Lincoln-Cushing Camp, SUVCW Newsletter

Department of Chesapeake holds its 128th EncampmentBrother Kevin Martin is new department commander, L-C Brother Ben Hawley is senior vice commander

The Department of the Chesapeake held its 128th Encampment on 25 April at the Marriott in Fairfax, Virginia. Top of the business at hand was the election of the departments new officers. Brother Kevin Martin, PCC was elected as the new department commander, our own Ben Hawley, PCC was elected Senior Vice Commander and Brother W. Faron Taylor is the new Junior Vice Commander. Brother Chuck Poland was also elected the new Secretary and Treasurer. C-in-C Tad Campbell was on hand to do the honors of swearing in all the new officers. L-C Brother Rob Pollock, PDC was also honored for his service during the 2014-15 term.

Important topics discussed included the bonding of all officers, renewal of insurance for all camp and depart-ment activities, the necessity to audit the department books, the approval of 2015-16 department bud-get and the National Encampment, to be hosted by the depart-ment in Richmond later this summer. The department also unanimously voted to support Department of the Chesapeake brothers Gene Mortorff, SVC-in-C for Commander-in-Chief and Brother Mark Day, PDC for Junior Vice C-in-C at the upcoming National Encampment.

Friday excursions included a tour of the Pentagon and Ft. Ward, with dinner that evening at Red, Hot and Blue.

LincoLn-cushing camp no. 2, sons of the union Veterans of the ciViL War

the neWs WaLkerVoLume 17, number 2 summer edition 2015

Inside This Issue 2 Commanders Message

3 Historic Decoration Day 4 5 New Brothers Welcomed 6 Lincolns 206th Birthday

7 Conference on the Virginia Sesquicentennial

11 Encampment 2015 Photos

Department officers are sworn in by C-n-C Tad Campbell.

C a l e n d a r f o r t h e Y e a r 2 0 1 5

25 May Memorial Day Observed/National Memorial Day Parade30 May Memorial Day/Decoration Day Ceremony 5:00 pm Arlington National Cemetery, VA30 May Lincoln-Cushing Camp Meeting 6:30 pm Ft. Myer Officers Club27 June Cemetery Marker and Monument Clean-up/Renovation Project18 July Camp Picnic 10 am - 2 pm Ft. Ward Park19-23 August National Encampment NA Omni Hotel, Richmond, VA12 Sept. Lincoln-Cushing Camp Meeting 11:30 am Dubliner Restaurant, Capitol Hill, DC20-21 Nov. Remembrance Day NA Gettysburg 5 Dec. Camp Meeting (Elections-no speaker) 11:30 am Dubliner Restaurant, Capitol Hill, DC

Pl e a s e m ark t h e s e d ate s on you r c a l en d ar

DATE EVENT TIME LOCATION

the neWs WaLker page 2

Camp Website : www.l incolncushing.org

Commanders Message: Whats Next?by Commander Brin Lewis Dear Brothers,

Just last weekend Anne and I attended the Department of the Chesapeake Encampment in Fairfax, Virginia (see related article on page 1). As always, we had a great time work-ing on department business and socializing with brothers we see all too infrequently. I congratulate Brother Kevin Martin for his election as new department commander, L-C Brother Ben Hawley, PCC as the new senior vice commander, and all the other elected and appointed officers for the 2015-16 term. Over the last four months weve been busy commemorating the final events of the war. I hope you have had a chance to participate in some of the many sesquicentennial activities that have taken place in the area this year.

The attention brought about by the sesquicentennial has been good to our camp. Our membership is up and our camp numbers are strong. We added 26 new brothers to our rolls between the end of 1Q14 and 1Q15, adding 15 new members since December and inducting five new brothers at our last meeting.

Now that the sesquicentennial activities are coming to a close, you have to ask whats next? and how do we keep the momentum going? I believe we need to focus on our core mission and involve ourselves in activities that help us meet our obligation to the order. By doing so, we will continue to generate greater public awareness of our organization.

