NEWSLETTER

NATIONAL SOJOURNERS, INC. FT SAM HOUSTON CHAPTER #17

ALAMO CAMP HEROES OF ‘76 SEE OUR WEBSITE AT

http://www.ftsamhoustonsojourners.txmasons.org Editor: Thomas J. Griffy

Email: FtSamChapter17@kestler.org

Minutes of Business Meeting 7 June 2017

The Monthly Business Meeting of the Chapter was

held on 7 June 2017 at The Barn Door. The meeting was preceded by lunch which was ordered from the menu pro-

vided. President, Brother Luther Lee Leopard opened the meeting at 1200 hours. The Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was led by President Brother Leopard, Toast to the Flag was given by Brother PNP Elliott Samuels, and the prayer by Chaplain Brother Jerry Hopkins. Brother “Ike” Eisenhauer our Regional Representative was in attendance. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of the May 2017 meeting were approved as published in the Newsletter. TREASURER’S REPORT: Approved as presented. SICKNESS AND DISTRESS: Brother Bob Cox is home and is up and running on the internet. Bro Sid Shaenfield is at home and likes calls. Brother Wolfe has eye problems. Brother Max Harvey is at home and likes calls. Brother Sam Green still has his problems but was in attendance. Brother Bruce Dickinson’s wife has been in the hospital and he report-ed that she is doing well, and is now at home. Brother Nick Ramos has been having some problems as well. Brother Leroy Guzman had heart surgery and is doing okay. R:W: Brother Mike Gower has been in the hospital for back surgery and was home and had to return to the hospital, but is now home and doing much better. Keep these Brothers and their families in your prayers. CORRESPONDENCE: A letter was received from Brother Tench’s daughter about his Hero’s uniforms. She will be ship-ping the items to our Adjutant and he will take care of them. Delegate sheets for the National Convention are available from the Secretary. REPORT OF MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE: Brother Al Posey was in attendance and has application forms.

ISSUE 17-07 JULY 2017

REFERRAL OF APPLICATIONS: Three applications were received and were read by the Secretary. After review and confirmation, they will be voted on at the July business meeting. APPLICATIONS VOTED ON: None. INITIATION OF NEW MEMBERS: None. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES: AMERICANISM: Brother Elliott Samuels deferred to the committee chairs.

ROTC: Brother Dennis Lafferty reported that the ROTC Awards have been completed and thanked those who presented awards this year. We had a couple of schools that did not present awards to students. We also had some schools that did not respond to our notices.

FREEDOM FOUNDATION: Three students have been selected to attend FFVF in July. Funding for the tuition will be taken from the SAEF at National and transportation will be covered by our chapter. Paperwork on the three are in hand and will be mailed to Freedom Foundation this week.

MOWW YLC: We had no responses for the YLC on the Lexington so the MOWW YLC coordinator was con-tacted to cancel our quotas but that we will participate next year.

ESSAY: Brother Roger Hopkins reported that he had the 2018 Essay Contest form and will be preparing letters for the upcoming year. National announced the 2017 winners and one of the three was from Texas but not our Chapter.

FLAG PROGRAM: Brother Lafferty reported the next flag presentation is to the San Antonio Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution on 21 June. More are in the mill. BY LAWS: Nothing. FINANCE COMMITTEE: Nothing new at this time. EDUCATION AND TRAINING COMMITTEE: None this month. PROGRAMS: The next dinner meeting is on 12 July at the Barn Door. This will be a patriotic program meeting.. BRIDGE OF LIGHT: Still scheduled for February 2018 at the Ft Sam Houston Golf Course. COMMANDER OF HEROES: Camp Commander Brother Joe Estlack stated that the next Bivouac will be on 30 August 2017. OLD BUSINESS: None

(continued on page 2)

Nick Ramos Roger Hopkins J. R. “Bob” McConnell Joe Estlack J. R. “Bob” McConnell 241 Ralston 9129 Bonny Brook 134 Rhonda Dr. 1902 Ashprington 134 Rhonda Dr. Converse, TX 78109-1909 Windcrest, TX 78239-2001 Universal City, TX 78148 San Antonio, TX 78251-1300 Universal City, TX 78148 (210) 658-9343 (210) 658-9343 (210) 659-6813 (830) 627-2173 (210) 659-6813 nicksr@sbcglobal.net rhopkins8@satx.rr.com JMcconn529@aol.com joestlack1@juno.com JMcconn529@aol.com

