<![CDATA[Fort Harrison Sons of the American Revolution - News]]>Mon, 30 Mar 2026 10:46:18 -0400Weebly<![CDATA[Vietnam Veterans Day Commemoration]]>Sun, 29 Mar 2026 23:15:29 GMThttps://www.fortharrisonsar.org/news/vietnam-veterans-day-commemorationA monument and flag dedication ceremony was held on the grounds of the Rockingham County Courthouse on Sunday, March 29. The event was sponsored by our chapter along with the Massanutton DAR and the Clerk of the Court, Chaz Haywood. More than 200 people attended the event including many Vietnam Veterans. The new monument replaces one that was installed in 1973 and includes four additional names from Rockingham County.
SP4 Norman Norwood Miller — April 1966
1st Lt. Garland D. Whitmore II — September 1967
Sgt. Elza Morton Brewer, Jr. — November 1967
PFC William Medford Pangle — April 1968
Cpl. Cecil Thomas Oscar — June 1968
SP4 Basil Lee Hareford — July 1968
LCpl George Dolbryn Thomas — May 1969
EN George William Simmers, Jr. — September 1969
PFC Dickie Carson Curry — July 1970
SP4 Carroll Steven Plum — September 1970
SSgt Charles Venton McGovern — November 1970
A1C Kenneth Wilson Shook - September 1968
]]><![CDATA[Blue Streak Battalion Ball]]>Thu, 26 Mar 2026 13:14:48 GMThttps://www.fortharrisonsar.org/news/blue-streak-battalion-ballPicture
On Saturday 21 Match the Harrisonburg High School Blue Streak Battalion held its annual formal ball to honor members of its graduation Senior Class. The keynote speaker was Fort Harrison SAR's Past Present Ros Poplar who spoke on the "Meaning of Service" to the Battalion emphasizing that:

"Service is a philosophy of selfless action, emphasizing empathy and responsibility to improve others' lives, whether through big gestures such as service to the nation or just small acts like being polite. acts of service be they big or small will make both you a better person and this crazy world a better place.  regardless by your very actions should strive to serve those around you and you will find that that even these small actions will change the world with one random act of kindness and service at a time."

Fort Harrison has a long-standing relationship with the Blue Streak Battalion and proudly supports them throughout the year.
]]><![CDATA[Public Service Winners Recognized]]>Mon, 23 Mar 2026 00:47:38 GMThttps://www.fortharrisonsar.org/news/public-service-winners-recognizedPublic Service Chair Wes Dove attended the Broadway Town Council meeting on March 17, 2026 where the Virginia Society Public Service winners for Heroism and Fire Safety were honored recognized for their awards. Pictured below are Wes Dove, Mayor Dave Jordan, Randy Palmer, Ashely Palmer, and Christopher Palmer.
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]]><![CDATA[March Meeting Highlights]]>Wed, 18 Mar 2026 19:11:20 GMThttps://www.fortharrisonsar.org/news/march-meeting-highlightsAt the March 17 meeting past-President Ros Poplar received the Patriot Grave Marking Medal, our DAR Liaison Norma Sheap received the Martha Washington Medal for her long-standing and continued support of our chapter. Norma also received the Bronze Good Citizenship Medal for her volunteer work with tax preparation.

Richmond Chapter Compatriot Chris Yohn delivered a fascinating presentation on his recent book release Liberty's Land.
]]><![CDATA[Ottobine Elementary School Visit]]>Mon, 16 Mar 2026 00:38:39 GMThttps://www.fortharrisonsar.org/news/ottobine-elementary-school-visitOn Thursday March 12th 2026 Fort Harrison President Brian Phelps introduced Compatriot Mike Walsh, who was dressed in the traditional Continental uniform dress.   Compatriot Walsh gave a presentation on the life of a Continental Soldier during the Revolutionary War. For nearly an hour, approximately 40 4th graders were engaged in learning about a soldier’s weapons, devices used for survival and living, and the conditions to which a soldier endured throughout the war for independence.

Compatriot Walsh wrapped up his presentation with an experience he had in the reenactment of the surrender in Yorktown.  The students had many questions and hung on every word.  President Phelps quizzed the students to see just how much they have learned.  Their knowledge was impressive!

