Page 23 - Sojourner Newsletter-Summer 2024 Final1

Volume 101, Issue 3 23
SPIRIT OF AMERICA

Members of Valley Forge Camp, Heroes of '76, Benjamin Franklin Chapter No. 16
presented the “Building the Flag” program and A Toast to the Flag to students of
the Spirit of America Youth Leadership Conference in the Faith of Our Fathers Chapel at
Founding Forward at Valley Forge on Saturday, July 13, 2024.

Among the National Officers in attendance at this year's Spirit of
America Youth Leadership Conference were National 2nd Vic President
Mike Wertz and Heroes of '76 National Commander Paul DeMerath. On
Sunday 14 July, the students and staff toured the Liberty Bell and
Independence Hall in Philadelphia, then Bro N2VP Wertz accompanied
Bro NC DeMerath on a tour of the Medal of Honor Grove at Founding
Forward's Valley Forge Campus.

The Medal of Honor Grove at Founding Forward's Valley Forge Campus
memorializes recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor from every
state and territory in the United States.

On Friday, July 12, 2024, we took the opportunity to celebrate a
milestone birthday a few months early. Brother Past National President
Colonel Frank W. Harris, III, USMC(Ret) will turn 100 years old on the
first of October this year. The Founding Forward cafeteria staff prepared a
cake, all students and staff sang "Happy Birthday," and Brother NP Carl
Diamond presented Brother Frank with a commemorative crystal plaque
and National President's coin.

Every year, on behalf of Quantico Chapter No. 44, Brother PNP Frank Harris coordinates for over a dozen
students from central Virginia to attend the Spirit of America Youth Leadership Conference sponsored by
National Sojourners, Inc. Brother Frank told me he has been attending the class at Valley Forge for fifteen
years. That means he started when he was 85!