- On behalf of the Department I offer the thanks of all of the brothers of this Department to the eighteen Michigan men who took the time and went to the expense of representing us at the National Encampment in Reston, Virginia this month.
- I am proud to announce that the Department of Michigan has been awarded the Marshall Hope Award and the Benjamin Stevenson Award. Both were given by the National Organization to the Department at the Encampment last week. The Hope Award is given for the best departmental newsletter and the Stevenson Award, a new award given for the first time this year, is given for the best departmental web site. All of the brothers who contribute to the newsletter and especially Rick Danes, our newsletter editor, are to be commended for the fine work done in earning this award. Likewise, those involved in creating and maintaining the web site, including all those Camp web masters who link their own Camp sites to our departmental site, are commended for the great work they have done.
- 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.
- Camp secretaries are reminded that the form 22 that must be signed by the Departments installing officer should be ready for signature at the time you have your Camp Officer Installation.
- A new form issued by the Department will be required starting this year. That form, Form 22-MI, is designed to help us keep your departmental web page up to date. Camp Commanders and Secretaries will be supplied the form in October. The form is due at the same time as form 22.
- The Department will be participating in the Detroit Veterans Day Parade. Please save the date of Saturday November 5, 2011 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.
- Brother Robert May is named Departmental Chief of Staff. Appointed officers and Committee chairs should expect to hear from him periodically to assess progress on your various projects.
- Brother Dale Aurand is named Chair of the Ceremonies and Rituals Committee. Other Committee members include Dean Lamphere, William Morris, Tom Jenkins, Dave Hilliker, Brian Shumway.
- Remembrance Weekend in Gettysburg is coming up. It will be November 18-20, 2011. 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 – 2011,” on the subject line to help me identify what you are writing about.
- In expectation of a requirement change to the Sesquicentennial Signature Event Program by the national organization, requiring that Camps submit their event applications at least ninety days prior to the proposed signature event, Departments Orders No. 1 of this series is hereby rescinded.
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