The event concluded with the receipt of posters created by students for the Chapter to judge for a Revolutionary era contest.
]]><![CDATA[VFW Flag Retirement]]>Sun, 08 Mar 2026 00:46:20 GMThttps://www.fortharrisonsar.org/news/vfw-flag-retirement​On March 7, 2026, The Fort Harrison SAR Chapter participated in a VFW Flag Retirement Ceremony conducted by Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, and Girl Scouts at Chimney Rock VFW Post 9660. The event was conducted by Boy Scout Aiden May who is completing his requirement to be an Eagle Scout. His troop and Mother Ms. Corey May (pictured with Past President Poplar) who supports our annual Flag Day event in Elkton VA. A GREAT event conducted with reverence and respect. 
]]><![CDATA[Flag Presentations]]>Sun, 08 Mar 2026 00:36:16 GMThttps://www.fortharrisonsar.org/news/flag-presentationsFlag Chairman Randy Atkins presented Flag Recognition certificates to a pair of Mt Crawford businesses on March 2, 2026. Sheetz Store #872 and Eddie Edwards Signs received the certificates for patriotically flying the American Flag. 
]]><![CDATA[George Washington Birthday Commemoration]]>Mon, 23 Feb 2026 13:54:35 GMThttps://www.fortharrisonsar.org/news/george-washington-birthday-commemorationThe Colonel James Wood II chapter hosted a George Washington Birthday Commemoration on February 23 at the George Washington office in Winchester, VA. Our chapter was represented by President Brian Phelps who presented the chapter wreath. Also braving the rainy day were members of the DAR, ​Winchester Hiram Lodge 21, and the public.
]]><![CDATA[Fort Harrison Citizen of the Year]]>Wed, 18 Feb 2026 16:25:39 GMThttps://www.fortharrisonsar.org/news/fort-harrison-citizen-of-the-year3580928​The Fort Harrison Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution is honored to recommend James “Bucky” Berry for our 2025 Good Citizen of the Year Award. Few individuals better embody the American ideals of service, perseverance, and civic responsibility.

For more than three decades, Bucky has devoted himself to addressing food insecurity in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. His work—most visibly through the Brent Berry Food Drive, founded by the Berry family in 2009—has grown into one of the region’s most impactful grassroots charitable initiatives. Over the years, the food drive has supplied vital meals, baby items, and hygiene products to tens of thousands of families in partnership with the Salvation Army. A 2018 resolution of the Virginia General Assembly, as entered by Senator Mark Obenshain and Delegate Tony Wilt, recognized that, by its tenth year, the drive had already assisted approximately 32,000 families and routinely collected more than $10,000 worth of food in just a few days during each of its twice-yearly efforts.

The significance of Bucky’s leadership has been repeatedly acknowledged by state and federal officials.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin formally recognized the Berry family’s extraordinary dedication, noting that their 2022 drive alone generated an estimated $65,000 in food and personal-care items and served as a stabilizing force for the Salvation Army during periods of organizational transition. Governor Youngkin’s recognition also highlighted Bucky’s personal history—growing up in a family that sometimes relied on charitable food assistance—and how those experiences shaped his lifelong commitment to ensuring that others would never face hunger alone.

Similarly, United States Congressman Ben Cline entered remarks into the Congressional Record in February 2024, recognizing the 17th Annual Brent Berry Food Drive. Congressman Cline noted that the 2024 effort was the largest in the event’s history, with community members donating $100,000 worth of food, enough to fill six school buses and two trailers—a testament to both the need in the community and the trust the community places in Bucky and his family’s stewardship.

Beyond the measurable impact, Bucky’s service is distinguished by his steadfast personal commitment. Governor Youngkin’s recognition emphasized that the Berry family personally staffs their main collection location twelve hours a day, seven days a week during the drive—often totaling more than 450 hours per family member—and that even during periods of personal health challenges, Bucky has continued organizing and planning future drives from rehabilitation facilities. His dedication has inspired civic participation from students, first responders, businesses, and countless neighbors, making the food drive a model of community-anchored service.

While the annual food drive is Bucky’s signature effort, his spirit of service extends far beyond it. Whether responding to emergency needs—such as organizing support for a neighbor who lost his home to a fire—or partnering with local organizations on special assistance projects, Bucky consistently demonstrates the generosity, humility, and perseverance that defines exemplary citizenship.
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For these reasons, and with gratitude for his decades of selfless service, the Fort Harrison Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution proudly recommends James “Bucky” Berry for the 2025 Good Citizen of the Year Award. His lifelong commitment to feeding the hungry, uplifting neighbors in crisis, and modeling civic virtue stands as an inspiration to our community and to the Commonwealth of Virginia.
]]><![CDATA[136th Virginia SAR Annual Meeting]]>Sun, 15 Feb 2026 23:36:43 GMThttps://www.fortharrisonsar.org/news/136th-virginia-sar-annual-meetingThe Virginia Society of Sons of the American Revolution held its annual meeting on February 6 & 7 in Richmond, VA. Chapter President Brian Phelps and Virginia Vice-President Randy Atkins represented the Fort Harrison Chapter. Our chapter finished third in the Best Chapter category for our size and third in the Virginia Society Cup. The chapter also received streamers for Chapter of Excellence, Participation of Citizen of the Year, History Day Support, John Blair Public Safety (for having nominations in all five public service categories), Sponsor of Firefighter winner, Sponsor of Hero winner, Participation in Public Service Awards, Youth Participation, Flag Recognition, Flag Retirement, and Participation in Presidential Initiatives. Randy Atkins and Ros Poplar received the Patriot Grave Marking Medal, Randy also received the Meritorious Service Medal.

During Saturday afternoon's Youth and Community Awards Program, Public Service Chairman Wes Dove presented the state winner awards that were nominated by Fort Harrison. Fire Safety Award was presented to Mike Seekford and Randy Palmer and the Hero award to Kaleb Lohr. 

At Saturday night's banquet Randy Atkins was installed as the State Society 2nd Vice-President.
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