THE SOJOURNER SAN DIEGO CHAPTER NO. 45 NATIONAL SOJOURNERS MARCH 2018 FROM THE PRESIDENT On our last regular Unfortunately, due to illnesses and some other meeting, we welcomed two first time visitors reasons, we only had a few brothers who who are my High School classmates back in participated. Despite the problem of doubling up and are both Master Masons. and participants who are not really proficient in the On the same token, I'm glad to see our Past procedures, we managed to successfully make President Rudy Nazareno, welcome back brother Brother Chris a hero. Rudy, hope to see you again on our future meeting. Brothers, we need your help. We need more I also want to extend my appreciation to our brothers brothers to attend and ease the process by and sisters for their continuous support in spite of contributing your knowledge or at least give us your some physical hardship in driving, either days or moral support. I'm asking all the heroes available to nights. contribute some time to increase the number of our Our buffet dinner, as always, was excellent, heroes on our next bivouac. although Ina ( the Best Western Catering Manager) My deepest condolences to the family and was not insight. There were enough tables and friends of Brother James N. Higdon, Past National chairs for everyone and they were all set up for a President, who passed away on March 4, 2018. decent dinner. From coffee and tea to main dishes Sincerely and Fraternally and dessert, they are preferred professionally and Rodolfo R. Bautista Commander the service was excellent. Thank you for the job well SECRETARY’S COMMENTS The regular done. meeting of San Diego Chapter No. 45, We also held a Candle Light Service for our National Sojourners, Inc. was held at the departed Brother, Cdr. James Gordon, USN, Ret. I Best Western, Seven Seas, San Diego, want to extend my appreciation to Bro. Rudy CA on 22 February 2018. With all officers Bautista, Bro. Dione Maceda, Bro Norman Parker present except the 2nd Vice President and and Bro. Dave Winesett for volunteering themselves Marshall, the President, Brother Pepito P. Salgatar for that memorial service. May the Almighty God opened the Chapter in due form at 1820, welcomed grant him an eternal rest and peace in heaven. all present and recessed the meeting for dinner. Brethren and ladies, please welcome our new hero After the dinner was served to twenty members, of Constitution Camp of 76, our First Vice President nine wives of members, three guests, and one Norman C. Parker. We held our Bivouac last March honored lady for a total of thirty-three, the meeting 3, 2018 which went all well despite the low was called to order by the President, Brother attendance on our chapter heroes. The whole Salgatar. process of the degree in creating a hero is exciting President Salgatar introduced his guests, specially the "Toast of the Flag" that was Brothers Emile Medina and Nelson Arguelles, professi onal l y gi ven by our humbl e Master Masons, Navy veterans and classmates of Secretary/Treasurer Jim Helt. his in highschool. The President then introduced I want to extend my full hearted condolence and our Honored Lady June Bowlin, the Southern sympathy to the family and friends of our departed California Area Camp Follower of the Year Bro. James N. Higdon who laid down his working 2002-2003, Sandy Helt, and the Commander of tools on March 4, 2018. May you Rest in Peace my Constitution Camp, Heroes of ‘76, Brother Rudolfo Brother. Bautista. There were no national officers present. Sincerely and Fraternally, The Secretary/Treasurer, Brother James Helt, Pepito P. Salgatar President made a motion that the minutes of the last regular meeting of 26 October, 2017 be accepted as FROM THE CAMP COMMANDER printed in the January newsletter. The motion was Brothers, we held a bivouac on March 3, seconded and passed. Brother Helt reported that 2018 to initiate our 1st Vice President, the checking account balance was $1894.82. The Norman C. Parker to become a hero. charity basket was passed and donations totaling $48.00 were collected for the Sojourners Endowment Brothers and ladies are all ailing or indisposed and Memorial (SEM) fund. in need of our support and prayers. There was no correspondence and there were no Following the closing prayer by the acting applications for membership. Chaplain, Brother Dave Winesett, the meeting was The Secretary/Treasurer announced that we have closed at 2040.Sincerely and Fraternally, no requests for Flag Team Activity at this time. James F Helt Secretary The Constitution Camp Commander, Brother Rudy Bautista announced that a Constitution Camp REGULAR MEETING Bivouac would be held on March 3, 2018 at Fort Old BEST WESTERN SEVEN SEAS Salt Alex for the purpose of initiating Brother Chris THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018 Parker. 