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National President’s

BLOG II

23 - 25 Sep 2010: We departed from Chocowinity, NC on Sep 23rd for the 223rd

Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina and arrived around

5pm at the Twin City Quarter in Winston-Salem. Lyn and I attended Grand Master

William Dill’s formal banquet and had a delightful evening visiting with many of

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the Brethren In attendance and their Ladies. Note that Grand Master Dill, a

dedicated Sojourner, (see picture at right below) is concurrently serving as the

President of CAMP Lejeune Chapter No. 329. On Thursday, following the

presentation of the colors by a color

guard of Heroes of ’76 from several

North Carolina Camps (see picture

below), I was officially received and

accorded honors as your National

President during the opening of Grand

Lodge. Lyn attended the ladies Luncheon

hosted by Lady Margaret Dill and had a

wonderful time. We were most grateful

for the opportunity to represent

National Sojourners and for the

hospitality and courtesies extended to us. I was able to visit with North Carolina

Masons, as well as, many visiting Grand Masters. 418 miles later we arrived back

in Chocowinity after a short visit and lunch with our son and family who reside in

Clayton, NC.

Bros. John Chandler, Harvard Holden, Harry Sanders, Ron Sortino and Don Wooster

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21 - 22 Sep 2010: We departed from Groton Inn & Suites in Groton, CT around

1000 hours for our drive to Portsmouth, NH on a route that took us through the

area of Massachusetts where we resided circa

1967-1972 while assigned to my first USAF duty

station at L. G. Hanscom Field in Bedford, MA. We

took time to drive by the church where both of our

sons were baptized and also visit the duplex we

rented for 3 years in Billerica, MA before moving

to on-

base quarters. We arrived in

Portsmouth, NH around 1500 hours and

took time to locate St. John’s Lodge No.

1, the oldest continuously existing Lodge

in the Americas, with a proud history

dating back to 1736 which was the

location for the meeting of Portsmouth

Chapter No. 386. After resting at our hotel, Lyn and I arrived for the social time at

1800 hours during which we had the occasion to

visit with Brethren and Ladies from New

Hampshire, Maine and Vermont which

included three Past Grand Masters.

Following a delicious spaghetti dinner, the

well attended chapter meeting was opened by

Chapter First VP, Bro. John Ramsey at 0700

hours. I was invited to initiate two new

Sojourners, Brothers Robert Piotrowski and

James Ryan. At the conclusion of chapter

business, I was then invited to present my

remarks and PowerPoint presentation to over

the 42 Brethren and Ladies present. At the

conclusion or my presentation, I was

honored to present one of the first Propeller

Club Award Pin to Brother Andy Hirst, Area Rep for the Northern New England

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Area (ME, NH, VT)! I also thanked the chapter First VP and Secretary for their

work in making my visit possible and presented them with a DUTY-HONOR-

COUNTY lapel pin. The hospitality and courtesies extend to us by all was most

appreciated. On the morning of the 22nd, we arose early and began our way south

--- we arrived home after navigating through 9 states (NH, MA, CT, NY, NJ, DE.

MD. VA and NC) around 2300 hours after having logged a total of 2,309 miles

since our departure on 15 Sep. It was good to arrive home and sleep in our own

bed!

L-R Bro. Bro. John Ramsey, Chapter 1st

VP;

National President Harry Sanders; Bro. C.

William Willey, Chapter Secretary

L-R Bro. Bro. Robert Piotrowski, MD, new

Sojourner; Bro. Andy Hirsch, Area Rep;

National President Harry Sanders; Bro.

