National Sojourners, Inc. Alamo Camp Heroes of 76 ...

[Pages:6]National Sojourners, Inc.

Ft Sam Houston Chapter #17

Alamo Camp Heroes of 76

NEWSLETTER

NATIONAL SOJOURNERS, INC.

FT SAM HOUSTON CHAPTER #17

ALAMO CAMP HEROES OF `76

SEE OUR WEBSITE AT

Editor: Thomas J. Griffy Email: FtSamChapter17@

Freddie Freeland 5818 Teal St. San Antonio, TX 78244 (210) 639-1021 Freddie.freeland@

Russell Flowers 8719 Oak Ledge Dr. San Antonio, TX 78217 (210) 716-3030 kmaplf@satx.

Keith L. Byers

13105 Ryden Dr. Live Oak, TX 78233-2608 (210) 531-6715 Kbyers.sec@

Treasurer

J. R. (Bob) McConnell, PNP 8402 Quebec Drive San Antonio, TX 78239 (210 659-6813 JMcconn529@

Nick R. Ramos

P.O. Box 758 Converse, TX 78109 (210) 380-6960 nicksr@

J. R. "Bob" McConnell, PNP

8402 Quebec Dr. San Antonio, TX 78239 (210) 659-6813 JMcconn529@

ISSUE 19-09

Minutes of Business Meeting 4 September 2019

The Monthly Business Meeting of the Chapter was held on 4 September 2019 at The Barn Door. The meeting was preceded by lunch which was ordered from the menu provided. President, Brother Freddie Freeland opened the meeting at 1206 hours. The Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was led by Brother Russell Flowers, Toast to the Flag was given by Brother Bob Walling, and the prayer by Chaplain Brother Daniel Owczarzak. WELCOME: President Brother Freeland welcomed all to the meeting and thanked them for attending. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The August 2019 minutes were approved as printed in the Newsletter. TREASURER'S REPORT: Approved as presented. SICKNESS AND DISTRESS: Brother Sid Shaenfield is still basically home bound but stable and needs our calls. Brother Max Harvey also likes to receive your calls. Brother David Wolf has moved. Brother Dan Carbaugh is having some difficulties and Brother Ronnie Pfeil has cancer. Brother PNP Keye Perry is undergoing chemo. Brother Abner Kestler is recovering from surgery and doing well. Brother Dock Dixon is suffering from macular degeneration in both eyes. Brother Eugene Deacon Wall has leukemia. Brother Roger Hopkins passed away on the 27th of August and his daughter has cancer. Keep all of them and their families in your prayers. CORRESPONDENCE: None REPORT OF MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE: None. REFERRAL OF APPLICATIONS: None. APPLICATIONS VOTED ON: Two applications were presented. Brother John Gregory Johnston and Brother Anthony Keye Richter, both members of Randolph Lodge. Reports were favorable and both were unanimously approved for membership. INITIATION OF NEW MEMBERS: The two new candidates will be initiated at the Dinner Meeting. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES: AMERICANISM: ROTC: A new chairman will be selected for the coming year. Brother President Freddie Freeland has been taking this under

September 2019

Consideration. FREEDOM FOUNDATION: The timing will be moved back to the middle of July versus what we had this past year. Hopefully, we will have two more students to send. MOWW YLC: Nothing at this time. ESSAY: Letters will be going out as soon as possible. FLAG PROGRAM: A flag building program has been requested to be conducted at the Masonic Lodge in Llano, TX sometime in November. Firm date to be determined. BY LAWS: Nothing. FINANCE COMMITTEE: Nothing new at this time. EDUCATION AND TRAINING COMMITTEE: Brother Walling stressed the idea for every Sojourner to learn the Toast to the Flag. PROGRAMS: The next dinner meeting will be held on 11 September at the Barn Door. Program will be put on by Janet Kramer, the wife of Brother Boyd Kramer. The topic will be on patriotic flags. BRIDGE OF LIGHT: Ft Sam Houston Golf Course has been reserved for February 2020 for our Annual Bridge of Light. COMMANDER OF HEROES: President Brother Freeland announced that the next Bivouac will be on 30 Oct 2019 at Grady's Bar B Que on Fredericksburg Road. . OLD BUSINESS: None. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None. NEW BUSINESS: Brother PNP Bob McConnell announced that our Area Representative has been named. It is Brother William (Bill) Free who recently moved to our area from North Texas. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Brownwood Commandery will meet this evening with dinner at 1800 and the meeting to start at 1900. CLOSING: There being no more business, Brother President closed the meeting at 1236 hours.

