EXIT185HOTEL

Page 12 • 2005 • The Battle Cry of Freedom

Eric J. SchminckePA Department Sr. Vice Commander1222 Van Kirk St.,Philadelphia, PA 19149-3729

Directions to Radisson atLackawanna Station,

700 Lackawanna Ave., Scranton, PA 18503

FROM WESTERN PA - I-80 East to I-81 North to Exit 185, Central Scranton Expressway (former Exit53).Stay left when road forks. Take left at first traffic signal. Hotel is an immediate left.

FROM NEW YORK CITY or NEW JERSEY - I-80 West to I-380 West to I81 South to Exit 185,Central Scranton Expressway (former Exit 53).Stay left when road forks. Take left at first traffic signal.Hotel is an immediate left.

FROM PHILADELPHIA - Northeast Extension of the PA Turnpike to Exit 115, Wyoming Valley, thennorth on I-81 to Exit 185, Central Scranton Expressway (former Exit 53).Stay left when road forks. Takeleft at first traffic signal. Hotel is an immediate left.

FROM BINGHAMTON - I-81 South to Exit 185, Central Scranton Expressway (former Exit 53).Stayleft when road forks. Take left at first traffic signal. Hotel is an immediate left.

FROM WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - North on I-81 to Exit 185,Central Scranton Expressway (former Exit 53).Stay left when road forks. Take left at first traffic signal.Hotel is an immediate left.

The official publication of the Department of Pennsylvania

Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War - 2005

USA

The 100th Anniversary of theDedication of the PennsylvaniaMonument at Andersonville,GA will be held on 7 December2005. According to theNational Park Service inGeorgia, there wereapproximately 4,825imprisoned there representingclose to 200 regiments justfrom Pennsylvania. Fromthese, approximately 1,835 of“those who wore the blue”would take their last breath.

Gettysburg Camp # 112 isplanning to commemorate thishistorical event. The day hasbeen reserved through theNational Park Service. There isto be a “March of Honor,” fromProvidence Spring to thestockade and then to thePennsylvania Monument. Themarch will be led by the ColorGuard, “Gettysburg Blues.” Itis hoped to have as manypeople as possible to join in thisprocession, as well as, carrysmall PA flags with numbers,representative of all theregiments.

At the PennsylvaniaMonument, a “Ceremony,” willbe conducted in observance ofall the Pennsylvanians whowere imprisoned atAndersonville during the CivilWar. It is to be a solemnoccasion. An attempt will bemade to closely follow thecentury old ceremonial agenda;

“Andersonville”Raise the Colors-Come with Us!

“Gettysburg Blues”

The Challenge, part II

including an invitation ofattendance by the Governorof Pennsylvania.

Currently, for those whoare interested in taking a busfrom Gettysburg, there is anitinerary posted on the website, as well as, a tentativeprogram schedule for 7December 2005. There areopportunities to signup, aswell as, other supportiveinformation provided. Formore information andcontinual updates, pleasevisit:www.paatandersonville.comorwww.gettysburgcamp112.org The “AndersonvilleCommittee” of GettysburgCamp # 112 is activelyengaged in makingarrangements for the parkprogram, and visitoraccommodations, etc. withadjustments being ongoinguntil areas become finalized.

Brothers, Last year, then Department Commander Al Kern asked you ifyou were ready to take on the challenge by stepping forwardand up to take on the responsibility as a Camp Officer! Aftervisiting a few Camps already, I am glad to say that BrotherKern’s challenge has been met in what I have seen so far. However, I ask the Brothers to take this challenge one stepfurther by mentoring those members who are new and explainwhat is going on. This not only helps the New Brother to feelwanted and comfortable, but also gets them to be moreinterested in what The S.U.V.C.W. is about and how toparticipate and become future Officers of our Order. No one likes to be on the outside looking in so it is up tothose who are present Camp Officers and those who are pastCamp Officers to help Train and Mentor those need it most. SoI challenge all of you who have the experience to help alongyour Camps to be better, stronger and to help those who do notknow how to ask how to become the Officer that a Campalways needs. To COMMUNICATE with both new Brothersand those that have been around for a while. Encourage the New Brother to attend Camp Meetings, and ifthey can, the Department or National Encampments. Theseevents are not just about meetings, but that of fun as well. Brothers I ask you to both Communicate and Mentor as thisis one way that we will help maintain our ranks, to help retainthe members that sometime are lost to us. ItIs up to all of us to help. Let us make our Fraternal Orderstronger with the above Ideas and be resolute on them. After all our Order is only as good as those who are part of it.So can you meet this Challenge, Challenge Part 2?Yours in F, C & L,Eric J. SchminckeCommander, Department of Pennsylvania

Page 2 • 2005 • The Battle Cry of Freedom Page 11 • 2005 • The Battle Cry of Freedom

The Pennsylvania Department Encampment Committee PresentsAllied Orders of the G.A.R.

