In my February letter to the Chapter, I described an ambitious calendar of activities promoting community outreach by our Chapter for this last spring. First, I would like to take the opportunity here to recognize several members of our Chapter who continued to make impactful contributions this spring through our various outreach programs.

Patriotic and Youth Committees

• Jeff Thomas, for leading the Americanism Elementary School Poster Contest, and numerous classroom presentations on the history of Colonial and American flags – many in Color Guard uniform

• Larry McKinley, for continuing to lead our Essay and Oration contests promoting high school competitions at Chapter, State, and National levels

• Bill Denk, for leading our Eagle Scout Committee and establishing partnerships with local Boy Scout Troops, to recognize Eagle Scout achievement, in Fairfax and Loudoun Counties

Color Guard

• Darrin Schmidt, Commander of the Chapter Color Guard, which has grown in size to 10 members, further enhancing our community engagement and promoting the visual ‘brand’ of the SAR. Thank you to Rick Abbott, Dave Cook, Brian Eubanks, Kai Eubanks, Vern Eubanks, Larry McKinley, Dan Rolph, and Jeff Thomas for your personal investment – in both gear and time!

I would also like to express my appreciation for the partnership of 1st Vice President Tim Dioquino, 2nd Vice President Rick Garlick, and 3rd Vice President Rick Abbott, and the entire Board of Managers for helping distinguish the Fairfax Resolves and lead us to what I’m sure will be the Best Very Large Chapter in Virginia in 2018!

We want to continue this momentum into the summer. Although we’re on break, the next two months are a busy time on the Chapter calendar. For the 242nd Independence Day celebration, we will join the George Washington and other local chapters of the SAR, DAR, and C.A.R. for the annual March to Washington’s Tomb on July 4th. Of especial import to our Chapter, we will observe the 244th anniversary of the signing of the Fairfax Resolves on July 21st. Please watch for more details on this special event through email and the Chapter website.

The Fairfax Resolves comprise twenty-five resolutions adopted by a committee of freeholders in Fairfax County, written by George Mason with editorial contributions by George Washington. The Resolves is regarded as foundational to the principals of the U.S. Constitution and in particular influential to the Bill of Rights. A notable Virginian among the signatories is the Reverend Townsend Dade, Jr., the Patriot ancestor of Fairfax Resolves Chapter members Ray and son Wesley Dade.

Rounding out the month of July, I and other members of the Fairfax Resolves will attend the annual NSSAR Congress in Houston, TX. I look forward to reporting on events and outcomes in my next letter to you.

In the meantime I wish each of you an enjoyable summer, and look forward to seeing you at one or more of the exciting events planned this summer and this fall, when meetings begin again. Please continue to reference the schedule of events and programs on the Chapter website at FairfaxResolvesSAR.org.

Patriotically,

Ken Bonner, President

Fairfax Resolves, SAR