James Ryan, new Sojourner

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20 Sep 2010: Lyn and I departed Newport, RI around 1430 hours after spending

the morning exploring shops on the water front and taking a driving tour of the

“mansions” on the coast. We arrived in Groton, Ct, after a short hour drive south

and checked into the Groton Inn & Suites as the guests of New London Chapter

No. 58. The social hour began at 1800 hours and afforded time to meet many

members and their Ladies. Those in attendance included in part, MWB William

Greene (PGM of Connecticut) and his Lady Sandie and Brother Charles Maxson

(Area Rep — SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND AREA) and his Lady Peg. The chapter

meeting was opened at 1900 hours followed by an exquisite dinner. Later in the

program following a memorial service and other business, Chapter President

Frank Rebmann offered me the gavel at which time I presented my remarks and

PowerPoint presentation. I presented the Chapter President (Bro. Frank

Rebmann) and Secretary (Bro. Winston Dean) a DUTY-HONOR-COUNTRY lapel

pin. Lyn and I are most appreciative of the hospitality and courtesies afforded us

and enjoyed the fellowship of the Brethren and Ladies present.

L-R front row: MWB Cedric Smith, Adjutant, General John Stark Camp, Green Mountain Chapter #527, MWPGM & immediate

Past Grand Secretary, GL of Vermont: MWB Calvin Kyler, Senior Lieutenant, Past Commander, General John Stark Camp, Green

Mountain Chapter #527, MWPGM, GL of Vermont; Lady Lyn Sanders; Lady Barbara Campbell, wife of MWB Jack Campbell; Bro.

Randy Cary, Officer of the Day, General John Stark Camp, Green Mountain Chapter #527; Lady Nadine Martin, wife of Bro. Palmer

Martin, L-R Back row: National President Harry Sanders; Jack Campbell, Past Commander, General John Stark Camp, Past

President, Green Mountain Chapter #527, MWPGM, GL of Vermont; Bro. Palmer Martin, Member General John Stark Camp,

Green Mountain Chapter #527.

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L-R: Lady Sandie Greene, MWB William Greene, Lady Peg Maxson; Bro Charles Mason

(Area Rep); National President Harry Sanders, Lady Lyn Sanders, Bro Frank Rebmann

(Chapter President), and Lady Marjorie Rebmann

L-R: Bro Frank Rebmann (Chapter President), National

President Harry Sanders, and Bro Winston Dean (Chapter

Secretary)

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20 Sep 2010: Lyn and I traveled to Newport, Rhode Island, for some R&R and to

do some site seeing and eat lobster. We stayed in the Marriott overlooking the

harbor, walked the waterfront, enjoyed the boat show, and had a wonderful

lobster dinner at a quaint restaurant on the water.

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17 – 18 Sep 2010: We departed northern New Jersey for Baltimore to attend an a

reunion of the descendents of my maternal

grandparents, Stanley and Valetta Roth (picture at

right) on the 18th at the Patapsco State Park which

is within walking distance of my childhood home in

Halethorpe, Md. We were joined by my two sons,

James and Todd, and their families for the

occasion. It was a great time and we enjoyed

“breaking bread” and catching up with all the

members of the ROTH, SANDERS and LINK families.

Below is the reunion picture.

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16 Sep 2010: We departed Fairfax, VA for the 5 hour drive to Mt Arlington in

Northern New Jersey for our visit to Northern New Jersey Chapter No. 42 which

meets at the Picatinny Arsenal Catering and Conference Center in Dover, NJ. The

fellowship time was delightful. Among those in attendance were MWB Ray

Vandenberg (PGM New Jersey), MWB John Ryan (PGM New Jersey) and his Lady

Mary Jane, and Bro How Housel, one of the few to receive a battlefield

commission in WWII. Following a delightful buffet dinner, the chapter was

opened, a chapter memorial service conducted, two new Sojourners initiated and

chapter business conducted. Thereafter, I was recognized for my remarks and

PowerPoint presentation. I presented DUTY-HONOR-COUNTRY lapel pins to

Chapter President Bro. Richard Forman and Chapter Secretary Bro. Bill Haynes.

Lyn and I were most appreciative of the hospitality and courtesies extended to us.

It was a wonderful evening!

