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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.