NEWSLETTER FOR SEPTEMBER 2005

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

Commander: Talbot Hackett genberry@msn.com

Editor: Steve Pearce spearce@knology.net

On October 1^st, we will be participating in the Madison Street festival parade. In that the parade route isn’t all that long, we can form a marching unit, followed by a vehicle for those who don’t want or care to march. If someone has an open bed pick-up for Brothers to ride in and would like to use it, it would be greatly appreciated. As I understand it, most participants in the parade toss candy to the youngsters standing along the parade route, so perhaps we should look into having a little of that ourselves. We can discuss the final details of the parade at the September 26^th meeting.

On October 8^th we will be participating in the Heritage Festival at the Hays Nature Preserve. Planned right now is a recruiting booth for which volunteers will be needed. No one has to stay all day; we can work it out in shifts. The more the merrier. In conjunction with the booth, Brother Milam had written a script to reenact the surrender of Bushwhacker Johnson at Trough Springs. Volunteers are needed to participate in this and they should be contacting Brother Milam as soon as possible. Many of the members of Co. G, will be at the reenactment in Corinth, Mississippi, so it will be up to the Camp to carry the load. He will be selecting the roles and holding rehearsals at the Highlands Methodist Church, so please watch for his announcements in your email.

The Camp has also voted to participate in this year’s Veterans Day parade. I will continue to monitor the WAFF webpage and get us registered as soon as possible. In the meantime, any thoughts or ideas concerning our entry will be greatly appreciate and open for discussion at our next meeting.

We need to get moving on our Camp history, in accordance with Commander-in-Chief Darby’s General Order #4, which I emailed to everyone on September 11. My thought is that this can best be accomplished by committee. Any volunteers? We have discussed this before so it’s not something new for us, there is just a bit more urgency now.

The plans for the Department Encampment are moving along. Most of you should have already received your invitations. A quick response will be greatly appreciated, so that the final details can be hammered out. IF enough people throughout the Department will be participating, then it will be worthwhile to contract the Olde Towne Brass to play at the social hour before the banquet. The invitations have gone out to the Past Department Commanders and our Sisters of the DUVCW Tents. The individual Camp invitations will be mailed on Monday, September 12.

Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been devastated by Hurricane Katrina. If any Brother has some thoughts about what the Camp could do to help them, please let us know.

The Secretary’s Minutes:

Minutes of 1 September 2005 meeting of Pvt. Richard Taylor Camp 53.

In attendance were Commander Hackett, Senior Vice Commander Burke, Junior Vice Commander Johnson, Sec/Treasurer Hintze, Brothers Greene, Cottrell, Karl Ryan, Hogan, Billings, and Milam.. Ms. Susan Weber was a guest.

The meeting was opened at 7:00 p.m. by Cmdr Hackett. Brother Cottrell gave the invocation, Brother Milam led the Camp in the Pledge of Allegiance. Brother Karl Ryan led the America’s Creed.

Brother Hintze gave the Treasurers report. We currently have a balance of $434.44. The Minutes from the July meeting were read and approved.

The question was asked if anyone knew any Brothers in trouble from Hurricane Katrina. There was no response.

Brother Hogan gave the graves report. He reported that Maple Hill has a GAR member (Joseph Monroe Hinds) that was previously unknown. That makes 3 known GAR members buried in Maple Hill. It was proposed that we purchase 3 GAR markers that we place on the graves on Memorial Day and Veterans Day but remove after the services. A motion to buy 3 GAR markers (at $18 a piece) was made and passed. Brother Hintze will contact Brother Bennett (Department of New York and National Treasurer) to purchase the markers.

Brothers Hogan and Burke gave the Bicentennial report. We are selling lottery tickets for the Garfield Camp. We sold $40 worth at the bicentennial. Taylor will get to keep half the proceeds.

The Madison Street Festival (October 1) was discussed. There will be a parade and booths. Brother Hackett said we were past the deadline for a booth but he would check on it.

Susan Weber came to talk about the Madison County History Festival. Brother Milam wrote a play about the surrender of Bushwacker Johnson. We have agreed to supply uniformed Union Soldiers for the play on October 8.

Brother Hackett discussed the 28 January Department Encampment. It will be at the Bevil Center. There will be an SVR Breakfast. Discussions are underway to get the Olde Towne Brass for the banquet.

The Camp Flag was discussed. We are still trying to get it done locally. We have put it on the Back Burner.

New Business

The elections will be held at the October meeting. The installation of officers will be at the November meeting. Veterans Day was discussed. It was decided to take part in the parade but not have a night ceremony at Valhalla.

Brother Cottell will be 80 on Nov 13.

Brother Cottrell gave the benediction and the meeting was closed.

Hope to see everyone on the September 26, at the next meeting.

Respectfully submitted in F, C, and L,

Talbot Hackett-Commander

Geoffrey Hintze -Secretary/Treasurer