On August 12, Fort Harrison’s Public Service Committee recognized five Harrisonburg Police Department officers with SAR Commendations and Medals for Law Enforcement, Life Saving, and Heroism, presented by Fort Harrison Public Service Chair Wes Dove and state/national Public Service committee member Randy Atkins.

This aligns with the chapter’s ongoing commitment to honoring exemplary public safety personnel across the Shenandoah Valley. Recent Fort Harrison records show that Harrisonburg officers have been frequent recipients of SAR awards, including commendations for law enforcement excellence, heroic actions, and life‑saving interventions. 
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Law Enforcement Commendation Medal — awarded for exceptional service, leadership, or investigative achievement in policing.
​Life Saving Commendation Medal — recognizes an officer whose actions directly save or preserve human life.
Heroism Medal — honors acts of bravery performed at personal risk beyond the call of duty.
These medals are part of the Sons of the American Revolution’s national Public Service Awards Program, which Fort Harrison has consistently participated in and expanded.

Randy Atkins presented Dennis Miller the Good Citizenship Medal before the Veterans Night Game at Monger Field in Mount Crawford on July 25.

Military Service & Defense of Country
A proud graduate of the Turner Ashby High School Class of 1965, Dennis R. Miller answered the call to serve his country when he was drafted into the United States Army in February 1966.

He completed Basic Training at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina, followed by specialized training at the Ammunition School at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. Dennis was assigned to the 33rd Ordnance Company, which formed at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, serving as an Ammunition Storage Specialist stationed in Cam Ranh Bay, South Vietnam. Rising to the rank of Specialist 5th Class, he honorably served a total of 1 year, 9 months, and 15 days before his discharge in November 1967.

His service carries a sobering historical connection: just two months after his departure, in January 1968, the North Vietnamese Army launched the Tet Offensive, bombing Cam Ranh Bay and striking the very supply depot and hospital where he had been stationed.

Decades of Community & Public Service
Upon returning to civilian life, Dennis built a career defined by hard work and dedication:

 Dominion Energy (formerly VEPCO): Worked for over 30 years as a lineman, keeping power on for his community through all conditions and seasons.

 Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW): A devoted lifetime member of the local VFW, Dennis has held numerous leadership offices, proudly served on the Color Guard representing his fellow veterans, and spent countless years actively recruiting new members to ensure younger veterans find support, camaraderie, and brotherhood following their service.

A Cornerstone of Local Baseball
To generations of local sports fans, Dennis is a staple of the diamond. He has dedicated more than half of his life to the Bridgewater Reds and the Rockingham County Baseball League (RCBL). Over the decades, he has impacted every facet of the game—serving as a player, coach/manager, scorekeeper, and board member.

Whether keeping official stats, guiding teams from the dugout, or maintaining league leadership behind the scenes, his love for the game and commitment to local athletics remain unmatched.

A Special Milestone: You’d never guess it looking at his energy and continued service, but Dennis will officially celebrate his 80th birthday this December!

Randy Atkins attended and participated in the National SAR 250th celebration in Philadelphia, July 1-5. Many events took place, including a reading of the Declaration of Independence, Grave Marking ceremony, bench dedication, and a SAR Showcase.

The Fort Harrison chapter presented the reading of the Declaration of Independence for the 31st consecutive year on the Rockingham County Courthouse steps. President Brian Phelps presided over the presentation and Compatriot Paul Hatmaker continued his yearly reading. The Beaver Creek Long Knives fired a musket volley at the conclusion of the reading.

Fort Harrison President Brian Phleps and 2nd Vice-President Logan Phelps participated in a July 4th celebration sponsored by the Massanutton DAR. 

Randy Atkins represented the Virginia Society on Bastille Day, July 14 in Norfolk, presenting the Virginia SAR Medal to five officers from the French contingent at NATO in Norfolk, VA.

One July 9 Randy Atkins attended the 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Cricket Hill. Three ceremonies were held during the day. The first was the dedication of a memorial marker for Captain Louis d'Ohicky Arundel, the first French officer to be killed, just five days after the signing of the Declaration. The second dedication was for the Road to Revolution Battle of Cricket Hill sign. The third event was the SAR/DAR/CAR Battle of Cricket Hill 250th Celebration Ceremony.

Brian Phelps and Randy Atkins presented Ben Coffman the Fire Safety Commendation and Medal on in front of a large crowd on June 12 at the LeadershipLegacy event held at the Atlantic Union Bank in Harrisonburg, VA.

​Ben began his firefighting journey at age 14 with the Timberville Volunteer Fire Department and has now given more than 35 years to protecting lives and property. He served over 20 years with Fairfax County Fire & Rescue, rising to law enforcement-certified Fire Marshal and Explosives Enforcement Program Manager, where his work in fire prevention and code enforcement directly safeguarded our communities. He later served as Fire Chief in Livingston, Montana, and today serves as Deputy Fire Chief and Emergency Management Coordinator for Frederick County Fire & Rescue.

A graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer program, Ben also serves on the National Capital Region Incident Management Team. In that role, he provided critical leadership during the complex multi-agency response and recovery following the January 2025 mid-air collision involving American Airlines Flight 5342 near Reagan National Airport. For those efforts, the NCR IMT was recently honored by the Aero Club of Washington as Persons of the Year, with Ben representing the team.

Ben’s decades of dedicated service in fire prevention, emergency response, and incident command exemplify the highest standards of professionalism and selfless commitment to protecting human life and property.

Fort Harrison sponsored a Grave Marking for two Patriots at Elk Run Cemetery in Elkton on June 14. Patriots Henry Hammer and Henry Miller were honored during the ceremony that featured the Virginia SAR Color Guard, three SAR chapters and four DAR chapters. 

Fort Harrison hosted the fifth annual Flag Day Retirement and Dedication Ceremony at the Elkton Downtown Market Place. This was the third consecutive year in Elkton, the permanent location for the event. Vice President Jimmy Kilbourne gave the keynote speech titled "O say can you see, read, hear". Other participating SAR chapters included the General Daniel Morgan and the Colonel James Wood II Chapters. DAR participation included chapters from Massanutton, Narrow Passage, Beverly Manor, Shenandoah River.