The Pennsylvania Department125th Annual Department Encampment

June 24-26, 2005 at theHistoric Radisson at Lackawanna Station, Scranton, PA

Reservations must be made under“Allied Orders of the Grand Army of the Republic”

Please send yoour request for room reservations directly to the hotel.700 Lackawanna Ave., Scranton, PA 18503, Phone (570) 342-8300 or

800-333-3333 or email at www.radisson.com/scranton.paReservation deadline: June 2, 2005.

Room rates are $80 per night plus 10% tax. You will get the same rate if youarrive on Wednesday, June 22, Thursday, June 23 or if you decide to stay over

on Sunday, June 26th.Within walking distance: The Steamtown National Historic Site, America’s

Museum of Steam Railroading, the Electric City Trolley Station and Museum, the 95-store, two-level enclosed Mall at Steamtown and Marquee Cinemas.

An SVR Breakfast will be conducted June 25, 2005 at 8 a.m. in the Lobby.Cost is $10 and will be collected at the door.

Reservations are requested and may be made by with Capt. John M. Hart Jr.(570) 241-1774 or at delaneydelacy@aol.com by June 5, 2005

The banquet, on June 25, 2005, costs $26 per person (inc.tax and gratuity)Dinner selections are Chicken Parmagiana or Baked flounder.

Chicken Fingers are available for $13.00Advance reservations for the banquet are required by June 5, 2005 and

can be made by contacting Joseph Long Jr., 505 Marcy St., Duryea, PA 18642(Reservation information and hotel location on back page)

Battlecry of Freedom Staff

Lee WaltersEditor

Bob ShafferAssociate Editor

Joint Banquet of the Allied Orders, Saturday, June 25, 2005Radisson at Lackawanna Station, Scranton, PA

Name: ___________________________________ Dinner Selection _____________________

Name: ___________________________________ Dinner Selection _____________________

All dinner reservations must be made by June 5, 2005. Kindly mail your check to:Encampment Committee, C/O Joseph Long Jr., 505 Marcy St., Duryea, PA 18642

Appamattox BanquetApril 9 in Williamsport Members of Auxiliary 44, Williamsport, PA, would like toinvite you to attend the Appamattox Luncheon April 9, 2005 at1 p.m. at the Genetti Lycoming Hotel, 200 W. Fourth St.,Williamsport. Room reservations may be made by calling 1-800-321-1388for those of you wishing to stay overnight. Room rates ate $67and please mention GAR Allied Orders when making reserva-tions. The cost is $20 and includes a choice of beef tips burgundy orcountry stuffed chicken breast. The above meals includeappetizer, soup, salad, vegetable, rolls, dessert, coffee or tea. A hospitality room will be open following the banquet. Please make check payable to Faye Carlisle and forward italong with your entree request to: Faye Carlisle, Box 23,Cogan Station, PA 17728 All reservations should be made no later than April 1, 2005and please remember to add the name of the attendee, yourphone number and choice of entree when submitting your checkand reservation.

Parade to rededicate Sheridan Monument,Gala Civil War Ball April 2 in Scranton Lt. Ezra S. Griffin Camp 8 and the Delaney Delacy Guard,SVR, will rededicate the Sheridan Monument Saturday, April2, 2005 in downtown Scranton. The monument was restoredas a cooperative venture by The Sons of Union Veterans andthe Lackawanna Historical Society. All camps and SVR units from Pennsylvania and sur-rounding states are invited and urged to attend thisfunction aimed at drawing attention to the work of ourorder. A military parade will be begin at 11 a.m. from the GARMuseum, Linden and Penn Avenues, and proceed toLackawanna County Courthouse Square for the ceremonies. Areception will follow at the Lackawanna Historical Society.Later that evening, the 28th Regimental Band will play at aCivil War Ball at The Century Clubon Jefferson Avenue. Thevent will raise funding for the Guard’s ongoing monumentrestoration efforts. Special room rates have been secured forparticipants at the historic Radisson at Lackawanna Station,located only a block away from the monument. For details,contact Capt. John Hart at (570) 241-1774.

