Valley Forge Commemoration Church Service
Sunday, April 27, 2025
A bright April afternoon, mild and breezy, Society members and guests gathered at Washington Memorial Chapel in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania to commemorate the encampment at Valley Forge in the winter of 1777-78.
Our annual Society church service is always a statement event, encompassing history, commemoration of our ancestors, memorializing recently deceased Society members, and a service of faith and reflection on what we hold dear and what we aspire to.
Washington Memorial Chapel did not disappoint one little bit. Our Society Chaplain, The Reverend Tommy A. Thompson, Rector of Washington Memorial Chapel and also co-Chairman of this event, welcomed our membership and guests to a resplendent chapel, vibrant with Easter season flowers. Our Officiant for the service was another one of our own, 2nd LT Francis Michael Spano III, himself a Chaplain Candidate in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. The Service began with the ceremonial Color Guard procession of the Society’s Standards and Colors of the American Revolution, led by Robert J. McNelly, Esq., Captain of The Color Guard. The Service of Evensong continued with a singing of the hymn America and our National Anthem, and also included lessons read by Captain McNelly and Society President C. Michael Whelan. The superb choir and organist led the congregation throughout the service, which also included our Society Registrar, Andrew C. Colket reading aloud the Necrology, the names of our members who have died during the last year. And of course, Fr. Thompson’s Address about faith and determination at Valley Forge that winter 248 years ago, and the divine intervention and recognition throughout that Winter Encampment, that was the message we were all present and eager to hear.
The Service concluded with a spectacular Canyon of Flags as everyone departed the church and made their way over to a brief commemoration wreath-laying ceremony at the Nathanael Greene statue. After that, everyone re-convened a few miles away at Phoenixville Country Club for a delightful late-afternoon cocktail reception and buffet dinner. This event is always a family favorite, and this year was true to form. A special thanks to event co-Chairmen J. Kipp Gearhart, IV and Fr. Tommy A. Thompson for such an enjoyable afternoon.
