Virginia Bulletin. Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution Volume XXXVIII No. 4 GREAT BRIDGE REMEMBERED

Transcription

1 On-line Virginia Bulletin Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution Volume XXXVIII No. 4 GREAT BRIDGE REMEMBERED The Commemoration of the Battle of Great Bridge by the National and Williamsburg Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Great Bridge Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution was held on December 6, 2014 at Great Bridge, Chesapeake. In the battle, which took place December 9, 1775, Virginia and North Carolina Patriots defeated British regulars and Loyalist troops, which led to the expulsion of British government from Virginia. In an attempt to break up the Whig gathering, Dunmore ordered an attack across the bridge, which was decisively repulsed. William Woodford, the Patriot commander at the battle, described it as "a second Bunker's Hill affair". - Lew De Seif, Williamsburg Chapter (L-R) Wayne Rouse, Past President, Co. Fielding Lewis Chapter SAR, Caroline Fox, President, Cavalier Chapter Children of the American Revolution, Sylvia Ryder, Regent, Princess Anne Chapter DAR, Harley Stewart, Secretary, Williamsburg Chapter SAR, Lindsey Brock, President General, National Society SAR, Emily Holmes, Regent, Great Bridge DAR

2 Compatriots, FROM THE GUEST EDITOR S DESK I began Revolutionary War reenacting in 1989 and was active until age began to catch up with me. Now, my participation is confined to living history activities which has allowed me to keep a hand in the hobby. Years ago when I was first getting my uniform and equipment together, my sergeant told a group of us recruits that a clown dresses up and in order for us to become real reenactors and to avoid being clowns, we needed to learn the drill and unit history, to become knowledgeable about our uniform, uniform kit, and weapons. He said that real Revwar reenactors knew not only about the history of war but also about the colonial time period, and learned about the living conditions of soldiers and civilians. Real reenactors could properly erect a tent and lay out an authentic campsite. We were encouraged to read history, visit Revolutionary War era sites including battlefields, forts, historical villages and towns such as Colonial Williamsburg or Old Salem, North Carolina. In order to get a feel for what we represented, we were to walk the streets of the reconstructed colonial towns and visit the buildings; to walk the battlefields to get an idea of terrain, distances, and obstacles the soldiers encountered and; we were to help prepare meals on the campfire to understand what they ate and drank. While I acknowledge that most SAR members are not going to participate in reenacting or living history activities, as descendents of American patriots, it is important for us who have elected to join a heritage organization to learn as much as possible about the period of the American Revolution. I recommend that we all learn about our Revwar ancestor beyond his bare vital statistics. It can be done by reading pension statements which may mention the ancestor or the events in which he participated. Read the histories of the military units in which he was a member and the engagements in which he was a participant. If your ancestor rendered patriotic service rather than military service, learn about the civilian, social, and political side of the war and the challenges those patriots faced. Read about the history of the colonial time period and the American War for Independence in books and journals. Visit National and state parks devoted to the era of the American Revolution and take time to read the display information and not just walk past it. Walk the battlefields for a fuller understanding of the action which occurred there and don t just look at the monuments - read the information they contain. As members of a national patriotic and heritage organization, it is important for us to remember the words of historian Brue Catton: We are people to whom the past is forever speaking. We listen to it because we cannot help ourselves, for the past speaks to us with many voices. Far out of that dark nowhere, which is the time before we were born, men who were flesh of our flesh and bone of our bone, went through fire and storm to break a path to the future. We are part of the future they died for. They are part of the past that brought the future. What they did the lives they lived, the sacrifices they made, the stories they told and the songs they sang and finally, the deaths they died take up a part of our own experience. We cannot cut ourselves off from it. It is as real to us as something that happened last week. It is a basic part of our heritage as Americans. I am extremely proud to be a SAR compatriot and hope you will consider the above suggestions to help you enhance your knowledge of the American War for Independence and, in turn, your pride as a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. Your Servant, Bob Vogler Colonel George Waller Chapter, VASSAR Bob Vogler 2

