Join us in moving forward!
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONCERNING OUR ORGANIZATION contact Capt. Dennis
Fritts.
dennis3@netlos.net or
540-992-6475.
1998
During June of 1998, at the annual meeting in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia,
"The Virginia War Cry" newsletter was launched. Dr. James M. Morris, PhD, head
of the History Department at Christopher Newport University spoke on the
"Battle of New Orleans". Later in November 1998','some compatriots of the
Virginia Society attended a presentation at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.
C. on the Star-Spangled Banner Preservation Project, .organized by the General
Society.
1999
The 1999 annual muster of our Society was held in Alexandria, Virginia, where
Robert Crawley spoke on the "Burning of Washington, D. C., August 14, 1814."
At that meeting Brigadier General Charles D. "Dan" McGuire of Reston, Virginia
was installed as President of the Virginia Society. He set out to improve the
Society's visibility, attract new members, and introduce a graves registration
program, at the suggestion of Society Treasurer Mike Lyman.
2000
At the next annual muster of the Society at Norfolk, Virginia, after the
invocation by our Chaplain, the pledge to the American Flag was given. Then
the officers and committee reports followed. A plaque was dedicated at Fort
Norfolk; and veterans graves were marked. Our Chaplain closed the meeting with
a benediction.
2001
Alexandria, Virginia, became the next city for the annual meeting, in 2001,
where success was reported in obtaining a 501(C)(3) non profit status. (This
meant that contributions to our Society could be deducted from our income tax)
Other reports included membership growth; graves registration; work on a Fort
Norfolk roster; and Virginia General Assembly lobbying for restoration of
General Charles Mercer's grave at Leesburg, Virginia. Author Anthony Pitch
spoke on "The Burning of Washington, D. C.". Lt. Colonel Myron E. "Mike" Lyman
was installed as President of our Society. A tour of Fort McHenry, Baltimore,
Md., where Virginia Major George Armistead, commanded during the War, was made
the day after our meeting.
2002
Our Annual Muster in 2002, was held at the Windmill Point, Virginia Resort.
Christopher George the author of "Terror on the Chesapeake, the War of 1812 on
the Bay" was our luncheon speaker. Reports included updates on ROTC awards at
the University of Virginia, and the graves registration project: 1812 Veterans
graves of three Kelly brothers were marked at nearby Historic Christ Church
cemetery.
2003
Our next Society annual meeting was held at a Fredericksburg Bed and
Breakfast, with Professor John Pearce, the Director of the James Monroe
Memorial Museum, as our speaker. Special reports were received from Dan
McGuire on General Mercer's gravesite restoration funding; from Burt Bradshaw
on our $1,000.00 grant from the Camp Yount Foundation; from Jim Parrish on
ROTC awards, and from Mike Lyman on Fort Norfolk soldiers identification,
grave registration and website development. Four 1812 veterans graves were
marked at the Masonic Cemetery at Fredericksburg.
2004
During June of 2004, the Virginia Society met in Richmond, Virginia, at the
Library of Virginia. Peter E. Broadbent, Jr., Esquire, the Society's
Historian, and Chairman of the Library of Virginia, spoke on "Loudoun County,
Virginia during the War of 1812". Captain James D. Parrish, Jr., of
Charlottesville, Virginia, was installed as President of the Society. New
Society toasting glasses were introduced and toast were made to our Society.
It was reported that the Society had again participated in the annual wreath
laying ceremonies for President James Madison at Montpelier, and for President
James Monroe at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond. Our President General was in
attendance. 1812 Veterans graves were marked at Shockoe Cemetery, Richmond.
2005
On June 4, 2005, the Virginia Society met at the Fredericksburg, Virginia
Country Club, with Dennis Bigelow, a James Monroe impersonator, as the main
speaker. During the business meeting issues reported on included ROTC awards;
continued lobbying for restoration of General Mercer's grave in Leesburg;
Commissioning of a Society Color Guard; new graves registration; and a new
Virginia Society Medal. The Class of 2005 consisted of 16 new members. Toasts
were made to our Society. Several War of 1812 soldiers graves were marked
afterward at the City Cemetery, Fredericksburg.
2006
On 3 June 2006, the Society met at the Jefferson Debating Society Club Room
(founded 1825) at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia. After
a short business meeting, where a $10,000.00 matching grant was reported on
being received for our General Mercer's grave restoration project; a luncheon
followed. Our speaker spoke at the UVA Faculty Club on Petersburg, Virginia,
during the War of 1812. 17 new Compatriots were inducted into the Class of
2006 and then we had our traditional Society toasts. Our President General was
again in attendance. We marked 1812 veterans graves at the University of
Virginia cemetery.
2007
Our Old and Honorable Society met for our Annual Muster on 2 June 2007
at the Red Fox Inn, Middleburg, Virginia. Dr. David Harold Harpole, MD,
presided. At our business meeting our annual grant of $1,000 from the Camp
Yount Foundation was reported; our wreath laying for former Presidents James
Monroe and James Madison was mentioned; and SVPG James Dudley Parrish, Jr.,
stated he gave out ROTC awards at UVA. Our banquet speaker was Historian,
Dr./Capt. Howard Storm Browne, Jr., MD/USN-Ret) who spoke on "Medicine during
the War of 1812". Our Class of 2007 was inducted and our traditional toasts
given. SDVPG Mike Lyman was charge of marking three(3) 1812 Veterans graves at
Sharon Cemetery at Middleburg. We then retired to "Oak Hill", former home of
President James Monroe for "going away" sherry. Former President General
Dandridge Brooke was again in attendance.