MONTHLY MEETING

 EZRA S. GRIFFIN CAMP #8

January 17, 2013  

The meeting was called to order in ritualistic fashion by Commander Frost Decker.

Other members in attendance were:

Absent: Commander Robert Sulger  

Guest:  Charlie Spano

The minutes for the November meeting read and a motion was made to accept the minutes as read by Ray Sulger and seconded by Dale Keklock.  All were in favor.

The financial report was read by Joe Long with the following information:

Help Money $279.00

December Ticket Winner – Dorothy Kelly (#023)

A motion to accept was made by Dave Teeters and seconded by Bob Gregory.  All were in favor.

SVC Decker then suspended the meeting to introduce Charlie Spano so that he could address the Camp.  He is the Founded/Chairman of the 911 Society who will be organizing a Flag Recognition Day on June 14, 2013 at 5:00 pm on the Washington Avenue side of the Court House in Scranton.  The ceremony will last approximately 1 hour.  Local schools will be contacted and some students will be asked to read about certain Wars and introduce the participants:  Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Civil War, Spanish American War, WWI, etc.  The ceremony will also honor the founding of the U.S. Army, Vietnam to Present.  His efforts are to search for volunteers to participate in period uniform and carry a flag of such.  They will also be conducting fund raisers for this event. 

CORRESPONDENCE:  

General Order #14 from Commander in Chief, Change to Remembrance Day and Department Order #8, passing of Brother John T. McNulty.

NEW BUSINESS:

Steve Thompson suggested a letter of protest be sent to the National Organization protesting this change because of the impact it will have on many individuals.  Possibly 50,000 or more people will be visiting this year because of the 150^th Anniversary and changing hotels and airlines will be somewhat strained.  He relayed that it was very irresponsible to do this at such short notice.  Howard Wolfe also commented that it was a decision that had to be made and it was not necessarily the fault of National. 

Dale Keklock donated copies of two Civil War Letters written by Civil War veteran Milton Travis and a song about Colonel Ellsworth considered the first official casualty of the Civil War. 

Dan Kachinski reported that this is the Anniversary of Desert Storm and asked that a moment of silence be held.  He also asked to include casualties of the Coalition Forces from that time, General Schwarzkopf and the miners from the Avondale mine disaster also be included.  He also reported that there is a current appeal for donations to help with restoration of the Washburn Street Cemetery and monuments to the miners and the disaster itself.  The Camp collected $31.00 to send.  He also brought up about free advertising in Our Time, a local booklet from the area.

SVC Decker reported to the Camp about the upcoming Lincoln Day Luncheon to be held in Carlisle, PA, this year.  Flyers were made available to the Members who would wish to attend.

Joe Long talked about the Open House on January 19^th and asked for Members to come out and help as well as show their support for the Museum.  He will also be auctioning off some plates and proceeds will be donated to the Camp.  The tickets will be $1.00 or $2.00 depending on the plate.  He also told the Camp that two show cases purchased will be delivered on January 26^th and has also set up this day as a time to clean the Museum.  Whoever is available should make this day and pitch in to help in the clean-up.  He also suggested that we think about a Guest Speaker for Memorial Day.

Secretary Shaffer reported that the cost of the Website will be increased next year.  We had budgeted $45.00 for the upcoming year but this will have to be reconsidered.  The new cost will be:

• Domain $14.00 per year + Hosting Cost $96.00 per year + Upkeep/General Maintenance $45.00 per year for a total of $155.00.  Joe suggested that a possible raise in dues for next year ($1.00 proposed) to help with this added cost.  He also advised the Camp that he still needs help selling tickets for the Camp and possibly someone to take over for him.  Craig Kelly asked if the Memorial Association could help.  Joe responded that the Association has no viable income and this would not be possible.

SVC Decker the asked the Ladies to join us to discuss Memorial Day and get participants for all the other positions for that day.  They were told about the plated and clean-up day.  He was asked if there was a sign-up sheet and he made one available.  Daunyel Shaffer related information on the Local History Day to be presented at the Hamlin Library on September 14, 2013.  Mary Jo Long also suggested we start early, maybe March or April to discuss the Christmas Party.  The Ladies were then excused.

SVC Decker then handed over the gavel to Secretary Shaffer to attend to the swearing in of the new Officers for this year.  PDC Howard Wolfe was asked to do this official ceremony.  The new Officers are as follows:  Commander-Frost Decker; SVC-Dale Keklock; JVC-Craig Kelly; Secretary-Bob Shaffer; Treasurer-Joe Long; Patriotic Instructor-Dave Teeters; Chaplain-Scott Teeters.  Other appointed Officers are: Camp Guard-Bob Gregory; Camp Guide-Doug Teeters; Press Correspondent-Dale Keklock; and Council- Bob Baker, Ray Sulger and Bob Sulger.

A Moment of Silence was then held for the Anniversary of the Desert Storm War, deaths of the Coalition Forces, General Schwarzkopf, casualties of the Avondale Mine disaster and for Brother John T. McNulty from Searfoss Camp #273.

FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER:

The 50/50 drawing was won by Secretary Shaffer.

With no further business, questions or discussion, the meeting was closed in ritualistic manner.

                          Respectfully submitted,

 Robert C. Shaffer

    Secretary