Volunteer For Wreaths Across America Event

Dear Washingtonburg Chapter,

As the cool, fall air and colorful leaves arrive, we must prepare for our inaugural Wreaths Across America event. The goal of Wreaths Across America is to place holiday wreaths on all veterans’ graves across the country. We will do our part to honor America’s veterans by hosting a ceremony on Saturday December 14, 2024, at 10:00 am, at Middle Spring Presbyterian Church and Cemetery, one of the oldest in Shippensburg (135 Middle Spring Road, Shippensburg, PA).

There are 100 veterans, including over one dozen Revolutionary War soldiers, buried in the church’s cemetery. Our goal is to place wreaths on all 100 veterans’ graves, but we need to have that number of wreaths sponsored at our location. Currently, we have 44 wreaths sponsored with seven weeks remaining in our campaign. For every two wreaths sponsored at our location, we get a third wreath for free. They are only $17 each. So, we only need to sponsor 37 more wreaths. If you would like to sponsor wreaths, use the QR code below, or contact Ray Mowery (raymondmowery@hotmail.com).

We are also looking for volunteers to participate in our ceremony. We are looking to fill these roles:

A veteran from the navy to place a navy stick flag on a display at the front of the church.
A veteran from the air force to place an air force stick flag on a display at the front of the
church.
A veteran from the coast guard to place a coast guard stick flag on a display at the front of
the church.
A veteran from the space force to place a space force stick flag on a display at the front of
the church.
A veteran to place a POW/MIA stick flag on a display at the front of the church.
A member to read the History of Wreaths Across America (the paper to read will be
provided).
A member to introduce our first speaker, Representative Torren Ecker of the PA 193rd
legislative district (the paper to read will be provided).
A member to introduce our second speaker, retired Colonel Park Beirbower (the paper to
read will be provided).
Three members to serve in the Color Guard (in Colonial attire).

If you would like to participate in any of these roles, please notify Ray Mowery
(raymondmowery@hotmail.com). We hope for a big turnout from our members for this event.

Thank you,
Ray Mowery

Check-out the Wreaths Across America Page that I Support!

Lafayette Fairwell Tour Cruise

(L-R) Reenactor portraying the Marquis de Lafayette,
1st Vice President of Washingtonburg Chapter Dr. Jeffry Peter La Marca

1st Vice President of Washingtonburg Chapter, Dr. Jeffry Peter La Marca, represented the Chapter at the opening segment of the Lafayette Farewell Tour at Sandy Hook, New Jersey, which reenacted the view that the Marquis had of America as he landed upon his return. The view was afforded through a dinner cruise attended by Dr. La Marca wearing the attire of a Continental Soldier of the Pennsylvania Line. The Bicentennial of the travels of the Marquis de Lafayette during his return visit to the United States is being commemorated and celebrated at various points corresponding to his original journey in 1824 and 1825. For more information see:

Lafayette 200 – Bicentennial of Lafayette’s Farewell Tour 2024–2025 the Nation’s Guest

Carlisle Declaration of Independence

The First Presbyterian Church of Carlisle and Historic Carlisle, Incorporated, kindly invited Washingtonburg Chapter to join with them on July 1st, 2024, to recreate the historic Carlisle Declaration of Independence. Under the leadership of luminaries such as James Wilson (signer of the Declaration of Independence) and Ephraim Blaine (later Commissary General of the Continental Army), the citizens of Carlisle gathered on July 12th, 1774, to renounce the actions of the British in Boston and New England and to show their support. The reenactment 250 years later underscored the significance of the event and included key historical figures represented by members of the present congregation as well as members of Historic Carlisle, Incorporated, who with Washingtonburg Chapter, also provided local extras in 18th century attire. Awards were presented to Historic Carlisle and the First Presbyterian Church by Washingtonburg Chapter in recognition of this important and extraordinary effort, and a wreath was placed in the Church in honor of the courageous members who blazed a trail to independence in 1774.

Washingtonburg Chapter Joins Wreaths Across America

WASHINGTONBURG’S
WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA CEREMONY
SATURDAY DECEMBER 14, 2024 — 10:00 am
Middle Spring Presbyterian Church & Cemetery
(135 Middle Spring Rd – Shippensburg, PA)

To sponsor a wreath:

Visit this website: https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/181029/Overview/?relatedId=180890
Click the red “Sponsor Wreaths” button in the top right corner
Select the number of wreaths you would like to sponsor
Click the red “Review My Sponsorships” button
Complete the payment information
Email me to make a grave-specific wreath sponsorship: raymondmowery@hotmail.com

* Your sponsorship is tax deductible, so print your receipt.

Our goal is to sponsor 100 wreaths to cover all veterans’ graves in the Lower, the Upper, and the Modern Cemeteries. For every 2 wreaths that are sponsored, we receive a 3rd free wreath. All wreaths that we sponsor above 100 will be donated to other Wreaths Across America locations, like Spring Hill Cemetery or Locust Grove Cemeteries across town.

134th Annual Congress, National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution

President General John Dodd (L) and PASSAR President Kurt Winter (R)

Opening Session of the 134th NSSAR Annual Congress

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

Washingtonburg Chapter 1st Vice President Jeffry Peter La Marca
displaying his book “Simple Citations for Genealogical Sources“

Washingtonburg Chapter Honors Revolutionary War Patriots

The Washingtonburg Chapter, PASSAR sponsored a grave marking ceremony, which recognized the contributions of five Revolutionary War Patriots buried in the Big Spring Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Newville, Pennsylvania. The Patriots who received the SAR Grave Markers are: Capt. Thomas Buchanan, Major William McFarlane, Sgt. William Denning, Artificer William Ferguson, and Pvt. Peter Tritt.

Washingtonburg Chapter President, Dale John Joseph Leppard officiated at today’s ceremony.

President Leppard provided the backdrop regarding the significance of those who were honored.

Washingtonburg Secretary/Treasurer, Steven Scott Burd, was our guest speaker.

Secretary/Treasurer Burd places a SAR Marker on the grave of a Revolutionary War Patriot.

SPCO Todd Allen Hockensmith, USN (Retired) places a marker on the grave of a Revolutionary War Patriot.

The SAR Grave Marker that was placed on five Patriot graves today.

Associate Member Raymond Andrew Mowery IV, Washingtonburg Chapter, PASSAR and Jeffry Peter La Marca, President Jockey Hollow Chapter, NJSSAR carry wreath honor all of the Revolutionary War Patriots buried at the Big Spring Presbyterian Church Cemetery (including Patriots whose graves have not yet been marked).

Associate Member Mowery and President La Marca, adjust wreath.

(Left to Right): Jockey Hollow President La Marca, Washingtonburg President Leppard, and Associate Member Mowery in authentic 18th Century garb.

Following today’s grave marking ceremony, Washingtonburg Chapter Members and guest attended a BBQ and Chapter Meeting at the William Denning State Park.

President Leppard led today’s meeting. In addition to Washingtonburg Chapter business, he also discussed the Intolerable Acts in recognition of events that eventually sparked the revolt against the British.

Secretary/Treasurer Burd receives the Bronze Henry Knox Medal from President Leppard in recognition of his outstanding service to the Washingtonburg Chapter.

Compatriot Steven Pearson Messner receives the Bronze Henry Knox Medal from President Leppard in recognition of his outstanding service to the Washingtonburg Chapter.

Compatriot Steven Lee Dedmon and Associate Member Glen Halliman are related to Danel Boone! However, both men are descended from two of his sisters.

Perry County Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution Centennial

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.