As I mentioned in my last message, we are starting a Lincoln-Cushing Education and Preservation Fund (LCEPF), fully supported by the members of Lincoln-Cushing. This is necessary because we have so many opportunities to support young people by providing them with the chance to experience the Civil War historical treasures in the DC area. We have so many opportunities to help save Civil War battlefields, memorials, grave sites, and much more. We often receive requests for financial help from those who are working on these issues, but we cant support them all, or not to the degree we would like, because our camp keeps only a small percentage of the annual dues that we all pay. Brother Dick Griffin, PCC has volunteered to be Chair-man of the LCEPF fund and Brother Lee Stone, PDC will serve as Treasurer. The executive committee will serve as the board for the fund, evaluating opportunities, some of which may go before a vote of the camp. This is one way we can keep the momentum going beyond the sesqui-centennial. Fundraising for LCEPF is starting right now. In fact, on page 5 of this newsletter is the opportunity to purchase a new Lincoln-Cushing polo shirt.

All proceeds will go to LCEPF for worthwhile causes supporting education and preservation of our Civil War heritage.

So, I ask you to keep the momentum going. Support the LCEPF, march in the National Memorial Day parade, attend our Decoration Day ceremony on 30 May, and help out on 27 June when L-C brothers will spend a few hours on a Saturday to refurbish veterans markers and other memorials.

Finally, I wish you all a rewarding Memorial Day as we honor those who died on US soil and in faraway places to keep us united, free and safe.

In Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty,

Brin Lewis40th CommanderLincoln-Cushing Camp No. 2

40th Commander, Brin Lewis

F R O M T H E C O M M A N D E R

Brin Lewis



Historic Decoration Day Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery - Saturday, 30 May, 2015Camp Meeting to follow at Ft. Myer OC with Brother Don Bishop as guest speaker

On Saturday, 30 May, 2015, at 5:00 pm the Lincoln-Cushing Camp will again carry forward the tradition of the Decora-tion Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemeterys Tanner Amphitheatre and Tomb of the Civil War Unknowns. This ceremony is derived from the 1893 ceremony preformed by the GAR Farragut Post, No. 10 and SUV Cushing Camp, No. 30, the predecessor of the SUVCW Lincoln-Cushing Camp.

This year we will be joined by C-in-C Tad Campbell and his wife Rachelle, National President of the Auxiliary of SU-VCW. As in prior years, invited guests will include the National Leadership of the Allied Orders, MOLLUS, DOLLUS,

and the Gettysburg Blues Color Guard. There will be brief comments and the lay-ing of the wreaths by the SUVCW, Womans Relief Corps, Ladies of the GAR, Auxiliary of the SUVCW, Military Order of the Loyal Legion, Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War, and the Dames of the Loyal Legion.

Following the cer-emony, at 6:30 pm, the Lincoln-Cushing Camp meeting will take place at the Ft. Myer Officers Club in the Campaign Room, located at 214 Jackson Avenue, Ft. Myer, Virginia. There will be a social hour, followed by dinner, and a presentation by guest speaker, Brother Don Bishop.

Note: for the camp meeting at Ft. Myer, all individuals without a DoD affiliation (with ID), must enter through the Hatfield Gate located at Washington Blvd. and South Second Street. The RSVP deadline is 22 May.

Due to limitations at the Officers Club EVERYONE must RSVP by the deadline, walk-ins cannot be accepted.Check the last page of this newsletter for menu options and the reservation form.

All are encouraged to attend both the historical ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery and the camp meeting following.

Bro. Lee Stone, PDC at the 2014 Decoration Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.



A full house at the February camp meeting welcomed five new brothers to Lincoln-CushingOn 14 February we gathered at the Dubliner Restaurant in Washington, DC to take care of camp business, social-ize and induct 5 new Lincoln-Cushing brothers. Brother Ben Hawley, PCC did the induction honors with some help from Brother Thomas Bohling.

New inductees were Brothers Eric Atkisson, Charles Knell, James Mazars, James Owens, and Jeff Lambert.The guest speaker was author William Connery who discussed the events that transpired in Northern Virginia at the start of the war.

New Brothers Jeff Lambert, Charles Knell, Jim Owens, Eric Atkisson, and James Mazors being inducted.

Brother Richard Griffin, PCC chats with brothers before the meeting.

Brothers listen to the presentation by William Connnery.

Brothers socialize before the camp meeting.


