​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. 

Flag 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. 

The 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.

​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.

The 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.

Virginia Society VP Randy Atkins installed Fort Harrison officers at the January meeting. Brian Phelps became the 22nd President of the Chapter. Other new officers included 1st Vice-President Jimmy Kilbourne and 2nd Vice-President Logan Phelps.

Virginia VP Randy Atkins attended the Fincastle Resolutions Chapter Meeting on January 15, 2026, held at the Shenandoah Club in Roanoke. Atkins installed the 2026 chapter officers and gave a toast the Spirit of the Frontier. Chapter President Eric Monday presented a program on the 15 Virginia Frontiersman who signed the Resolutions. The meeting was attended by over 40 members and guests.

On January 7, 2026, the Fort Harrison Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution participated in a Naturalization Ceremony at the United States District Court, Western District of Virginia. With the Honorable Joel C. Hoppe United States Magistrate Judge presiding, thirty-nine applicants from twenty-four countries and five continents became the newest citizens of the United States of America. Many recounted the sacrifices and hardships they endured on their long journey to this momentous day.

Upon taking their oath each were given the opportunity to tell their personal story and journey from misery and political persecution to American citizenship. Although reluctant at first to speak, once the first story was told it was as if a floodgate of emotion opened. Many spoke of waiting their turn to enter this country for years in search of a better way of life for them and their families. All indicated that this day was the highlight of their life, and they did not take the responsibilities that goes along with being a citizen lightly.

As a left I could not help but feel the pride of being an American and reflecting on the fact that this country has flourished for almost 250 years as a nation captured by the motto of “E pluribus unum," out of many, one. May God bless the United States of America and those who have come from all corners of the globe to form this great melting pot which continues to shine brightly as a beacon of hope and freedom. A great day to be an American !
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Pictured from left to right are Mr. Tom Pettit Past President Fort Harrison Chapter, The Honorable Joel C. Hoppe, Compatriot Paul Wilson, Fort Harrison Chapter, and CAPT Ros Poplar USN (ret) President Fort Harrison Chapter. 

For the sixth consecutive year Fort Harrison has presented commendations and awards in all five available categories. Public Service Committee Chair Wes Dove announced seventeen awards were presented with the majority of the presentations taking place at department meetings and functions.

2025 Commendations and Award Recipients 
EMS
Lieutenant Campbell Williams, Broadway Volunteer Fire Department
Fire Safety
Firefighter Steven Faught, Broadway Volunteer Fire Department
Firefighter Randy Palmer, Broadway Volunteer Fire Department
Firefighter Mike Seekford, Broadway Volunteer Fire Department
Chief Jay Ritchie, Hose Company Number 4
Heroism
Police Officer Robert Girard, Bridgewater Police Department
Police Officer Kaleb Lohr, Broadway Police Department
Firefighter Charles Meadows, Broadway Volunteer Fire Department
Firefighter Tyler Miller, Broadway Volunteer Fire Department
Seargent Spencer Morrison, Bridgewater Police Department
Law Enforcement
Master Police Officer Don Klotz, Harrisonburg Police Department
Chief Anthony Matos, James Madison Police Department
Seargent David Morris, Harrisonburg Police Department
Lieutenant Chris Rush, Harrisonburg Police Department
Seargent Wayne Westfall, Harrisonburg Police Department
Life Saving
Firefighter Benjamin Childs, Broadway Volunteer Fire Department
Firefighter Andrew Dove, Broadway Volunteer Fire Department

Click on photos to enlarge

Serving as more of a Christmas Social than a standard meeting, President Poplar introduced distinguished guests; 3rd VP of the Virginia Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, National Vice Chair of Service to America and Honorary Regent with Massanutton DAR, Regent with Massanutton DAR, and each of their spouses.

The formal business portion of the meeting included a vote on the 2026 Fort Harrison slate of officers, which passed unanimously. Compatriot Tom Pettit detailed the scheduled dates for 2026 Naturalization Ceremonies locally. Compatriot Atkins provided brief Fort Harrison “year in review” update with a corresponding slideshow running throughout the evening. Atkins also shared a VASSAR update based on his current role as 3rd VP and some of what he’ll be involved with in 2026 as he moves into the 2nd VP role. Compatriot Atkins presented Heather Keens, Massanutton DAR Regent, with a America 250th Anniversary Bronze Medal for her involvement with 250th initiatives and July 4th celebration. President Poplar and DAR liaisons, Norma Sheap and Joann Poplar, provided an update on recent Wreaths Across America events held throughout the Shenandoah Valley where Fort Harrison members participated.