President Phelps shared 250th Anniversary Reflection themed around May 19, 1776; with little activity occurring that day, General George Washington provided his troops with guidance on expected preparation for upcoming engagements. Phelps read segments of the correspondence Washington sent out.
First Vice President Jimmy Kilbourne shared an outstanding program detailing “The Printing of The Declaration of Independence.” Kilbourne shared specifics about the plan for announcing the Declaration across the Colonies, passing the information to representatives and allies abroad, and detailed various approaches used in printing the initial versions of the Declaration that were posted in major cities at the time.

​The Fort Harrison Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution awarded the SAR Bronze ROTC Medal to Cadet Michael Craig in a recent ceremony on the James Madison University (JMU) Campus. Cadet Craig will be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army Signal Corps and was nominated for this prestigious by the Professor of Military Science of the JMU “Duke” Battalion. The SAR Silver ROTC Medal is presented by the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) to honor outstanding ROTC cadets in university ROTC programs who embody the SAR’s principle of the “citizen-soldier” inspired by the Minutemen of the Revolutionary War. The Fort Harrison chapter has a strong relationship with “The Duke” Battalion and it is indeed always a pleasure to recognize the next generation of America’s leaders.

​On May 8th, the Fort Harrison Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution awarded the SAR Bronze ROTC Medal to Cadet Dorian Jackson of the Harrisonburg High School “Blue Streak” Battalion. The SAR Bronze ROTC Medal is a recognition award to outstanding cadets in secondary school JROTC (Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) programs. It is designed to foster the principle of the “citizen-soldier” as exemplified by the Minutemen of the American Revolution. The medal honors cadets who demonstrate high merit in leadership qualities, military bearing, and general excellence. It is presented to promote patriotism, historical awareness, and the ideals of service to the nation. Pictured is Fort Harrison’s post President CAPT Ros Poplar (USN) ret and Cadet Dorian Jackson. The Fort Harrison Chapter has a long-standing relationship with the “Blue Streak” Battalion and proudly supports their activities throughout the academic year.

On April 28 Virginia SAR 2nd VP Randy Atkins joined Virginia SAR 1st VP Ken Bonner, 13 Virginia SAR chapters, and 15 other hereditary organizations at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond to commemorate the 268th birthday of President James Monroe.

Vice-President Jimmy Kilbourne shared a 250th minute: April 1776; one year after Lexington and Concord the American Strategy to win independence begins to mature. On land, Washington marches the Army towards New York to prepare to engage the British, the fledgling Navy scores several victories against British warships on the high seas and Coastal Atlantic area, the United Colonial government bans British commercial shipping from using American ports, they will only deal with France, Spain, etc. North Carolina is the first Colony post Declaration of Independence to ratify its own set of resolutions called the Halifax Resolves that clearly call for leaving England by rebellion.

​Vice President Kilbourne then gave Compatriot Michael Walsh the floor to introduce the guest speaker, Geoff Baggett, who shared an outstanding presentation called “Revolutionary War in a Trunk,” detailing the attire and weaponry worn and used by soldiers and militiamen in the Revolutionary War.

Fort Harrison Chapter in partnership with the Colonel James Wood II chapter commemorated the 268th birthday of James Monroe on April 19. Compatriot Marc Robinson presented a brief on the life and history of the 5th President.

Fort Harrison chapter sponsored a grave marking ceremony on April 19 honoring Patriot Andrew Andes. The event took place at Mount Olivet cemetery and was attended by six SAR chapters and four DAR chapters. Several descendants were in attendance. 

Fort Harrison participated in the annual Patriots' Day observance on April 18. Patriots' Day commemorates the opening battles of the American Revolution in Lexington and Concord.

Fort Harrison participated in the annual multi-chapter meeting at Graves Mountain Lodge on April 18. Attending was President Brian Phelps, past-President Ros Poplar, 2nd Vice-President Logan Phelps, and Virginia Society 2nd Vice-President Randy Atkins. Virginia Society President Darrin Schmidt was the guest speaker and highlighted is goals for 2026.

Fort Harrison members attended annual ceremony on April 18 to gather and bless Virginia soil, which will be transported to South Carolina to be spread on the mass grave of Virginia soldiers killed at the 1780 Battle of Waxhaws. This symbolic act honors the 3rd Virginia Detachment, led by Colonel Abraham Buford, who were mostly killed or wounded by British Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton on May 29, 1780.