Safe Travels

September

National Sojourners, Inc.

Ft Sam Houston Chapter #17

Alamo Camp Heroes of 76

Dinner Meeting 11 September 2019

The monthly Dinner Meeting was held on 11 September 2019 at the Barn Door Restaurant. An enjoyable social period beginning at 1800 hours was held. President Freddie Freeland welcomed those present at 1827 hours and had Chaplain Brother Owczarzak give the blessing on our endeavors and meal.

SICKNESS AND DISTRESS: Brother Sid Shaenfield is still basically home bound but stable and needs our calls. Brother Max Harvey also likes to receive your calls. Brother David Wolfe has moved to Patriot Heights. Brother Jim Kenny is recovering from heart surgery and doing well. Brother Brian David George is recovering from surgery. Brother Dan Carbaugh is having some difficulties; Brother Ronnie Pfeil has cancer. Brother PNP Keye Perry is undergoing chemo. Brother Abner Kestler is recovering from surgery and doing well. Brother Eugene Deacon Wall has leukemia. Bother Art Polsey is to have surgery on Friday. Brother Chris Mittelmaier was admitted to Jourdanton Methodist South hospital and needed gall bladder surgery. The surgery went well and he is now at home recovering. Judy Howe, wife of Brother PNP Merlen Howe, is having surgery on Monday. Roger Hopkins passed away on 27 August and his daughter has cancer. Keep all of them and their families in your prayers.

INTRODUCTIONS: Those in attendance were introduced: Brother James R. (Bob) McConnell, PNP, National Trustee and Houghton recipient, and his lady Pat. Brother Merlen Howe, PNP, National Trustee, Houghton recipient and his Lady Judy. Brother William "Bill" Free, South Central Area South Representative and his Lady Julie. Sweethearts, Jackie Purvis, Helen Kelly and June Hopkins. All current Chapter officers were in attendance and their names were read. Guests in attendance were Brother Greg Johnston and his wife Sue, Brother Chris Ortiz, and his wife Rebecca and his son Christopher.

OPENING: President Brother Freeland opened the meeting at 1924 hours with the pledge led by Brother Russell Flowers, followed by the Toast to the Flag, by Brother Luther Lee Leopard Jr., and the opening prayer by Chaplain Brother Daniel Owczarzak.

INITIATION OF CANDIDATES: Brother Greg Johnston was initiated. Brother President Freeland called upon the Marshal to present Brother Johnston in front of the Bible. Brother Gabriel Garcia gave the Lecture and Brother Russell Flowers gave the Medal Lecture. Brother Keith Byers, the Secretary presented Brother Johnston his name tag with sojourner medal and the Chapter By Laws and Rules and Regulations. PROGRAM: Brother President Freddie Freeland presents Brother Roger Hopkins Widow, with her Widows Certificate and her Widows Card. Past National President Brother Bob

McConnell presented June with her Widows Pin. She is now one of our "Sweethearts" and will be contacted frequently for any assistance that she may need. *****

Brother Boyd Kramer, Chapter 2nd Vice President, then introduced the speaker for the evening which just happened to be his wife and a camp follower.

Janet talked abut being a camp follower and talked about growing up and the patriotism that she saw in our country

when she was growing up and the differences that are seen from back then to now in respect to how people respect the flag. She read the Poem "I Am Still the Same Old Flag" by an unknown author. She talked about being stationed in Okinawa and that while she was stationed there, it was the 50th Anniversary of the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima. She spoke about all the service members and veterans in attendance as well as Naval Ships and how those people proudly displayed their support for the flag. She said that our younger veterans needed our support and recognition which starts with our recognition and respect of our flag. A program well received by all attending.