Camp Website : www.l incolncushing.orgCamp Website : www.l incolncushing.org



Commemoration of President Lincolns 206th birthday held at Lincoln MemorialOn 12 February Lincoln-Cushing brothers joined C-in-C Tad Campbell and representatives from MOLLUS, the Aux-iliary of SUVCW, and other members of the order, to honor President Lincoln on the occasion of the 206th anniversary of his birth. The ceremony was held at the Lincoln Memo-rial in Washington, DC where it was viewed by a large number of spectators.

Brother Peter Dixon served as the Master-of-Ceremonies, with music provided by the US Air Force Bands Ceremoni-al Brass. Presentation of colors was provided by the Armed Forces Color Guard. Wreath presentations were made by a host of organizations including SUVCW whose wreath was presented by C-in-C Tad Campbell and the Auxiliary wreath presentation made by L-C sister, Anne Frenette-Lewis, the National Washington DC Representative for ASUVCW, A luncheon followed the ceremony where L-C brother Calvin Zon, PCC was the speaker. Lincoln Memorial before the ceremony.

L-C Commander Brin Lewis chats with Brother Lee Stone, PDC before ceremony.

Presentation of colors.

ASUVCW, DC Representative Anne Frenette-Lewis presents the Auxiliary wreath.

Spectators gather for the ceremony



Conference of the Commission of the VirginiaSesquicentennial of the American Civil WarOn 18 April, PCC Dick Griffin and his wife, Claire Griffin, attended the capstone conference of the Commission of the Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War, which was held at the University of Virginia in Old Cabell Hall. The theme of the conference was Causes Won and Lost: The End of the Civil War. Professors Gary W. Gallagher and Elizabeth R. Varon were the conference co-chairs.

The conference featured four panel dis-cussions, two in the morning and two in the afternoon. Each panel featured top Civil War scholars, moderated by either Professor Gallagher or Profes-sor Varon. All of the discussions were interesting and informative.

The topic of the first panel was Sur-renders and the Assassination, mod-erated by Professor Varon. Panelists were Harold Holzer, Chairman of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Foun-dation; Elizabeth Leonard, Professor of History at Colby College; and Gary Gallagher, Professor of History at the University of Virginia. The surren-ders part of the panel focused on the surrenders of the Confederate armies led by Robert E. Lee and Joseph E. Johnston. In the case of the Lees sur-

render, the panelists highlighted the key role of the regiments of U. S. Col-ored Troops that blocked Lees escape route.

The second panel covered The Lost Cause, moderated by Professor Gal-lagher. The panelists were Edward L. Ayers, President of the University of Richmond and a noted author of nu-merous books on American History; John M. Coski, Historian at the Mu-seum of the Confederacy; and Caro-line E. Janney, Professor of History at Purdue University, who has written on Ladies Memorial Associations and the Lost Cause and Reunion and the limits of Reconciliation. This panel covered the varying justifications given by Confederate champions. During the run-up to secession and during most

of the war, the need to protect and pro-mote slavery was the central justifica-tion and, indeed, was enshrined in the Confederate Constitution. After the war, former Confederates shifted their arguments for secession to an alleged need to protect a constitutional system against an overweening, power hun-gry federal government. This change, together with the elevation of General Lee to near mythic status, helped to control and direct the narrative of why the war was fought.

After the lunch break, the third panel kicked off, moderated again by Profes-sor Gallagher. The topic of this panel was The Union Cause. Panelists were J. Mathew Gallman, Professor of His-tory at the University of Florida and prolific author (Continued on Page 9)



Attire: Business or SVR Uniform Cost for the meal is $42 per personRSVP: 22 May (Notice: It is absolutely mandatory that you RSVP by this date as no walk-ins can be permitted)

Checks should be made out to Lincoln-Cushing, Camp 2 and sent to Secretary/Treasurer Lee Stone, PDC at the following address: Lee Stone, PDC 536 Wordsworth Circle Purcellville, VA 20132 Please mail your check in time to arrive by 22 May so that an accurate count can be given to the establishment. If you cant get your check in by 22 May, please call Brother Lee at 540-338-5831 or 571-217-0160 and let him know that you plan to attend and bring your check with you. It is most important that you RSVP by the response date for this meeting. This meeting is very well attended, so reply quickly. Please see the back page for the reservation form.