411 Hotel Circle South The President announced that due to an Social Hour 1715 - 1815 unfortunate accident, the planned speaker Most DINNER BUFFET Worshipful Victor O Ortiz, Past Grand Master of Masons in Japan could not be with us tonight. Mixed Green Salad There was no old business. Hot Rolls & Butter Brother Jim Bonner announced that he had Fresh Fruit received no responses for the National Sojourner Beef Taquitos Essay Contest. Chicken Fajitas The President, Brother Salgatar, announced that Spanish Rice and Refried Bean the 2nd Vice President, Brother Arnel Zapata has resigned his office due to personal reasons. He Meat Loaf asked if anyone would volunteer to fill the post for the Mashed Potato & Gravy remainder of the term. There were no volunteers, Mixed Vegetables and Brother Salgatar appointed Brothers and Past DESSERT Presidents Chris Gunn and Rudy Bautista to act as Coffee, Decaf, Hot or Iced Tea a nominating committee and make a nomination at COST $27.00 our March meeting. VEGAN, VEGETARIAN, GLUTEN FREE OR OTHER The President then discussed the officer's efforts CHOICES FOR SPECIAL DIETARY NEEDS MUST to find a cheaper or more convenient venue and BE REQUESTED IN ADVANCE meeting night in order to increase attendance. For Reservations: You Must Contact Sandy Several members of the Chapter recalled similar attempts in the past and expressed their satisfaction Helt by Noon, FRIDAY, 16 MARCH 2018, at with the current arrangements. The Secretary, 619-583-6089 or by e-mail at [email protected] Brother Helt reported that despite a suggestion in the MARCH BIRTHDAYS last newsletter that individuals should express their 03-03-1943 CPO Bernardo P. DOMINGO USN Ret 03-13-1934 CDR James A. BUCKNER USN Ret feelings about a change in meeting, no one had 03-15-1932 PO1 Leon HOFFMAN USN expressed any desire to change. 03-24-1947 SgtMaj Dave HEAFNER USMC Ret 03-25-1964 HON Pierre ABDOU The next order of business was a Candle Light 03-25-1932 CAPT E. Will HAYS USN Ret Memorial for our departed Brother CDR James J. 03-31-1961 CWO Joel A. ENCARNACION USN Ret Gordon, USN Ret. The ceremony was conducted by HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALL AND BEST WISHES FOR THE COMING YEAR! Brothers Dione Maceda, Chris Parker, Rudy Bautista EDITOR’S NOTE: If this is wrong, please contact and the Chaplain Dave Winesett. me so I can correct my database. Birthdays and Anniversaries were then MISSING EMAIL ADDRESSES acknowledged. I still do not have correct e-mail addresses for Lady Sandra Helt made a brief report on the the following Chapter members: Domingo B Alinio; individuals on our ailing or indisposed list. The names Rogerio T Delatorre; Joel A Encarnacion; Dennie L included: Ed Behm, Austin Brown, Truman and Miller; Larry S Miller; Eligio D Pangilinan; Marcelo Georgia Brown, Jack Evans, Dick Fasig, Dick Fleet, B Quintua; Thomas A Spencer; Edward J Bob Hampton, Will and Norma Hays, Ernie Latham, Townsend; and Rodolfo A Zapanta. Etsuko Medina, Clarence Nelson, Lee Hoffman, Brothers if your name is on this list, I would like Carol and Jim Benson, and Les Peich. These to have your current email address to ensure rapid communication of Chapter news. This notice was past year. The Chapter would make a $25.00 contained in last month’s newsletter and I did not donation to Collingwood Museum and Library of receive any responses, are you reading the Americanism in memory of each departed member. newsletter? The Secretary made a motion that the Chapter Simply send me an email and I’ll capture your would honor each departed member with a email address. Email to [email protected] Candlelight Memorial Service in the month TEN YEARS AGO following his death, unless delayed for the The regular meeting of San Diego Chapter No. 45, convenience of the family, and that a $25.00 National Sojourners, Inc. was held at the Imperial donation to the SEM Fund be made by the House Restaurant, San Diego, CA on 27 March Chapter in his name. The motion was seconded 2008. and passed. At 1815 hours, President Nazareno opened the A motion was made that the Chapter would Chapter, welcomed all present, and the opening hold an annual remembrance service in May in prayer was given by Chaplain Richard Fasig. Dinner memory of all members who died in the past was served to 24 members, 1 guest, 16 wives of year. In addition, words recalling to mind all members, and 3 Honored Ladies for a total of 44. veterans who died in the past year will be A candlelight memorial service was held for our included. The motion was seconded and deceased Brother and MCPO Wilbur G.