The SAR MAGAZINE is the official quarterly publication of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution published quarterly.
Issue link: http://sar.epubxp.com/i/374815
52 SAR MAGAZINE VIRGINIA SOCIETY French Navy Visit to Yorktown The La Fayette, a stealth frigate of the French Navy, while on its way to Norfolk, Va., decided to make a slight detour up the York River on the morning of Monday, June 2. The purpose was to honor the French sailors and soldiers and their American allies who participated in the siege of Yorktown in 1781, resulting in the surrender of British forces in the last major battle of the American Revolution. Capt. Serge Bordarier, escorted by 30 French sailors, came ashore at Yorktown and laid a wreath at the Monument to Victory and Alliance. The French Embassy was represented by Consul General Olivere Sadot-Alamas and Captain Luc Pages, French naval attaché. The La Fayette, anchored in the York River below the Monument to Victory and Alliance, and then fired a 21-gun salute in honor of George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette. Attending the ceremony were Virginia Society members from the Col. William Grayson, Norfolk, Thomas Nelson Jr. and Williamsburg chapters. Fairfax Resolves Chapter Robert R. Newlen, assistant law librarian for Legislative and External Relations at the Library of Congress, was awarded the Silver Good Citizenship Medal on May 17 during the annual chapter spring banquet. The presentation was made by Chapter President William W. "Bill" Price in recognition of Newlen's 35-plus year career in the field of library science and his current efforts to coordinate the November 2014 exhibit "Magna Carta: Muse and Mentor—800 Years of a Great Tradition." The chapter also presented Newlen with a $600 donation to support the planned exhibit. Next year (2015) is the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta, sealed by King John at Runnymede in June 1215. Norfolk Chapter On the sunny day of Saturday, May 17, the Norfolk Chapter, NSSAR, and Lynnhaven Parish Chapter, NSDAR, combined to dedicate a new grave ledger in the Old Donation Episcopal Church Cemetery for Col. Edward Hack Moseley (1740-1811), veteran of the Colonial Wars and the American Revolution. Rector Rev. Robert Randall and Old Donation Church were most gracious hosts, providing a Colonial Morning Prayer Service with a choir and using the 1559 Anglican Book of Common Prayer before the dedications. The church welcomed all attending to a closing reception. In addition, the Norfolk and Lynnhaven Parish chapters joined with the Virginia Society Order of Founders and Patriots of America, Virginia Society of Colonial Wars, Suffolk Chapter Colonial Dames of the XVII Century, Fort Norfolk Chapter US Daughters of 1812, Society of the War of 1812 in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and Cavalier Society Children of the American Revolution in dedicating a bronze plaque memorializing 13 founders, patriots and veterans buried in the historic church cemetery or the surrounding area. The men honored are church founder Capt. Adam Thorowgood (1604-1640), three Revolutionary War veterans, the aforementioned Moseley, Col. Adam Thoroughgood (1750s-1780s), Capt. Thomas Walke IV (1760-1797), six Colonial Wars veterans, and three veterans of the War of 1812. After a combined color guard had presented and posted the colors, a choir member led the robust singing of "The Star Spangled Banner." The church's historic traditions committee, in Colonial attire, served as guides and ushers, and church Historian Bob Perrine presented a biography of Moseley and an overview of the history of the church, founded in 1637. Ann Callis, a lineal descendant of church founder Thorowgood, also spoke in a most engaging manner. Norfolk SAR President Tom Whetstone led the two dedication ceremonies. He closed by quoting Peter's assurance to Cornelius, "Your prayers and alms have ascended as a memorial before God" (Acts 10:4b). Norfolk SAR Chaplain Robert Hitchings pronounced a benediction after participants laid their organizations' wreaths. Photos and the reception followed. SAR wreath layers included VASSAR President Bill Broadus, Thomas Nelson Jr. Chapter President Kenneth Wood, Williamsburg Chapter President Robert Spencer, Norfolk Chapter Secretary Scott Aiken, and From left, Gary Hodges, Chris Melhuish, Ken Wood, VASSAR 2nd VP Ed Truslow, VASSAR President Bill Broadus, Tom Nelson, Ben Fegan, Jack Lee and Walter Neville. The La Fayette is in the background. Robert R. Newlen, left, received the Silver Good Citzenship Medal from Chapter President Bill Price. Rev. Theodore Bailey is second from the left, next to Rev. James Henry, SAR chaplain. Also pictured are members of SAR and DAR who attended the service.