Brother William "Bill" Free, our Area Representative, got up and spoke about how we were one of the best attended meetings he has seen. He spoke about how we were men of oath's and that those oath's and bonds between us could not be broken. He talked about how we needed to be an example in public for what people should strive to emulate and that is we live up to our oaths' we could never fail.

There was a long round of standing applause at the conclusion of both presentations.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Commander Brother Nick Ramos announced that the next Heroes Bivouac will be on 30 October 2019. Next Business Meeting is on 2 October and the Dinner Meeting will be on 9 October.

DRAWING: The evening drawing was conducted by Brother Boyd Kramer assisted by Brother Russell Flowers. The winners for the evening were: Bonnie Hopkins, Brother Bob Perkins and Tina Ruth. Congratulations to all.

CLOSING: Without further ado, the meeting was officially closed at 2010 hours by Brother President Freddie Freeland. Peace and harmony prevailing.

SEE YOU NEXT MONTH

Our newest member, Brother Greg Johnston and President Brother Freddie Freeland.

Some of the attendees at the Dinner

September 2

National Sojourners, Inc.

Ft Sam Houston Chapter #17

Alamo Camp Heroes of 76

THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 240 YEARS AGO: SEPTEMBER 1779 JOHN PAUL JONES: "I HAVE NOT YET

BEGUN TO FIGHT"

When we last saw John Paul Jones, it was May 1778. He had just returned to France following his successful voyage in command of the Ranger, with the captured H.M.S. Drake in tow. Jones spent the next several months lobbying for another ship and a new mission. Jones eventually got his wish in early 1779:command of a converted 900-ton former East India merchant ship, the Duc de Duras. In honor of his patron, Benjamin Franklin, Jones renamed her Bonhomme Richard. [Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanack was highly popular in France, translated as Les Maximes du Bonhomme Richard.] Jones new ship was of dubious value as a warship, though, long past her prime and seriously in need of refitting. The forty-two guns on board were a mixed bag of types and calibers, some of them, too, well past their prime. But Jones went to work getting his ship ready to sail and recruiting a crew. Of the approximately 380 men who set sail with Jones on 14 August 1779, less than 60 were Americans; the rest were a diverse collection of French sailors and French marines, British Navy deserters and former prisoners-of-war, and a scattering of seamen from eight other countries. Jones was nominally in command of a small squadron consisting of six other ships: three French Navy vessels, two French privateers, and a new American 32-gun frigate, the Alliance, commanded by a rather strange Frenchman named Pierre Landais (who had been made an honorary citizen of Massachusetts). Early in the voyage the three French Navy ships turned back or disappeared, the privateers sailed off to do their own thing, and Landais bluntly informed Jones that he was determined to act "where and when he thought proper" irrespective of Jones's wishes! It was not an auspicious start. Late in the afternoon of 23 September, off Flamborough Head on the east coast of England, the Bonhomme Richard intercepted a 41-ship convoy escorted by H.M.S. Serapis, a 44-gun frigate, and H.M.S. Countess of Scarborough, a 20-gun sloop. Jones ordered his crew to battle stations as the British escorts moved to put themselves between the convoy and the Bonhomme Richard. Then, unexpectedly, at this most opportune time, one of the French frigates from Jones's squadron, the Pallas, reappeared and engaged the Countess of Scarborough, leaving Jones and Bonhomme Richard to deal with the larger Serapis. Darkness was falling as the two ships cleared for battle. Serapis's captain, Richard Pearson, realized that his ship was the more maneuverable and tried to gain advantage by cutting across the bow or stern of the Bonhomme Richard. Such a maneuver would allow his ship to fire a full broadside without fear of significant return fire. But Jones was a capable seaman, able to keep his ship positioned to prevent that. As both ships fired broadside after broadside, (above) at one point less than twenty-five yards apart, the devastation aboard each was horrendous. Two of the old, unreliable 18-pound guns aboard the Bonhomme Richard exploded, killing the gun crews and wreaking even greater havoc below decks. Jones saw that he was getting the worst of the gun duel. His only option was to close with the Serapis and try to board her.

OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS

Frank Harris Merlen Krueger Larry Garcia Franklin Bosenbury Michael Jaffee Robert Walling Gabriel T. Garcia David Griffis David Martin Donald Garrido James Thompson Richard Gates Anthony Harris Jack Kirkland Kellis Moore

10/1 10/1 10/5 10/6 10/6 10/7 10/8 10/8 10/9 10/16 10/19 10/22 10/23 10/23 10/29

FT. SAM HOUSTON CHAPTER 17 DEATHS

ROGER N. HOPKINS 27 August 2019

September 3

National Sojourners, Inc.

Ft Sam Houston Chapter #17

Alamo Camp Heroes of 76

But Pearson realized what Jones was up to and kept his ship away. Then, a stray gust of wind blew the two ships together, entangling the cannonade while marines high in the "fighting tops" maintained a heavy fire down onto the decks with their muskets and pistols. About 9:15 p.m. the Alliance suddenly came onto the scene of the two ships locked in combat. Inexplicably, Landais fired not one, but two, broadsides into the Bonhomme Richard, inflicting even greater damage and more casualties. Was this an intentional act or a case of mistaken identity in all the smoke and confusion? Or was Landais just crazy, as some thought? [Jones subsequently brought charges against him at a court-martial, resulting in Landais's dismissal from service.] At one point, a British cannon ball carried away the American flag Jones had nailed to the mast. Thinking that Jones had taken down his flag, Pearson called out: "Has your ship struck? Do you call for quarter?" Jones's exact reply was variously reported by different observers, perhaps something to the effect of "I may sink, but I'll be damned if I strike" or "I haven't as yet thought of surrendering." But what has come down in history is his defiant: "I have not yet begun to fight." But just as it seemed Jones would have little choice but surrender, with his ship on fire and sinking, fate intervened. One of Jones's men tossed a grenade into an open hatch on the Serapis. The grenade detonated a pile of gunpowder bags, devastating the gun deck. Flames swept across the British ship. Pearson, now, was the one with no choice but to surrender. The bloody battle had lasted more than three hours. More than half the men involved on each side were dead or wounded. Both ships were in shambles, but the Bonhomme Richard was in worse shape, in danger of sinking at any time. Jones transferred his crew to the Serapis, then watched the next morning as the dependable Bonhomme Richard slipped beneath the waves. The battle off Flamborough Head was the high point of Jones's career. "Few actions at sea have demonstrated such steady, cool, determined bravery," wrote Benjamin Franklin. Jones spent the rest of the war in Europe, waiting to get command of a 74-gun warship under construction, the America. But that ship was given to France at war's end. He died in Paris in 1792 and his body was exhumed in1905 and now lies in the Sarcophagus in the chapel of the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis.

The above was written by Mike Huebner, Sept 2019.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

BUSINESS MEETING: Our next Business Meeting will be held on 2 October 2019 at the Barn Door. Come and order off the menu, (Barn Door opens at 11:00 hours) with the meeting beginning at 12:00 hours. Normal business meeting with emphasis on the events for the upcoming year. THE MONTHLY DINNER MEETING is scheduled for 9 October 2019 at the Barn Door, 8400 North New Braunfels, (Inside Loop 410). Social time at 1800 hours with dinner at 1830 hours (NOTE CHANGE). Program for the evening will be presented by Brother Rick Skidd, a member of Helotes Lodge, Victory Lodge, AMD, and Chapter and Council. His subject is: "The Anti Masonic Movement". Should be an interesting evening.

Dinner will consist of Salad, 6 oz. Filet, or Salmon, Baked Potatoes, Dinner Rolls/Butter, Iced Tea and Water, Coffee by the cup and Complimentary dessert. Price of the meal ? will be $30.00. Reservations to Keith Byers, at 210-531-6715 or kbyers.sec@ or Lee Leopard at 210-434-7429 not later than 7 October 2019. Sign up early and come and enjoy the fellowship.

