In February 2022, the chapter was pleased to enter its high school student winner of the SAR’s Joseph S. Rumbaugh historical oration contest in the state-wide Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution (VASSAR) competition, along with winners from other SAR chapters in Virginia.  This state-wide contest was an in-person event on Feb. 12, 2022, in Richmond, VA.  At that event, our George Mason Chapter applicant placed second in the state!

Other Highlights:

At the 11-13 Feb. 2022 annual meeting of the VirginiA Society, Sons of the American Revolution (VASSAR) in Richmond, VA, our George Mason Chapter earned these Chapter awards:

• Chapter Excellence Award,
• Lift Your Voice,
• History Day Support,
• Sponsor, Best Essay,
• Participant – Youth Programs/Contests,
• 100% Participation – Flag Recognition Program, and
• Participant – Flag Retirement Program.

Also at that meeting, in recognition of Past President Ken Morris’s service, he received the Virginia Society Medal & Certificate, a Silver 250^th SAR Anniversary Medal & Certificate, and a Virginia Society Color Guard Medal & Certificate.

President Barth announced the following priorities and objectives for 2022:

George Mason Chapter Priorities

1. Increase Compatriot participation in the chapter through SAR activities in the local Arlington, Falls Church and Fairfax areas
2. Support VASSAR Presidential Initiatives
3. Prepare the Chapter to support the 250^th Anniversary of Independence

Objectives

• Fellowship with Compatriots
• SAR Mission: Remembering Our Past, Promoting Core Values, Shaping Young Minds
• Positive interaction with the uninformed, misinformed, and misguided

Also in February 2022, Chapter representatives were active at the following events (some via remote connectivity):

• A Feb. 5 grave marking event to honor William “Billy” Lee, General  George Washington’s valet who accompanied him throughout battles during the War, at Mount Vernon;
• A Feb. 6 grave marking to recognize Rev. Townshend Dade, Jr., at the Monocacy Cemetery in Beallsville, MD (this event sponsored by the Fairfax Resolves Chapter VASSAR and the General William Smallwood Chapter, MDSSAR);
• A Feb. 17-19 national society historic event sponsored by the Dan River Chapter celebrating the 241^st anniversary of the crossing of the Dan and commemorating General Greene’s Banister Encampment at King’s Bridge Landing;
• A Feb. 21 joint SAR/DAR wreath laying ceremony for an Unknown Revolutionary Soldier at the Old Presbyterian Meeting House in Old Town Alexandria, followed by the George Washington Birthday Parade;
• A Feb. 23 dinner meeting featuring a Fife and Drum presentation by members of the Washington Tattoo (https://thewashingtontattoo.com); and
• On Feb. 26, the 246^th Commemoration of the Battle of Moore’s Creek Bridge in Currie, NC (sponsored by the Lower Cape Fear Chapter of the NC SAR).