April Events:

60 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE - Brother DavidJ. Klinepeter, left, receives a certificate by PCC Lee Walterson behalf of Commander-in-Chief Kent Armstrong in rec-ognition of Brother Klinepeter’s 60 years of membershipand service to our order. In addition to being a memberof Hartranft Camp 15, Brother Klinepeter is a life mem-ber of the National Organization. He now serves as Pa-triotic Instructor and historian of the camp.

Allied Orders? Some of our newer Brothers may hear the term “Allied Orders”and really do not know what it means. The Allied Orders are madeof all 5 fraternal organizations that comprise the same. They are:Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (S.U.V.C.W.)Auxiliary to the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil WarLadies of the Grand Army of the Republic (L.G.A.R.)Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War (D.U.V.C.W.)Women’s Relief Corp (W.R.C.)

Page 10• 2005 • The Battle Cry of Freedom Page 3 • 2005 • The Battle Cry of Freedom

2005 Department Encampment SetAllied Orders of the Grand Army of the Republic

Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil WarAuxiliary to the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War

Ladies of the Grand Army of the RepublicDaughters of the Union Veterans of the Civil War

1861-1864

We would greatly appreciate your support of this 2004 Encampmentby your purchase of advertising in our Program Booklet.

You may use the form shown below to purchase and place your ad.Make your checks payable to PA Dept. Site Committee and mail to:

Joseph Long, 505 Marcy St., Duryea, PA 18642DEADLINE FOR ADS: MAY 27,2005

Advertising rates are as follows:

• Full Page - $40.00 ----------------------------------------- (4.5” x 8”)

• Half Page - $ 22.00-------------------------------------- (4.5”x 3.75”)

• One-Fourth Page - $13.00--------------------------------- (2” x 3.5”)

• One-Eighth Page - $ 8.00--------------------------------- (2” x 1.5”)

• Name and Title ------------------------------------------------- - $3.00

• Name - ------------------------------------------------------------- $2.00

The Deadline for the receipt of advertising is May 22,2005

If you are not planning on attending the Encampment but you would like an EncampmentBooklet including your printed ad sent to you, please indicate below. Include your full mailing address.

__________ Yes, please send me an Encampment Booklet.

Mail advertising and payment to: Joseph Long, 505 Marcy St., Duryea, PA 18642

Credential Cards If your intention is to make either the DepartmentEncampment in June 2005 or the National Encampmentin August 2005, please make sure you obtain a signedcard before making either event. The Credential Card for the Department Encamp-ment can be obtained from your Camp Secretary andmust be filled out fully so that you have the right toparticipate during the business meetings and vote. The Credential Card for the National Encampmentmust be filled out fully and signed by the DepartmentSecretary before you are able to participate. So pleasecontact your Camp Secretary or Camp Commander whomay obtain these for you from the Department. The form for the Credential Card is located on theNational web site under forms. This is a printable formright off of the site. The site is “http:/ www.sucvw.org” Please make every effort to have these filled outcorrectly as it makes it easier for those who do theregistration to help you.

Department of PennsylvaniaSons of Union Veterans of the Civil War

Annual EncampmentPRE REGISTRATION FORM

Camp No.: __________________ Date: __________

Brother: _____________________________________

Address: ____________________________________

City: ________________ State: ___ Zip: _________

I am a member in good standing in this camp andmy rank in the Order is:____ CinC ____ PCinC ____ DC

____ PDC ____ CC ____ PCC

Attending as ___ delegate ____ alternatePre Registration fee is $7.00, $10 at encampment.Make check payable to: PA Dept., SUVCWand send to:

Registration Committee464 Lake Meade DriveEast Berlin, PA 17316

The 2005 DepartmentEncampment will beheld at the RadissonLackawanna StationHotel in Scranton, PA,June 24th, 25th & 26th.

Business meetings willbegin in the A.M. onFriday & conclude onSaturday. Please makeevery effort to attend atleast one day.

All information inregards to hotel costsand banquet is publishedwithin this Newsletter &all of the same will beplaced on ourDepartment web site.Please check the website for any updates toour Encampment.