This Months ROTC Uncles

Sid Shaenfield

FROM THE SECRETARIES DESK:

Brethren,

Looking ahead at the calendar, our business meeting for January 2020 falls on New Year's Day. That being the case our business meeting will be held on 2 January 2020 at the usual time and place. Mark your calendars accordingly. Our new Area Representative is Brother William "Bill" Free who recently located to our area and will cover South Central Area South. Our Regional Representative is Brother Ike Eisenhauer who is a member of the Corpus Christi Chapter/ Both are MMIP's in our Chapter. Keith

John H V Lorch Bob McConnell

September 4

National Sojourners, Inc.

Ft Sam Houston Chapter #17

Alamo Camp Heroes of 76

.This Month in History

(Chronologically ordered by day)

September 8, 1565 ? St. Augustine, Florida is founded by Spanish admiral and Florida's first governor, Pedro Men?ndez de Avil?s.

September 9, 1791 ? Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States, is named after President George Washington.

September 10, 1776 ? American Revolutionary War: Nathan Hale volunteers to spy for the Continental Army.

September 12, 1942 ? World War II: First day of the Battle of Edson's Ridge during the Guadalcanal Campaign. U.S. Marines protecting Henderson Field are attacked by Japanese troops.

September 13, 1788 ? The Philadelphia Convention sets the date for the first presidential election in the United States, and New York City becomes the country's temporary capital.

September 15, 1835 ? HMS Beagle, with Charles Darwin aboard, reaches the Gal?pagos Islands. The ship lands at Chatham or San Cristobal, the easternmost of the archipelago.

September 16, 1966 ? The Metropolitan Opera House opens at Lincoln Center in New York City with the world premiere of Samuel Barber's opera Antony and Cleopatra.

September 17, 1862 ? American Civil War: George B. McClellan halts the northward drive of Robert E. Lee's Confederate Army in the single-day Battle of Antietam, the bloodiest day in American military history.

September 17, 1944 ? World War II: Allied airborne troops parachute into the Netherlands as the "Market" half of Operation Market Garden.

September 17, 1976 ? The Space Shuttle Enterprise is unveiled by NASA.

This Month in History (Continued)

September 18, 1947 ? The National Security Council and the Central Intelligence Agency are established in the United States by the National Security Act. It also establishes the Air Force as an equal partner of the Army and Navy.

September 19, 1863 ? American Civil War: The first day of the Battle of Chickamauga, in northwestern Georgia, the bloodiest two-day battle of the conflict, and the only significant Confederate victory in the war's Western Theater.

September 20, 1973 ? Singer Jim Croce, songwriter and musician Maury Muehleisen and four others die when their light aircraft crashes on takeoff at Natchitoches Regional Airport in Louisiana.

September 22, 1919 ? The steel strike of 1919, led by the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers, begins in Pennsylvania before spreading across the United States.

September 23, 1846 ? Astronomers Urbain Jean Joseph Le Verrier, John Couch Adams and Johann Gottfried Galle collaborate on the discovery of Neptune.

September 24, 1929 ? Jimmy Doolittle performs the first flight without a window, proving that full instrument flying from take off to landing is possible.

September 24, 1960 ? USS Enterprise, the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, is launched.

September 25, 1804 ? The Teton Sioux (a subdivision of the Lakota) demand one of the boats from the Lewis and Clark Expedition as a toll for allowing the expedition to move further upriver.

September 5

National Sojourners, Inc.

Ft Sam Houston Chapter #17

NATIONAL SOJOURNERS, INC.

Ft Sam Houston Chapter #17 Alamo Camp Heroes Of 76 Bob McConnell 8402 Quebec Dr. San Antonio, TX 78239

Return Service Requested

Alamo Camp Heroes of 76

If you are receiving this newsletter by US mail and have email, please send your email address to FtSamChapter17@. 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 October 2019 at Grady's BBQ, 4109 Fredericksburg Rd. Put it on your calendar. Dine at 1700. De-

gree at 1800.

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.

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 number, please send a note to Keith Byers, 13105 Ryden Dr. Live Oak, TX or call 210.531-6715. If you have a change in your email address, please send an email to FtSamChapter17@ or call 830.368.4071 with the new information.

September 6

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