3 VASSAR OFFICERS President Bill Broadus Brandon Way Manassas, VA nd Vice President Ed Truslow 110 Moray Firth Williamsburg, VA Secretary & Asst. Treasurer Wayne Rouse 71 Hope Springs Lane Stafford, VA Chancellor Eric Monday 936 Mulberry Road Martinsville, VA Chaplain Rev. Howell Sasser Artery Lane Fairfax, VA Surgeon Dr. Ken Wallenborn 700 Rugby Road Charlottesville, VA Alt. National Trustee Kent Webber 9405 Delancey Drive Vienna, VA Asst. Registrar Mike Taimi Springstone Drive Clifton, VA st Vice President Reverdy Wright 705 Circle Drive Blacksburg, VA rd Vice President Mike Elston PO Box 336 Lorton, VA Treasurer Rick Elofson 21 Paula Maria Drive Newport News, VA Registrar Jack Sweeney 6485 Topsails Lane Springfield, VA Historian Larry Aaron 185 Martindale Drive Danville, VA National Trustee Phil Williams 841 W. Leigh Drive Charlottesville, VA Asst. Secretary Bob Carr 8718 Bradgate Court Alexandria, VA Asst. Chaplain Rev. Roy Martin 317 Congers Lane Massanutten, VA

4 BATTLE OF KEMPS LANDING - SCOTT AIKEN On the cold but sunny Saturday morning of November 15, 2014, Norfolk Chapter sponsored a commemoration of the Battle of Kemps Landing. This was an important precursor action that occurred on November 15, 1775, further setting events in motion for the Battle of Great Bridge that would occur the following month. Although the assembled Patriot militia was routed at Kemps Landing, the action within present-day Virginia Beach, Virginia, set the conditions for the complete, violent elimination of Royal authority in Virginia. During the battle, militia companies from Princess Anne County assembled near Kemps Landing to counter regular British troops under the command of Virginia s last colonial governor, John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore, that had landed at nearby Great Bridge. Dunmore was investigating reports of Patriot troop arrivals from North Carolina, rumors that turned out to be false. When he heard of activity by the Princess Anne militia, he marched to Kemps Landing and unfortunately defeated the Patriots attempt at an ambush. Encouraged, Dunmore followed up this quick victory with a reading of his proclamation, declaring martial law and promising freedom to slaves belonging to Patriot owners, if they served in the British military. This proclamation soon increased popular opposition to his activities, and such opposition eventually led to him being forced to leave Virginia, by way of a good dose of Patriot gunpowder at Great Bridge. This year s commemoration occurred at the Virginia Historical Marker for Kempsville at the Emmanuel Episcopal Church. Col. Scott Aiken, master of ceremonies, described the battle and its significance, and spoke to the perils of the ambush in combat. Representatives of Norfolk Chapter SAR and District I VADAR laid wreaths. Mr. James Carver, vestry member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Norfolk compatriots, and members of Lynnhaven Parish, Ft. Nelson, and Great Bridge NSDAR chapters participated in the brief ceremony. Dr. Tom Whetstone, President, Norfolk Chapter SAR James Carver - member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church Vestry, Nancy Miller, District I Director VADAR 4

5 DEDICATION OF COLONEL JOHN JAMESON BOULEVARD - BILL SCHWETKE Six Culpeper Minutemen Chapter (CMM) members and two wives attended the dedication of Col John Jameson Boulevard in Culpeper on December 24. The near freezing drizzle abated and, though it was still quite cold, there was a good turnout of about fifty people for the dedication of the new.61 mile long boulevard with three roundabouts that will greatly improve the traffic flow on the northeast side of Culpeper. The CMM Color Guard provided the colors for the ceremony and CMM President Bill Schwetke presented a short biography of Col Jameson for the program. The new boulevard is named for John Jameson, a captain and company commander in the 1775 Culpeper Minutemen, and later Colonel in the Continental Army. Those attending were Past President Larry Alexander and his wife Beverly, Past VASSAR President Jim Bayne, Chaplain Len Cowherd, Treasurer Don Jennings, CMM Color Guard Commander Lon Lacey, President Bill Schwetke and his wife Cat. President Schwetke s remarks: (L-R) Culpeper Mayor Michael T. Olinger, CMM Treasurer Don Jennings, CMM Past President Larry Alexander, CMM Color Guard Commander Lon The man who we honor in naming this boulevard, Lacey, CMM President Bill Schwetke John Jameson, was born in Essex County in 1751 and was an educated man, a graduate of The College of William and Mary. He settled in Culpeper County and in 1775 he was serving the king as the Clerk of Culpeper County, but he also was elected by the citizens of Culpeper County to be a member of the Committee of Safety, dedicated to organizing resistance to the abuses of King George III. When the Virginia Convention called for the formation of militia battalions able to respond in a minute, one such battalion was formed from the citizens of Orange, Culpeper & Fauquier Counties and named the Culpeper Minute Men. John Jameson answered that call and was elected one of the captains commanding a company of the Culpeper Minute Men. In December of that year Captain Jameson led his company in the battle at Great Bridge where Continental forces, including the Culpeper Minute Men, defeated the British and denied them control of Virginia. Because of this victory General Washington was able to freely shift forces between the northern and southern colonies, reap the harvest of Virginia agriculture to feed his army, and recruit many worthy soldiers from the men of Virginia. Captain Jameson remained in military service rising in 1777 to the rank of major in the Continental Light Dragoons. He fought at Brandywine and was at Valley Forge with General Washington. He was wounded in a skirmish at Valley Forge, but recovered and continued to serve, eventually rising to the rank of colonel. In 1780 forces in Col Jameson's command captured the British spy Major Andre who was in disguise. They discerned the true nature of Major Andre and thwarted the traitor Benedict Arnold s plan to betray the strategic fortress at West Point to the British. After the war Col Jameson returned Culpeper County and was elected Clerk of Culpeper County, remaining in that position for the rest of his life. He married Elizabeth Davenport, raised a family, and prospered as a free man. Today we have our liberty, won for us by the valor of many such as Col Jameson. It is our privilege to gather to dedicate this boulevard in his honor. 5

