National Sojourners, Inc. James Monroe Chapter No. 549 Charlottesville, Virginia Proudly serving the cause of Patriotism May 2018 Newsletter Purposes The Purposes of National Sojourners shall be to organize current and former members of the uniformed forces of the United States and Honorary Members, who are Master Masons, into Chapters, for the promotion of good fellowship among its members, for assisting such as may be overtaken by adversity or affliction, for cultivating Masonic ideals, for supporting all patriotic aims and activities in Masonry, for developing true patriotism and Americanism throughout the nation, for bringing together representatives of the uniformed forces of the United States (past and present) in a united effort to further the military needs of national defense, and for opposing any influence whatsoever calculated to weaken the national security. Included in this issue Page 1, June 6th, 2018 meeting Page 2, President s Message. Page 3, Jack Jouett Camp info & Commander s message Page 4, Nominations Page 5, Upcoming Meetings and other Chapter News June Meeting The next meeting will be on Wednesday, June 6th, 2018 at 1800 hours (6:00pm) for a social and dinner at the home of Brother Goldie and Lady Sara Tomlin s home, 52 Hunters Point, Nellysford, VA. Please the attachment sent several weeks ago and the attachment to this Newsletter. More info on page 5 for the details. All your ladies are invited and encouraged to come! Page 6, Useful Information Page 7: Meeting Announcement Page 8, Chapter Roster RSVP by 30 May 2018 434.361.0386 of your plans! at Secretary/Treasurer Kent Schlussel 1171 River Chase Ridge Charlottesville, VA 22901 (434) 973-8189 E-mail: k2j2@earthlink.net 1 President Edgar (Ed) M. Crebbs 175 Waldrop Road Gordonsville, VA 22942-6203 (540) 832-2708 E-mail: ed.crebbs.1949@gmail.com
President s Message Brother Sojourners and Ladies, In our previous newsletter I spoke of cold weather and winter not letting go. As I write this the projection is for 92 degrees today. I think we skipped spring and went straight into summer. My terms as President and Camp Commander are almost ended. Hopefully, I have advanced our purpose somewhat. I look forward to returning to a supportive role in both the Chapter and the Camp. As you know, elections will be held at our June meeting at Brother Tomlin s place. Our nominating committee has put together a solid slate for the upcoming year and I m sure they will do us proud. I hope to see you there. Don t forget to RSVP to Brother Tomlin your intent to attend. Fraternally, Ed Crebbs President James Monroe Chapter #549 National Sojourners Inc. Charlottesville, Virginia Happy Birthday to the U.S. Army 14 June 1775 2
Jack Jouett Camp Heroes of 76 Officers 2016-2017 LT Edgar (Ed) M. Crebbs, Commander COL Kent Schlussel, Chief of Staff CPL James A. Fields, Jr., Assistant Chief of Staff SGT Henry Booth, Adjutant MAJ Mike D. Griffin, Commander of the Guard Jeffery E. Hodges, Officer of the Day SSGT David N. Goodwin, Senior Lieutenant M.E.& 1SG Scott L. Fielding, Junior Lieutenant MAJ Mike D. Griffin, Commander of the Guard CT2 Harvey L. Fleshman, Sentinel M.E. & SGT Russel G. Snodgrass, Chaplain Brother Heroes We have had a good year. We gave several Presentation-of-Colors, Bridges -of-light, and participated in other events, including the leadership program at Valley Forge. We currently have a formal request to put on the Traitor play this fall and two other lodges are rumored to be interested. Our Change-of-Command will occur at our June meeting at Brother Tomlin s place. I hope to see you there. May you have fair winds and following seas in your future. Fraternally, Ed Crebbs Commander Jack Jouett Camp of Heroes of 76 3
Nominations for 2018-19 Your nomination committee have made the following recommendations to be acted upon at our meeting in June. If you want to serve as an officer, there is still time to submit your name. Officers of James Monroe Chapter #549 President: 1SG Scott L. Fielding 1 VP: CPL James A. Fields 2 VP: LT Edgar (Ed) M. Crebbs 3VP: Mr Fred G. Soutter Secretary/ Treasurer: COL Kent Schlussel Marshal: SGT Henry Booth Chaplain: SGT Russel G. Snodgrass Jr. Jack Jouett Camp Heroes of 76 Commander: Chief of Staff: Assistant Chief of Staff: Adjutant: Officer of the Day: Senior Lieutenant: Junior Lieutenant: Comdr of the Guard: Sentinel: Chaplain: CPL James A. Fields Col Kent Schlussel 1SG Scott L. Fielding SGT Henry Booth Jeffery E. Hodges SSG David N. Goodwin Maj Mike D. Griffin Lt Edgar (Ed) M. Crebbs CT2 Harvey L. Fleshman SGT Russel (Russ) G. Snodgrass Jr. Special Request from your Secretary: I will be filing our annual report with Headquarters in July. Thank you to all the brothers who kept me informed of their Sojourners activities. This Chapter and Camp is very active and has number of activities including presenting the flags, Bridge of Light talks, and Americanism activities. At each activity, your secretary requests that someone from that activity send to the secretary of what was done, when it was done, how many participated, and how many people were at the activity (e.g. audience). Pictures would be great also. 4
UPCOMING JAMES MONROE CHAPTER MEETING on June 6th! Location: Tomlin s Home, 52 Hunters Point, Nellysford, VA Social Begins at 1800 hours (that is 6:00pm) Dress will be casual but bring a light jacket or sweater. The chill of the mountain air arrives soon after sunset. All your LADIES are invited and encouraged to come. The Tomlin s are providing BBQ and Smoked Texas Style Beef Brisket Dinner. Please bring your favorite dessert to share. RSVP by 30 May 2018 of your plans. Jack Jouett Camp, Heroes of 76: The next bivouac will be announced in the near future. Look for the announcement in your e-mail. Camp Followers: The book club will be reporting out on their most recent book and will be selecting their next book to read. One does not need to be a Camp Follower to join in the fun. If you have questions, please contact Lady Susan Hodges. Future Meetings: Wednesday, 1 August 2018: Location TBD. If you have a suggestion on where to meet, please let us know. Happy Summer! Be safe in any celebrations you might have during this season. Happy 4th of July! 5
INFORMATION YOU CAN USE Americanism and Youth Leadership Conference: We are in the middle of presenting our Americanism awards to the various JROTC units in the area. If you would like to assist, please let Brother Scott Fielding know. Our funds continue to grow. However, come July 2018, we will be spending almost all of the funds for our Youth Leadership Conference. We will send three to five JROTC cadets to this very worthwhile program. Plan on hearing these young Americans tell us about this program after they returen. Thanks go to the following for making donations:\\ Independent Orange Lodge Cabell Lodge Widow s Sons Lodge We now have just above $1900 that will enable us to send several worthy youths to the Youth Leadership Conference at Valley Forge, PA this coming summer. Thank you for the donations. Just because we have improved our financial position for our Youth Fund, it does not mean you cannot donate. Please feel free to make a donation to this worthy program. As attested by the students at past meetings, the students we send gain a great appreciation of America and of American patriotism. We sent four last year and hopefully be able to afford to send four this coming summer. Please help! Thanks to the Lodges and brothers who have given, but we need more! If you can give, please do! Checks can be sent to your secretary or bring one to a meeting! Photo on right is Kirk Sheap presenting the Sojourner s Americanism Award at Harrisonburg High School JROTC on 11 May 2018. This is just one of many ceremonies we attend in promoting Americianism awards to outstanding cadets. 6
Officers James Monroe Chapter #549 Lt. Edgar (Ed) M. Crebbs, President 1SG Scott L. Fielding, Jr., First Vice President CPL James A. Fields, Jr., Second Vice President Fred G. Soutter, Third Vice President COL Kent Schlussel, Secretary/Treasurer Sgt. Henry Booth, Marshal SGT Russel (Russ) G. Snodgrass, Jr., Chaplain Color Bearer Chapter Members, *Membership In Perpetuity (MIP) LT Allan G. Anderson* MAJ Stephen S. Barranco, Jr.* SSGT William F. Baskerville*# SGT Henry Booth*# 1LT Louis K. Campbell*# LTC Robert M. Carlisle SSGT Reese E. Carroll, Jr.* LT Edgar M. Crebbs*# **TSGT H. Arthur Dechent* Mr. William T. Ellison, Jr.*# 1SG Scott L. Fielding*# CPL James A. Fields, Jr.*# CT2 Harvey L. Fleshman*# LtCol Randolph Geck*# SSGT David N. Goodwin*# MAJ Mike D. Griffin# LTC William E. Hershey, Jr.*# DR Jeffery E. Hodges*# COL William F. Hughes* LTC Carl E. Hollar, Jr.*# COL Mike Jaffee, MD *# **CAPT Charles M. Johnson, III* SGT Christopher R. Kintner*# SGM David C. Merchant* CSM Charles W. Moubray* CPT John A. Muhler* COL John Thomas Province LTC Charles E. Reinhold* LTC William F. Reinhold* LTC Harry E. Sanders, Jr.*# MSGT Charles S. Sarbaugh*# COL Kent Schlussel*# MAJ Christophoer N. Sheap* MR Fred G. Soutter*# CT2 Robert E. Simpson*# MR Paul D. Sleeper* SGT Russel G. Snodgrass# ENCM James L. Starcher* SSGT Goldie W. Tomlin, Jr.*# LTC William G. L. Turner*# LTC Charles M. Ward* **CAPT Kent S. Webber*# MAJ Richard W. Williamson*# LT Stephen L. Young*# #Heroes * MIP **Deceased Birthdays U. S. Army, 14 June 1775 U. S. Navy, 13 October 1775 U. S. Marines, 10 November 1775 U. S. Coast Guard, 4 August 1790 U. S. Public Health Service, 16 July 1798 National Oceanic & Atmospheric Service, 1917 U. S. Air Force, 17 September 1947 7