George Washington Chapter Celebrates 65th Anniversary
By Mary Wadland
ALEXANDRIA, VA-The George Washington Chapter celebrated its 65th year on April 13, 2019 at the Mount Vernon Country Club in Alexandria, with over 70 compatriots and guests in attendance. The chapter was chartered on 2 April 1954 with 14 charter members. The chapter today has over 250 members and continues to grow.
Chapter Vice President Jay Henn served as Master of Ceremonies. The event began with a Junior ROTC Bronze Medal presented to Cadet 1LT Tyler Herod, a student at Mount Vernon High School. The SAR Law Enforcement Medal was then awarded to Officer K.C. Webb with the Fairfax Police Department. Two new members were inducted by President General Warren Alter: John Easely and Michael West. During the ceremony, guests were serenaded by the talented Sgt. Don Francisco, fifer at the Mount Vernon Estate. After luncheon, greetings were brought by SAR President General Warren Alter, Virginia Society SAR 2nd Vice President Jeff Thomas, and by Kate Waller Barrett DAR Regent Claire Bennett.
Sons of the American Revolution President General Warren Alter addresses the meeting. (Photo: Paul Walden)
The guest speaker was Holly Lynn McKinley Schmidt, Virginia DARHistorian, whose topic was “Children of the American Revolution-Training Tomorrow’s Leader”
The Sons of the American Revolutionwas founded in 1889 which also marked the 100th anniversary of George Washington taking the oath of office of the President of the United States. The charter was established by an Act of Congress and signed on 9 June 1906 by SAR Compatriot President Theodore Roosevelt. It is the largest male lineage society in the U.S. and consists of 50 societies with more than 500 local chapters, several international societies with over 33,000 members. Prominent members have included sixteen U.S Presidents, Winston Churchill, and King Juan Carlos I of Spain. All members have proven descent from either someone who provided military service during the Cause for Independence, or provided material or financial support to the cause. Patriot ancestors are both male and female. The objects of our society are to be patriotic, historical and educational.
Mary Wadland is the Publisher and Editor in Chief of The Zebra Press, founded by her in 2010. Originally from Delray Beach, Florida, Mary is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Hollins College in Roanoke, VA and has lived and worked in the Alexandria publishing community since 1987.