6 THE BELFIELD VIRGINIA FAMILY - TENTH GENERATIONS OF HISTORY BY BUD DISNEY Joseph Belfield ( ) was a Royal Navy ship s surgeon based in Devonshire England. As a young man, he begins to hear stories and tales of the New World English colonies and find them exciting. He foresees adventure and success in a faraway place with lots of land, productive plantations, even wild Indians. He could have his own property, build a home, start a family, and grow crops for both subsistence and sale at market. He could have his own cattle, pigs, and chickens. He knew it would be hard work and often tiring, but it would be worth it all. Joseph makes the decision to go after his dream and then goes about the practical business of preparation. He locates persons who could find passage for him and writes letters to those who could assist him when he arrives. Contacts in the colonies and friends in the Royal Navy speak highly of Virginia, so he sails across the Atlantic to the colonies and up the Rapppahanock River to Richmond County, Virginia. His first order of business is to go to the land office, study the maps, and review information regarding plots of land for sale. After a thorough analysis, he chooses a plot of 550 acres in Richmond County, which he purchases from Lord Fairfax and Lady Culpepper. Joseph works hard, learns farming, and builds a Manor house in record time. He builds a church for the local people, as a generous and good Christian. He takes the next step as a man looking to the future and gets married to a lovely local woman, Francis Wright. In a year she passes but not before they have a son, Thomas Wright Belfield. He marries again to Mary Lane, but she becomes ill and passes. Joseph, with determination and sadness, keeps his faith in God and remarries again, this time to Elizabeth Dozier, Belford Manor House, by Bill Martz Joseph, now returns to his career as a surgeon along with the responsibility of the plantation. He does well in the medical field and soon becomes the doctor for Robert Carter, one of the wealthiest and largest landowners in the colonies. Joseph, a man of faith, believes that all persons, slave or free, should be treated if ill. However, the planation superintendent disagrees with the treatment of slaves and unjustly fires him. That does not stop Joseph from pursuing his duties as a doctor. In fact, he signs his will John Belfield, Surgeon. Joseph sends his son, Thomas, to England for an education; upon his return to Virginia, Thomas becomes a planter. He is highly successful and increases his land holdings to 2500 acres. He marries Mary Meriweather of Essex County, daughter of a wealthy planter, Francis Meriweather. The use of his father-in-law s boats to haul farm produce to market increases the profitability of the plantation. Thomas and Mary have four children. Upon Thomas s death, the eldest son, John ( ), inherits the farm. Tobacco is gold in the colonies; it is more valuable than cash. Maryland and Virginia have more tobacco holdings than most of the other colonies. The antebellum years in the colonies is a time of prosperity and fine living in the Northern Neck of Virginia, which includes Richmond County and several other counties. There are celebrations and parties at the plantations of such wellknown families as the Tayloes, Carters, and Lees, with guests often staying days or weeks. Thomas Belfield s son John increases the family land holdings to 3500 acres, creating a very large plantation. The 6

