A reception celebrating the 241^st anniversary of the American Victory at Yorktown and the major contributions to its success by France and French Heroes of the Revolution was held in the library at the prestigious University Club of Washington, DC on October 19, 2022. The University Club is one of the nation’s truly historic membership organizations. While the founders include President William Howard Taft and Chief Justice of the United States Melville Fuller, they were part of a larger group of political, business, and civic leaders who shared a common bond. Today’s members are an impressive Who’s Who of leaders sharing a sense of family. They are bonded by their intellectual, athletic, and cultural pursuits, evident in the restaurants, on the courts and in the wide range of cultural and social events taking place throughout the Club each and every day.

DCSAR President William Ritchie, after giving thanks to the almighty and providing a brief overview of the purpose of the reception, welcomed guests in attendance that included DCDAR Regent Mrs. Beth Hicks, DC C.A.R. State President Myah Malur, and DC C.A.R. Senior State President Rachel Norman.

DCSAR Secretary Paul Hays administered the pledge to our new society members.

Zachary Pierce Cress, a resident of the Brightwood section of Washington, is a 4^th great grandson of Frederick Shearer, who served as a Private in Railford’s Company of the 2^nd Regiment of the North Carolina Militia. His rosette was pinned by his sponsor, DCSAR Senior Vice President Tom Readmond. 

David Neff Morey, a resident of the Georgetown section of the DC, is a 4^th great grandson of Nathaniel Stedman, who served as a private in Captain John Petty’s company of Colonel William Williams’ Regiment of the Vermont Militia in 1777. Stedman also served as a Selectman for Newfane, VT in 1780. His sponsor was Secretary Hays, and his rosette was pinned by President Ritchie.

Robert John Studstrup, a resident of Southwest Washington, DC, is a 5^th great grandson of Francis Wyman, a Private under Captain John Blunt in Colonel McCobb’s Regiment of the Massachusetts Militia and was part of the Penobscot Expedition in 1779. He was He was also sponsored by Secretary Hays, and his rosette was pinned by his grandfather, Compatriot Gary Don Wyman of the Florida Society, who traveled to Washington for the ceremony.

Compatriot Studstrup was also awarded the War Service Medal, which was first authorized in 1899 for compatriots who served in the Spanish-American War. SAR continue to present this medal to compatriots who have served in the armed forces and have received a campaign medal, combat ribbon or badge as shown on their respective DD-214. This qualification was met by Compatriot Studstrup, who served as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Specialist during deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan during the Global War on Terrorism.

The evening was concluded with brief “save the date” comments by DCSAR 2^nd VP Geoff Newman regarding the 2023 Sweethearts and Patriots Gala to be held on March 4, 2023, at the British Embassy and by Rachel Norman regarding the DC C.A.R. George Washington Birthday Luncheon to be held on February 18, 2023, at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, VA.