LOYAL LEGION HISTORICAL JOURNAL The Publication of The Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States VOL. 65, No. 4 WINTER 2008 The First National Memorial Memorial Commission] to build a memorial. GAR Memorial at The National Lincoln Monument to Abraham Lincoln Association was incorporated under Gettysburg By Bruce B. Butgereit, Commander, Michigan By Karl F. Schaeffer, Commander-in-Chief Commandery Illinois law in May 1865, whose plans ultimately led to the dedication of the osemary and I arrived in Gettysburg traveled from Michigan to Gettysburg Lincoln National Monument in Springfi eld, mid-morning for the 52nd Annual since childhood, using the Ohio and Illinois on October 15, 1874.2 However, R I Remembrance Day Observance. It took Pennsylvania toll roads exclusively. This hopes that the monument would become place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November year, I took U.S. Route 30 from Fort a national mecca were not realized. 22 at the Grand Army of the Republic Wayne, Indiana to Gettysburg to attend Countless memorials and monuments Memorial at Ziegler’s Grove, Gettysburg the 2008 national MOLLUS Congress. My have been erected to the martyr-president National Military Park (GNMP). The normal eleven-hour trip became a three- since these early efforts. These include what program began with the presentation of day connection with the road once referred many consider the best portrayal in the statue the colors by the Gettysburg Blues and the to as “Main Street Across America” or by Augustus St. Gaudens’ at Lincoln Park National Anthem by the 28th Pennsylvania “The Longest Place in America” – the Old in Chicago (1887), the Lincoln Memorial in Regimental Band. The invocation was given Lincoln Highway. The fact that the highway Washington (1922) and Mount Rushmore by Jerome Kowalski, National Chaplain was named in honor of Abraham Lincoln (1937). The most recent statue of Lincoln of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil encouraged me to do further research will be dedicated at the Lincoln Cottage in War (SUVCW). Commanding General of and to make Washington, D.C. on February 12, 2009. the of the Sons of Veterans Reserves (SVR), several return Various proposals for highways Robert Grim, and David V. Medert, trips to sections as a national memorial Commander-in-Chief of the SUVCW gave of the road. One of the earliest references to a Lincoln brief greetings to the group assembled. A The early Highway is found in a Washington Post musical tribute by the 28th Pennsylvania efforts at story on July 3, 1908, entitled “Proposes Regimental Band followed. SUVCW creating a a Lincoln Highway,”3 wherein the idea Past Commander-in-Chief Charles E. national of a national memorial highway from Kuhn gave a moving address. Col. Elmer Washington to Gettysburg is presented to the memorial “Bud” Atkinson, SVR Past Commander- Abraham Lincoln Memorial Commission. in-Chief, presented a check to GNMP. Plans in several Another Washington Post story on A number organizations presented fl oral cities across the March 27, 1909 claimed national public tributes at the Remembrance Day ceremonies. nation were Bruce B. Butgereit B. Bruce sentiment wanted a memorial road from The presenters included Marcia Butgereit, Brick section of old road put into motion in Ohio Washington to Gettysburg, “If the road to National President of the National Women’s to remember Abraham Lincoln with monuments and Relief Corps Auxiliary to the Grand Army memorials almost immediately after his death of the Republic (and DOLLUS member), on April 15, 1865. Congress incorporated the Mary May, President of the Pennsylvania National Lincoln Monument Association Department Ladies of the Grand Army of in 1867, in the belief that Washington the Republic (GAR), Kathleen Roebuck, would be the most appropriate location for President of the Pennsylvania Department a memorial.1 Their grandiose plans never Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil materialized. In that same year as well, War, 1816-1865 and John M. McNulty, Congress incorporated the Lincoln Monument Commander of the Pennsylvania Department Association [also called the Abraham Lincoln of SUVCW. Commander-in-Chief Karl continued on page 4 continued on page 2 THE LOYAL LEGION HISTORICAL JOURNAL is published by the MEMORIAL FUND of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, which was founded April 15, 1865. Pertinent materials will be welcomed from Companions and others. Information should be submitted to the Editor, Marston Watson, 48 Southwind Circle, Richmond, CA 94804-7404. Information should be typed and photographs may be black and white or in color. Contributions may be made to the Memorial Fund through the National Headquarters. 