Our special guest speaker will be, Brother Don Bishop, discussing The Union Army Adjutants Scenes of Northern Virginia.

next camp meetingO F T H E L I N C O L N - C U S H I N G C A M P N O . 2

The next Lincoln-Cushing Camp meeting will be held at 6:30 pm on 30 May, at the Ft. Myer Officers Club, 214 Jackson Ave, Ft. Myer, Virginia in the Campaign Room.

The meeting will be held directly following the 5:00 pm Memorial Day Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. All members of the Camp, Auxiliary,

and their guests are encouraged to attend both events

RSVP by 22 May. Hope to see you there!

Brother Don Bishop

2015 Officers and Appointments | Lincoln-Cushing Camp Camp No. 2Commander: J. Brinley Brin [email protected]

Senior Vice Commander: John E. Higgins, [email protected]

Junior Vice Commander: Steve [email protected]

Secretary and Treasurer: Lee Stone, [email protected]

Patriotic Instructor: Donald [email protected]

Camp Chaplain: John E. Higgins, [email protected]

Members of the Camp Council: Lee Stone, PDC Ben Hawley, PCCRichard Griffin PCC



Conference of the Virginia Sesquicentennial of the Civil War (Continued from Page 7)of many books on aspects of the social history of the Civil War; John R. Neff, Professor of History at the University of Mississippi and author of books on Civil War memorializa-tion; and Joan Waugh, Professor of History at UCLA. Professor Waughs most well known book is her prize-winning U. S. Grant: American Hero, American Myth. This panel focused on the concept of loyalty to the Union that arose from the founding period. Unionists claimed that they, not the Confederates, were the ones that were defenders of Constitutionalism, as the Union that was thereby created was intended to be perpetual. In addition, if secession were permitted to be suc-cessful, the last, best hope of democ-racy would fail, with dire implications for democracy throughout the world. The panel also discussed memorializa-tion, highlighting the role of General Logans General Order No. 11.

Professor Varon returned to moder-ate the final panel of the day, covering African American Memory. Panelists were W. Fitzhugh Brundage, Professor

of History at the University of North Carolina, specializing in the Ameri-can South and African American culture; Barbara A. Gannon, Professor of History at the University of Cen-tral Florida, who wrote an important book on Black and White Comrade-ship in the G. A. R.; and Thavolia Glymph, Professor of History and African American Studies at Duke University and author of Out of the House of Bondage: The Transforma-tion of the Plantation Household. The panel highlighted the African Ameri-can narrative, focusing on its roots in the Biblical story of the Israelites escaping Egyptian domination and its relationship to the story of the pres-ervation of the Union and the expan-sion of freedom. Professor Gannon talked about integration in the Grand Army of the Republic Some posts had both black and white members, while others were composed of only one racial group. It was common, however, for white members to refer to black veterans as our colored comrades, comrade being the highest honorific in the Grand Armys ethos.

The Grand Army made a decision to expend its political capital on procur-ing pensions for all Union Veterans. Therefore, its inclusiveness and sup-port for black comrades did not trans-late into broader social changes.

As was mentioned earlier, this was the final conference of the Sesquicenten-nial of the Civil War. It was preceded by six other conferences held at vari-ous locations throughout Virginia. Themes ranged through various aspects of military history, social his-tory, and the American Civil War in a global context. Very few people at-tended all seven conferences, but two who did were Brother Mike Beard, of Irish Brigade Camp No. 4, and his wife. To the best of my knowledge, Brother Mike and I were the only two members of the SUVCW to attend this conference. There will be no more conferences as part of Virginias sesquicentennial commemoration, but I hope that there will be other, similar events in the future. If so, I commend them to all brothers of Lincoln-Cush-ing Camp.

L-C Brothers to restore military grave sites on 27 JuneThe fall edition of the News Walker included an article chronicling the efforts of Tom Pawlak and his Mission Restore Bronze effort. His campaign to restore bronze and marble markers of our fallen heroes has taken off, with thousands of volunteers in over 20 states.

On Saturday, 27 June, Lincoln-Cushing Camp #2 is looking for volunteers to participate in this very worthwhile effort. The morning starts at 9:00 a.m. We will meet and go over the procedures to restore markers. It takes approximately one hour to restore one bronze marker. The more volun-teers we have the more we can accomplish!