7 BELFIELD FAMILY - BY BUD DISNEY new purchase is on the north side of Cat Point Creek, close to Francis Lightfoot Lee's Plantation, Menokin. Weather conditions coupled with a new tax burden suddenly make life difficult. John finds that supporting his family and slaves is a struggle. Together with some 100 other planters in the area, he signs the Leedstown Resolution. This is a very courageous and dangerous move and very close to treason. Both John and his son Thomas sign the Leedstown Resolves (also called the Westmoreland Resolves). This document was the precursor to the Declaration of Independence, the signers of which included Richard Henry Lee and Francis Lightfoot Lee of the Northern Neck. John Belfield ( ) joins the Continental Army; he is assigned to Williamsburg as a Light Horseman under the direction of Patrick Henry. His commanding officer is Therodrick Bland. John travels directly to the Northern Campaign under General George Washington, Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. John spends the next three years in the service of a young nation that is struggling and fighting against the best army in the world. The cause was often on the edge of failure, but General Washington and men kept the dream alive; they wavered, but never gave in. From the Battle of New York, a terrible defeat, General Washington manages to escape with his forces nearly completely intact. After much suspense and uncertainty, Washington s troops gain surprise victories at Trenton and Princeton. Then the Continental Army retires to Valley Forge, suffering a long bitter winter. With the British taking and occupying Philadelphia, a waiting game ensues. By 1779 the British change their strategy and decide move the south, constituting another attempt to split the colonies that would end in failure. As the British left Philadelphia, Washington s army engages them in battle. Although the Continental Army does not achieve a complete victory, this battle does prove that the Americans, when trained, are formidable. John returns home to his wife, Ruth Sydnor, and family at his plantation, Belle Mount, in Richmond County. He reviews his farm and sends 4000 pounds of beef and other supplies to feed his fellow soldiers of the Continental Army. His oldest son, Thomas, ( ) is a member of the Virginia Militia, along with the younger sons. Sydnor Belfield, John Belfield, Jr. John leaves to join the Southern Campaign in the Carolina s. General Green lured British General Lord Cornwallis out of Virginia, always just ahead, General Green would cross local creeks and rivers, would take all available boats with him, thus slowing down the British Army, an occasional skirmish to keep the ruse moving. In October 1780 the a regiment of the British army moved to over the mountains to a settlement of Scothch-Irish settlements and ordered them to come and fight against the American Rebels. It was a wrong move, as the Scotch-Irish had no love for the British, bad feelings from the times gone by. The British Regiment camped on Kings, Mountain, SC and were attacked by the Scotch-Irish Over the Mountain men. The completely ambushed them on the top of Kings Mountain and neutralized them with many killed and Captured. In January 1881, General Daniel Morgan organized a Regiment of, Continental Troops, local Militia including some Calvary, he used a strategy unused before, using the Militia to fire once and orderly retreat, fall back and get behind the Continentals Troops who were battle hardened troops, the Calvary hid on the one side,. When the action starts the militia did what they were ordered to do, the British knowing the Militia would probably run, they charged ahead only to go head on with the Continentals, the Calvary on one side attacked, the Militia on the other, began to fire, a double envelopment. The British were routed heavy losses including prisoners. The final battle was at Guilford Courthouse, SC, General Cornwallis, had quickened his pace, tossing out baggage, to hasten there chase, The Battle of Guiliford Courthouse, was a victory for the British, their losses were heavy, low on supplies and ammunition, Cornwallis retreated to Yorktown, VA and hope for General Clinton in NY would rescue him and what was left of his army. General Clinton never came and the French Joined the Americans to defeat the British and the War in the South was over and soon the British and Americans signed a peace treaty, the Americans were free at last. The fact that Thomas signed the Leedstown Resolves (with his father) makes him a patriot. It is recorded in the Richmond County Courthouse that he and Frances Lightfoot Lee served as Keepers of the Peace in the Richmond County Courthouse. They were close neighbors and kept in contact with each other. John, Jr. purchases Woodberry Farm at Sharps from Mr. Lee's sister, Hannah Lee. Thomas Belfield, the second son of Anne and Joseph Belfield, marries Anne Harwar Beale of Chestnut Hill Farm. They have three sons: John Wright, Jo- 7