The Radisson Hotel isa great location and islocated in the downtownarea and convenientlylocated of Interstate 81,Exit 185. You can visittheir website at “http://www.radisson.com/scrantonpa”.

For those Brotherswho never attended ordo not know much ofwhat your DepartmentEncampment is about,this is how yourDepartment is run andhow any and alldecisions are madealong with any changesthat may occur from ourNational Organization.Every Brother should try

to make the best possibleeffort to attend at least oneday of Your Encampmentas this is your chance to beheard on any issues thatyou feel need to beaddressed or if you justwish to see how theDepartment is run. Much isdiscussed, as in By-Lawschanges or if we as aDepartment would like tosee any changes brought tothe floor at the NationalEncampment in August.

If you would like toattend please ask yourCamp Secretary or CampCommander for acredentials card and pleaseregister for such.

Here is your chance tobe part of the decisionprocess.

Please also understandthat it is a great time to havefun with your Brothers &Sisters of the Allied Orders.

There is a fun evening onFriday with presentations tolocal groups and theroasting of our DepartmentCommander. On Saturday atthe beginning of the day thethere will be an SVRbreakfast in the lobby and atthe close of business thereis a wonderful banquet aswell. So please come andhave fun as well, we are notjust business. It is a greatway to meet new folks andrelax with new friends.

Page 4 • 2005 •The Battle Cry of Freedom Page 9 • 2005• The Battle Cry of Freedom

The Camps Report . . . Camp #8, Scranton

Camp 8 in Scranton reportsone of the most vigorousmemberhip campaigns in re-cent memory with the addi-tion of some 38 new mem-bers in 2004. The additionto its ranks was greatly dueto the re-establishment of aSons of Veterans ReserveUnit in Scranton known asthe Delaney Delacy Guard.Its founder and commander,Capt. John M. Hart Jr., wasbestowed the Benjamin H.Stephenson Award at the an-nual encampment in CedarRapids, Iowa, and the Distin-guished Service Medal of theSVR in November atGettysburg for his efforts onbehalf of the order. In addition, the Guard rees-tablished a youth Fife andDrum Corps and to date has18 young adults, aged 8through 15, are in uniformand performing on behalf ofthe unit.

Captain Hart of Scranton”s new Delaney Delacy Guard, SVR,discussing the State of the Union with Mr. Lincoln atRemembrance Day in Gettysburg. First Sgt. Raymond Solger isin the middle and Guardsman Andrew Xanthis and Sgt. JohnM. Hart III look on.

By Ray Sulger, Camp 8Sometime during the night

of October 2nd or 3rd , aCivil War era cannon wasstolen from Shawnee

Stolen –A Piece of Our History

Camp 8 enjoys unprecedented growth as 38 new members join

If you are a typicalAmerican you write acheck for a couple ofcharities that have a per-sonal meaning to you eachyear, you put money in theoffering plate at churchand you drop some coinsin the Salvation Armybucket around Christmas.It's called charity and it isone of the things thatmakes this country differ-ent than any other countryin the world.

When there is a disasteranywhere in the world, weAmericans lead the worldin responding by openingour pocket books and help-ing out. Sometimes weeven do without somethingourselves so that othersmay benefit.

Members of theSUVCW also have anamazing record of re-sponding to help maintainCivil War monuments,battlegrounds and historicitems. For that the Ordersalutes you and posteritywith thank you.

But, as interested as weare in the missions of theSons of Union Veterans ofthe Civil War most of usforget a method of help-ing that is simple and pain-less--remembering theSUVCW in your will.

All that is needed is foryou to tell your lawyer,when the will is drafted, to

Gift GivingBy: Glenn B. Knight, PDCAsst. Dept. PatrioticInstructor

include either a dollaramount or a percentage ofyour estate and indicate thatit is to go to the Departmentof Pennsylvania, Sons ofUnion Veterans of the CivilWar. If your will is alreadyin place and not otherwisein need of revision, askyour attorney about an in-expensive codicil, which issimply an addendum toyour will.

Because things change inthe future it is always bestnot to restrict the use of thatmoney but, if you wish, youcan designate that yourmoney be used for a specialfund or purpose. It is al-ways best to discuss thiswith Department officersbefore limiting your gift.

Another option, for thosebrothers with money to in-vest, is a trust arrangementwhich can do almost any-thing and benefit both par-ties. One type of trust pro-vides income to the donorduring his lifetime and thenreverts to the Departmenton his demise. Anotherdoes just the opposite, itprovides money to the Or-der while the donor is liv-ing but on his death be-comes part of his estate.And those are just two ofmany types of trust ar-rangements.

