MONTHLY MEETING

 EZRA S. GRIFFIN CAMP #8

November 15, 2007  

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:

Commander Baker also added that this would be our last meeting at the present GAR Hall.  He also brought word from CinC Charles Kuhn that Camp #8 was the largest Camp in the United States as well as in the Department of Pennsylvania.  He thanked the Camp and all the Members for their commitment and for being a part of this Camp.

The Minutes of the October meeting were read, but with one correction.  As noted by a question from Mike Grayson to the Department Commander, cannons are the property of the Sons and not the SVR.   The minutes were then approved by a motion from Joe Long and seconded by Bob Sulger.  All were in favor.

 FINANCIAL REPORT: 

Joe Long read the financial report with the following information:                    

     Winner of October’s 50/50 drawing was John Hart who in turn donated his winnings to the Help Members Fund

     Help Members Fund at $196.50

     Ticket winner for October 20^th – Russ Jones

     End balance of $1,668.29 in the checking account.

     53 members have paid their dues

A motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report was made by John Hart and seconded by Ray Sulger.  All were in favor.

OLD BUSINESS:

Captain Hart reviewed the directions to the Scranton Club where we will hold the first meeting of the new year on January 17, 2008.  The building is on the corner of N. Washington Avenue and Mulberry Street with parking in the rear, preferably entering the parking lot from Mulberry Street.  We will enter through the front of the building (1^st floor), turn right to the Conservatory.

Howard Wolfe reported that there is no new information on where we will be moving.  More information forthcoming after November 20, 2007.

Joe Long reported that the Christmas Party is on track and he has 10 people registered to date.  A minimum of 30 guests is required to hold the rates.

Remembrance Day, November 17, 2007.

Captain Hart reported that the Delaney-DeLacy Guard on Friday evening at 7:30 p.m., and a reception will be held at 6 Lincoln Square, Gettysburg, PA.  The Guard will meet at 11:00 a.m. Saturday to attend the ceremony at the Woolson Monument.  A wreath laying ceremony will follow at the Monument of the 143^rd PA Volunteers and a Military Ball will be held later that evening.  Ray Sulger reported that there will also be a special National meeting at the Eisenhower Inn after the parade and all ceremonies.  The meeting is to discuss the Junior Associate Membership change to the Constitution and Regulations.  This will entail changing 42 different items which would increase the Membership Type on all applications from 3 levels to 4.  A discussion on how this would affect the count on Camps’ rosters as well.  This resolution must be addressed twice, which began at the National Convention in August and will subsequently be finalized at this meeting in Gettysburg.

NEW BUSINESS:

Commander Baker and his uncle have just returned from Charleston, SC where they attended a parade at the Citadel.  He also gave a brief synopsis of their stay there and about the banquet hosted for the visiting veterans.  It was stated that there is a South Carolina Flag in the Museum that was taken down from Charleston.

Ray Sulger made a motion that a letter be drafted and sent to Congressman Chris Carney thanking him for introducing legislation on the resale of Civil War memorabilia.  Joe Long seconded and all were in favor.

Ray Sulger also advised the membership that CinC Charlie Kuhn has petitioned the organization to change membership applications for the name of a burial site.  This change would request the applicant to list the cemetery where his ancestor is laid to rest.

Commander Baker assigned Howard Wolfe, John Hart and Ray Sulger to a committee to review the application of Richard C. Rushmore, grandfather of member Dan Gershey.

Bob Sulger presented an article titled:  Monument Medallion Resurfacing on E-Bay After 107 Years.  The medallion was inscribed with “Souvenir – Unveiling of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, Scranton, PA, 1900.

Commander Baker then turned over his gavel to PCC Howard Wolfe for the Installation of Officer.  First order was to swear in the following members who had not yet been formally done:  Joseph Ferrara, Bill Doughton, Charles Jones Jr. (Junior), Douglas Teeters (Junior), Jerry Skotleski and Dan Gershey.  The installation of Officer for the year 2008 followed: 

Commander: John Hart Jr.

Sr. Vice Commander: Ray Sulger

Jr. Vice Commander: Bob Sulger

Secretary: Bob Shaffer

Treasurer: Joe Long

Council:  Howard Wolfe, Bob Baker & Russ Jones. 

After all was completed, Commander Baker relinquished his gave to incoming Commander Hart.

As a reminder of members lost, Joe Long read the names and information of some veteran members who had died in the last 100 years.  This, a sad tribute of those fellow comrades, as we move from this Library and Museum after 103 years.  Joe also reported that this was the largest post in Pennsylvania and the last meeting was held in Scranton on May 22, 1938 with two (2) members attending.

Commander Hart recognized Joe Long for his historical talk on veteran brothers of the Camp.  He also thanked Mike Grayson for his 10 minute talk on the Civil War.  He also asked Chaplain Scott Teeters to take charge of the Camp Bible and Altar until we have a new place to call home.

Commander Hart then invited the Ladies Auxiliary into the meeting to join us in the retiring of the Colors.  This solemn tribute was in the following order: 

Stars and Stripes carried by Joe Long

GAR Flag carried by Bob Baker

Camp Flag carried by Junior Member Douglas Teeters

Spanish American War Flag carried by Ray Sulger

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

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert C. Shaffer for

Richard M. Ryczak

Secretary