NEWSLETTER FOR SUMMER 2006

Camp website: http://pvtrichardtaylor.bizland.com/

Commander: Talbot Hackett genberry@msn.com

Editor: Steve Pearce spearce@knology.net

Last month was one with sadness and joy. The loss of JVC Johnson was a blow to many of us. He was a dedicated Brother of the Camp and a good friend. I announced late last month that Brother Kent Wright agreed to fill Joe’s office as the Camp’s Junior Vice commander. I’d like to thank Brother Wright for his willingness to accept the job and his dedication to the Camp.

On the lighter side, we were pleased to initiate Brother Topper Birney into the Order. Brother Birney’s family has a long and storied history in Huntsville and he is descended from the Generals Birney. We are very proud and pleased to have Topper as a Brother. Following his initiation, we celebrated in fellowship with a spaghetti dinner.

This month we will be initiating another new Brother, Richard J. Olcott of Scottsboro. As usual, the Camp business meeting will be kept short in order to conduct the long form initiation ceremony, followed by a beef stew dinner. Please let me know if you’ll be attending so that we can determine much food will be needed.

I am very pleased to announce that Chris decided to join the Auxiliary to the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War while we were attending the National Encampment two weeks ago. She is also planning to march in the Remembrance Day parade at Gettysburg this year with the Sisters of the Order.

The National Encampment went very well, overall. There will be a few changes coming down through channels concerning the ROTC medal and the Rituals and Ceremonies. The ROTC medal will not be nearly as expensive as before and will be made available through the National Quartermaster. The Rituals will bring all three echelons of the Order more in line with one another concerning the charges of the officers, etc. Brother James B. Pahl, Department of Michigan, was elected as our new Commander-in-Chief, Brother Charles Kuhn, Department of Pennsylvania, was advanced to Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief; and David Medert, Dept. of Ohio and Commanding Officer of the SVR, was elected to be the new Junior Vice Commander in Chief.

The Campfire was held on the Friday evening of the Encampment. We were entertained by a talented group of singers known as New Dawn Singers. Their repertoire ranged from show tunes to a salute to the military. The New Dawn Singers were followed by a roast of PCinC Darby, which was very entertaining. Fortunately for many, he has a good sense of humor. PCinC Darby, by the way, still talks about our Encampment and the GAR punch ceremony. I believe the Taylor Camp and the Department of Tennessee left a last impression. The Encampment concluded with the Allied Orders banquet held at the National Civil War museum and a tour of the facilities following the meal. Some also got an unexpected tour of the Harrisburg/Carlisle area during the bus trips to and from the museum; the bus driver took a couple of wrong turns and got lost (or so I’m told).

The Camp Eagle Scout program is picking up steam. Last month, Brother Greene and I attended the Honor Court held in Gurley for Vincent Schneider of Troup 96 and on August 20, I attended Michael Calhoun’s, which was held at the Cove United Methodist Church in Hampton Cove. Michael was our second awardee from Troup 343 and there are one or two more in the same troup waiting in the wings.

The Department Encampment is right around the corner and planning for it needs to begin now. Brother Pearce has volunteered to help organize it and needs a considerable amount of help. I’m looking for volunteers to step up and lend a hand. Steve has a tremendous balancing act with work (which requires him to travel a good deal), soccer, and other activities. Trying to set-up an encampment is no easy task and I know he’ll take all the help he can get. There’s a great deal to be done in a short amount of time and the more hands involved, the easier it will be.

I’m looking forward to next Monday night and welcoming Brother Olcott into the Camp. I hope to see everyone there.

In F,C & L

Talbot

Minutes of 31 July 2006 meeting of Pvt. Richard Taylor Camp 53.

In attendance were Commander Hackett, Brother Wright, Brother Burke, Brother Hintze, Brother Hogan, Brother Jenness, Brother Cottrell and new member Topper Birney.

Commander Hackett opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Highlands Methodist Church. Brother Cottrell opened the meeting with the invocation; Brother Jenness led the Camp in the Pledge and Brother Wright led in the Creed.

The minutes of the May meeting were deferred until the August meeting. The balance in the treasury is $56.79.

Brother Hogan reported that the VA has added maps to the graves locater. Brother Hogan has the address.

Commander Hackett and Brother Hintze discussed the upcoming Department Encampment and Commander Hackett discussed Remembrance Day. Discussion of the Department Encampment and the Veterans Day parade were deferred until the August meeting.

Brother Topper Birney was inducted into the order. Brother Birney is descended from Major General William Birney.

Brother Cottrell closed the Camp with the benediction and we retired to a nice dinner.

In F, C & L

Geoffrey Hintze

Secretary/Treasurer