From the Commander's Chair:

My Brothers,
I hope that you & your families are doing well & enjoying the Summer. I'd like to thank everyone who participated in the Cemetery Clean-ups & Flag Placement. Unfortunately, we once again were unable to clean-up the GAR Post #5 Plot at Mt. Moriah Cemetery, as it was covered in Rhus radicans (that's "Poison Ivy" to you non-horticulturists) & will have to wait until Fall when it will be a little safer to remove.

Everyone who was able to participate in the Memorial Day/Decoration Day ceremonies has the Camp's gratitude. It seems that each year, just the same few of us show up for the ceremonies. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate each & every one of you that participates in Camp #1 services. It's just disheartening to see so few Brothers participating in what we all know is one of the most important things we can do as members of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War....honoring those that fought & died to preserve our freedom.

I'd like to thank Senior Vice Commander Brother Ken Gavin for his presentation on the 28th PVI at the June Camp meeting. Brother Gavin has developed a keen eye for detail in uniforms, weaponry & medals, which made for an informative discussion. We also welcomed Brother Al Harrison as a new member of Camp #1.

Camp #1 owes a deep debt of gratitude to the members of the Department Encampment Committee (especially the Ladies of Camp #1's Auxiliary) for providing a very enjoyable & harmonious 2006 PA Department Encampment June 23rd- 25th in Ft. Washington. The Anna Marie Ross Camp was honored to host this year's Encampment & I'd like to congratulate Department Commander Brother Eric Schmincke on a job well done & commend him for his continued commitment to the SUVCW. I'd personally like to thank Brothers Jeff Heagy PCC, John Green, Pete Matijasick, Mike Peter CC (dual member of Camp #1 & Commander of Camp #101, Hatboro, PA), Ralph Prince PCC & Cliff Lang (Camp #101) for participating in uniform as the Honor Guard to advance & retire the Colors during the proceedings.

We must also congratulate Brother John M. McNulty on his election as Dept. Senior Vice Commander & the re-appointments of Brothers Jeff Heagy (Dept. Webmaster & CW Memorials Officer) & John T. McNulty (Dept. Guide).This is the 3rd Department Encampment that I've attended in the past 6 years that I've been involved with the Sons, but I've never participated to this extent. Being part of the planning for the meetings, participating as Dept. Assistant Secretary to Memorial Camp #300, as well as being appointed by Dept. Commander Schmincke as a member of the Resolutions Committee with Brothers Al Kern PDC & Rich Essenwein, has been very inspiring.

At the closing ceremonies, I was struck by the closeness of all the Allied Orders while singing the Pennsylvania Closing Song 'Till We Meet Again'. I'm looking forward to representing our Camp at the National Encampment in Harrisburg on Aug. 11th & 12th & I encourage any Brother who wishes to join me, to do so. A National Encampment of the SUVCW doesn't occur so close to "home" that often, so this is an excellent opportunity to join in "Fraternity, Loyalty & Charity" with Brothers from all over the United States.

Honestly, Brothers, I come away from this Department Encampment re-vitalized & re-committed to our Order. I can only hope that some of my enthusiasm will encourage you to renew your commitment "to the memory of the Union Civil War Soldier".

The next Camp #1 gathering will be our 3rd Annual Picnic with the Auxiliary on July 12th, starting around 6PM & hosted by PC'inC Brother Bud Atkinson & PDP of the Auxiliary Sister Margaret Atkinson. Please join us for Fraternity & Felowship if you can.

There will be no meeting of Camp #1 in August 2006. We will meet again for a Ritual Meeting of the Camp at 7:30PM on Monday Sept.18, 2006 at the
GAR/Museum & Library.

I remain, Your most humble servant in Fraternity, Loyalty & Charity,

Andrew J. Carr
Camp Commander
Anna Marie Ross, Camp #1
Department of Pennsylvania
Sons of Union Veterans of The Civil War