Page 7 - Sojourner Newsletter-Fall 2023 v1.3

Volume 100, Issue 4 7

2015: Ladies Marlene Dibrell, Margie Van Kleeck*, and Judy Williamson by NP Howe
2016: Ladies Patricia McConnell, Sylvia Norris*, and Elizabeth Samuels* by NP Higdon
2017: Lady Katharyn Brown by NP Baker
2018: Ladies Carolyn Diamond and Becky Perry by NP Sortino
2019: Ladies Carol Benson and Judy Howe by NP Nolte
2020: Ladies Kay Baker, Kathleen Kuhn*, and Linda Nolte by NP Haynes
2021: Ladies Floretta Barnes*, Carmie Powell, and Betty Wallens by NP Roth
2022: Ladies Wendy Coffey and Barbara Sortino by NP Barnes
2023: Ladies Shelia Underwood and Merrill Lee Warren by NP Norris

Van Deventer Trophy

The Van Deventer Trophy is the highest honor that may be bestowed upon a Hero of `76®. It is named after Brother
COL Christopher Van Deventer, 33°, who was a Charter Member of Sojourner Club and Chicago Chapter, is one of
the four Founders of Heroes of ‘76 (Atwater, Jones, Flournoy, and Van Deventer), and is THE Founder, who intro-
duced the Heroes of ‘76® into National Sojourners. He served as Acting National Commander from 1922 to 1926,
was elected National Commander from 1926 to 1930, and is the only Emeritus National Commander. In addition, he
was National 2nd Vice President in 1923-1924 and National 1st Vice President in 1924-1927. At the time, there was
no National President-Elect until 1965 and no National 3rd Vice President until 1935.

While not the equal of the Sojourners Legion of Honor, the Van Deventer Trophy is considered the Heroes of ‘76
equivalent and is awarded to a Hero who has exhibited faithful and exceptionally meritorious service to the Heroes of
`76 over the course of many years.

The Trophy consists of a large bronze “Minuteman” mounted on a walnut base. On the base is a brass plate engraved
with the words “Van Deventer Trophy” and the names of the recipients with the year of the award. This Trophy is
maintained at the National Headquarters. The recipient receives a similar, smaller trophy with a 6 ½” bronze
“Minuteman” mounted on a walnut base. On the base is a brass plate engraved with the words “Van Deventer Tro-
phy.”

Van Deventer Trophy Recipients

1998: Maj Charles A. Folsom, 33° * 2011: SSG Richard D. Sutton, 33° *
1999: LTC Peter W. Pedrotti * 2012: LTC Kenneth L. Lowmiller, Jr., 33° *
2000: Capt Clarence M. Nelson * 2013: CAPT Roy T. Ota, 33°
2001: CW4 James S. Norris * 2014: CW5 Pedro A. Arroyo
2002: LCDR John A. Linendoll * 2015: Col Edward W. Nolte, #33°
2003: LCDR James E. Alsover * 2016: 1SG Andrew F. Hirst, 33°
2004: Maj Leland H. Williams * 2017: LTC William J. Ryland, Sr. 33° *
2006: CW4 Daniel L. W. Taylor, 33° * 2019: MAJ Benjamin M. Yudesis, 33°
2007: BG Benjamin T. Sutherlin, 33° * 2021: SgtMaj John J. Brown, 33°
2008: MAJ Richard W. Williamson * 2022: SCPO Carl J. Diamond
2009: Lt Col William G. L. Turner, 33° 2023: Lt Col Harry E. Sanders, Jr, 33°
2010: CDR Stanley C. Miller

Additionally, the recipient also receives the Van Deventer Medal and ribbon for his uniform. The National Command-
er presents the Trophy at the Annual National Encampment, typically at the Bennington Banquet.

Melvin W. Byers #503, Ponce de Leon Camp (Wilhelm Llanillo, President/FL Regional Representative).