Page 4 - Sojourner Newsletter-Summer 2024 Final1

4 THE SOJOURNER

NATIONAL COMMANDER’S MESSAGE

IEAR! First of all, I am grateful for the faith that my Brother Heroes of ’76® have put
in me by electing me as your National Commander of the Heroes of ’76. I want to
congratulate my predecessor, Past National Commander Brother Brian Coffey on his
magnificent term. His dedicated and unwavering service to our Order is to be highly
commended.

The theme for my term as National Commander is the commemoration of the 250th
Anniversary of Brother Paul Revere’s “Midnight Ride.”

Listen, my children, and you shall hear
Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere,
On the eighteenth of April, in Seventy-five.
Hardly a man is now alive
Who remembers that famous day and year . . .

Longfellow’s famous poem goes on much longer, and we would all agree that Brother Paul Revere played a large
part in our country’s successful struggle for freedom and independence. Many of his actions were due in large part to
his Masonic beliefs and principles. This man, this patriot, this Brother Mason, truly pledged his “Life, Fortune, and
Sacred Honor” to the cause of American independence. Without him, and others like him, we may not have been able to
celebrate our upcoming 250th Anniversary as the greatest nation on Earth.

At the Annual National Convention (ANC) in Austin, TX, Brother Michael M. Wertz, formerly appointed in the
Heroes of ’76 advancing line, was elected as National 2nd Vice President of NSI, leaving a vacancy in the Heroes Line.
Also, Brother Jarrod Coffey vacated the National Musician Staff Officer position when I appointed him as a National
Line Officer. Because of the afore mentioned vacancy, I therefore appointed Brother Michael D. “Max” Schell
(California Area Representative) as the National Sentinel, which moved up Brother Jarrod Coffey to the National
Commander of the Guard position. I also proceeded to appoint Brother James L. Pugsley (Carolinas Area
Representative) as the National Musician to fill that particular vacancy. I’m extremely confident in each of these newly
appointed Brethren and I look forward to their future contributions to our Order.

Brother Martin D. Schwebel was elected as National Judge Advocate, replacing Brother Ben Yudesis after his
absolutely unbelievable, consecutive 44-year commitment as a National Officer! Thank you so much Brother Ben, and
welcome Brother Marty! I’d also like to offer congratulations to Brother Past National Commander “Boog” Powell on
being awarded as the 2024 recipient of the Van Deventer Trophy. Well deserved, Brother!

It was a distinct pleasure seeing all of the Brethren who were in attendance at the ANC in Austin. I look forward to my
term as National Commander and I pray that I might positively add to the legacy that the Past National Commanders
have previously and marvelously contributed to our beloved Order. I look forward to seeing Brother Heroes as I
travel the country attending the various Area Conferences and Encampments. EIAR!

Paul A. DeMerath

NATIONAL COMMANDER’S MASONIC BIOGRAPHY

Brother Paul A. DeMerath became a National Sojourner® in May, 2005 in St. Louis Chapter #22 and received his
Heroes of ’76® degree in November, 2009 in Albert Pike Camp. He served as the President of St. Louis Chapter #22
from 2011-2012, and as Commander of Albert Pike Camp from 2012-2013. Brother Paul is an MMIP member of 12
other National Sojourner® Chapters. He was appointed National Musician in 2015 and served in that capacity until
being appointed to the Heroes of ’76® National Officer Line in 2017. He was elected as a member of the Royal Order
of Barrow Wheelers in 2018 and was recognized in 2023 as the National Hero of the Year for the Heroes of ’76®.
Paul currently serves, or has served, on the following National Sojourner® or Heroes of ’76® Committees:
− Committee of 33 (since 2016)/ Chairman (2018-2020)/ Vice Chairman (2023-2024)
− National Sojourner® Ritual Committee (since 2023)
− Collingwood Library and Museum on Americanism (CLMA) Board of Directors (since 2024)
− Regional Representative, North Middle Central Area (since 2015)
− National Education and Training Committee (since 2021)/ Chairman (since 2022)