Page 22 - Sojourner Newsletter-Winter 2025_FINAL

22 THE SOJOURNER

OLD DOMINION CHAPTER #364, Aaron Irvin, Secretary.

At its December 2024 meeting, Old
Dominion Chapter hosted Ms.
Sydney McBride, who presented her
2024 National Sojourners essay,
which won National 3rd prize overall.
She is pictured with Bro. Bill Sanner,
President. After her presentation, we
held our annual Christmas gift
exchange, followed by carols
L-r: Bro. Bill Sanner, presented by a local choral group, the
Ms. Sydney McBride Clear Harmonies Carolers. A great
time was had by all of our attendees. Clear Harmonies Carolers
Old Dominion meets on the 3rd Wednesday of each month in
Fairfax, VA. All members are invited to attend

HAWAIIAN CHAPTER #9, Jan L. Kershner, Secretary.
On November 11, 2024 at 11:00am Bowfin Pearl Harbor Base SUBVETS conducted our 60th annual
Veterans Day Commemoration ceremony at the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Submarine Memorial.
Bowfin Base Commander, Capt. Paul Jurcsak, USN, Ret., opened the commemoration, followed by the
parading of All 50 State Flags by the Radford High School JROTC and Boy Scout Troops 97 & 797G, and the
posting of colors by National Sojourners Inc. members. The National Anthem was performed by the Pacific
Fleet Band led by LT Clint McClanahan. Submarine Readiness Squadron 33’s Chaplain LT Jordan Dill, CHC,
USN performed the invocation. Capt. Jurcsak led the tolling of the bell for Submarines lost in WWII, while
Chief of the Boat Gary Johnson, CMDCM(SS), USN (Ret) rang the bell. Similar to the first commemoration
ceremony in 1964 conducted by the Submarine Veterans of WWII. Led by Captain David S. Cox our keynote
speaker, members of Bowfin Pearl Harbor Base SUBVETS placed red, white, and blue kukui nut leis on the 47
bronze plaques mounted on the wall. Below are photos of Dennis Egge (old rifle bearer), Jeremy Hollaway
(US flag bearer) Roy Ota ( US Navy flag bearer) and Jan Kershner (rifle bearer). After the ceremony, Roy Ota
gave the Toast to the Flag with Dennis Egge holding the flag before the SUBVETS served a lunch to all that
attended.

Hawaiian Chapter at the Bro. Roy Ota, PNP, giving
Bowfin 2024 Veterans Day ceremony the Toast to the Flag