The Colonel Fielding Lewis Chapter held its first organizing meeting at the “La Petite Auberge” restaurant in Fredericksburg, Virginia on September 12, 1998, with Marion Rambo serving as Organizing President, Bill Simpson as Organizing Secretary/Treasurer and Walter Brewster as Registrar. The Chapter was officially chartered, and the first officers elected and installed by VASSAR 2nd Vice President Richard Austin at the historic “Cambridge Inn” in Falmouth, Virginia on March 13, 1999. The Colonel Fielding Lewis Chapter is the second SAR chapter in the Fredericksburg, Virginia area succeeding the Hugh Mercer Chapter.
The Charter Members of the Chapter are:
Terry J. Block
Walter W. Brewster *
Dale C. De Butts *
Carroll C. Hayden
Jacob C. Russler, Jr. *
Lt. Col. Myron E. Lyman, Jr.
Charles T. McDaniel
Albert M. Noll *
John R. Orrock *
Paul T. Scott, Esq.
William L. Simpson, Jr.
Brig. Gen. John T. Peterson
R. Thomas Purkins
E. Thomas Purkins *
Marion H. Rambo, PhD
Walter J. Sheffield, Esq
Through its various committees and individual efforts by its compatriots, the Chapter works to promote education and patriotism, support and recognize of our modern day patriots and veterans, and remember and commemorate the sacrifices of our ancestor patriots who so willingly risked everything for the freedom and country that we now enjoy.
The Colonel Fielding Lewis Chapter meets in Fredericksburg six times each year in January, March, May, June, September, and November for lunch and a program. Most of the luncheon meetings are held at the Fredericksburg Country Club.
The Colonel Fielding Lewis Chapter was named the Best Chapter in Virginia for 2005 for its size classification.
Among our compatriots, we have three State Society Officers and also members who serve on National Committees. The Chapter is also proud of its program for marking the graves of patriot ancestors and has been recognized for this work by the State Society on several occasions:
State Officers from the Chapter:
2003-2004 William L. Simpson, Jr., Treasurer
2004-2005 Robert L. Bowen, Secretary
2005-2006 Robert L. Bowen, Secretary
2006-2007 William L. Simpson, Jr., 3rd Vice President
Robert L. Bowen, Secretary
James E. Griffes, D. Min, Chaplin
2007-2008 William L. Simpson, Jr., 2nd Vice President
Robert L. Bowen, 3rd Vice President
Walter J. Sheffield, Esq., Chancellor
James E. Griffes, D. Min, Chaplin
2008-2009 William L. Simpson, Jr., 1st Vice President
Robert L. Bowen, 2nd Vice President
Walter J. Sheffield, Esq., Chancellor
2009-2010 William L. Simpson, Jr., President
Robert L. Bowen, 1st Vice President
Walter J. Sheffield, Esq., Chancellor
R. Wayne Rouse, Assistant Treasurer
2010-2011 Robert L. Bowen, President
Walter J. Sheffield, Esq., Chancellor
R. Wayne Rouse, Assistant Treasurer
2011-2012 Walter J. Sheffield, Esq., Chancellor
R. Wayne Rouse, Assistant Secretary/Treasurer
2012-2013 Walter J. Sheffield, Esq., Chancellor
R. Wayne Rouse, Assistant Secretary/Treasurer
2013-2021 R. Wayne Rouse, Secretary & Assistant Treasurer
National Officers from the Chapter:
2007-2008 Robert L. Bowen, Vice President General-International
District
2009-2010 Robert L. Bowen, Alternate Trustee & NSSAR
Executive Committee
2010-2011 Robert L. Bowen, Alternate Trustee
2011-2012 Robert L. Bowen, National Trustee
2012-2013 Robert L. Bowen, Historian General
J. Michael Tomme, Sr., Registrar General
2013-2014 J. Michael Tomme, Sr., Registrar General
2014-2015 J. Michael Tomme, Sr., Treasurer General
2015-2016 J. Michael Tomme, Sr., Secretary General
2016-2017 J. Michael Tomme, Sr., President General