National Sojourners, Inc. Ft Sam Houston Chapter #17 Alamo Camp Heroes of 76

Page 2 | JULY 2017

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None. NEW BUSINESS: Brother Elliott Samuels was asked by the President if he would conduct the installation of officers. The Installation resulted in the following members being installed for the Chapter: Brother Nick Ramos, President, Brother Rog-er Hopkins, 1st Vice President, Brother Freddie Freeland, 2nd Vice President and Brother Bruce Dickinson as Marshal. Chapter Officers For the Heroes Camp the following were installed: Brother Joe Estlack, Commander, Brother John Lorch, Chief of Staff, Brother Nick Ramos, Asst. Chief of Staff, Brother Freddie Freeland, Officer of the Day and Brother Art Polsey, Musician. Camp Officers President Ramos and Commander Estlack announced their respective appointed officers. For the Chapter: Brother Ray Benton, Chaplain, Brother Dennis Lafferty, Flag Bearer, Brother Benjamin Yudesis, Judge Advocate, and Brother Dock Dixon, Surgeon. For the Heroes: Brother Nelson Dunn, Senior Lieutenant, Brother James Griffith, Junior Lieutenant, Brother Daniel Orzwarzack, Commander of the Guard, Brother Jerold Hopkins, Sentinel, Brother Ray Benton, Chaplain, Brother Benjamin Yudesis, Judge Advocate, and Brother Dock Dixon, Surgeon. The Installation was conducted at this business meeting as the Annual National Convention will be conducted during our normal dinner meeting where installation normally takes place. Brother McConnell then presented Brother Leop-ard his Past President’s certificate and his PP bar for his medal. He then presented to Brother Bob Perkins his Past Command-er’s certificate and his PC bar for his medal. Brothers Leopard and Perkins gave a few remarks about their

Brother “Ike” Eisenhauer assisted in the presentations. ANNOUNCEMENTS: No June Dinner Meeting. Brown-wood Commandery will meet tonight at 1800 hours with the program at 1900 hours.

(continued from page 1) CLOSING: There being no more business, Brother Presi-dent Nick Ramos closed the meeting at 1310 hours.

97th ANNUAL NATIONAL CONVENTION 12-17 JUNE 2017

The 97th Annual National Convention was held in Austin, Texas from 12 June through 17 June 2017. Early arrivals came in on the 11th and 12th with some meetings beginning on the 13th. On Monday, the 12th the NASOCOCO Com-mittee met with the hotel staff and discussed the weeks ses-sions. The Committee then met as the NASOCOCO Offic-ers for their annual session, and following that the NASO-COCO Board met for the annual review. On Tuesday, many of the ladies went on a tour to Freder-icksburg and spent the day. Several committees met during the day. The Expeditionary/Mustang Chapters had their luncheon on this day and the Wright Brothers/Minutemen Chapters met that evening. Wednesday opened with a Past Masters breakfast and the ladies held their luncheon at noon. That afternoon the Heroes Encampment, Meeting, Elections and Heroes Degree was conducted. It was a very good Encampment and our “Delaware” performed at its best. That evening, the Bennington Banquet was held and the National Heroes Line was installed. A Camp Followers Degree was conducted during the Banquet and several la-dies became Camp Followers.

Thursday, the Royal Order of Barrel Wheelers breakfast was held. At Noon the Awards Luncheon was held and awards were passed out at this time. We had a few of our members who received an award at that Luncheon. That evening several members attended the “Night of Fun at Es-ther’s Follies”. Friday, the Americanism Breakfast was held and the speak-er was “Sam Houston” who gave an inspiring presentation of his life. At noon the Saigon/DaNang Chapters held their annual meeting. That evening the President’s banquet was held. The color guard for the event was composed of four Past National Presidents of which all were members of Ft Sam Houston Chapter # 17 and Anson Jones Chapter # 507.

