The Fort Harrison Chapter sponsored its 3rd Annual Flag Day Ceremony on Friday, June 14. Here is the report filed by Massanutton Honorary Regent and Virginia State Corresponding Secretary Penny Cummiskey.

The Massanutton Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution were proud to participate with a Flag Day Retirement and Dedication hosted by the Fort Harrison Chapter of the National Society of the Sons of the Revolution.

The event was held at the Elkton Town Hall and new pavilion on 14 June.  Welcome was given by Past President Randy Atkins, the organizing chair of the event.  Elkton Mayor Josh Gooden gave greetings and President Ros Poplar started the program by presenting the Virginia SAR Color Guard, Colonel James Wood II Chapter, which posted colors.

Narrow Passage Chapter, NSDAR Vice Regent Joanne Poplar let the Pledge of Allegiance.  Josh Davidson sang “Old Ragged Flag” followed by prayer of dedication for the retiring flags from Rev. John Sloop, SAR Chaplain.  The Virginia SAR Color Guard gave a musket volley. Introductions were then given for the special guests that were in attendance that included: Fort Harrison Chapter, NSSAR members: President Ros Poplar, Past Presidents Randy Atkins and Wes Dove, Chaplain John Sloop, Brian Phelps and Tony Wilt; 34th House Delegate. From the Town of Elkton: Mayor Josh Gooden, Town Manager Greg Lunsford, Vice Mayor Rick Workman, council members: Aaron Napotnik, Rachel Michael, Jan Hensley, Virginia Fulginiti and Louis Heidel.

Also attending was the Elkton Volunteer Fire Department, Mountain Valley District BSA Unit Commissioner Cory May, Cub Scout Packs 1 and 41, Boy Scout Troops 1 and 124. Massanutton Chapter, NSDAR, Narrow Passage Chapter, NSDAR, Shenandoah River Chapter, NSDAR and Virginia Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

Virginia State Senator Mark Obenshain, Rockingham County Board of Supervisors Joel Hensley, public service personnel, and veterans. The program continued with Brian Phelps leading the SAR Pledge. Delegate Tony Wilt and Senator Mark Obenshain each spoke and gave Flag Day remarks. Massanutton Honorary Regent and Virginia State Corresponding Secretary led the assembly with the American’s Creed.

The scouts raised the new flag at the Town Hall and Josh Davidson sang the National Anthem. Chaplain John Sloop gave a prayer of dedication to the new flag and wreaths were presented by President Ros Poplar from the Fort Harrison Chapter, NSSAR, Regent Gail Carten from Narrow Passage Chapter, NSDAR, Virginia DAR State officers; Penny Cummiskey, Adele Morris and Susan Walls for Virginia State DAR, Regent Carol Parker of Massanutton Chapter, NSDAR and Vice Regent Jill Propst from Shenandoah River Chapter, NSDAR.  Closing remarks were given by President Ros Poplar and Josh Davidson led the singing of “God Bless America.”
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The Colors were retired in Place. Other members attending from Massanutton Chapter, NSDAR:  Emily Carneal, Ashleigh Cummiskey Corzo and Becca Whitfield.

On June 8th the Fort Harrison Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution participated in the Commemoration of the Virginia Declaration of Rights Authored by George Mason which were adopted on June 12, 1776 by the Virginia Constitutional Convention.

George Mason was an American planter, politician, Founding Father, and delegate to the U.S. Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787, where he was one of three delegates who refused to sign the Constitution. 

His writings, including substantial portions of the Fairfax Resolves of 1774, the Virginia Declaration of Rights of 1776, and his Objections to this Constitution of Government (1787) opposing ratification, have exercised a significant influence on American political thought and events. The Virginia Declaration of Rights, which Mason principally authored, served as a basis for the United States Bill of Rights, of which he has been deemed a father.

The ceremony was sponsored by The George Mason Chapter Virginia Society, SAR and conducted at his ancestral home Gunston Hall in Lorton, VA. The event consisted of a Commemoration of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, a reading of the sixteen articles of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, and a wreath laying ceremony at his tomb. Approximately one hundred people were in attendance. There were over thirty diverse patriotic organizations present. Ros Poplar (Fort Harrison DAR Chapter President) and Joanne Poplar (Narrow Passage 1st Vice-Regent) were among those who presented wreaths on behalf of their respective chapters.