Check us out on the Web at: www.ohiosuv.com Camp Newsletters Camp Calendars Dept. & Camp News Check It Out! Volume 1, Issue 1 September-November 2004 IF YOU FIND ANY ERRORS OR PROBLEMS, PLEASE CONTACT BROTHER KEN FRESHLEY AT 440-942-2559 OR EMAIL AT KFRESH@APK.NET OR SIGNALOFFICER @ OHIOSUV.COM Welcome to Our First Newsletter Good day to everyone, Welcome to our brand new newsletter for the Department of Ohio - SUVCW. As with every newsletter, we are asking for submissions for the newsletter. We would desire all submissions be in: by December 10, 2004 for the Winter Issue, by March 10, 2005 for Spring issue, Inside this issue: Front Page 1 by July 10, 2005 for Summer Issue, by September 10, 2005 for the Fall issue. Department News 2 Gen Order #1 Series 2004-2005 Dept. Officers & Committees Gen Order # 2 Series 2004-2005 3-5 6-7 8-10 Camp News 11 Naming of the Newsletter Contest We are holding a contest open to all the Ohio SUV camps to name our New Ohio Department Newsletter. We will choose from the submissions at the Mid-Winter Ohio Department Meeting that will be held on January 29, 2005 at the Veterans' Memorial in Columbus. Please send your submissions to me via email at SignalOfficer @OhioSUV.com or mail it to me at Ken Freshley, 4287 Windsor Avenue, Willoughby, Ohio 44094
Page 2 Brother Brad Tilton Elected as New Ohio Dept. Commander Brother Brad A. Tilton of the McLaughlin Camp #12 was elected as the 2004-2005 Department of Ohio Commander. Brother Brad has participated in many SUV events across the state. We look forward to serving with Commander Tilton and his elected and appointed officers and committees. Also Congratulations to Brother Don Darby, he was elected as the Sr. Vice Commander-in-Chief. Huzzah and Congratulations to all! The Ohio Department Receives the Augustus P. Davis Conrad Linder Award Congratulations to all the brothers of the Ohio Department! We were presented the Augustus P. Davis Conrad Linder Award at the 123rd National Encampment at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Dept. Commander Brad Tilton received the award for the Department This award is presented to the Department with the greatest number of new members during the year. A Quick Note from the Editor - Ken Freshley I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to those who do not know me. I am the Current Commander and Newsletter Editor of the James A. Garfield Camp #142 out of Cleveland, Ohio. I also hold the office as the Department of Ohio s Signal Officer, in which I am responsible for the Ohio Dept. Website www.ohiosuv.com and for the new Department Newsletter. My Civil War ancestor was Private James H. Maloney of the 82nd PVI, Co. I. He was my Great-Great-Great Grandfather. I look forward to working with you all and look forward to all your submissions to use in our new newsletter and website. Yours in F, C, & L, Brother Ken Freshley
Page 3 Ohio Department Order No. 1 DEPARTMENT OF OHIO SONS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR Bradley A. Tilton Ohio Department Commander 2004-2005 P.O. Box 7224 Mansfield, Ohio 44905 (419) 589-3140 batilton@richnet.net Ohio Department Order No. 1 Series 2004-2005 July 10, 2004 Brothers of the Ohio Department: I would like to thank all who attended the 122 nd Ohio Department Encampment for your confidence and support in electing me as your Department Commander. I am looking forward to the challenge and with your help I am confident we will have another great year. Department Headquarters is hereby located at Mansfield, Ohio. Let me also thank PCinC Dick Greenwalt and his wife, Bea, for organizing the 122 nd Department Encampment at Mt. Union College this past June. They do quite a bit of work behind the scenes to make our Encampment comfortable, enjoyable, and productive. Organization/Communication Department Order No. 1 is being issued to insure that all Brothers are informed of the Officers and Committees for the coming year. A list of officers is attached and has also been placed on the Department website (www.ohiosuv.com). If you need help or have questions during the year, please contact the appropriate officer. Please note all reports, membership applications, and address changes should now be sent to Secretary/Treasurer David V. Medert. All Brothers are encouraged to use the website. There are pages for Camp News, Camp Calendars, and a Bulletin Board. The website also contains the Last Soldier in each Ohio County and will soon include the Ohio Graves Registration database. There are links to the national website as well as Ohio Department Camp websites. All Brothers are encouraged to make suggestions and submissions to Signal Officer Ken Freshley. Camp Commanders are requested to make sure their Camp s information is up to date.
