Page 17 - Sojourner Newsletter-Winter 2024 FINALv2

Volume 101, Issue 1 17

OLD DOMINION CHAPTER #364 (Les Albers, Secretary)

During the last few months of the year, Old Dominion Chapter #364 and Light
Horse Harry Lee Camp, Heroes of ’76 have been extremely busy supporting our
mission of Americanism and Patriotism. We hosted the Federal Area Conference
and Encampment in August. We have initiated 15 new members for our chapter
and 3 more for Shriners Chapter #1000 and we have added several new Heroes to
our Heroes’ Camp. In addition to conducting “Building the Flag” programs at Scottish Rite Leadership
local lodges, in September the Chapter hosted local Junior ROTC cadets who
assisted us with conducting the Service Flags program. A color guard presented
the Colors and gave the Toast to the Flag at the Virginia Scottish Rite Leadership
Conference banquet.

In November, several members presented the Colors and gave the Toast to the
Flag at the Willing Warriors Gala. Willing Warriors provides a retreat center in
Haymarket, Virginia for patients at Walter Reed Medical Center in the District of
Columbia as well as those at the Fort Belvoir Army Hospital. Clan Guthrie and Color Guard

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On December 1 , a color guard assembled at the Alexandria, Virginia
Military Cemetery to present the colors and give the Toast to the Flag at
a celebration commemorating those veterans of the Scottish Clan
Guthrie. This is expected to become an annual event which will follow
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the Scottish Walk held each year in Alexandria. On December 14 , we
again presented the Colors, and our President laid a wreath at the tomb
of Bro. George Washington on the anniversary of his passing. This is
also an annual event that includes representatives from our Chapter, Mount Vernon, GW Tomb
Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22, Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4,
Mount Vernon and the George Washington Masonic National Memorial. We were pleased to have
MW Donald E. Strehle, Grand Master of Virginia in 2023 present with us. MW Bro. Don is a member of
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Hampton Roads Chapter #8. On December 27 , a color guard presented the Colors at the annual Installation of
Officers of Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22, to which many of our members belong. At our December
meeting we celebrated the holiday with an ugly Christmas sweater contest, a crazy gift exchange and singers
from a local group called the Clear Harmonies Carolers.

AW22 Installation Ugly Sweater Contest Clear Harmonies Carolers
In January members attended the Mid-winter Meeting in Tucson, AZ and in February, we will again
assemble at Mount Vernon to celebrate the birthday of Bro. Washington, as we look forward to the next few
months leading up to our Annual National Convention. Our Chapter and Camp remain steadfast in support of
our mission of Americanism and Patriotism.