Washingtonburg Chapter 1st Vice President, Dr. Jeffry Peter La Marca, at Fort Ligonier in Pennsylvania, wearing 18th century style chain mail from India, courtesy of the museum staff, who were explaining that chain mail was still worn in India during the 18th century to protect the wearer from the swords and bladed weapons which were in common use at the time. India was a theatre of operations during both the Seven Years’ War (known in America as the French and Indian War) and the American Revolution. With the entry of France and Spain into the struggle for American Independence, the War became a global conflict. The final Battle of the American Revolution was a Naval engagement fought between the French and the British on 20 June 1783 off the coast Cuddalore in India. Dr. La Marca was part of the Delegation from Washingtonburg Chapter, including President Dale Leppard, 3rd Vice President Eric “Dutch” DeVries, and District Deputy COL Samuel L. Russell, who attended the PASSAR Board of Management Meeting in Ligonier, Pennsylvania on August 3, 2024.
President General John Dodd (L) and PASSAR President Kurt Winter (R)
Opening Session of the 134th NSSAR Annual Congress
Military Veterans
The Pennsylvania Delegation
PASSAR Officers (L-R), Treasurer Michael Seibert, Secretary/2nd VP Dale Leppard, President Kurt Winter, 1st VP Peter Reinhart, 3rd VP Jason Miller, Registrar Eric Troutman
Washingtonburg Chapter Delegation (L-R) District Deputy COL Samuel Russell, 1st VP Dr. Jeffry La Marca, President Dale Leppard, 3rd VP Eric “Dutch” DeVries
Perry County Chapter Regent Bobbi Wertz-Hoy welcoming the newly elected Regent
Washingtonburg Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution was represented at the Flag Day Luncheon hosted by the Perry County Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution on June 1st, 2024. Featured presentation included the celebrated rugs created in a style created by Perry Countian, Magdalena Briner Eby. Following the luncheon, members of the Chapter produced a short video of the Pledge of Allegiance which was subsequently aired by ABC27.
Washingtonburg member and PASSAR District Deputy COL Samuel Russell, USA (Ret.) (L) receives Galvez Medal
Reestablishing an old tradition dating from the foundation of Washingtonburg Chapter in 1992, the Compatriots joined together with the Ladies of the Cumberland County Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution to celebrate Washington’s Birthday. The original meeting was postponed due to a severe storm. The rescheduled meeting was held in March 2024 at the Carlisle County Club, in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. PASSAR District Deputy and Washingtonburg Compatriot, COL Samuel Russell, USA (Ret.), an author and authority on the Coulon de Villiers family of French Colonial America, gave a presentation on this interesting family, which culminated in the surviving brother moving to Louisiana, where he served under General Galvez and King Carlos III of Spain and the Indies as an ally of George Washington. In recognition of his research into the Coulon family, Washingtonburg Chapter President Dale Leppard presented the Galvez Medal and Certificate to Colonel Russell. Chapter President Leppard was then surprised by Regent Coanne O’Hern of the Cumberland County Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution with the new Hannah White Arnett Medal. The event was well attended, and included Washingtonburg Compatriot State Representative Perry Stambaugh, PASSAR President Eric Troutman and his wife Stephanie, PASSAR Treasurer and Former PASSAR President Michael Seibert and his wife Maribeth, National Vice Regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution Beth Watkins, and many more. The ladies also provided a life-size cutout of George Washington, which provided a perfect backdrop for photographs.
Presentation on the Forbes Road and the British in Pennsylvania during the French and Indian War
(L-R) Washingtonburg Compatriots 2nd Vice President William Sloane, 1st Vice President Jeff La Marca, and Jeremy Winn
Washingtonburg Chapter held its 3rd Quarter 2023 Meeting at the United States Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Author and Washingtonburg Compatriot Douglas Cubbison gave a presentation concerning the British in Pennsylvania during the French and Indian War with an emphasis on Forbes Road and other early pathways through the region.
Reenactor and gunsmith Terry Elliott making a presentation on early Rifle styles and makers.
Washingtonburg Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution was represented at the Centennial Celebration and Luncheon of the Perry County Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution at the Whitetail Lodge in Marysville on October 1st, 2023. The event was well-attended and included the presentation of the restored charter for the chapter and a recitation of its history. The luncheon included a selection of period foods from the era of the Revolutionary War, the era of the founding of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the era of the establishment of the Perry County Chapter. A further presentation showcasing the known Revolutionary War Patriots of the County was on display.
