February 1, 2024
Fellow Sons of the Virginia Society,
My hope is that each of our members and their families enjoyed a nice holiday season and the prospects of a great new year. This is the 132nd year of our Society and The Sons of the Revolution in the Commonwealth of Virginia continues to be financially solid and growing. I have come to realize that we are not only the third largest society in the country, but we are an example as to our financial management, and support of the overall mission in our programs, events, and philanthropy.
Moving into 2024 our membership is approaching and may well surpass seven hundred. Our amazing collection of flags is also growing with three new revolutionary war flags being sponsored by our members and will be presented at this year’s George Washington Birthday Dinner (GWB). Our colors are standing proud on public display at the entry lobby of the American Revolution Museum in Yorktown Virginia and our Color Guard is under the leadership of Captain Matthew Schumacher and 1st Lieutenant Nick Almond. They have two new volunteers and are looking for more members to proudly present our flags at our GWB Dinners and the Yorktown Day celebrations. We have minted new challenge coins and have a new Newsletter Committee which is planning on providing its first publication this Spring.
Virginia continues to provide leadership to the General Society with several members participating on various committees and we sponsored and arranged for the 2023 GSSR Annual Meeting at the Kingsmill Resort this past September. The event and meeting were successfully held well under budget. We are looking forward to the support of our board members and our membership in our attendance at the 2024 General Society Triennial in Philadelphia, October 3rd through 5th. This coming Triennial promises to be very important regarding the future administration of the General Society.
Our relationship with our bookkeeping and financial administration firm is sound and very beneficial as anticipated. Treasurer Barry Almond is in close contact with the firm and continues to refine their means and methods to provide for the accurate management of our finances. We recently discussed a contract extension that will continue to provide financial continuity for our Society.
Our annual meeting in May of 2023 at The Tuckahoe Women’s Club was well attended by members and guests, and our “Boots, Blue Jeans, Barbecue and Bluegrass” event at the Deep Run Hunt Club saw continued success. Huntley Galleher once again supplied the oysters, and the third annual event is set for October 2024. We hope the weather will be as pleasant this year as it was for our past events.
We traditionally co-sponsored the Wilton House Oyster Roast event in November with the Colonial Dames, and Scott Bussells delivered another successful “Cigar and Bourbon Tasting” at The Commonwealth Club. Scott’s and CL Sigmon’s efforts have gained us approximately 38 new members for 2023, and we look forward to inducting and welcoming them on February 24th at the GWB.
The 2024 GWB dinner will be held on February 24th and will mark the two-hundred and ninety-second celebration of the birthday of the Father of our Country, George Washington. First vice-president Dick Stone, Second Vice President Joe Thornton, Past President Bev Mauck, and our Executive Assistant Lee Boisseau have met and are a great assistance in planning this year’s event. Lieutenant General Gerald Boykin, USA (ret) will be our guest speaker. General Boykin was one of the original members of the US Army’s Delta Force and we plan to continue to provide speakers of this caliber for our future GWB Dinners.
Our Secretary Sean O’Hara is also administrator of the Patriots’ Fund and as of year-end, we have continued to receive donations close to our goal to support our Society’s philanthropic efforts. These funds are used to provide financial support of the 1776 Project at the Library of Virginia; the home of our flag collection, The American Revolution Museum in Yorktown; The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation; educational scholarships and more. The Patriots’ Fund allows us to provide aid to others who have missions synonymous with ours.
Those of you who have considered getting more involved in our Society, there is no better time than the present. We need Color Guard, Board of Managers, and committee members. Our Past President Matson Roberts heads up our Nominating Committee so please contact him with your support or recommendations.
As I mentioned earlier in this letter Virginia is a leader nationally in many ways. We set an example by pursuing our mission statement and honoring those who fought for our independence. We have strength in our numbers, however, to continue our efforts and traditions I ask you to consider being a more active member. Simply recommend a friend or relative for membership, help with our events or attend Yorktown Day. Any time you can offer is greatly appreciated.
Gentlemen, you stand on the foundation of our proud and honorable Society built by your ancestors. Your respect for family lineage and knowledge of your family’s contributions to the cause of freedom have created the history of our nation and its traditions.
To each of you reading this letter I am truly humbled with the honor to serve as your President.
Mark M. Jakobowski
President