Camp Commander’s Message

1. Camp Meeting minutes of Dec. 8, 2007 Camp Commander’s Message Meeting Began at 10:00am Ended at 1:05pm. Dear Brothers, First off I want to wish you all a belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I also want to take the time to welcome all our new brothers and I hope this message finds you and yours all well. I am proud to continue to serve you as your Camp Commander for another year and I am assured by your vote of confidence. Please excuse the late delay in dues notices being sent out, we have moved back dues collection till February 3rd. As we move into 2008, what a year 2007 was. It was a great year for Camp Willard, with many positive changes. The first most noticeably was moving our meeting venue from the Van Schaick Mansion in Cohoes NY, to St. Agnes’ Cemetery Chapel in Menands NY. I have worked closely with our newest Brother Rick Touchette in securing this new site, as well as a room for office space, and a vault storage area for camp files and property. 2007 also saw the welcome of one of our allied orders, our sisters the Daughters of Union Veterans to the Capital District. The Catherine S. Lawrence Tent No. 107 of Cohoes NY. Myself, along with brothers Art Young and Gary Salmon were honored to represent Camp Willard during their chartering ceremony. Brother Young presented the daughters with a new gavel for their meetings. Thank you Dorothy Prentice on a job well done. Also this past year we were honored to take part in the 100th Anniversary Weekend Ceremonies of the 1907 GAR Encampment at Saratoga Springs NY. Kudos to Lance Ingmire on making this event a smash hit. The public attendance was outstanding all weekend. This event was a great time for SUVCW recruitment, and it looks like this will become a yearly event. Also rounding off our events this past year was our participation in the annual Veterans of Lansingburgh Memorial Day parade followed by our Memorial service at Col. Willard’s grave in the Oakwood Cemetery in Troy NY. We also participated throughout the year at Grant’s Cottage in Wilton NY. In September we participated for the third year in a row at the annual Albany Rural Cemetery Civil War Heritage Day. Another event filled time and great recruitment opportunity. Cont: New Business: Approval of membership application for Francis J. Salmon New members sworn in and Sons membership medal presented to Bro. Bob Hensel and Bro. John Carmody Sr. Raymond W. LeMay reelected as Camp Commnder Bro. Art Young elected as Jr. Vice Commander Passed: $100.00 allotted for publication of Guidon newsletter for the year. Check will be forwarded to Guidon Editor Bro. Gary Salmon. All pertinent receipts to be presented to camp at February meeting A discussion was held concerning the proposed Scholarship awarding to a High School senior that is pursuing a history major and a ROTC membership. We will be focusing on two Capital District High Schools for this scholarship. LaSalle Institute in Troy NY and Christian Brothers Academy in Albany NY. Both these schools are military academies. This scholarship will be base on an essay contest based on American history subjects. We need to form a scholarship committee and decide how we will pay for this scholarship, and if it will be a one time pay out or spread out through a college career. All ideas on this matter would be greatly appreciated. Please contact Cmdr. Lemay. Formation of a graves registration committee was discussed. It was recommended that this committee should include our Camp Chaplin, Camp Sec./Tres., and Camp Commander. Brothers Bill Halpin and Art Young have volunteered. Brother Bob Hensel will be liaison between the 125th Regt. Association and Camp Willard. Thank you Bro. Hensel Passed: That Camp Willard will support the restarting on the Troy NY Civil War Days Weekend. Along with support of the 125th Regt. Association. As per Cmdr. LeMay, the Troy Victorian Stroll was a great recruitment event. Many interested and possibly new members. 6 7