- On behalf of the Department I offer the thanks of all of the brothers of this Department to the thirteen Michigan men who took the time and went to the expense of representing us at the National Encampment in Kansas City this month.
- I commend the brothers of this Department on their recruiting efforts over the past year. Those efforts have resulted in our winning the Augustus P. Davis – Conrad Linder Award. That is an award given by the National Organization each year to the Department that had the most new members. The plaque accompanying the award will be proudly displayed at our Department Encampment next May.
- Camps need to start thinking about when they will do officer installations for next year. The Department is already getting requests from Camps to reserve time on my schedule to do installations. As many requests as can be honored, will be honored, but there are 23 of you, only one of me, and a limited period in which to get this done. Times will be given away on a first come first served basis, so get your request in as soon as you are able. If a conflict exists such that I am unable to perform this service for your Camp, I will consult with you and may send another Department Officer. As in past years, any Camp requesting a special officer from the Department, other than the Commander, to do the installation for them, will be accommodated if possible. Such requests still need to be made through the Department Commander however.
- Each Camp Commander is directed to review the web site for his camp. If it is up to date as regards officers, their contact information, Camp meeting times and places, and any factual information about the Camp that you should choose to include, you need do nothing more. If any of those areas are in need of correction, make the corrections. If you require assistance in this regard, we have volunteers who can help bring your web sites up to date. Please report the status of your Camp’s web site, either up to date or in need of assistance, to me no later than October 1, 2010.
- The Department will be participating in the Detroit Veterans Day Parade. Please save the date of Saturday November 6, 2010 for this event. This is a Department level event in which we expect to not only honor the Michigan men who have served this country in the armed forces, but to provide the opportunity for brothers from around the state to get together and visit with one another. We will also have the use of the barracks at Historic Fort Wayne to allow any brother who chooses to do so, to overnight at the Fort, and practice drill before going out to do the parade. More information will follow by special communication with each Camp.
- Remembrance Weekend in Gettysburg is coming up. It will be November 19-21, 2010. The Department always mounts a presence for this event. The event includes the opportunity to honor the fallen at the Gettysburg National Cemetery, the soldiers from this state at one of the several regimental monuments on the battlefield, the chance to march in the largest Civil War parade in the world, to enjoy camaraderie with several of your Michigan brothers, and the opportunity to tour this field upon which a pivotal battle of the war was fought. If you wish to go but are concerned about transportation, the Department will assist in setting up carpools and providing such other advice or coordinating assistance as we may be able to give in allowing you to make this trip. Contact me should you want any such assistance. My e-mail is p31713@aol.com. Please use the words, “Gettysburg – 2010,” on the subject line to help me identify what you are writing about.
In Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty,
/s/
Donald W. Shaw
Department Commander
Department of Michigan
Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War
Attest:
/s/
Paul Davis
Department Secretary
Department of Michigan
Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War