Each kind of trust ar-rangement benefits the par-ticipants in a way that theyneed, but they are complexto set up and administer. Ifyou are curious about anyof these opportunities, con-

More than 200 attended the104th annual Memorial DayObservance of the Sons at theDunmore Cemetery in May,2004. An address by BrotherDavid Heisler on the restora-tion of Memorial Day to itsoriginal date caught the atten-tion of all three network tele-vision stations in theScranton area and the storyled the local broadcasts thatevening. Former ScrantonMayor James P. Connors,representing Gov. Edward G.Rendell, read a proclamationfrom the governor payingtribute to Camp 8 for its dedi-cation and to the rejuvenationand work of the Sons Veter-ans Reserve. As is custom,Camp 8 and Auxiliary 10decorated the graves of morethan 400 veterans inLackawanna County inpreparation of MemorialDay. Due to the number of new

members in Camp 8 in 2004,special induction ceremonieswere conducted at the conclu-sion of the services at thecemetery. Camp 8 participated in theannual Flag Day Ceremoniesat Nay Aug Park in ScrantonJuly Fourth and in September,on 9/11 Camp 8 and theDelaney Delacy Guard trav-eled to Binghamtmon, NY, toparticipate in the delivery ofa new charter to the Col.David Ireland Camp 137 inBinghamton and later the re-dedication of the Gen. John C.Robinson Monument at theSpring Forest Cemetery, alsoin Binghamton. Some 30 members of theCamp traveled to Gettysburgin November to participate inthe annual RemembranceDay Ceremonies. the Guard‘sYouth fife and Drum Corpsentertained at the Civil WarWax Museum before partici-pating with Camp 8 and Aux-iliary 10 in the annual parade.Following the ceremonies atthe Woolson Monument, thelocal contingent made its wayto the 143rd PA Monumentont he Chambersburg Pike toconduct a wreath laying ser-vice. Remarks were offeredby Alan Sweeney, president

of the Lackawanna Histori-cal Society. Camp 8, the Guard andAuxiliary 10 came togetherto create a festive holidaybanquet in early December.The event was well attendedand marked the beginning ofwhat will be an annual event. With the advent of 2005,additional recruitment andinstruction is planned forschool-aged children in theLackawanna County area toparticipate in th Youth Fifeand Drum Corps. The camp and Guard willparticipate in the annual Lin-coln Day ceremonies andparade at the Union Leagueof Philadelphia in February. The camp, with the help ofThe Sons , was able to se-cure funding to aid in therestoration of the SheradonMonument on LackawannaCounty Courthouse Square.A rededication ceremony toinclude a parade, receptionand grand military ball isplanned for April 2 2005.Details are on Page 2 of thisissue. And all is being readied tohost the 125th annual en-campment at the restoredhistoric Radisson atLackawanna Station Hotelin June.

(Please turn to Page 5)

Cemetery in Plymouth, PAAccording to a newspa-

per article, George Ravertnoticed something was

tact Department SecretaryCharlie Kuhn, who will getyou in touch with the ap-propriate person.

If you have rememberedthe Department of Pennsyl-vania in your will, please

let the Department Secre-tary know so that we canhonor you appropriately.Remember, our motto isFraternity, Charity andLoyalty.

SUVCW AuxiliaryGrave Marker

8” Bronze Marker& 18” Rod w/flag holder

Send check or money order for$42 + $8 S&H to:

Gettysburg Camp 112C/O William Mock407 Rainbow Ave.

Alum Bank, PA 15521

FOR SALEBADGES FROM

PAST ENCAMPMENTS1996-99, 2000, 01, 03

ALL BADGES ARE $10 EA.CONTACT:JOE LONG

505 MARCY STREETDURYEA, PA 18642

(570) 457-

Page 8 • 2005 •The Battle Cry of Freedom Page 5 • 2005• The Battle Cry of Freedom

Camp #15 - HasrrisburgCamp 15 has had

another good year. Wehave welcomed 2 newmembers, BrothersWilliam Bud Hart, Jr. andTed Von Hazard, and ourroster of Juniors hasgrown to 3, with theaddition of Josemaria Heil,who joins his father andbrother in our Camp.