8 BELFIELD FAMILY - BY BUD DISNEY seph and Thomas Meriweather. Joseph owns Mid View Farm, located just west of Belle Mount on Cat Point Creek. He is the Commissioner of Revenue of Richmond County. All three brothers serve in the militia in the War of Joseph was a captain and John Wright a major. The three brothers would confront the British more than a few times at different locations. One of confrontations occurs when news came that the British has landed somewhere on Nomini Creek not far from the Belfields. Word goes out to the local militia to meet near the bluffs, a high point overlooking the creek. The British force is known to number about 1200 men. The local militia has mustered only 100 men. Outnumbered, but not discouraged or fearful, John Wright orders that the men stretch out across the ridge a hundred feet above the creek. The orders were to fire when ordered and keep firing to make the British believe they had stirred up a hornet s nest of a great number of American troops. As the British came up the rising hill, the firing commenced; it worked; the British turned and started running back down toward the creek! Someone exclaimed, while shaking his fist at the British as they fled, Go on over to the Maryland side; the pick ns will be easy. Unfortunately, the British occupying Tappahannock raided the Belle Mount Plantation and burned the Manor House in It was a sad day for the Belfield Family. Joseph s wife is the granddaughter of Robert Carter III. They have a son, John Walter Belfield ( ); his farm is on the north side of Cat Point Creek near County Bridge Road. The Union Army's18 th New York Regiment & Calvery raid Richmond County, but no details are available. The Belfield family is well represented in the Civil War. Family soldiers are Armistead, Bladon, John Dangerfield, John Walter, Robert, Motrom. In addition there are two cousins, Sam Cralle and John B. Garland, both of whom had Belfield mothers. The two cousins are killed at Chancellorsville, Virginia, in May of The Civil War ends in April John Walter begins to rebuild his family. John marries Mary Peyton; they have three children, Walter Jones, Josephine, and Florence Belfield. Walter Jones Belfield has a son, George Sydnor Belfield ( ) George grew up on the farm on County Bridge Road. World War I begins, George is drafted, and listed as a private, Company C, 26 th Infantry. George is wounded and returns home; he marries Myrtle Brook; they have a son David Curry Belfield. David Curry Belfield ( ) also is raised on the farm at County Bridge Road.World War II begins, and David is drafted into the Army; he receives an honorable discharge in 1947, ranked as a corporal. David returns home and marries Virginia Pierce; they have a son, Charles Belfield, the tenth generation of the Belfields in Richmond County Virginia. A reenactment of the Belfield history is available on a DVD at Amazon.com on a DVD titled The Belfields of Virginia, a Journey through time by Charles Belfield NOTES 1 The Stamp Act was passed without either Parliamentary approval or popular vote in the colonies. It was a direct tax to raise money to pay for the French and Indian War, and for troops protecting the colonies. The American colonists replied that they did not need troops for protection, as they had always protected themselves. Though the tax was repealed in 1766, the damage was done; the American Colonies wanted representation as English Citizens. The Virginia citizens of Westmoreland County, Virginia, were bound to protect their freedoms. Led by Richard Henry Lee, they signed a document explaining their grievances. The document became known as the Leedstown or Westmoreland Resolves. 2 For more information about the Lee brothers, go to 3 It could be that the British knew the families from the Revolution, as they burned many of their homes at that time. They had more than enough information regarding the families that owned plantations and fought for independence; they also knew which families were supporting this war. 4 During the Civil War there were a large number Union vessels on both the Rappahannock River and the Potomac River. There were constant raids by Union forces, both army and navy, as well as ongoing foraging, harassment, and destruction of property. 8

9 CALLANDS FESTIVAL - BY BOB VOGLER The Colonel George Waller Chapter participated in the 34 th annual Callands Fall Festival in October of The fair each year includes re-enactors, crafters, exhibitors, and vendors stationed around the grounds of Pittsylvania County s 1767 Clerk s Office and old Courthouse. The Chapter has been establishing a living history encampment at the festival since This year twelve historical interpreters participated including a sutler, a colonial minister, a British reenactor, camp followers, Continentals, militiamen, and pioneers. The group included five SAR members. The living historians provided the visitors an opportunity to get in touch with the 18 th century and to learn about their colonial heritage. Visitors came in record numbers for the 2014 festival to celebrate a beautiful fall day and were interested in what the group had to say and were appreciative of the effort to make American history come alive. A large contingent of living historians, including several VASSAR members, were at Callands this year. 9

