Page 12 - Sojourner Newsletter-SUMMER 2021

12 THE SOJOURNER
Wayne Barnes: acting National NPE (membership, improvements made this year at HQ)

The National President made the following final remarks:
“Before we recess for the evenings events here in Milwaukee it is my special duty to solemnly and kindly
thank all of you who participated in this hybrid Annual National Convention. Hopefully, you have set the
standard for all national conventions into the future. Growth of the order and effective generational turn-over of
power and operations must continue unabated. Let us leave this convention in peace and brotherly love. Let us
leave here united in our purposes and in our forthright commitment to ensuring that National Sojourners has
lasting endurance as a Masonic fraternal Appendant Body.”
The convention was recessed and then reconvened for the President’s Banquet where the following activities
ensued after dinner:
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Marine 3 Lieutenant – Brother Chuck Warren selected
Installation of Trustees - Brother William G.L. Turner, Installing Officer
Installation of National Sojourners Officers - Brother William G.L. Turner, Installing Officer
Presentations were made.
Remarks from the newly installed National President
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With the completion of business and festivities, the 101 Annual National Convention was closed following
the Chaplain’s benediction.

NATIONAL ENCAMPMENT HEROES OF ‘76

The National Commander, Brother Martin D. “Marty” Schwebel, called the National Encampment to order at
1330 hours, CDT, on Wednesday, June 16, 2021. The Chaplain, Brother R. Thomas Davies III, attended the
Bible and gave the opening prayer. All present were verified to be bona fide members of the Heroic Order of
the Heroes of ’76. The National Lieutenants presented the Colors and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was
recited in unison. Brother Schwebel then declared the National Encampment duly opened.
Brother Schwebel moved that his annual report and that of the National Adjutant be accepted as printed. The
motion was seconded and approved.
Brother Marty recited his experiences throughout the past year while dealing with the many different re-
strictions from the States on the COVID-19 pandemic. He was pleased to announce, regardless of the pandem-
ic and the related restrictions, three new Heroes Camps were chartered last year: Jimmy Doolittle Camp (422),
Roberdeau Camp (564), and Sammy Lee Davis Camp (567).
A new National Chief of Staff Flag was presented to Brother Randy Geck by Brother Paul Pennybacker, Sr..
A new National Commander flag was presented to Brother Paul Pennybacker, Sr. by Brother Marty Schwebel.
No other business to attend to, the National Commander moved to the business of electing the National
Heroes of ’76 line officers for the ensuing year.
The following National Officers for the Heroes of ’76 were elected or appointed and will serve for the
ensuing year:
National Commander: Paul Pennybacker, Sr. Elected
National Chief of Staff: Randolph Geck Elected
National Assistant Chief of Staff: Brian Coffey Elected
National Officer of the Day: Paul DeMerath Elected
National Senior Lieutenant: Peter Cauchon Appointed
National Junior Lieutenant: John Hillyer III Appointed
National Commander of Guard: Louis Numkin Appointed
National Sentinel: Francisco Ortiz Appointed
National Adjutant: Mark Underwood Appointed
National Judge Advocate: Benjamin Yudesis Appointed
National Asst. Judge Advocate: Adam Jaffe Appointed
National Historian: Edward Nolte Appointed
National Chaplain: Thomas Davies III Appointed
National Surgeon: Bernard Harris Appointed
National Musician: Paul McCullough Appointed