Maryland Society,
Sons of the American Revolution
The John Paul Jones Chapter year of 2023 has been marked by our community, historic outreach at varied level which included contributions public works, historic education competitions for local student and very importantly our continuation of organized, American Revolution, historic events and leaders which are directly represented here in Annapolis. The John Paul Jones Chapter has been keen to distribute an always, well received, community outreach presentation at different times during the year to take advantage of steady stream of public exposure for the John Paul Jones chapter and ideals of the American Revolution.
We continued many of our long standing, historic commemorations to include the United States, Naval Academy with our annual, John Paul Jones Crypt on the 10th of December 2022 with ceremonies in the basement of the Naval Academy Chapel. A historical presentation of John Paul Jones’ career was presented by a member of the John Paul Jones Chapter, highlighting John Paul Jones and his exemplary service to the American Revolution before proceeding to our annual Christmas Party.
The JPJ chapter remains committed to annual, “Wreaths Across America” as we participate in remembering the veterans buried in the Annapolis National Cemetery. On the 15th of December 2022, JPJ chapter provided 10 to 12 members at Annapolis and a uniformed member at the Cheltenham National Cemetery to place wreaths.
The JPJ chapter continues to make strides to expand its annual George Washington Resignation ceremony commemoration in the Maryland State Capital, Old Senate Chamber on the date of the actual resignation, December 23rd, 1783. Planning is well underway for the reenactment of the resignation on the 250th anniversary using members of the John Paul Jones chapter. We are anticipating a member of the JPJ Color Guard at the Annapolis National Cemetery for 2023 as well. The Chapter made its usual recreation of George Washington’s resignation of his General in Chief position of the Continental Army in the Maryland Capital, Old Senate Chamber on the day of his resignation on 23 December,1783. The John Paul Jones, 23 Dec 2022, annual George Washington Resignation Ceremony. Photos below picture our own JPJ members and spouse, chapter friends, living historians in period dress.
Chapter leaders as well members have been active in forwarding our Revolutionary War, patriotic message to our local community in a variety of different ways from reaching out to schools in sponsoring oration contests marching for the 4th of July parade in Galesville.
The chapter took on the sponsorship of a recurring, roadside clean-up responsibility for the State of Maryland along Old General’s Highway. This route was used by General George Washington and the French Major General de Rochambeau during the Revolutionary War for their march to Yorktown in October of 1781.
Our community outreach has been varied and appreciated from historical commemorations that have reached varied local audiences, community, public works where the JPJ chapter has taken responsibility for highway clean-up, recognizing contributions of students for their participation in oratory competitions, highlighting American Revolutionary heroes and police officers with awards of recognition for their commitment to ensuring the symbols of our joint patriotism are always cared for properly displayed at Anne Arundel Community College, patriotic, Fourth of July, holiday parade.
We started September by sponsoring our largest public event of the year, our Franco-American Alliance commemoration on September 21st honoring the French soldiers, sailors and the Maryland Continentals encamped in the general vicinity of the Northwest Corner of Worden Field on Naval Academy grounds in September of 1781 while on their way to the Battle of Yorktown in October of 1781. We finished our commemorations for 2023 on 28 October with our participation with a Virginia, Sons of the American Revolution, sponsored, multi-grave marking.
John Paul Jones Historian Report: December 2022-December 2023
On multiple chilly, December days, JPJ Members at the Annapolis National Cemetery, place wreaths at the headstones of veterans
In April 2023, past JPJ chapter president, Ron Shuey, presented cash award certificates for our March, JPJ meeting, oration contest winners for their Revolutionary War presentations at the Severn School. He was able to persuade the Severn School administrators to hold a general meeting of the entire school population to present the oration winners their certificates which also included a certificate of commendation for the school from the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution for its hosting of the oration contest encouraging students to present American Revolution, historical orations for the contest. According to Ron, the Severn School is especially noteworthy is the school one of few that have the largest number of previous students who have served in the military as well as having two former students who have been Congressional Medal of Honor recipients.
The John Paul Jones Chapter, orchestrated, Franco-American Alliance Commemoration on September 21st, 2023, on the corner of the home of USNA, Director of Special Events, Captain Mendenhall, USN. Captain Mendenhall provided valuable assistance with authorization as well as aiding in preparing parking for the event. As you can see, Captain Mendenhall was able to ensure that there were no cars parked next to his house, allowing for adequate, unobstructed space for the event. The Franco-American Alliance Commemoration was well attended to Maryland State, elected officials to include a State Senator, Delegates, President of the Historic Annapolis organization as well as multiple leaders of the Society of the Cincinnati of Maryland and a representative of the Sons of the Revolution. Our President was very active to ensure our many distinguished guests were properly thanked in a very timely manner which would ensure that our significant, historic events would have precedence to be attended again by both Maryland and House of Delegates representatives in future years.
Our JPJ compatriots are joined by French, naval attaches from the French Embassy to present wreaths. A French Lieutenant Colonel on the staff of the Headquarters of the Supreme Allied Commander for Transformation, based in Norfolk, Virginia was also in attendance. We were privileged that our past JPJ President and retired, United States Navy Commander, Ron Shuey was able to work with the Academy to provide a Midshipman honor guard for the event.
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