MONTHLY MEETING

 EZRA S. GRIFFIN CAMP #8

May 18, 2006

 The meeting was called to order by Commander Bob Baker in ritualistic manner followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and a Roll Call of Officers.

Other members in attendance were:

Minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.

FINANCIAL REPORT:

Joe Long read the financial report with the following information:    

     3 checks were written for the amount of $2,972  

     Deposits of $1,429.01 

     Pay Out of $1,403.00 

     Help fund is at $144.00               

     End balance of $5,339.67 in the checking account.

     Joe also reported the winners of the 50/50 drawings were Russ Jones and Jim Kuzmak.

A motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report was made and approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

Bob Baker requested information on any brothers in distress. It was mentioned that Mrs. Long is recovering from knee surgery. Baker offered his sympathies on behalf of the organization to the Ryczak's on the loss of their grandchild.

Bob Baker then reported on the Ceremony to rededicate the Civil War Monument in Montrose, PA on Sunday, May 7 at 2 p.m.  It was estimated over 100 people showed up, including Congressman Sherwood.  SVR brothers from Towanda, Ithaca and Binghamton joined our Scranton camp at the ceremonies. The program was reportedly carried on two Binghamton stations.

Howard Wolfe noted that Commander Baker deserves our respect and support for his work on the project.

Camp 8 , the Ladies Auxiliary and the Delaney-DeLacy Guard  will participate in Memorial Day Services at the Forest Hill and Dunmore Cemeteries on Memorial Day. They will also try to attend ceremonies at Nay Aug Park.

The following people volunteered to participate:

Douglas Teeters: Pledge of Allegiance.

Scott Teeters: Logan’s Orders

Judy Wolf: Greetings, laying of wreath

Nancy Dickens: Greetings, laying of wreath

Fr. McLaughlin: Singing of the Lord’s Prayer

John Hart – taps

Dr. Rushmore – echo taps

Sergeant Sulger said Captain Hart wants members of the Delaney-DeLacy Guard to meet at his home at 8:30 a.m. in preparation of the ceremonies.  Sgt. Sulger also said he will contact Captain Hart to get the necessary chairs for the Dunmore Ceremonies.

Scott Teeters suggested the traditional podium needed something like an acrylic shield to prevent speakers’ papers from blowing away. Joe Long volunteered to bring a clipboard to hold the speaker papers.

The sale of the building where our GAR museum is located was again discussed. Joe Long said he has no news but expects to hear from the new owners soon.  He added the papers for the usual amount of rent were signed.

Joe Long asked for volunteers to carry the SVR, Spanish American, GAR and American flags in the July 4^th ceremonies at Nay Aug Park. He said volunteers did not have to be members of the Delaney-DeLacy Color. Guard. Ray and Bob Sulger volunteered to each carry a flag. Mike Grayson offered to count cadence on his drum.

A discussion was held on having the museum rooms open for public visitation on the Saturday before the Memorial Day holiday.  Joe Long asked Commander Baker to e-mail Bob Shaffer requesting he bring the “open house” sign sometime before the opening date. Commander Baker suggested volunteer members could wear a uniform if they desired. Otherwise they should dress neatly and wear their badges and perhaps a kepi hat.

The July Forth Flag Ceremonies to take place at Nay Aug Park were again discussed. The following persons volunteered to carry flags: Russ Jones, Ray and Robert Sulger and Joe Long. Commander Baker would represent us on the podium. Mike Grayson volunteered to play his drum. Joe Long said SVR members should attend to show support.

Commander Baker asked if anyone knew more information about the ceremony honoring John Delaney that would take place in Carbondale on June 16^th.  Sgt. Sulger repeated the previously known information and said Captain Hart would still like members of Camp 8 and the Delaney-DeLacy Guard to participate.

NEW BUSINESS:

Mike Grayson stated the SVR should be represented at Saturday’s Armed Forces Parade in Scranton. Howard Wolfe said most members are not interested in participating. Sgt. Sulger added that Captain Hart did not volunteer the Delaney-DeLacy Guard because not enough members would be present. Mike Grayson said he thought that any representation, not matter how few, was better than none. Joe Long said the organization should consider participating in next year’s parade and planning might begin around January.

Bob Barker, Howard Wolfe and Joe Long plan to attend the National and State Department Encampments.

Bob Baker said he plans to write a newspaper article about a dozen Civil War soldiers from our area who were killed in the Battle of Antietam.

Max Cleland, Viet Nam veteran from Georgia, will be at Molly Maguire's at 1 p.m. on Memorial Day to raise funds for Chris Carney. Cleland will also participate in the Carbondale parade.

Commander Baker asked if our group needed to help put flags on GAR graves in our local cemeteries. Joe Long said it was already been done and he was solely responsible.  He stated the GAR used to be responsible for the upkeep and he would like the SVR to accept some of the responsibility. He suggested next year a detail should get together a month before Memorial Day and do flags.

Howard Wolfe expressed his disagreement  over the fact that over $100 million in Federal Funding has been spent restoring the CSA submarine Hunley.

Commander Baker, in response to concerns about sparse public attendance for the museum open house, said “It is most important that we have the museum open, no matter how few attend.”

With no further business, questions or discussion, a motion to adjourn was made and the meeting was closed in ritualistic manner.

Respectfully submitted,

Richard Ryczak for

Robert C. Shaffer

Secretary