Our Charter, Our Mission

The permanent charter of the Sergeant Major John Champe Chapter, Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution was issued 17 September, 2022 with twenty-six regular members and thirteen dual members.  We were Chapter number thirty in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Our Mission

  • Commemorate and provide memorials for the people and events of the American Revolution.  Examples include:
    • locate, rehabilitate and mark the graves of Revolutionary war Patriots buried in Loudoun County
    • Commemorate events unique to Loudoun County, such as:  BGen Anthony Wayne’s Army 1781 march south and crossing of the Potomac; Loudoun Resolves signed in June 1774; Commemorate Reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Loudoun County Courthouse 12 AUG 1776,  the very first time it was read in Virginia
    • Participate in Patriot Grave Markings and event memorials sponsored by other SAR Chapters within and outside of Virginia.  An example is the George Washington Birthday parade held every year in Alexandria, VA
  • Preserve records relating to the events leading up to and during the American Revolution.  This includes working with the Loudoun County Historical Records Office
  • Support research and presentations related to the history and people of the period 1750-1800.  This includes giving presentations on Revolutionary War topics and researching events such as camping spots of BGen Wayne’s Army with the goal of marking each site with road signs
  • We maintain the institutions of American freedom and preserve US History.  We do this by commemorating the Declaration of Independence, the Virginia and US Bill of Rights, Constitution Day, Flag Day, and many more.  We visit school children and give presentations on a variety of historical events and persons
  • We provide recognition for public service by identifying top performers in: Fire fighting/Fire safety, Emergency Medical Technicians, Heroism, Life Saving, and more.
  • We honor, respect and support veterans of all wars.  We do this by giving presentations to Veterans living at Assisted Living Facilities, participating in Veterans Day parades and events, Commemorating Vietnam Veterans Day and Memorial Day.  Through the SAR Partners in Patriotism program we work with local VFW, American Legion and many other Veterans support organizations to recognize and support Veterans of all wars.
  • We sponsor essay and oration contests for high school students with topics based upon historical and patriotic topics
  • We sponsor grammar school poster contests and Middle School Brochure contests based upon historical and patriotic topics
  • We recognize American History Teachers through our History Teacher of the Year program
  • We recognize top performing cadets at Loudoun County High School Naval Junior Officer Training Corps
  • We recognize Eagle Scouts when the scout achieves Eagle at the new Eagle’s Court of Honor
  • We recognize businesses, residents and Government offices that properly display and maintain the Flag of the United States.  We hold formal Flag Retirement Programs each year on Flag Day.
  • We distribute historical curriculum to public, parochial and private schools and have Compatriots wearing the clothing  of our Revolutionary War Ancestors present THE FLAG CHEST and THE PATRIOTS CHEST
  • Through our Speaker’s Bureau we make presentations to the community on topics concerning events, people and places associated with the American Revolution
  • We work closely with the ladies of the Daughters of the American Revolution in support of their goals and they help us achieve our goals.
  • We sponsor the Reverend John Marks Society Children of the American Revolution by providing training, assistance at their meetings, and involvement in our activities.
  • We help people and applicants locate genealogical records leading to proving ancestry to Patriots of the Revolutionary War.  Our Operation Ancestor Search Program helps Veterans establish the basis of a family tree using Ancestry.com. This is done without expectation the Veteran  helped will join SAR if a patriot is discovered in his family tree
  • Compatriots in the clothing of their Revolutionary War ancestors may serve in our Color Guard.  The Color Guard, and/or Honor Guard is available to present colors to open an  event, such as a baseball game, and/or provide a musket volley to honor a person or event.  Our Color guard is the most visible and patriotic part of what we do.