January 20, 2025
Gentlemen of the Virginia Society,
We are rapidly approaching the 133rd year of our Society and I am pleased to report The Sons of the Revolution in the Commonwealth of Virginia continues to be financially solid and growing. At the 2024 General Society Triennial Meeting last month the Virginia Society again received the award for the Society with the most growth since the Boston Triennial which is where we received the very same award six years ago. We continue to be the third largest society in the country and year after year are gaining ground on Pennsylvania in fact, in 2025 our membership is poised to surpass seven hundred.
Our reputation is we are leader nationally and that we are an example as to how a Society should function by our administrative and financial management, support of the overall mission in our programs, events, and philanthropy.
Regarding the General Society, at the 2024 General Society Triennial in Philadelphia I was honored to be elected as the General President of the General Society – Sons of the Revolution. Additional leadership is provided to the General Society from Virginia with Matson Roberts returning to serve as the General Treasurer and Peter Broadbent was elected to the General Assistant Solicitor position. Our Past President Bev Mauck will continue to serve on the Nominating and Meeting committees of the Society.
At the Triennial I emphasized the importance of our attention and participation regarding our nations Semiquincentennial, the 250th celebration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In that effort the “250 for 250 Project” was introduced.
As descendants of those who led the fight and won our freedom that we have enjoyed for the past 243 years we must ensure that this ONCE IN A LIFETIME milestone is celebrated with the reverence and recognition it deserves by the Sons of the Revolution. This project will result in a nationally recognized effort and produce an eternal national memorial to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence to be dedicated on July 4, 2026.
We need your support as we move together to get this project off the ground and eventually in the national spotlight. I encourage our Virginia compatriots to be part of this most important project with a donation of $250.00 or any amount you choose in support of this project. Donations can be sent to the General Society Headquarters, 412 W. Francis St., Williamsburg, Virginia 23185.
We have received a second recent publication of our new Newsletter, and our Scholarship Program will be back in operation in 2025. Our 2024 Annual Meeting 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 from Christchurch School once again supplied the oysters, and the fourth annual event is set for October 2025.
A big thank you to our board members who showed up earlier this month to help us make the Colonial Dames, Colonial Wars, and VSSR Wilton House Oyster Roast another success. Speaking of success, Scott Bussells delivered another great “Cigar and Bourbon Tasting” at The Commonwealth Club. Scott’s and CL Sigmon’s efforts continue to provide new members for our Society, and we look forward to inducting and welcoming them on February 22nd at the 2025 George Washington Birthday Dinner.
The 2025 GWB dinner will be held on February 22nd which will celebrate the two-hundred and ninety-third birthday of the Father of our Country, George Washington. Lieutenant General David J. Furness, USMC (ret) will be our guest speaker. General Furness was commanding general of the 2nd Marine Division and Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies and Operations, Headquarters, United States Marine Corps and a graduate of VMI. Our GWB event team of Sean O’Hara, Dick Stone, Joe Thornton, Bev Mauck and our Executive Assistant Lee Boisseau continue to ensure another great GWB event. As in recent years, we plan to continue to provide speakers of this caliber for our future GWB Dinners.
The Patriots’ Fund allows us to provide aid to others who have missions synonymous with ours. Our Secretary Sean O’Hara is also administrator of the Patriots’ Fund, and we need your support to reach our goal so we may fund our Society’s philanthropic efforts. This past year Patriots Fund donations were used to provide financial support of the Children of the American Revolution; the 1776 Project at the Library of Virginia; The American Revolution Museum in Yorktown, the home of our flag collection; The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation; educational programs and more. Thank you to all who have donated this year.
There is no better time than the present to consider volunteering on our Color Guard, or as an officer or committee member. Our Past President Matson Roberts heads up our Nominating Committee so please contact him with your support or recommendations.
Our respect for family lineage and knowing that our ancestors DNA is our DNA and that your family’s contributions to the cause of freedom have created the history of our nation and its traditions. I ask each of you to step up and show up by becoming more active in our Society.
It is truly an honor and a privilege to continue to serve as the President of the Virginia Society.
Mark M. Jakobowski
President