Page 12 - FALL Sojourner Newsletter-11202020

12 THE SOJOURNER

CHAPTER NEWS

DENVER-FITZSIMMONS #37, LCDR William A. Hickey, Secretary, 156 Barcelona Dr, Boulder, CO 80303-4938.
Each year, a group of 4-wheelers, led by Lt. Danny Tomlinson (tan shirt, US Navy Vietnam Vet cap at the outboard side of the flag)
participates in a ceremonial flag raising near the summit of Kingston Peak, elevation 12,043’. Danny is the 1st VP of Fitzsimons #37
and lives in Idaho Springs, Colorado very near Kingston Peak. From this vantage point, the view looks down on Loch Lomond,
Chinns Lake and Sherwin Lake and several of Colorado’s “14’ers” are part of the vista - Mt Evans, Mt Bierstadt, Grays Peak and
Torreys Peak. Danny presents the “Toast to the Flag” on behalf of the Sojourners, the assembled group says the Pledge of Alle-
giance to the flag and we always observe a moment of silence for all United States warriors and service members. This year’s flag
rising was on July 11. The group had to hike the last half-mile beginning at about 11,600’ elevation because of a seasonal trail clo-
sure (snow drifts). The group started the hike from a large stand of 1,000 year old bristle cone pines and included about 30 people
from six years old to several well into their 70’s. A great celebration of our wonderful country in small-town Colorado!

OLD DOMINION #364, MAJ Lester
H. Albers, Jr., Secretary, 8297 Lindside
Way, Springfield, VA 22153. We conduct-
ed our first Zoom Video Conference in
May. The principle activity was the installa-
tion of new officers. Bro. Jack Canard, out-
going President; arranged for the meeting
and provided for the colors, charters, and
Bible to be present. Bro. Mark Underwood,
PP, lead the installing team that included
Bros. Robb Mitchell, Jack Canard, and Wil-
liam Sanner, National Secretary. Bro. Dan-
iel Clark, newly installed President; deliv- HARTFORD #56, SP5 William L. Greene, Secretary, 1726 South Street, Cov-
ered a well composed and thorough intro- entry, CT 06238-3224. Due to the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic, continued
ductory address. Highlights of conducting meeting via “zoom” virtual meetings. Using the guidelines set forth by Bro. Rob-
the virtual meeting included: the opportuni- ert W. Roth, NP; we were able to hold all meetings, conduct business, elect the
ty to members to socialize prior to and fol- Officer for 2020-2021, and conduct the Installation of Officers for 2020-2021. We
lowing the meeting, the attendance of mem- found that this was a great way to conduct business and more importantly stay
bers who reside outside of the immediate connected with good fellowship and fun sharing of events in our lives. In addition,
area (to include Past National President and an added and unexpected advantage to this zoom type of meeting was that mem-
Commander William Turner form North bers that live a long ways from Connecticut were able to “attend” for the first time
Carolina), the ability of members to opt for in a long time. Some for many years! The Installation of Officers was done at the
audio participation, Bro. Mark Underwood June meeting and our Installing Officer and Installing Marshal was Bro. William
displaying the National Sojourner medal as G.L. Turner, PNP, PNC. The remainder of the installing team was members of the
a screen background, and the Toast to the chapter. Bro. Bill did an outstanding job conducting the ceremonies using the
Flag presented by Bro. Les Albers using the standard installation ceremony, modified as necessary, for virtual means. All the
national colors flying on his home flagpole. officers of the chapter and William Ledyard Camp, Heroes of ’76 were installed.
Twenty-six people attended the meeting. We believe that even when this terrible virus is over, the chapter may use this vir-
We look forward to honing our technical tual method for a meeting from time to time so that our out of state members can
skills at upcoming Zoom meetings. enjoy meeting together.