Page 4 (Continued from page 3) Ohio Department Order No. 1 Communication is a key factor in having a strong organization. Beginning this fall, Department Orders will be included in a Department newsletter. Signal Officer, Ken Freshley has volunteered to be our newsletter editor. All Camps and brothers are requested to submit articles and pictures of camp activities. Original articles on Civil War sites, battles, monuments, or your Civil War ancestor are also encouraged. We are planning to issue a newsletter four times per year. Camp Meetings and Events I look forward to attending as many Camp meetings and events as my schedule will allow. Please let me know as far in advance as possible, so I can make arrangements. If I am unable to attend, I will ask one of the other officers to be my representative. Please note that individuals must get approval by the Commander in order to represent the Ohio Department at an event. National Encampment Cedar Rapids, Iowa The 122 nd National Encampment in Cedar Rapids, Iowa will be held August 12-15, 2004. It is not too late to register and all Brothers are encouraged to attend. This is the meeting where all major decisions effecting our Order are made. We would like to have a good turnout to support PDC Don Darby as he runs for Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief. Please check the Banner or the national website for registration instructions. Please contact Department Secretary Dave Medert for a credential card before you go. Allied Orders Please join with me in congratulating the newly elected Presidents of our Allied Orders in Ohio: Ohio Auxiliary to the SUVCW Sandy Prosak of Columbus Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic Nadine Salada of Indianapolis Woman s Relief Corps Martha Shreves of Wellington Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War Marilyn Jackson of Columbus We wish them a successful year. Let us all cooperate with these ladies to honor those who answered President Lincoln s call to save the Union between 1861 and 1865. New Camps We have two new camps in Ohio. Craig Keller organized Pvt. Valentin Keller Camp 8 in Farifield, Ohio. Jim Oiler organized Cadot-Blessing Camp 126 in Gallipolis. We are also organizing a new camp in Lima. Please contact Brother William E. Huber II, P.O. Box 298, St. Marys, Ohio 45885, (419) 394-7270 if you can recommend a new member in the Lima area.
Page 5 Ohio Department Order No. 1 (Continued from page 4) GAR Monument As many of you may know, the Department of Veteran Affairs established the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery at Rittman, Ohio in March 1999. This cemetery includes a Memorial Trail. Memorial Stones are accepted for placement along the Memorial Trail from organizations whose purposes are patriotic and commemorate military service. At our winter meeting, the Ohio Department began to consider placing a Memorial Stone in honor and memory of the Grand Army of the Republic at this cemetery. A small stone will cost $1000. To fund this monument, the Ohio Department received a $500 grant from the SUVCW Civil War Memorial/Monument Fund. The Ohio Department Encampment approved the balance from the Department account. Camps and individuals are encouraged to make voluntary contributions in order to reduce this obligation. A dedication program will be held in the spring. Congratulations The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center has presented Brother Henry R. Burke of Fearing Camp 2 with its 2004 John P. Parker Award. This award was established as the nation s top honor for exceptional contributions to the preservation, promotion, and advancement of Underground Railroad history and research. John P. Parker was a former slave who became a leading conductor for the Underground Railroad. Congratulations Henry! Thanks You may have noticed a big change in the listing for Department Officers. PCinC Richard L. Greenwalt has retired as Secretary/Treasurer after 29 years of service. Please join me in thanking Dick for the countless hours he has given to make sure the Ohio Department remains one of the best Departments in our Order. It will be difficult to replace Dick, but Dave Medert reports that he is up to the challenge. I know Dick will always remain available for questions and advice. In fact, Dick will continue as a member of the Department Encampment Site Committee and the Fraternal Relations Committee. In closing, let me wish you a wonderful summer. I look forward to working with everyone in the coming year. Yours in Fraternity, Charity, and Loyalty, Bradley A. Tilton Bradley A. Tilton, Commander
