Page 9 - Sojourner Newsletter-WINTER 2021-2022

Vol. 9 Iss. 1 9

Brother Lawlor lives with his wife Natalie in Southington, CT, and he is a rarity in another way. He is among
the less than one-tenth of one percent of enlisted men who have risen to the rank of Brigadier General.
In his remarks, Wor. and Brig. Gen. Lawlor stated “I am so incredibly humbled and honored to be recognized
here today. I’m even more humbled when I look out over the audience knowing that this honor would never
have been possible without all of you, and many others. While it has never been my goal to be recognized in
this way, it has always been my goal to serve others, especially those closest to me. It is my family, my friends,
my co-workers, and my community that have provided me the support and inspiration over the years in order
that I could reach such a pinnacle. I hope this sign we place here today inspires a young man or woman in the
future to pursue their goals, to serve their community, to reach their potential. And now (expressing his fond
memories of Blackie’s) let us conclude the remainder of the formalities and get on with celebrating! Eat up;
the hot dogs are on me!”

KIT CARSON #447. Veterans Day 2021 was quite a day for Kit Carson Chapter #447 of Albuquerque, New
Mexico. We took our show 225 miles south and Aztec Lodge No. 3 in Las Cruces opened their doors for
us. Las Cruces Chapter No. 10, Order of the Eastern Star, served a delicious dinner. After dinner Worshipful
Master Robert Fike opened the Lodge and then called off to refreshment. The Chapter was then opened and
we initiated twelve new members. The new members came from Las Cruces, White Sands and Eunice, New
Mexico and from El Paso, Texas. President William LaRue conducted the initiation assisted by Brothers Dion
Newhouse, Arland Blackburn, Larry McDougal, Randy Geck, National Chief of Staff of the Heroes of '76, and
Joe Lowry from White Sands and Roger Sellers from Las Cruces.
After the initiation the following new members were welcomed into our ranks: Steve Almager, Brandon
Brooks, Buefaro R. Brown, Omar Estrada, Robert Fike, Pete Loaiza, Rafael Martínez, David Ortiz, Ernesto
Torres Ortiz, Gary Quimey, Benjamín Soto and Lorenzo Villa.
The Jonathan M. Wainwright Camp, Heroes of '76, then conducted a Building the Flag program. Randy
Geck, Dion Newhouse, Arland Blackburn, Larry McDougal, William LaRue and Joe Lowry took part in the
ceremony. It was well received by the audience. Submitted by J. William LaRue

SHENANDOAH VALLEY #543. On No-
vember 27, 2021, we met at Unity Lodge in
Front Royal, VA. At that time Lady Wanda
Lawson, Camp Follower, gave a report on
the Toys for Tots yearly mission to supply
toys to all local area needy children. Wan-
da is an area representative for Warren
County and she has been collecting toys
and donations since back in early spring. A
few years ago Wanda received a plaque
from the Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots
headquarters in appreciation for all her ef-
forts on behalf of the program. Each year
Wanda waits for toys to go on sale in local
stores, especially Walmart, where she used
to work. She puts all donations of money to
good work to find bargains wherever she
can. She also works at the distribution cen-
ter sometimes to help fill stockings and
boxes with the toys requested. For a few
TAMPA BAY #252. Shown are Bros. Rob St. John and months Wanda’s home looks like Santa’s
Bob Kershner receiving the Chapter Americanism awards workshop as she stores the toys until it is
for 2020 and 2021, respectively, presented by Chapter time to send them out. She has done a won-
President Bro. Chuck Bailey at the December 2021 meet- derful job and every year the Chapter is
ing. truly proud of her hard work.