National Sojourners, Inc. Ft Sam Houston Chapter #17 Alamo Camp Heroes of 76

JULY 2017 | Page 3

If you haven’t guessed, they were PNP Merlen Howe, PNP Bob McConnell, PNP Jim Higdon and PNP Keye Perry. It was a true Texas Color Guard. Brother Elliott Samuels, PNP and LOH Recipient gave the Toast to the Flag.

The installation of the newly elected officers took place and Brother Harry Sanders was honored as the Legion of Honor recipient.

Saturday, the newly elected President, Brother Ron Sortino held his initial breakfast and meeting. At this meeting he out-lined his program for the year. After the meeting was closed,

the elected committee members were sworn in by the new President.

July Birthdays

Ronald Thompson 7/3 Richard Williamson 7/3 Richard Wyatt 7/3 Harry Watkins 7/5 Michael Parkhurst 7/5 Robert Messerli 7/6 Alvin Davis 7/7 Robert Zarn 7/10 John Clarkson 7/12 James Bruner 7/14 Lawrence Smith 7/14 Bruce Topletz 7/16 Richard Anthis 7/17 Robert Clemons 7/20 Robert Easterling 7/20 Jorge Santana 7/20 Howard Hutsell 7/21 David Chernik 7/21 Charles Luther 7/21 Charles Baltos 7/24 George Hext 7/24 T. K. Anthony 7/25 Harry Sanders 7/25 George Cheney 7/26

Some Statistics on our Americanism Program This year has been a busy one for the Chapter. We are sending three students to Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge for the Youth Leadership Conference. All three upon their return will be our guests at the August Dinner Meeting. Our Flag presentations this past year have gone before fifty-three (53) organizations. These include, churches, Ma-sonic Lodges, Order of Eastern Star, Assisted Living Organi-zations, Retired Teachers Educators, Shrine, Scottish Rite, Teachers Association, Daughters of the American Revolution, Colleges, San Antonio Federal Bar Association, Grand Mas-ters Walk to the Alamo, Republican Women of Wilson Coun-ty, Sons of the American Revolution, and a Retirement Cere-mony. Of these presentations, 39 were the Toast to the Flag, 13 Building the Flag, and one Color Guard. Thanks to all who participated in presenting these programs.

National Sojourners, Inc. Ft Sam Houston Chapter #17 Alamo Camp Heroes of 76

Page 4 | JULY 2017

BUSINESS MEETING: We will again be at the Barn Door, 8400 North New Braunfels, (Inside Loop 410),

5 July 2017. Come early get your lunch with the meeting to begin at 1200 hours. It will be order from the menu. Main business will be the election of officers for

the coming year. Come and enjoy the fellowship.

THE MONTHLY DINNER MEETING is scheduled for 12 July 2017 at the Barn Door, 8400 North New Braunfels, (Inside Loop 410). Social time at 1800 hours with dinner at 1830 hours. Come and enjoy the fellowship. Dinner will consist of Salad, 6 oz. Filet, or

Salmon, Baked Potatoes, Vegetable, Dinner Rolls/Butter, Iced Tea and Water, Coffee by the cup and Com-plimentary dessert. Price of the meal – Steak $25.00 Salmon $30.00. Reservations to Bob McConnell, at 210-659-6813 or JMcconn529@aol.com, or Lee Leopard at 210-434-7429 not later than 10 July 2017. This will be a patriotic program meeting. Sign up early and come and enjoy the fellowship.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Bob McConnell

Dennis Lafferty

This Months ROTC Uncles

Sid Shaenfield

FLAG PRESENTATION On 21 June four members of Alamo Camp attended the San Antonio Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution at their monthly meeting. The members were: Brother Dennis Lafferty, Flag Bearer, Brother Lee Leopard, Junior Past Chapter President, Brother John Lorch, the new Chief of Staff of Alamo Camp and Brother Bob McConnell, PNP. The SAR gave a donation for performing the “Building the Flag” which will go toward our Americanism program.

Flag team with the San Antonio SAR Chapter Presi-dent Larry Loop.

