2022 Wreaths Across America

The 2022 National Wreaths Across America Day occurred on Saturday, December 17, 2022, at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies. The cemetery received over 15,200 wreaths of which the George Washington Chapter acquired 3,197. Every grave was marked with a wreath. 

L-R: Austin Schoenfelder, Brynnly Schwartz, Tyler Schoenfelder, Beth Licciardello, Michael Licciardello, Kurt Winter, A. J. Swerbensky, Mark Welsh, Glenn White, and Gary Timmons.

George Washington Chapter Participates in 2022 Whiskey Rebellion Festival Parade

From left to right: Nathaniel Black, Ron Malmgren, John Mathues, A. J. Swerbensky, Ron Miller, Wesley, Black, Mark Black, Bryan Cunning, Chip Zelch, and Mark Pearson

George Washington Chapter Participates in 2021 Wreath Across America

Members of the George Washington Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution joined with families, veterans, and other volunteers at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies to help place the wreaths on Friday, December 17, 2021. Usually, the ceremony is done on a Saturday in December across the country, but due to ongoing construction in the cemetery this year, it was spread over two days to accommodate the volunteers and parking.

Nearly 15,000 wreaths were placed. For the 6th consecutive year, every grave was marked either by a wreath or by family decorations. The George Washington Chapter continues to be the largest gatherer of wreaths for this cemetery. This year the chapter obtained 3,489 of the 15,000 wreaths that were placed. The cemetery serves veterans from the tri-state area.

Additionally, Karl and Everitt Meer participated in the Wreaths Across America ceremony at the Valley Forge Military Park.

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

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.

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.

2014 Whiskey Rebellion Festival

Compatriots of the George Washington Chapter were proud to attend the annual Whiskey Rebellion Festival held on Saturday, July 13, 2014 in Washington, PA. The festival celebrates the heritage and unique character of the region by focusing on the historical significance of the Whiskey Rebellion. The history of the rebellion is unique to western Pennsylvania and primarily Washington County. Community focused entertainment and family activities create a festival that pays tribute to the past, celebrates the present, and looks toward the future.

Pictured above from left to right: Jack Schreiber, Ron Miller, Ron Eisert, Ed Schreiber, and Lindsy Morris.

The Whiskey Rebellion was a tax protest in the early years of the United States. During the presidency of George Washington, farmers who sold their grain in the form of whiskey were required to pay a new tax which they strongly resented. The excise tax was a part of treasury secretary Alexander Hamilton’s program to pay off the national debt.

On the western frontier, which included southwestern Pennsylvania, protesters used violence and intimidation to prevent federal officials from collecting the tax. In one instance, angry mobs tarred and feathered a tax collector, which is re-enacted each year at the Whiskey Rebellion Festival.

In 1794, President Washington responded by calling a militia of 13,000 men to suppress the uprising.  By the time the militia arrived, the rebels had dispersed, and there was no confrontation. The response demonstrated that the federal government had the authority to levy taxes and suppress resistance to its laws.

Chapter President Ron Miller

Compatriots of the George Washington Chapter regularly attend historical events within our region, such as the Whiskey Rebellion Festival, as well as parades and memorial ceremonies in which various chapter members dress in colonial period attire. The chapter is always looking for new members to actively participate in our meetings and activities, which include luncheons, picnics, and time to hear speakers present on topics related to Revolutionary War Era history.

For more information regarding membership, please contact chapter Secretary and Registrar Gary Timmons at g.timmons@comcast.net.