Page 27 - Sojourner Newsletter-Winter 2025_FINAL

Volume 102, Issue 1 27

as an Infantry Officer on 11 September 1962. During his Andrew J. McVeigh III: 1934-2024
career, which spanned nearly 30 years, he served in
assignments ranging from the Platoon level to Company and COL Andrew J. McVeigh III,
Battalion Commander. He also served as the Officer-in- 33°
Charge of recruit training at Parris Island, SC, the Officer-in- Personal: Andrew J. McVeigh
Charge of a Marine Security Detachment in Portugal, and III was born in 1934 to Andrew
various administrative billets at HQMC and DoD. He retired II and Alice McVeigh. He
as a LtCol in 1989. His decorations include the Defense received his Bachelor’s Degree
Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), Meritorious Service from the University of Houston
Medal, National Defense Service Ribbon, and the Vietnam and his Master’s Degree in
Service Medal, among others. Public Administration from
Masonic History: Brother Ronald D.R. Sortino was raised a Shippensburg State College in
Master Mason in Semper Fidelis Lodge #680 in Jacksonville, Pennsylvania. During his life,
North Carolina on 15 March 2000 and was a Charter Member he was an active member of the
and Charter Senior Deacon of Wilkinson College Lodge Boy Scouts of America as both
#760, which focuses on Masonic Education. He served on the a youth and adult, and received
Veterans Remembrance Committee of the Grand Lodge of National President #69 the BSA Silver Beaver Award.
North Carolina. In the Scottish Rite, he was active in the (2005-2006) He was also active in the
Valley of New Bern, Orient of North Carolina, and was LOH #50 (2015) Military Order of the World
coronated a 33° (IGH) in the A.A.S.R.-SJ. He was also a Wars (MOWW) and in support-
member of the Sudan Shrine, President of the Onslow Shrine ing Youth Leadership Conferences in support of not only
Club for five years, and served the Order of the Eastern Star MOWW, but also National Sojourners and Youth as well.
as Worthy Patron of Chapter #225 in Jacksonville four times. Uniformed Service: 2LT Andrew J. McVeigh III entered the
National Sojourners: Brother LtCol Ronald D.R. Sortino, U.S. Army in 1956 and received his commission through
33°, was initiated in Camp Lejeune Chapter #329 on 1 May Officers’ Candidate School. During his career, he served in
2000. He became a Hero of '76 in Tun Tavern Camp, and various capacities at the Pentagon and as an OCS and ROTC
ultimately served as both Chapter President and Camp instructor. He commanded a firing battery in the 337th Field
Commander. From 2007 to 2023, he served as the Chapter Artillery in Germany and a Basic Combat Training company
Secretary. Nationally, he was appointed Chairman of the in the 9th Battalion, 2d Basic Combat Training Regiment at
National Americanism Committee in 2006 and oversaw Fort Jackson, near Columbia, South Carolina. He was the
development and expansion of the Essay Program, increased Operations Officer (S-3) of the 1-21st Field Artillery in
support for the ROTC Awards, and regularly attended Vietnam, the Division Artillery Adjutant in the 101st
Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge. He resigned as Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, the Division Artillery
Americanism Chairman in 2013, when he was elected N3VP, Executive Officer at the 2d Infantry Division Artillery in
received the Houghton Memorial Award that year for his Korea and the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas. His
efforts. He served as National President in 2017-18. During battalion command was the 1-21st Field Artillery at Fort
his term as National President, Brother LtCol Ronald D.R. Hood, Texas. After serving as the Deputy Commander of the
Sortino chartered one Chapter: Blood Mountain #555 and re- VII Corps Artillery, he assumed command of the 17th Field
activated one Chapter: Lincoln #52. After his term as Nation- Artillery Brigade in Augsburg, Germany. He was also the
al President, he became the Charter Secretary of Chicago Director of Course Development and Training at the Field
Chapter at its re-chartering ceremony at the 99th National Artillery School. COL Andrew J. McVeigh III retired with 30
Convention in June 2019. On 1 August 2019, he and other years’ service in 1986. His military decorations include two
distinguished Sojourners attended the Centennial Chartering Legions of Merit, a Bronze Star Medal, and many other
Celebration at Jameson’s Charhouse in Arlington Heights, awards.
Illinois, honoring the Order’s initial Charter from the Masonic History: Brother COL Andrew J. McVeigh, 33,
Secretary of State of Illinois on 01 August 1919. In 2021, he was raised a Master Mason in Solomon Lodge #822 in
was elected to the Honor Awards Committee and to the Stuttgart, West Germany on 26 June 1963 as courtesy work
National Trustees, positions in which he was currently for Park Place Lodge #1172 in Houston, Texas. He was also a
serving. member of Parsons Lodge #222 in Austin, Texas, where he
Brother LtCol Ronald D.R. Sortino, 33°, laid down his served as Master. He was a Past District Deputy Grand
working tools on 27 April 2024 at his home in Jacksonville, Master of the Grand Lodge of Texas, he was very active 33°
North Carolina. He is survived by his Lady and Grande Inspector General Honorary in the Austin Valley of the
Dame, Barbara, and son, Ronald. Scottish Rite (A.A.S.R.-SJ). In York Rite, he was a member
of Lone Star Chapter #6, Royal Arch Masons; Austin Council
#2, Royal and Select Masters; and Colorado Commandery
#40, Knights Templar. In Shrine (A.A.O.N.M.S.), he was a
member of Ben Hur Shrine in Austin, Texas. He was also a
member of the Texas Lodge of Research, the Philalethes
Society, and the Grotto (M.O.V.P.E.R.).
National Sojourners: Brother COL Andrew J. McVeigh III,
33°, joined National Sojourners in Fort Hood Chapter #208 in
1975 and was an MMIP member of 30 Chapters. After his