Thomas and I are scouting out possible locations within the Washington DC area, and more information will be passed once a location is found.

I also encourage you to check out Toms Mission Restore

Bronze Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/627091074044101/ Here you can find out all you need to restore bronze and marble markers.

Anyone interested in volunteering should email me at: [email protected]

In F, C, and L,Steve Bohling, Junior Vice Camp CommanderCamp Memorials Officer

Anyone interested in volunteering should email me at: [email protected]



General Logans Order No. 11On the 5th of May 1868 as commander in chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, I issued to our comrades throughout the land the following order:

Head quarters Grand Army of the Republic. Adjutant Generals office No 444, 14th Street Washington, D.C. May 5th 1868.

General Orders No 11.I. The 30th day of May 1868 is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades, who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every City, Village, and hamlet church yard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is pre-scribed, but Posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.

--The first paragraph of Order #11 as issued

L-C Annual Family Picnic18 July Fort Ward Park, Alexandria, VAOn 18 July from10:00 am-2:00 pm the Brothers of Lin-coln-Cushing Camp #2 will gather with their families to once again enjoy an afternoon of food and fun. Last year we had about 30 people, giving us a chance to get together in a more casual environment while enjoying hamburgers and hot dogs in beautiful Ft. Ward Park. Food service begins about 12:00 noon. This is a free event for all Lincoln-Cushing brothers and their families (although bringing a dish to share is encouraged), so pack up the kids (and dont forget your spouse), grab a Frisbee and enjoy an afternoon of fun. This year we will be located in picnic area #2. Look for a reminder email closer to the picnic date with directions, but mark your calendars now.



2015 Department encampment

R E S E R VA T I O N F O R M

Yes, I, _______________________________will be attending the meeting and am bringing _________________________________ as my guest, and

____________________________ as a potential candidate for membership.

Enclosed is my check for $____________ ($42.00/ per person).

My entree choice: Raspberry Chicken Baked Salmon

My guests choice: Raspberry Chicken Baked Salmon

No, I, _________________________________ regret that I will not be able

to attend, however, enclosed is a donation to our Camps charitable

works for $___________.

Please detach and mail to: Mr. Lee D. Stone, PDC 536 Wordsworth Circle Purcellville, VA 20132

You do not need to buy a dinner to participate in the meeting.

SONS OF UNION VETERANSOF THE CIVIL WAR

Brin Lewis, Editor

112 Third Street, NEWashington, DC 20002

Return Service Requested

Lincoln-Cushing Camp No. 2DEPARTMENT OF THE CHESAPEAKE

STATEMENT OF PUBLICATION: THI S NEWSLETTER IS THE OFFICIAL HOUSE ORGAN OF THE LINCOLN-CUSHING CAMP NO. 2 , DEPARTMENT OF THE CHESAPEAKE, SONS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR. Published in the City of Washington, DC, United States of America. News Walker (c) 2015 to the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. All Rights Reserved. Brin Lewis, Editor. News Walker is distributed via Post and email to SUVCW members and friends. SUVCW, its officers or members accept no responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or quality of any material forwarded to and published in the News Walker or any referrals or links to the content. There is no intent to use any verifiable copyright protected material. We accept no responsibility for any loss or damage suffered by any person relying directly or indirectly on any information from the News Walker. You may not copy, reproduce, distribute, publish, enter into a database, display, perform, modify, create derivative works, transmit, or in any way exploit any part of The News Walker, except for your own personal use.

R S V Pby 22 May

Memorial Day Camp Meeting for Lincoln-Cushing Camp No. 2

Camp Dinner following ceremony at

Arlington National Ceremony

Date: 30 May, 2015 RSVP: 22 May, 2015 (no exceptions) Time: 6:30 pm (Social Hour) Dinner: 7:30 pm Location: Ft. Myer Officers Club 214 Jackson Avenue Ft. Myer, Virginia Campaign Room

Dinner Selections: - Raspberry Chicken - Baked Salmon (served with rice pilaf, vegetables and apple pie) Attire: Business or SVR Uniform

Cost: $42 per person (Cash Bar)

Documents

Lincoln-Cushing Camp, SUVCW Newsletter