Chapter Gold Level America 250th Anniversary Streamer
Washingtonburg Chapter earned the prestigious Gold Level Chapter Streamer for the America 250th Anniversary Program. As originally presented, the program provided for Chapters to receive Bronze, Silver, or Gold Level Streamers for each year of the America 250th Anniversary Cycle. The original criteria were based on the average percentage of the membership who attended America 250th Anniversary themed events during the course of the year. The criteria were changed in 2024 to allow any chapter hosting or sponsoring such an event to receive a generic Streamer Award, presumably as a one-time honor.
(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:
H.S.H. Dom Filipe Alberto Folque de Mendoca, Count of Rio Grande, a member of the Constitutionalist branch of the Royal House of Portugal, Compatriot of Washingtonburg Chapter, was approved for membership in the Sons of the American Revolution in 2019 by virtue of his descent from HM King Carlos III of Spain and the Indies. In 2023, through a supplemental application, for the first time, his ancestress HM Queen Maria I of Portugal and the Algarves was approved as a Patriot ancestor. The event was marked by a Resolution of the Pennsylvania Legislature sponsored by Representative Thomas Kutz. Dom Filipe was presented the SAR International Medal in June of 2023 at the Penn Harris Convention Center in Camp Hill by Former President General Davis Wright. Among many other acts, Queen Maria gave support to a crew of American sailors captured by the British and dropped off on the Azores Islands. She provided them with food and shelter and transported them to Lisbon where they could board friendly ships and rejoin the fight. Regardless of compensation, that act alone would have qualified her as a Patriot, however, when Benjamin Franklin later offered Her Majesty recompense, she refused. At that time, she ruled over a vast Kingdom that included Brazil, parts of Africa, and Portuguese India. Dom Filipe is proud of the connections of his ancestors to the founding of the United States of America and his membership as a Compatriot of Washingtonburg Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution.
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.
One of the display vendors at the 134th Sons of the American Revolution Congress in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was a company owned by Compatriots from the New Jersey Society (NJSSAR), who specialize in reproductions of historical swords, particularly from the period of the American Revolution. The sword and baldric above were purchased from this vendor by the President of Washingtonburg Chapter, Dale J. J. Leppard, and worn during the week with colonial attire. The Lion’s head pommel caps a green dyed camel bone handle wrapped in wire.
First Time Delegates Attending 134th Annual Congress
WASHINGTONBURG’S WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA CEREMONY SATURDAY DECEMBER 14, 2024 — 10:00 am Middle Spring Presbyterian Church & Cemetery (135 Middle Spring Rd – Shippensburg, PA)
* 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.
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
