National Sojourners, Inc. James Monroe Chapter No. 549 Charlottesville, Virginia Proudly serving the cause of Patriotism May 2016 Newsletter Purposes The Purposes of National Sojourners shall be to organize Commissioned Officers, Warrant Officers and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers of the uniformed forces (past and present) 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 need of national defense, and for opposing any influence whatsoever calculated to weaken the national security. Included in this issue Page 1, June 1st meeting Page 2, President s Message. Page 3, Jack Jouett Camp info & Commander s message Page 4, Recent events of your chapter in pictures. June 2016 Meeting The next meeting will be on Wednesday, June 1st, 2016, at 1800 hours (6:00 pm) at the home of Brother Goldie and Lady Sara Tomlin s home. The Tomlin s are providing everything but you MUST RSVP to them. Please see further information on page 6 of this Newsletter.. All your ladies are invited and encouraged to come! Page 6, Upcoming Meetings and other Chapter News Page 8, Chapter Roster Secretary/Treasurer Kent Schlussel 1171 River Chase Ridge Charlottesville, VA 22901 (434) 973-8189 E-mail: k2j2@earthlink.net 1 President Goldie W. Tomlin, Jr. 52 Hunters Point Nellysford, VA 22958 (434) 361-0386 E-mail: gwtswt@verizon.net
President s Message It seems like yesterday that we gathered at Fort Tomlin to nominate and install the officers for 2015 and 2016 in the Chapter and Camp. Much work has been done by all since that evening. We are now about to close that year for me as the President of the James Monroe Chapter #549. It truly has been a real joy to have been a part of great work for our Chapter and Camp. I want to thank each of you for your tremendous support and for being there as we continue our work for the good our Country, and our order. The Chapter has been busy with it usual Americanism Programs through out the year. Once again we took part in the Toys for Tots program in tandem with the Blue Lodges in our area. It was another successful year as measured by the large number of boxes of toy and the over $1,100.00 contributed to them in early December 2015. At our February meeting we held a Chili Cook-off. A delicious Chicken Chili prepared by Brother - Most Worshipful Jeff and Lady Susan Hodges was voted the best Chili by all present. The Chili Cook-off competition was stiff; all of the Chili s were great. Also, present at the meeting was our Federal Area Rep. Brother Randy Geck and lady Carol, and Brother Shelby Chandler from Washington Cruisers Chapter. During the Encampment portion Lady Hodges and Asst. Lady Tomlin installed three new Camp Followers; Lady Helen Fields, Lady Sylvia Fielding and Lady Kay Ellison. Our April meeting was held at the residence of Brother Bill and Lady Randy Baskerville, once again the food and fellowship was second to none. After the meal we all assembled near the outdoor fireplace to dispose of 27 unserviceable U. S. Flags. The ceremony was not only solemn but, was a tremendous tribute to our devotion to our Countries symbol of Liberty, Freedom and the freedom to worship in the religion of our choice. After the flag disposal was complete we opened an Encampment to install a new Camp Follower, Lady Federal Area Rep. - Brother Randy Geck and Lady Carol. It was truly our pleasure to get to know them and to share our fellowship and hospitality. On that same evening the Jack Jouett Camp opened an Encampment Judy Schussel. Congratulations to our Camp Followers, they have grown to nearly than double their number of members this year. On April 24 th five Chapter/Camp members and two Camp Followers traveled to Annapolis Maryland, there we took part in what many feel was the experience of a life-time. Nearly 300 Masons and ladies marched in procession from Annapolis Lodge # 89 to the United States Naval Academy, where Masonic Rites were held for Admiral John Paul Jones. It was my honor to carry the National Ensign and to stand beside Brother Edward Ford who carried the Bennington Flage for the procession. We all stood tall as the Toast to the Flag and the Masonic Rites were given by the Grand Master of Masons in Maryland, Most Worshipful Kenneth S. Wyvill, Jr. The Honor Guard consisted of Brother Raymond J. Vanden Berghe, Sr. National Commander, and Brother James Baker, President Elect, of the National Sojourners Inc. On May 7 th, once again our Chapter/Camp and our Camp Followers traveled to Richmond VA where six Brothers; Bill Baskerville, Jeff Hodges, Harvey Fleshman, Ed Crebbs, Jim Fields and myself along with four Camp Followers; Lady Susan Hodges, Lady Sara Tomlin, Lady Charlaine Crebbs and Lady Helen Fields took part in a tribute of Americanism and presented our five U. S. service flags as Brother Baskerville moderated a very moving and fine tribute to our fallen warriors, our nations at the of the SASA Legion of Honor hosted lunch for their annual election and. installation of officers. All Chapter, Camp and Camp Followers are invited to a meeting and meal of Grilled Pork Tenderloins marinated in olive oil and herbs at the Tomlin residence which is at 52 Hunters Point, Nellysford VA on June 1, 2016 Social begins at 1800. The dress will be causal, with name badge, All that is needed if for you to let us know is that you are attending, and we have your RSVP by May 28, 2016. After the social and meal, we will have the nomination and installation of Officers for 2016 and 2017. Again, my sincere thanks to all of my Brothers and Ladies for your kindness, support and most of all you have made this year a great one for us all. Your continued support will be needed as well for our newly elected Officers for 2016 and 2017. Sincerely yours, Goldie W. Tomlin,, Jr. President/Past Commander James Monroe Chapter #549 National Sojourners Inc. Charlottesville, Virginia 2