‚ Jerry Blink passed. who died on 17 March 2008. Following the closing prayer by Chaplain Fleet, the Applications for membership were received and meeting was closed at 1945. voted approved for three new members: MCPO Brothers, printing the minutes of the past Joseph F. Ciokon, Jr., USN-Ret; CAPT Robert D.‚ meetings in the newsletter serves the purpose of Dave Winesett, Jr., USN-Ret; and HON Bryan reminding us of past Brothers, events and Pettingill. attendance at our meetings. It also serves to Following the prayer by Chaplain Fasig, the remind your Secretary of past resolutions of the Chapter was closed at 2030 hours. Chapter. We haven’t held the May memorial FIVE YEARS AGO remembrance for all our departed Brothers in The regular meeting of San Diego Chapter No. 45, the past few years and I haven’t been making National Sojourners, Inc. was held at the Best the $25.00 donation in remembrance of our Western, Seven Seas, San Diego, CA on 28 March departed Brothers. I will send a check in 2013. Dinner was served to 18 members, 10 wives remembrance of Brother Jim Gordon right away of members, 1 Honored Lady, and 1 guest for a total and we will hold a memorial service in May as of 30. we resolved to do in 2013. At 1905 hours, President Brother Bryan Pettengill DID YOU KNOW? opened the Chapter and welcomed all present. Constitution Camp was not the first name for the Heros Camp associated with San Diego Chapter #45! A Candlelight Memorial Service for Illustrious In 1927, our first camp name was Bennington Camp after Brother LCDR James Robert Clark, USN Ret, 33 , the Revolutionary War in August 1777 Past Secretary San Diego Scottish Rite bodies, and and the USS Bennington (PG-4) a 1700 ton of the Past Master San Diego #35. Yorktown class, commissioned in June 1881, and lost in a The Secretary announced that on 28 July 2005, a deadly boiler explosion on 21 July 1905 in San Diego Harbor. Of 197 crew members, 62 were killed outright, 14 were motion had been made and passed that the Flag seriously injured, and 26 others received injuries, so that it Team be reimbursed for its travel for flag programs appears more than half of the crew and officers (102) were at the standard IRS rate. After a brief discussion a killed or injured in the explosion. Eleven crew members were motion was made, seconded and passed that the awarded the for their actions on 21 July. The dead are buried in Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery near the Flag Team would no longer be reimbursed for its USS Bennington Memorial. travel mileage. In June 1950, San Diego Chapter requested that the camp In May 2007, the chapter voted to honor each name be changed from Bennington to Constitution because of departed member with a Candlelight Memorial confusion, conflicting publicity, and correspondence with the Service in the month following his death and that at Bennington Camp of the Spanish-American War Veterans. Headquarters approved and we have been known as the May meeting, annually, there would be a Constitution Camp since 1950. memorial remembrance for all brothers lost in the COMING EVENTS CHAPTER OFFICERS 03/22/2018 Regular Dinner Meeting President, Pepito P. Salgatar (619) 267-7738 1st Vice President, Norman C. Parker (858) 699-4611 04/26/2018 Regular Dinner Meeting 2nd Vice President, 05/24/2018 Regular Dinner Meeting 3rd Vice President, Daniel F. Macaraeg (858) 354-5375 18-23 June 2018 98th Annual National Marshall, Perfecto M. Ortiz (619) 419-8565 Convention, Norfolk, VA Secretary/Treasurer, James F. Helt (619) 583-6089 PUT THESE DATES ON YOUR CALENDAR CONSTITUTION CAMP Commander, Rodolfo R. Bautista (619) 434-1511 NOW! Chief of Staff, Pepito P. Salgatar (619) 267-7738 Ast. Chief of Staff, Daniel F. Macaraeg (858) 354-5375 Adjutant, James F. Helt (619) 583-6089

San Diego Chapter #45, National Sojourners, Inc. LCDR James F. Helt, USN Ret. Editor and Publisher 5774 Del Cerro Blvd. San Diego, CA 92120-4514 [email protected] ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED