Page 20 - Sojourner Newsletter-Summer 2025 _V2

20 THE SOJOURNER

ANNUAL NATIONAL ENCAMPMENT PROCEEDINGS

NATIONAL ENCAMPMENT HEROES OF '76
Omaha, Nebraska
June 07, 2025

The National Commander, Brother Paul A. DeMerath called the National Encampment to order at 1300
hours on Saturday, June 07, 2025. The National Chaplain, Brother R. Thomas Davies III, attended the Bible
and gave the opening prayer. All present were verified to be bonified members of the Heroic Order of the
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Heroes of ’76 The National Lieutenants presented the Colors and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was
recited in unison. Brother DeMerath then declared the National Encampment duly opened.

Brother Paul gave opening remarks and thanked everyone for attending.

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The National Commander introduced all Distinguished Heroes of ’76 present to include Commanders, Past
Commanders, Past National Commanders, Van Deventer Award recipients, and the National Officers.

Brother Paul stated his report was published in the Annual Reports Document and moved his annual report
and the National Adjutant be accepted as printed. The motion was seconded and approved.

With no Old Business to discuss, Brother DeMerath moved to New Business and discussed his work on the
new Heroes Degree and Ceremonial music CD. He mentioned he handed out copies to everyone at the ANE
and he would be sending out to all Chapters/Camps himself. He was publicly thanked for his hard work and
time working on this endeavor. Regarding other new business, he also addressed changes and updates that
were needed on the Heroes Manual. He thanked the Heroes Manual Committee (HMC) for their help in
getting the substantive changes made over the past year so that the voting delegates could deliberate on the
proposed changes at the ANE. Motion was made, seconded, and approved regarding the same.

Moving to the election of Officers for 2025-2026, Brother Paul called upon the Nominating Committee
Chairman for his report. Brother William G.L. Turner, PNP, PNC, LOH, VDT, announced Brother Peter
Cauchon, National Chief of Staff, nomination for the office of National Commander; for National Chief of
Staff, Brother John Hillyer III; for National Assistant Chief of Staff, Brother Louis Numkin; and for National
Officer of the Day, Brother Michael Johnstone.

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The following National Officers of the Order of Heroes of ’76 were elected or appointed and will serve for
the ensuing year:

National Commander: Peter Cauchon Elected
National Chief of Staff: John Hillyer III Elected
National Assistant Chief of Staff: Louis Numkin Elected
National Officer of the Day: Michael Johnstone Elected
National Senior Lieutenant: Charles Odorizzi III Appointed
National Junior Lieutenant: Jarrod Coffey Appointed
National Commander of the Guard: Michael “Max” Schell Appointed
National Sentinel: James Pugsley Appointed
National Adjutant: Mark Underwood Appointed
National Musician: Roger Coursey Appointed
National Chaplain: R. Thomas Davies III Appointed
National Judge Advocate: Martin Schwebel Appointed
National Surgeon: Bernard Harris Appointed
National Historian: Edward Nolte Appointed