Jack Jouett Camp Heroes of 76 Officers 2015-2016 M.W. William T Ellison, Jr,, Commander LT Ed Crebbs, Chief of Staff COL Kent Schlussel, Assistant Chief of Staff SGT Henry Booth, Adjutant COL Mike Jaffee, Officer of the Day SSGT David N. Goodwin, Senior Lieutenant M.E.& CPL James A. Fields, Jr, Junior Lieutenant MAJ Mike D. Griffin, Commander of the Guard CT2 Harvey L. Fleshman, Sentinel M.E. &SGT Russel G. Snodgrass, Chaplain Heroes of 76, Greetings - And To Arms! I have enjoyed my year as your commander. We had a very successful year participating in many events with the Chapter. We raised one brother to the Degree of Hero. With our new schedule of meeting on the fifth Saturday of the month, we had great participation. Congratulations to our newest member of Heroes of 76, Scott L. Fielding, I take my leave of the Camp as I know that we are in good hands. Fraternally, Terry Ellison, Commander Encampment on 30 April 2016 and conferring the Hero Degree 3
Recent Activity of your Chapter and Camp Color Guard and Ladies at the South Atlantic Shrine Association Legion of Honor on 7th May 2016 Second from left is our Brother President Tomlin at the John Paul Jones Ceremony at the US Naval Academy on 24 April 2016 4
Scenes from our flag disposition ceremony at our last meeting on 6th of April 2016. A very moving ceremony for all at the event. We dispose many American flags. The evening had great fellowship and the food was delicious. Thanks to Brother Bill and Lady Randy Baskerville for hosting. 5
UPCOMING JAMES MONROE CHAPTER MEETING on June 1st! Social Begins at 1800 hours (that is 6pm) Dress is causal with name badge All your LADIES are invited and encouraged to come.. All Chapter, Camp and Camp Followers are invited to the meeting and meal of Grilled Pork Tenderloins marinated in olive oil and herbs at the Tomlin residence which is at 52 Hunters Point, Nellysford VA on June 1, 2016 Social begins at 1800. The dress will be causal, with name badge, All that is needed if for you to let Brother Goldie and/or Lady Sara know that you are attending. We need your RSVP by May 28, 2016. After the social and meal, we will have the nomination and installation of Officers for 2016 and 2017. NEED YOUR RSVP BY MAY 28TH, 2016. Future Meetings: Wednesday, 3 August 2016 Wednesday, 5 October 2016 Wednesday, 7 December 2016 6
1 June 2016 (Chapter meeting) FUTURE MEETINGS Election night for officers of the Chapter and Camp. If you have not served in a position, please consider serving. This is a fun organization that includes our ladies at most events. I am planning on continuing as secretary/treasurer unless someone else really wants the position. So join me in volunteering! If you are interested in serving this fine organization, please let our President, Bro. Goldie Tomin know of your desires. Please do this ASAP! NEXT MEETING for the Jack Jouett Camp Heroes 76: Saturday, 30 July 2016 Remember to bring your Tri-corn hats and IDs Update on Members: Our Marshal, Bro. Hank Booth is continuing his recovery is making slow, but good progress. He attended the last Jack Jouett Camp Heroes activity. Bro. Mike Hollar is starting to get out but is still recovering from his back operation. Hopefully they will join us at the next meeting. Americanism and Youth Leadership Conference: We will be sponsoring at least two (more if we have the money) to the Valley Forge Youth Leadership Conference as we have done in the past. If you know of a deserving youth in Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, in JROTC, please keep this program in mind. Details will be forthcoming from our 1st Vice President shortly. Come to a meeting to get the details! 7
Officers James Monroe Chapter #549 SSgt. Goldie W. Tomlin, Jr., President Lt. Edgar M. Crebbs, First Vice President M.E., R.E. and CPL James A. Fields, Jr., Second Vice President LTC Carl E. Hollar, Jr., Third Vice President Col. Kent Schlussel, Secretary/Treasurer Sgt. Henry Booth, Marshal M.W. William T Ellison, 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 Grek*# SSGT David N. Goodwin*# MAJ Mike D. Griffin# LTC William E. Hershey, Jr.*# MR Jeffery E. Hodges*# 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* MAJ Charles E. Reinhold* LTC William F. Reinhold* LTC Harry E. Sanders, Jr.*# MSGT Charles S. Sarbaugh*# COL Kent Schlussel*# MAJ Christopher N. Sheap* 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 8