On Saturday, 22 May04, our Camp Guardparticipated in ceremoniesat 3 gravesites in JuniataCounty, PA honoring 3Civil War Veterans whoreceived the Medal ofHonor as a result of theirheroic service in defenseof the Union. At eachgravesite a memorialservice was held, withsome of the descendantstelling those assembledwhat they knew of theirancestor. Camp 15

Patriotic Instructor, DaveKlinepeter, (aka Gov.Andrew Curtin) thankedeach man for what he haddone to save the Union,and reminded the audiencethat we must never forget.Each of the Veteransreceived a new bronzemarker indicating that hehad been awarded theMedal of Honor. Theseceremonies were plannedand organized by Camp 15JVC Donald W. Prye II,who also obtained thegrave markers through theDepartment of VeteransAffairs. This was a veryimpressive and movingevent, and a great job byBrother Prye. Followingthe ceremonies, the partici-pants took lunch at a localrestaurant.

Camp 15 held it’s annualfamily picnic at Fort

Hunter on July 25. Thepicnic was well attendedwith SVC Larry C.Sheibley doing the organiz-ing and cooking. A goodtime wa shad by all.tghanks to Brother Sheibleyfor his hard work.

Depiste a steady rainBrothers Pat Lahr PCC andGreg Kline, carried thenational colors and campflag during the annualMemorial Day Parade andceremonies in Gettysburg,marking our fourth straightyear of participation. Camp15 members also placedflags on Veterans’ graves inthe Harrisburg Cemeteryfor Memorial Day.

Camp 15 held its annualChristmas party Dec. 12.PA Dept Cmdr. EricSchmincke was our guestand installed our campofficers for 2005. This was

an enjoyable and well-attended event.

Camp 15 will soon beoffering a SUVCW licenseplate for sale as a fund raiser.This idea was developed byJVC Prye. Sister CharlotteM. Walters, president of thePA Dept. DUVCW, assistedwith computer design and artwork of the license plate.Brother Prye will be han-dling sales and distribution.The camp thanks BrotherGilbert Kyle and his wifeAudrey for generouslydonating the funding for thisproject. We will continue tooffer our solid brassSUVCW belt buckle, withSVC Larry C. Sheibleyhandling sales and distribu-tion.

We look forward toseeing all our brothers at thePA Department Encamp-ment in June.

Stolen – (Continued from Page

4)different as he wascutting grass Wednesdayafternoon. After a fewmoments he realizedwhat it was. “He said hesat down to take a restand then he realized oneof the cannons wasmissing,” said JaniceWilliams, one of severalborough residents whooversee the cemetery.Upon further inspection,Ravert noticed thatsomeone has used achainsaw to cut throughthe two steel postssupporting the 1,000-pound Civil War eracannon, Williams said.

The black steel cannon

was one of four that haddecorated the cemetery formore than a century. Thecannons are linked by achain and surround numer-ous headstones of veteransof the Civil War, SpanishAmerican War and WorldWar I. Although only oneperson might have cut theposts, borough officialsthink multiple culprits wereinvolved.

The theft is believed tohave happened sometimebetween last weekend andWednesday morning.Sometime during theovernight hours of theweekend, a neighbornoticed lights in the cem-

etery, an unusual sighting atthat hour, said boroughCrime Watch PresidentBeth Daughton. Anotherneighbor said he heardseveral men talking in thearea of the cemetery atabout 2 a.m.

The cannon that wasstolen was the farthest fromthe road, the other three arefight next to a road, the plotis on a corner where tworoads meet. There were nosigns of a vehicle gettingnear where the gun wasmounted. The one takenwas hidden from the closesthouse by a bush, so itwould have to have beencarried by several men to a

waiting truck. Nearby the“touch hole” is a markingthat looks like a “Fir deLeis”. This is believed tomake the cannon worthmore to a collector.

The cemetery is at the topof a step hill, up a windingnarrow road with only afew homes nearby. If theSons have jurisdiction overthese cannons, I wouldrecommend that they beremoved to as safer loca-tion, considering thecurrent market for CivilWar cannons and profitpotential, it would only beprudent. In their currentlocation, they would beconsidered “Easy Pickens”.UPDATE:Civil War-era cannonrecovered. Salem Township

A 1,000-pound CivilWar-era cannon stolen lastweek from the ShawneeCemetery in Plymouth wasfound Tuesday in StateGame Lands, police said.