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15 Sep 2010: We departed our home in Chocowinity, NC for a 7-day journey

north through Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut,

Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. Our first stop and visit was at

Old Dominion Chapter No. 364 my home chapter. We arrived at 1830 hours for

L-R: Bro. William Haynes (Chapter Secretary), National President Harry Sanders, Bro.

Richard Foreman (Chapter President), and MWB Raymond VandenBerghe,

Bro. Howard Housel L-R: Bro, Moises Gomez (new Sojourner), Bro. Philip Donnelly (new

Sojourner), and Bro. Richard Foreman (Chapter President)

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the social period and enjoyed visiting with many dear friends. Following a

delicious dinner, the gavel fell and the meeting was opened by Chapter President

Kent Webber (also President of CLMA). I was invited and afforded the honor of

initiating the Master of my home Lodge (Henry No. 57 located in Fairfax, VA), WB

Chris Chrzanowski, as a new Sojourner. At the conclusion of chapter business, I

was invited to deliver my remarks and PowerPoint presentation. Our National

President-Elect, Brother Bill Turner, assisted me in promoting the Propeller Club

Award and I was pleased to recognize him for completing the requirements of this

special 2010-2011 individual achievement incentive. I was especially pleased to

welcome two very special Sojourners: Brother Ralph Smith who played a key role

in my becoming a Mason and Brother Johnny Mayers who introduced me to the

National Sojourners. At the conclusion of my remarks, I presented the Chapter

President, Bro Kent Webber, and Chapter Secretary, Brother Les Albers, a DUTY-

HONOR-COUNTRY lapel pin. Lyn and I enjoyed our visit and reminisced on the way

to our hotel about the many memorable meetings at Gadsby’s Tavern in Old

Town Alexandria whose notable visitors have included George Washington,

Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, James Madison and James Monroe. We greatly

appreciated the hospitality and courtesies extend to us by all.

L-R: National President Harry “Turner” and

National President–Elect Bill “Sanders” promote

the Propeller Club Award! Just kidding ---

although we have been introduced that way

several times…

L-R: Bro. Ralph Smith, National President Harry Sanders, and Bro.

Johnny Mayers

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8 - 9 Sep 2010: Lyn and I departed our home in Chocowinity, NC around 1300

hours and made our way north to the Globe and Laurel Restaurant in Stafford, VA

to attend the monthly meeting of Quantico Chapter No. 44. The social time, which

began at 1830 hours, afforded a time to visit with the 30 Brethren, Ladies and

guests that were present including: MWB George Chapin (PGM Virginia), Bro.

Frank Harris (PNP & LOH), Bro. Charles McNoldy (PNP), and NPE Bill Turner.

Following an order-off-the-menu dinner, we were privileged to hear from the two

L-R: Bro. Ralph Smith (Secretary Henry Lodge No. 57), National President

Harry Sanders, Wor. Bro. Chris Chrzanowski (Master Henry Lodge No. 57),

Brother John Mayers (Tiler – Henry Lodge No. 57)

L-R: Bro Les Albers (Chapter Secretary), Bro. Mark Harford (Chapter 1st

VP), National

President Harry Sanders, Bro. Kent Webber (Chapter President), Bro. Woody

Bentley (Commander - Light Horse Harry Lee Camp), Bro. Johnny Mayers (Chapter

Secretary)

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students sponsored by the chapter to the Spirit of America Youth Conference at

Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge this past July. Each student provided

interesting insights into their experiences at the conference. A chapter meeting

was then opened with Bro James Newcomer (a past Chapter president) presiding.

Following a short period of chapter business, I was called upon to deliver my

remarks. I concluded my presentation by presenting a DUTY-HONOR-COUNTRY

lapel pin to Chapter President Eddie Sykes (recovering from an arm injury) and

President pro tem James Newcomer. Lyn and I enjoyed the warm reception,

hospitality, and courtesies that were afforded us it was a memorable visit!

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L-R: Chapter President Eddies Sykes; National

President Harry Sanders and Chapter President pro

tem James Newcomer.