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.

1.      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.

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.

2.      2.  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.

3.      3.  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.

4.      4.  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.

5.      5.  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.

6.      6.  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. 

7.      7.  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!

8.      8.  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.

As part of this Ohio Department Order No. 1, has included the Names, Addresses, Phone Numbers and Emails of all the Elected and Appointed Officers and Committees.

We have placed this part of the Orders in a password protected area.  If you need access to it please email Ken Freshley. Signal Officer for the "Username" and "Password".

Click here to get to the Password Protected Page

Yours in Fraternity, Charity, and Loyalty,

 By Order of:                                 Attested:

Bradley A. Tilton            David V. Medert

Bradley A. Tilton                         David V. Medert
Commander                                Secretary/Treasurer