10 On Saturday, February 14, 2015, the Dan River Chapter-VASSAR, the Berryman Green-VADAR, the Halifax County Historical Society, & the town of South Boston co-hosted the 234 th Anniversary Commemoration of the Crossing of the Dan (River) during the American War for independence. The master of ceremonies for Saturday s program was former NSSAR President-General Joseph Dooley and the keynote speaker was Dr. Lawrence E. Babits who authored A Devil of a Whipping: The Battle of Cowpens & co -authored Long, Obstinate, & Bloody: The Battle of Guilford Courthouse. The program was followed by a march led by the VASSAR Color Guard to the site of Boyd s Ferry and a re-enactment of the crossing of the Dan River with a replica of a ferry boat transporting troops across the river as cannons fired CROSSING OF THE DAN - BY BOB VOGLER 10 VASSAR Color Guard poses with cadets from the Danville Composite Squadron Civil Air Patrol.

11 The Seige of the Blockhouse is coming up soon in April. The VASSAR Bulletin wants to share this story that was passed along by Bob Vogler during his visit to the event in 2014 to bring focus to this important commemoration. The Overmountain Men Chapter and the Virginia Society sponsored the Eighth Anniversary of the "Tribute to Patriots and Pathfinders" at The Blockhouse at Natural Tunnel State Park near Duffield, Virginia on Saturday, April 26. The ceremonies were led by Wayne McClelland, President of the Overmountain Men Chapter and the guest speaker was Virginia Society State President Bill Broadus. COMING SOON - SEIGE OF THE BLOCKHOUSE Wreaths were presented by members of the VASSAR, the TNSSAR, VADAR, VSCAR, USD of the War of 1812, Descendants of Washington's Army at Valley Forge, and Descendants of the Battle of Kings Mountain. Period music was provided by the Watauga Valley Fife & Drum Corp and a musket volley salute was rendered by the Militia of the Blockhouse. The ceremony opened the weekend long Frontier Muster and Trade Faire(formerly known as the Siege of the Blockhouse) and included activities such as demonstrations of frontier and Indian camps, firing demonstration, frontier horse racing, colonial music, games, and cooking as well as story telling. 11

12 OCTOBER WILLIAMSBURG - ST. GEORGE TUCKER PICTURES VASSAR President Bill Broadus Cheryl Packwood, Esq., Overseas Representative of the Government of Bermuda VASSAR Color Guard 12

13 MOSES SWEENEY GRAVE MARKING BY BOB VOGLER Dennis Fritts (Fincastle Resolutions) & Bob Vogler (Colonel George Waller Chapter) provided the Color Guard for the grave marking of Moses Sweeney who had served in the Virginia Continental Line. While in service, Sweeney became ill and lost most of his teeth and part of his jaw before receiving a medical discharge. The event was held at the Bohannon-Trent Cemetery on the grounds of the Appomattox Court House National Park on Saturday, November 2, 2014 and was organized by descendants Danny Huffman (Fincastle Resolutions) and Linda Phillips (DAR). Joseph Williams the chief of museum services and curator at the national park and Gail Vogler of the General Joseph Martin Chapter -DAR also provided support for the event. It was a gray, cold, and windy day, but the descendents of Sweeney were appreciative of the support for the grave marking. Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution CHAPTER DIRECTORY Clinch Mountain Militia Colonel Fielding Lewis Colonel George Waller Colonel James Wood, Jr. Colonel William Grayson Culpeper Minute Men Dan River Fairfax Resolves Fincastle Resolutions Fort Harrison General Daniel Morgan General William Campbell George Mason George Washington James Monroe Lieutenant David Cox Martin s Station New River Valley Norfolk Overmountain Men Richmond Rockbridge Volunteers Richard Henry Lee Thomas Jefferson Thomas Nelson, Jr. Williamsburg Tazewell area Virginia s Eastern Piedmont Region Martinsville area Northwest Virginia Prince William County area Virginia s Central Piedmont area Danville area Fairfax County Roanoke Valley area Harrisonburg area Staunton area Abingdon area Arlington County Alexandria Upper Northern Neck Galax/Independence Cumberland Gap New River Valley area Norfolk/Virginia Beach area Gate City Richmond/Petersburg Lexington Lower Northern Neck Charlottesville Newport News/Hampton/Yorktown Williamsburg RECOGNIZE YOUR VETERANS The Williamsburg Chapter recently presented a Vietnam Veterans service medal to their member, Bob White. The medals are an excellent way for a chapter to honor the services of their veterans. Bob Vogler and Dennis Fritts Bob Spencer presents a Vietnam Veteran medal to Bob White 13