Plymouth Police OfficerMike Tribendis said policewere alerted to State GameLands 260 nearShickshinny at about 5:30after someone called 911with a tip.

“They said there was acannon in the woods,”Tribendis said.

The steel cannon wasfound by Plymouth andSalem Township Policeshortly afterward. It wasnot damaged. The cannonwas one of four that haddecorated the Plymouthcemetery for more than acentury.

Under the leadership ofCamp Commander John T.McNulty, this past yearwas memorable for theBrothers of Camp #273.Seven new Brothers wereadded to our membership.Late this year, Brotherswere involved in savingtwo cannons from beingsold in Easton and Broth-ers have been involved inthe long but successfulbattle to return the Sum-mit Hill cannons.

Brother Ray Fraunfeltercontinues the tradition ofplacing flags on veterans’graves and out Memorial

Camp #273 - Pen ArgylDay service held on May30th 2004 at the grave ofJoel Searfoss was wellattended by many in thecommunity, includingmembers of the VFW,American Legion, BoyScouts and DepartmentCommander Kern.

We were well representedat the 2004 DepartmentEncampment inWilliamsport and severalBrothers were elected orappointed to positions inthe Department. RobertGraves was appointedChaplain, Keith Searfosswas appointed Graves

Registration Officer, ErnestWeglinski was appointedGuard, John T. McNultywas appointed Guide,Joseph Long Jr. PDC wasappointed Counselor, JohnM. McNulty PCC waselected Junior Vice Com-mander and most notably,Eric Schmincke PCC waselected Department Com-mander.

We are especially proudof Brother Dane DiFebowho designed, arrangedfinancing and constructedthe new Slate Belt CivilWar Monument in Bangor,which was dedicated on

July 24th 2004. Thanks toBrother DiFebo, our Unionancestors in the Slate Beltarea have an impressivenew monument dedicatedto their bravery and sacri-fice.

Elected officers for 2005are Robert Graves, CampCommander; DonaldHouston, Senior ViceCommander; SherwoodKindred PCC, Junior ViceCommander; Dane DiFebo,Secretary; Joseph Long Jr.,Treasurer; John M.McNulty and John T.McNulty were elected tofill vacancies on CampCouncil.

New charter to Hiram W. Pursell Camp 104 in Doylestown, PA. is presented atthe annual Department Encampment in Williamsport this past June. From left:Pennsylvania Commander Lester Kearn, John M. McNulty, national C-in-CKent Armstrong and John T. McNulty.

Page 6 • 2005 •The Battle Cry of Freedom Page 7 • 2005• The Battle Cry of Freedom

Memorial Day Service 2004, George H. Thomas Camp #19

Camp #19 - LancasterGen. George H. ThomasCamp # 19,Lancaster, PA

Our camp has seen somegood times and some badtimes this year. To start,here are our camp officersfor 2004. CommanderWalter Bosch, Sr. ViceCommander DouglasEaby, Jr. Vice CommanderJustin Hammond, CouncilJ. D. Jenkins PCC, Ed-ward Milford PCC,Howard Longacre Jr.,Secretary RaymondLongacre, Treasurer JohnJ. Heine, Color BearerEdward Milford PCC,Guide Arthur Williams,Guard J. D. Jenkins PCC,Chaplain HowardLongacre Jr., PatrioticInstructor Ronald C.Young, Historian and Asst.Patriotic Instructor BrentMusser Jr. PCC, GraveRegistration Donald PentzPCC, Monuments OfficerEdward Milford PCC,Publicity Edward MilfordPCC, and Co-SignalsOfficers John J. Heine andRaymond Longacre.Some of the activities ourcamp has particpated thisyear 2004 include:

On May 23rd the dedi-cation ceremony of asmall cemetery near

Quarryville, honoring thelocal Black communityand Black Civil Warveterans buried there.This was in conjunctionwith a Boy Scout EagleScout project

Our May meetinghonored our departedbrothers Barry FelkerPCC, George W. Long PCin C, and Harry Collins

May 30th Memorial Dayceremony at the GAR plotat the Lancaster Cemeteryattended by LancasterMayor Charles Smithgall

Brothers Glenn B.Knight PDC and Raymond

Longacre represented thecamp at the Departmentencampment inWilliamsport in June

On July 17th – 18th,brothers participated in theLandis Valley Civil WarWeekend

Brother RichardSimpson drafted a newmembership recruitingbrochure for the camp

Brother John Rappportrayed Civil Warillustrator Alfred Waud ata number of functionsdisplaying his sketches