2 Loyal Legion Historical Journal Commander-in-Chief’s Message National Offi cers 2007 - 2009 en score years ago, Commander-in-Chief: Karl Frederick Schaeffer TThomas and Nancy Hunters Chase, 7154 Willowlane Avenue N.W. (Hanks) Lincoln brought Massillon, OH 44646 forth into this world a baby Telephone: 330-854-6326 Email: [email protected] boy, conceived in love in a young nation that was barely Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief: Keith G. Harrison one score and thirteen years 4209 Santa Clara Drive, Holt, Michigan 48842-1868 old. His inauspicious birth Telephone: 517-694-9394 Email: [email protected] took place in a one-room Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief: Jeffry Christian Burden, Esq log cabin in Kentucky to 1815 Harvard Road, Richmond, VA 23226 poor, uneducated parents. Email: [email protected] Lincoln’s formal education of only eighteen months and Kathy Watson Registrar-in-Chief: Adam P. Flint harsh economic conditions Karl F. Schaeffer, Commander-in-Chief 46 Oak Lane, Douglassville, PA 19518-1628 were hardly the stuff of lofty ambitions of wealthier and much- Telephone: 610-970-2787 Email: Adampfl [email protected] more educated men, who would seek the highest offi ce in the nation. His life may not have predicated such an outcome, Chancellor-in-Chief: Waldron Kintzing Post II but his birth had a destiny that no one could have foretold. 675 Zena Highwoods Road, Kingston, NY 12401 Telephone: 845-679-6403 Email: [email protected] We companions and dames come to Washington on February 12, not to consecrate his memory, but to rededicate ourselves as Judge Advocate-in-Chief: Joseph Baldwin Siedlarz III his loyal legion. We fortunate few can take no credit for the legacy 351 Oak Terrace, Saint Davids, PA 19807-5205 of those fi rst companions who have given us the opportunity to Telephone: 610-891-6710 Email: [email protected] be a member of Lincoln’s loyal army as we celebrate the 200th birthday of our sixteenth president. With politics aside, an historic Recorder-in-Chief: Capt. John Kent Kane, II, USCGA event will have taken place three weeks earlier that even Lincoln 101 Sleepy Hollow Lane, Yorktown, VA 23692 could not have predicted – the inauguration of a black president. Telephone: 757-898-6953 Email: [email protected] While our economic conditions today are harsh and our future Treasurer-in-Chief: Lee Allan Tryon uncertain, I urge each one of you to stretch your budget by 4 Raven Circle, Avon, CT 06001-3317 joining us in a once-in-lifetime event, to celebrate this illustrious Telephone: 860-676-9060 Email: [email protected] man’s 200th birthday. Take some extra time to enjoy the wonders and history of our great nation. Most importantly, let us come Surgeon-in-Chief: Dr. W. Courtney Fleenor together in fellowship to celebrate our legacy and to reaffi rm 10611 Keithwood Parkway, Richmond, VA 23236-3010 our pledge to enlarge the ranks of Lincoln’s loyal legion so that Email: [email protected] the MOLLUS members who follow can celebrate his 300th birthday with an even stronger army of dedicated soldiers. Chaplain-in-Chief: Rev. Dr. Christopher Mack Agnew 12433 Richards Ride, King George, VA 22485-5435 Email: [email protected] Karl F. Schaeffer Commander-in-Chief Editor-in-Chief: Marston Watson GAR Memorial at Gettysburg...from page 1 Loyal Legion Historical Journal F. Schaeffer joined Mary Jane Bannan, Past President of the 48 Southwind Circle, Richmond, CA 94804-7404 Comrade Gabrio Women’s Relief Corps and Barbara Indan, Telephone: 510-234-1776 Email: [email protected] Vice President of the Pennsylvania Dept. Auxiliary, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War in presenting additional wreaths. National Webmaster: Keith G. Harrison 4209 Santa Clara Drive, Holt, Michigan 48842-1868 The 28th Pennsylvania Regimental Band gave another musical Telephone: 517-694-9394 Email: [email protected] tribute, followed by the Gettysburg Address by James Getty, SUVCW Camp #112. The benediction was given by Chaplain Jerome Kawolski. Quartermaster: Adam P. Flint Sgt. Major Ivan E. Frantz, Jr. played taps at the end of the ceremony. 46 Oak Lane, Douglassville, PA 19518-1628 This service was dedicated to our ancestors who answered this Telephone: 610-970-2787 Email: Adampfl [email protected] nation’s call during its darkest hour, the American Civil War. The Allied Orders of the Grand Army of the Republic thanked the Assistant Editor: Kathleen Todd Watson Gettysburg National Military Park for their efforts in preserving this Layout and Production historic location. This is where our nation was held in the balance Printed by Cerrito Printing for three days in 1863 and maintaining this cherished memorial to El Cerrito, California the “Boys who wore the Blue,” the Grand Army of the Republic. Loyal Legion Historical Journal 3 LOYAL LEGION HISTORICAL Welcome New Companions JOURNAL he following Companions have joined the Military The Publication of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States TOrder of the Loyal Legion since the Fall 2008 issue of the Journal. The Commander-in-Chief extends VOL.