2021 Wreaths Across America Donation

Chapter check presentation to Wreaths Across America from donations that were received when the WAA mobile exhibit was in Bridgeville, PA. From L-R: WAA Location Coordinator Brynnly Schwartz, Gary Timmons, and Ron Miller

George Washington Chapter Participates in 2021 Whiskey Rebellion Festival

From L-R: Chip Zelch, A. J. Swerbensky, Gary Timmons, Kurt Winter, Ron Miller & Michael Merryman

George Washington Chapter Participates in 2021 Claysville Memorial Day Parade

Chapter Member Roger Wissinger Discovers Patriot Ancestor

After researching my family’s connection to early American history, I discovered that my fourth great-grandfather, Ludwig Wissinger, was a Revolutionary War veteran and is buried in the private Wissinger Family Cemetery in Johnstown, PA. I visited his gravesite and placed a wreath on his grave marker during the Wreaths Across America event.

While in the Continental Army, he served with the 3rd Battalion German Regiment of Maryland under the command of Col. Nicholas Hussecker and with the 3rd Battalion Bedford County Militia. He fought in numerous major battles, including the Battles of Concord, Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown, and Sullivan’s Campaign against the Iroquois Indians. He also served at Valley Forge in 1778 under the command of General George Washington.

He received his discharge on July 20, 1779, at the age of 23. Eighteen years later in 1797, Ludwig helped to clear 300 acres of wilderness in Cambria County. He worked with Joseph Jones to lay out the city of Johnstown, PA. He built a new house at what is now the corner of Bedford and Penrod Streets and gave land near his home for the first schoolhouse.

He expired on May 6, 1842, at the age of 86. Ludwig, his wife Susanna, and 17 family members are buried in the family cemetery at the corner of Riffith, Ruby, and Penrod Streets. This site is now a national historic landmark.

Roger Wissinger

Pennsylvania Society George Washington Chapter

2021 Wreaths Across America Mobile Exhibit

For the second year the George Washington Chapter hosted the Wreaths Across America mobile exhibit. The 24’ X 60’ fully functional trailer is equipped with two exterior televisions, four extended slide outs, four awnings an interior museum and a 20 person interactive movie theater. The exhibit tours the country with a minimum of 40 stops a year. On Monday, June 7, 2021 the exhibit was at the Texas Roadhouse located in the Great Southern Shopping Center at 1155 Washington Pike, Bridgeville, PA. During the exhibit’s stop, the George Washington Chapter had an SAR information table set up as well as accepted wreath sponsorships. For the last six years the George Washington Chapter has been the largest out of 30 other groups/organizations to gatherer wreaths for that National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, which is located nearby.

May / June 2021 George Washington Chapter Newsletter

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May / June 2021 Newsletter Highlights

• Chapter meeting will be Saturday, June 19, 2021 @ 12:00 PM at Meadowcroft Museum of Rural Life.
• Reservations for meeting attendance must be made prior to Saturday, June 12, 2021.
• The chapter retained the “most active PASSAR chapter” plaque for chapters with 100+ members.
• Nominations for the SAR flag certificate can be sent to Kurt Winter.
• Volunteers needed for both the Wreaths Across American Mobile Exhibit as well as for the Whiskey Rebellion.
• New compatriots welcomed: Kevin Burne, Clark John Hagan, and Junior Member Julian Bennett Lombardi Thomas.
• The Revolutionary Soldier Memorial sign program has commenced in Washington County, PA.

May / June 2021 George Washington Chapter NewsletterDownload

Wreaths Across America Mobile Exhibit – June 7, 2021

For the second year the George Washington Chapter will host the Wreaths Across America mobile exhibit. The 24’ X 60’ fully functional trailer is equipped with two exterior televisions, four extended slide outs, four awnings an interior museum and a 20 person interactive movie theater. The exhibit tours the country with a minimum of 40 stops a year. On Monday, June 7, 2021 from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM, the exhibit will be at the Texas Roadhouse located in the Great Southern Shopping Center at 1155 Washington Pike, Bridgeville, PA. During the exhibit’s stop, the George Washington Chapter will have an SAR information table set up and will also be accepting wreath sponsorships. For the last six years the George Washington Chapter has been the largest out of 30 other groups/organizations to gatherer wreaths for that National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, which is located nearby. If you have never been to the cemetery, this would be a great opportunity to visit the site before coming to the Texas Roadhouse. We are also looking for volunteers that would be willing to spend an hour or two or the entire day to help us promote both Wreaths Across America and our George Washington Chapter.

Also, the Texas Roadhouse has graciously agreed to donate 10% of their sales back to our George Washington Chapter to support the 2021 Wreaths Across America campaign. Please print and take the flyer below with you when you pay for your order. Also, feel free to print and pass out the flyer to your friends and neighbors. We hope to see you there!  

March / April 2021 George Washington Chapter Newsletter

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March / April 2021 Newsletter Highlights

• Chapter meeting on Saturday, April 17, 2021 @ 12:00 PM at Century Inn
• Reservations for meeting attendance must be made prior to Saturday, April 10, 2021
• New compatriot welcomed: Captain Thomas “Tim” Thomassy
• New Whiskey Rebellion Museum to be featured in Washington, PA
• The Whiskey Rebellion Festival will occur on Saturday, July 17, 2021

March / April 2021 George Washington Chapter NewsletterDownload

January / February 2021 George Washington Chapter Newsletter

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January / February 2021 Newsletter Highlights

• February 2021 regular meeting canceled due to COVID restrictions
• Two new compatriots welcomed: Seth Russell Lemley and Collin Kevin Miller
• 1,917 wreaths sponsored by the George Washington Chapter for Wreaths Across America
• Passing of Compatriot Vaughn B. Curry on December 23, 2020
• Knight Essay entry by Caitlin Grabowski titled “In the Shadow of Lafayette”
• First chapter meeting will be held on Saturday, April 17, 2021 at Century Inn

January / February 2021 George Washington Chapter Newsletter FileDownload

2020 Wreaths Across America Ceremony

The George Washington Chapter participated in the Wreaths Across America ceremony at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies on December 17, 2020. Our GW chapter received sponsorships for 3,184 of the 14,200 wreaths that were placed making us the largest gatherer of wreaths for that cemetery. Seven inches of snow was present, but that did not deter chapter members from honoring our Veterans.