Page 3 - 2021 SPRING Sojourner Newsletter

VOL. 98 ISS. 2 3

National Commander’s Message

My Brothers, as this year the opening of their virtual conference. I am proud of
winds to a close I am reminded each of the participants for presenting our order in a
of an old TV show from the late most favorable light, particularly to those Grand Ju-
60's, “That was the week that risdictions where we are not yet permitted to operate.
was”. To paraphrase that title,
this has been the year that was. I want to take this opportunity to personally
It has been absolutely unprece- thank you for giving me the chance to serve the He-
dented. Still the resilience of roes of 76 during this past year.
our Order has proven the versa-
tility of its members. You are to be commended for Sincerely and Fraternally,
your efforts to keep the Heroes of 76 active and oper-
ational throughout this most unusual time. I realize Marty Schwebel
that different regions of the Country were affected by
varying restrictions, lock downs and mandates both
by Governmental entities and Grand Lodge edicts.
Through all of this we have survived and are looking
forward to brighter futures with old friends at the up-
coming Annual National Convention in Milwaukee.

Usually the retiring National Commander is
able to use this final article to tout the many trips dur-
ing the past year. I have none of these to report.
However, throughout the year there have been some
bright spots, with new camps instituted in Indiana,
South Dakota and others under way to being char-
tered. We are growing and that is a good thing.
There is also an influx of new younger members.
While neither my contemporaries nor I am ready to
give up on our commitment to Heroes Camps, we
welcome the “new blood” and look forward to their
active participation.

Largely through the efforts of our National
President, Bob Roth we were invited to present the
colors of the Three Countries Represented in the Con-
ference of Grand Masters of North America. The
presentation was videoed in Winter Park, Florida and
forwarded to the Grand Secretary for use as part of

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