Page 6 DEPARTMENT OF OHIO SONS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICERS/COMMITTEES 2004-2005 Elected Officers Commander Bradley A. Tilton, P.O. Box 7224, Mansfield, OH 44905 (419) 589-3140 batilton@richnet.net Senior Vice Commander Raymond C. Nagel, 6600 Betts Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45239 (513) 478-8228 orion@fuse.net Junior Vice Commander Craig W. Keller, 4176 Bedford Ave., Hamilton, OH 45015 (513) 868-9911 Yankeeblue61@aol.com Secretary/Treasurer PDC David V. Medert, 72 Limestone Blvd., Chillicothe, OH 45601 (740) 775-7913 batteryi@horizonview.net Department Council Ken Freshley, 4287 Windsor Ave., Willoughby, OH 44094 (440) 942-2559 SignalOfficer@OhioSUV.com PDC James H. Houston, 955 Woodcreek Dr., Milford, OH 45150 (513) 248-2239 jhouston@cinci.rr.com Christopher Greene, 1220 Golden Gate Blvd., Mayfield Heights, OH 44124 (440) 646-9285 lucystinger@sbcglobal.net Appointed Officers Personal Aide PDC Ralph Shadel, Jr., P.O. Box 545, Mansfield, Ohio 44901 (419) 289-7037 ralshad@bright.net Chief of Staff Jon B. Silvis, 19731 Laurel Ave., Rocky River, OH 44116 (440) 331-0340 JWSUV142@aol.com Counselor Henry E. Shaw, Jr., 27 Griswold St., Delaware, OH 43015-1716 (740) 369-3722 hshaw@columbus.rr.com Patriotic Instructor Christopher Greene (See Department Council) Graves Registration Officer Kent Dorr, 619 Highland Ave., Mansfield, OH 44903 (419) 522-2605 dorr64ovi@aol.com Eagle Scout Coordinator Bradley A. Tilton (See Commander) Civil War Memorials Officer Donald L. Grant, 4363 Bennington Creek Ln., Groveport, OH 43125 (740) 974-1186 grantdon@hotmail.com
Page 7 Signals Officer Ken Freshley (See Department Council) Historian PDC Robert J. Wolz, 1913A Seidenburg Ave., Key West, FL 33040-3623 (305) 294-3594 or (305) 294-9911 (w) rjwolz@bellsouth.net Genealogist Warren Gentzel, 168 W. Mound St., Circleville, OH 43113 (740) 477-5658 cwgentz@bright.net Chaplain Gregory A. Kenney, 6976 Parsiphony Place, Columbus, OH 43235 (614) 431-0518 gregkenney2004@yahoo.com Guard Tim Graham, 2895 Chamberlain Blvd., Hudson, OH 44236 (330) 656-9051 handtite@adelphia.net Guide James Oiler, 80 Wayne Lane, Thruman, OH 45685 (740) 245-0134 joiler@zoomnet.net Color Guard Kirby Bauman, 225 S. Hayden Ave., Riverside, OH 45431-1969 (937) 253-1029 cblewis@erinet.com GAR Highway Officer Ken Freshley (See Dept. Council) Mark D. Britton, 2360 Canterbury Rd. #6, Westlake OH 44145 (440) 808-0970 mdb99ovi@earthlink.net Camp Chase Rep. Robert W. Davis, 84 Kramer St., Canal Winchester, OH 43110-1122 (614) 837-3580 Govdennison1861@cs.com Appointed Committees Fraternal Relations Robert W. Davis (See Camp Chase Rep.) PCinC Richard L. Greenwalt, 2449 Center Ave., Alliance, OH 44601-4531 (330) 823-6919 PDC James H. Houston, Jr. (See Dept. Council) Department Encampment Site PCinC Richard L.Greenwalt, Chrm. (See Fraternal Relations) Ohio Veterans Home Jon B. Silvis, Chrm. (See Chief of Staff) Christmas Mark D. Britton (See GAR Highway)
Page 8 DEPARTMENT OF OHIO SONS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR Bradley A. Tilton Ohio Department Commander 2004-2005 P.O. Box 7224 Mansfield, Ohio 44905 (419) 589-3140 batilton@richnet.net Ohio Department Order No. 2 Series 2004-2005 September 10, 2004 Brothers of the Ohio Department: I would like to thank all who attended the 123rd National Encampment at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The brothers of Iowa were fine hosts. I am happy to report Brother Don Darby was elected Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief. I know Don will do a fine job of supervising the production of The Banner. National Encampment News Congratulations to all the brothers of the Ohio Department. We were presented the Augustus P. Davis Conrad Linder Award. This award is presented to the Department with the greatest number of new members during the year. Congratulations to Brother Stephen A. Michaels of Wisconsin who was elected Commander-in- Chief. The Encampment voted on several changes to our Constitution and Regulations. One major change is the Council of Administration has been expanded from three to five members. PCinC Elmer Atkinson decided not to run for reelection as National Quartermaster. All supply requisitions with payments are now to be sent to Danny Wheeler, PCinC, 501 Willow Avenue, Ithaca, New York 14850.
