Page 2 - Sojourner Newsletter-SUMMER 2021

2 THE SOJOURNER
National President’s Message

Brother Sojourners:
I am extremely honored to have been selected and installed as the first Non-Commissioned Officer to
serve as your National President. We have a big job this year to get things back on track post-pandemic
and working as a first-class organization. Last year was very different, to say the least and many proce-
dures had to be changed for us to survive. Most, if not all Chapters are now able to meet in person, to
again enjoy the friendship and comradery National Sojourners is known for, and to get back to work build-
ing and growing our Chapters.
First, a little about me. I served in the U.S. Army for 30 years, retiring as a Command Sergeant Major. I
served in 14 countries world-wide. I had three tours totaling 9 years in Germany; 1 year in Korea; two tours
for two years in Vietnam; two years in Taiwan, and I served at 5 U.S. bases. Following retirement, I served
as a Department of the Army civilian for 15 years as Billeting Officer and Space Utilization Coordinator at
Fort Stewart/Hunter Army Airfield in Georgia.
My theme for this year is “THE TEAM-TEAMWORK”. The meaning of TEAM is TOGETHER EVERYONE ACCOMPLISHES
MORE. I am asking each of you to be a team member, to be proud to be a Sojourner and to take pride in your Chapters, Regions and
Areas.
Our Goal this year is to initiate 800 new Sojourners and 2,000 multiple members in perpetuity (MMIP). We can do this by taking
care of and rendering support to our new members whom we can find by attending our craft lodges and other Masonic bodies. Each of
us must strive to replace ourselves, plus one. There are thousands of eligible Military Masons in our lodges and appendant bodies who
would love to join National Sojourners. We need to get out and let them know about National Sojourners, who we are, what we stand
for, what we can do for them and the community.
Chapters must strive to meet at least monthly. To meet less is a sign that a Chapter needs strengthening. The National Chapter Revi-
talization Committee, Area and Regional Representatives and the National Line Officers will be identifying and helping struggling
Chapters to improve.
Each of us should also consider leaving a gift to National Sojourners when we move on to the great beyond. Each of us needs a will,
and if you have one you can complete a codicil (in designated Gifts and Bequeaths) making a lasting gift to this great organization. If
you don’t have a will and live close to a military base, the Staff Judge Advocates office can help you prepare one for free (if retired) or
you can create one economically using the Internet. Most family attorneys will also assist.
TEAM-TEAMWORK Think Sojourners Every Day
Wayne
Bro. Command Sergeant Major C. Wayne 1963-1966 Mannheim NCOIC of the Quarter- Brunt, the Support Command Commander. He
Barnes, USA RET master Hand Tool and Repair Parts Depot. Was was also made the approving authority for ra-
Personal: Born Bicknell, Indiana, 1937. given the task of combining 10 supply points tioned items.
Military Career: Served 30 years, 14 years and technical services activities located in cen- 1971-1972 Viet Nam, served as Depot Staff
overseas in 8 different countries and 5 different tral Germany into two Depots in Mannheim; a NCO, working as a staff NCO with the Saigon
state-side installations. General Supply and a Repair Parts Depot, this Support Command Commander BG Vance.
1954 Jan-Feb Fort Leonard Wood Missouri was accomplished using military trucks from Observing and reporting the status of the retro-
for basic and leadership course. units throughout the area. In 1965 he was cho- grade operation getting stockpiled items out of
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Feb-Apr Fort Lee Virginia for schooling as a sen to serve on the 7 Army Regulation Over- Viet Nam then loading of ships with Heavy
Graves Registration Specialist, with classes at haul Team as a Depot Representative. equipment, tanks etc.
the University of Virginia 1966-1967 Fort Lee Virginia Quartermaster 1972-1975 Fort Monroe, Virginia, NCOIC
School of Medicine Service School. Instructor School Honor Grad- Documents Division, Continental Army Com-
1954-1955 Kaiserslautern Germany. Served uate; Senior Instructor, NCOIC Depot/ National mand (CONARC), NCOIC Director of Industri-
in various Units and Cities removing WWII Inventory Control Point operations preparing al Operations, First Sergeant of HQ Continental
remains of fallen Soldiers and prepped for re- soldiers for Viet Nam. Army Command. Later becoming HQ Training
turn to the U.S. for proper burial. Worked out 1967-1968 Viet Nam First Sergeant Detach- and Doctrine Command. The second largest
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of the mortuary in Frankfurt. Attended a Small ment I, 64 QM Battalion Petroleum, operated company in the Army.
Arms Repair School. two pump stations on the Saigon River, unload- 1975-1977 US Army Taiwan, NCOIC Area
1956-1957 After a short time as a civilian he ing tanker ships pumping fuel to Tan Son Nhut Maintenance and Supply Facility responsible
reenlisted in the Army and was assigned to Fort Air Base. Operated a supply point on Base to for all Signal items including Calibration in the
Lee Virginia with duty at Arlington National load aircraft for delivery of fuel to Combat Pacific Area. Supported the US Embassy.
Cemetery. Units. December 1968- assigned to 223rd Sup- 1977-1984 Fort Stewart Georgia, Command
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1958-1959 Stationed in Korea. September- ply and Service Company as First Sergeant, Sergeant Major (CSM) (select), 24 Division
October was with the First Calvary Division responsible for all logistics in the Southern G4 Sergeant Major. Established the Logistics
Support Command as NCOIC of Rail Opera- portion of Viet Nam. The Tet Offensive took a Regulations. Started the “No Questions
tions forwarding fuels to all combat units. Octo- toll on the only two officers in the unit, they Asked” turn-in point at the suggestion of the
ber through the remainder of the tour he was were ambushed the first day of the offensive Division Commander. Command Sergeant
with Division Quartermaster as the NCOIC and medevac’d out. Wayne was able to hold Major of the Supply and Transport Battalion.
responsible for mobile laundry units, refrigera- the unit together with only 3 wounded. He was Was the first CSM to call an alert to move his
tion units, he also supported the Truce Village awarded the Bronze Star for his actions. unit to the field to train his soldiers and qualify
on the DMZ as a graves Regeneration Repre- 1968-1971 Heidelberg Germany, Services them in the combat skills needed to accom-
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sentative: processed all current dead for both 1 NCOIC for Sport Activity Seckenheim respon- plish their combat missions. This was without
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Cavalry and 7 Infantry Divisions. sible for 20,000-man Laundry, three Commis- Officers and without permission from the
1959-1963 Fort Carson Colorado. Served as saries, Audiovisual Support Center, six Class 6 proper staff. As he was very familiar with Fort
a Petroleum Specialist (Self-Made Expert) re- Stores and was appointed to oversee the Slot Stewart and had conducted his recon, he in-
sponsible for the proper fuel operation on the Machine Operations in the area. In 1970 the formed the Battalion CO at 0300 what he was
Installation. Served as NCOIC of ground crew Officer in Charge (OIC) was promoted and doing; it took 5 days to accomplish the mis-
at Butts Army Airfield. transferred back to Combat Arms Unit as a BN sion. The unit was hidden for three days be-
XO. Wayne was appointed OIC, by COL J.T. fore the G2 could find them. 200 trucks are