National Sojourners, Inc. Ft Sam Houston Chapter #17 Alamo Camp Heroes of 76

JULY 2017 | Page 5

This Month in History (Chronologically ordered by day)

July 1, 1863 – American Civil War: The Battle of Gettysburg begins. July 3, 1775 – American Revolutionary War: George Washington takes command of the Con-tinental Army at Cambridge, Massachusetts. July 3, 1863 – American Civil War: The final day of the Battle of Gettysburg culminates with Pickett's Charge. July 4, 1776 – American Revolution: The Unit-ed States Declaration of Independence is adopt-ed by the Second Continental Congress. July 4, 1826 – Thomas Jefferson, third presi-dent of the United States, dies the same day as John Adams, second president of the United States, on the fiftieth anniversary of the adop-tion of the United States Declaration of Inde-pendence. July 6, 1942 – Anne Frank and her family go into hiding in the "Secret Annex" above her fa-ther's office in an Amsterdam warehouse. July 9, 1776 – George Washington orders the Declaration of Independence to be read out to members of the Continental Army in Manhat-tan, while thousands of British troops on Staten Island prepare for the Battle of Long Island. July 12, 1804 – Former United States Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton dies a day after being shot in a duel. July 14, 1911 – Harry Atwood, an exhibition pilot for the Wright brothers, lands his airplane at the South Lawn of the White House. He is later awarded a Gold medal from U.S. President William Howard Taft for this feat.

This Month in History (Continued))

July 17, 1945 – World War II: The main three leaders of the Allied nations, Winston Churchill, Harry S. Truman and Joseph Sta-lin, meet in the German city of Potsdam to decide the future of a defeated Germany. July 17, 1975 – Apollo–Soyuz Test Project: An American Apollo and a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft dock with each other in orbit marking the first such link-up between space-craft from the two nations. July 19, 1963 – Joe Walker flies a North American X-15 to a record altitude of 106,010 meters (347,800 feet) on X-15 Flight 90. Exceeding an altitude of 100 km, this flight qualifies as a human spaceflight under international convention. July 22, 1933 – Aviator Wiley Post returns to Floyd Bennett Field in New York City, com-pleting the first solo flight around the world in 7 days, 18 hours and 49 minutes. July 24, 1950 – Cape Canaveral Air Force Station begins operations with the launch of a Bumper rocket. July 25, 1783 – American Revolutionary War: The war's last action, the Siege of Cuddalore, is ended by a preliminary peace agreement. July 27, 1953 – Fighting in the Korean War ends when the United States, China, and North Korea sign an armistice agreement. Syngman Rhee, President of South Korea, refuses to sign but pledges to observe the ar-mistice. July 30, 1971 – Apollo program: Apollo 15 Mission: David Scott and James Irwin on the Apollo Lunar Module Falcon land on the Moon with the first Lunar Rover.

SUPPORT YOUR BLUE LODGE. THEY NEED US AND WE NEED THEM! CONTACT A BROTHER WHO HASN’T BEEN TO LODGE AND ASK HIM TO GO WITH YOU.

SECRETARY NOTES: If you have a change in your address or phone num-ber, please send a note to Bob McConnell, 134 Rhonda Dr., Universal City, TX 78148, or call 210.659.6813. If you have a change in your email ad-dress, please send an email to

FtSamChapter17@kestler.org or call 830.368.4071 with the new information.

Return Service Requested

NATIONAL SOJOURNERS, INC. Ft Sam Houston Chapter #17

Alamo Camp Heroes Of 76 Bob McConnell 134 Rhonda Dr.

Universal City, TX 78148

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS: Please keep our Military Forces and their families in your prayers. Take the time to stop them and thank them for their service to our country. We can’t

thank them enough for their dedication and sacrifice to maintain our freedom and liberty.

They are the finest and best this country has to offer, and we, as citizens, need to express our gratitude to them at every opportunity.

If you are receiving this newsletter by US mail and have email, please send your email address to FtSamChapter17@kestler.org. Each printed copy costs your chapter more than $1.50 to produce and mail; the only cost for email is my time.

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER BIVOUAC OF ALAMO CAMP

HEROES OF 76

Attention all Heroes: A bivouac is scheduled for Wednesday, 30 August 2017 at Grady’s BBQ, 6510 San Pedro. Put it on your calendar. Dine at 1700 hours.