are almost 5,000 known patriot graves in the State.

Virginia State Color Guard at Present Arms during the Pledge of Allegiance. Photo/Tom Roth

Lieutenant Butcher and Private Thatcher were militia men with Private Carpenter, Private Furr and Private Grady serving in the Continental Army. All five provided service in the birth of the country.

This ceremony was co sponsored by the Colonel William Grayson and Fairfax Resolves Chapters with support from 10 SAR Chapters, seven Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Chapters and two Children of the American Revolution (C.A.R.) Societies. Thirteen patriots from the Revolutionary War and 24 patriots from the War of 1812 were recognized in a plaque dedication to these men buried at the Ebenezer Church Cemetery.

Wreaths were presented by Jeff Thomas, President Virginia Society SAR; Paul Walden, President Society of the War of 1812 (Virginia) and Mike Taimi, the Order of the Founders and Patriots of American, Virginia Society. SAR Chapters presenting wreaths included Ross Schwalm, President the Colonel William Grayson; Forrest Crain, Vice President, Fairfax Resolves; Will Reynolds, Colonel James Wood II; Ken Morris, President George Mason; Harley Stewart, Past President Williamsburg; Charles Jameson, President Culpeper Minutemen; Robert Bruce, Historian Norfolk; Paul Cox, Colonel Lewis Fielding; Doug Schwetke, Major K. M. Zandt (Texas) and Marty Keesecker, 2nd Vice President West Virginia SAR/President General Adam Stephens (West Virginia) Chapters.

Wreath presentation to honor patriots. Photo/Tom Roth

The DAR was represented by Paula Schwoerer, Elizabeth McIntosh Hamill; Anita Bonner, Lane’s Mill; Kecia Dyer Brown, Regent Ketoctin; Melinda Colasserd, Montpelier; Trisha Phillips-Holbert, Regent Fairfax County and Marlyn Keesecker, First Vice Regent Pack Horse Ford Chapters.

The Virginia State C.A.R. represented by Sarah Cox, President State Society; Anna Cox, First Vice President Colonel Alexander Spotswood and Justin Thomas, Second Vice President Colonel William Grayson Societies.

The Virginia State Color Guard was led by Commander Ken Bonner. Guardsmen included Andrew Miles, Sean Carrigan, Paul Christensen, Dale Corey, Dave Cook, Thomas “Chip” Daniel, Mike Dennis, Leamon Duncan, Steve Englebright, Fred Gill, Doug Hall, Charles Jameson, Marty Keesecker, Brett Osborn, Dennis Parmerter, Nathan Poe, Allan Phillips, Will Reynolds, Marc Robinson, Bill Schwetke, Doug Schwetke, Barry Schwoerer and Jacob Schwoerer.

Combined Virginia State Color Guard, Musket Squad and C.A.R. Representatives. Photo/Anita Bonner