Page 9 GAR Monument The Memorial Stone in honor of the Grand Army of the Republic for the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery at Rittman, Ohio has been ordered. When it is finished, the stone will be placed on the Memorial Trail at the cemetery. We will have a dedication/presentation program on Saturday, April 9, 2005 at the cemetery. All brothers and members of the Allied Orders are welcome. This is also the 140 th anniversary of Lee s surrender. Any brother who would like to help plan the program should contact me. Graves Registration Wayne Lowery has retired as the Ohio Department Graves Registration Officer. Wayne was first appointed GRO in 1999. Since that time the number of graves registered has grown from 8500 to over 44,000. Please join me in thanking Wayne for his service and dedication to the Ohio Department. Many Civil War veterans graves in Ohio still remain unregistered. All camps are requested to send the name of their Graves Registration Officer as well as any registrations to the Ohio Department GRO, Kent Dorr (dorr64ovi@aol.com). Civil War Memorials The committee on Civil War Memorials goal is to locate, examine, and record all memorials dedicated to Union Civil War soldiers and sailors. This includes monuments, cannon, fountains, buildings, windows, historical markers, and plaques. All camps are required by the C&R to have a Memorials Officer. Each Camp is requested to send his name to Ohio Department Memorials officer, Don Grant (grantdonsr@yahoo.com). Allied Orders The ASUVCW, DUV, LGAR, and WRC all have goals similar to the SUVCW. These ladies have always supported our activities. Please encourage your wives, mothers, daughters, and sisters to join one or more of our Allied Orders.
Page 10 Camp Histories 2006 will mark the 125 th anniversary of the founding of the SUVCW. All camps are requested to begin compiling a camp history. These histories will be used to create an Ohio Department history, which will, in turn, be used to help create an SUVCW history. Christmas Committee It is not too early to consider donations to the Christmas Committee. The duty of this committee is to solicit voluntary contributions from the Camps and brothers to be used for a donation to the Ohio Veterans Home in Sandusky. Donations may be in the form of money, clothes, or personal care items. Please contact Mark Britton (mdb99ovi@earthlink.com) for details. Best Wishes Please join with me in wishing PCinC Chuck Corfman a speedy recovery after his recent surgery. Dates to Remember November 2, 2004 Election Day November 11, 2004 - Veterans Day November 12, 2004 - SUVCW Founders Day November 20, 2004 Remembrance Day, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania January 29, 2005 Mid Winter meeting, Columbus Yours in Fraternity, Charity, and Loyalty, Bradley A. Tilton Bradley A. Tilton Commander Attested, David V. Medert David V. Medert Secretary
Page 11 A Visit to Pay Tribute to a Real Daughter On Saturday, July 31, 2004, Sandy Prosak, Ohio Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Auxiliary President, Marylin Jackson, Ohio Daughters of Union Veterans President, and Brad Tilton, Ohio Department Sons of Union Veterans Commander, visited Mrs. Emma Verona Johnston, a true daughter of a Union Veteran, at her home in Worthington. Past Camp Commander Dale Tallman of Dennison Camp 1 in Columbus laid the ground work for the visit. Fraternal Relations committee members, Bob Davis and Jim Houston helped research her father's record and assisted in the planning. Mrs. Johnston has been featured in several newspaper articles lately. In May, she was determined to be the oldest living American. She will turn 114 on August 6. Mrs. Johnston is the daughter of Joseph Calhoun, a veteran of the 140th Pennsylvania Infantry. Mrs. Johnston recalled that her father was a minister in Indianola, Iowa after the war. He sometimes used his experiences in the war as examples in his sermons although he did not talk much about his service. She recalled he missed the battle of Gettysburg because he was in the hospital. He was wounded twice and missed some time because of the measles. She did not recall that his wounds caused him any problems after the war. She did not believe her father was active in the GAR after the war. She was not aware her father had been offered a commission as a officer in a regiment of U.S. Colored Troops. He did not accept the promotion. Mrs. Johnston was one of nine brothers and sisters. All attended college. Mrs. Johnston's late husband was a WWI veteran. A New Ohio SUV Camp Cadot-Blessing Camp 126 Hear are some pictures of the newly formed Cadot- Blessing Camp 126. The pictures include the formal installation of Cadot- Blessing Camp 126 in Gallipolis on August 7, 2004. Welcome Brothers!
Page 12 James A. Garfield Camp #142 Raffle JAMES A. GARFIELD CAMP # 142 RAFFLE This years raffle is 1st prize is a Original Whitney Navy Revolver. 2nd Prize is a Reproduction 1861 Springfield Musket. The Drawing will be held on December 11, 2004 at our Annual Camp meeting. Tickets a $1.00/a piece or 6 for $5.00. Call Tim Graham for more details or to order tickets at 1-800-466-9051 Buffington Island Memorial Service Buffington Island Memorial Service held by Fearing Camp 2 on July 17, 2004