We were honored by thevisits of DepartmentCommanders Lester Kernand Eric Schminke to ourmeetings

On Saturday Nov. 13th,brothers from the campparticipated in a cemeterydedication ceremonyhonoring veterans buriedat the Bethel AME ZionChurch in Lancaster

By notice by BrotherFloyd Atkins, the brothers

We are very involved in recognizing the Eagle Scouts in our com-munity. Our camp had the honor of sponsoring two Eagle Scoutsto attend The Cradle Of Liberty Council's, Boy Scouts Of America,Class of 2003, Eagle Scout banquet at The Union League in Phila-delphia in May of 2004. Our scouts were Mr. Mark Wilson (left),and Mr. Dustin Mc Daniels (right). In center Wayne N. Blattner

Camp #90 - CollegevilleBy Wayne N. BlattnerSenior Vice Commander

At the end of 2004, theGerome Gennari Camp#90 SUVCW completed is6th year of existence. Wemeet the 4th Sunday ofthe month, 2:00 P.M., atthe Spring-Ford HistoricalSociety, on Main Street, inRoyersford Pa. Under the direction ofour Camp CommanderJohn Fischer, our smallbut active group of 20pride ourselves in acouple of areas. Headedby Brother Fischer, thegraves registration chair-man, we are proud of thefact that we have com-pleted 10 cemeterysurveys, and have fol-lowed through with theproper paperwork docu-menting therespectiveCivil Warveteran’s information. Thelist includes ZionLutheran, Vincent Menno-nite, East Vincent Re-formed, & Bethel UnitedMethodist cemerties inSpring City. Next we haveParkerford Baptist, andBrower/Oak Grovecemeteries in Parkerford,and Hibernia UnitedMethodist cemetery inCoatesville. And finallyour list ends withDismant’s Private BurialGround, Royersford, andSaint Luke’s cemetery inTrappe Pa. Additionalcemeteries are planned forthe near future. Wecarefully complete and

submit the required forms,in the hope someday thatthis information will beshared with all ourSUVCW brothers andCamps through a nationaldatabase! Recognizing and honor-ing our local Eagle Scoutsis another area we areinvolved in. WayneBlattner our Senior ViceCommander, and EagleScout contact, has had thehonor of attending on anaverage of 3 to 4 EagleCourt Of Honor ceremoniesper year. Camp #90 pre-sents the official SUVCWEagle Scout certificate tothe honored scout, inaddition to speaking to thefriends and family inattendance all about ourorganization. The highlightof the year was the BoyScouts Of America, Cradleof Liberty Council’s, Classof 2003 Eagle ScoutBanquet. This is held at theUnion League in Philadel-phia in the spring of 2004.Two local Eagle Scouts,Mark Wilson & DustinMcDaniels of Royersford,were Camp #90 guests. On Memorial Day ourcamp fulfilled a SUVCWobligation by attending agraveside service atVincent Mennonite Cem-etery. We honored a fallenCivil War veteran. In 2004 our camp had thehonor of having brotherWayne N. Blattner ap-pointed PennsylvaniaDepartment SUVCWHistorian by state Com-

mander brother EricSchmincke. Our chapter finances arein proper order throughthe direction of JohnGennaria. Chapter Secre-tary Jack Ertell thoroughlycompletes all forms andcorrespondence requiredby the state, and keeps usinformed on local activi-ties. Many of our brothers

were invited to participatein the rededication cer-emony of Civil Warveterans buried in acemetery in Wakefieldhonoring the vets thatserved with the ColoredTroops in Co. H 45th PA,Co. A 25th PA, Co. K127th PA and Co. K 32PA infantry. This was aproject of Boy Scout troop105.

We are saddened by thenews this year of thepassing of two brother,Charles E. Peifer andDonald Scott Hartzell We continue the preserva-tion of the GAR plot inthe Lancaster Cemeterywith the planned removaland replacement of thebase for our cannon tubeand the removal andreplacement of the flag-pole and the addition oflights.In F. C. & L.Raymonod H.

are involved in otherCivil War & historicalorganizations, whichmakes the discussions atour meetings informativeand lively. For information onour chapter, contactWayne Blattner 610-948-6285 or emailwblattner@erols.com – Wayne N. Blattner

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