Vol. 8 Issue 2 Spring 2021 The Official Newsletter of Robert Finch Camp No. 14 – Traverse City SGT. ROBERT FINCH Est. 1914 – The Oldest Active Camp in the Department of Michigan 1st MICH SS Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Community Connections – A Special Visit On 18 March 2021, Captain Charles Webb, Commander of CGAS Traverse City hosted CWMO Schwander and his wife Tina for lunch, and then a tour of the Air Station grounds and hangar. CWMO Schwander serves as Camp 14’s representative to the Grand Traverse Area Veterans Coalition, and has gained many great friendships in the Veteran community with the various members including Captain Webb. Brother Schwander often discusses the unique historical bonds between the United States Coast Guard and the Grand Army of the Republic, and in turn the SUVCW. The U.S. Revenue Cutter Service fought along side the Navy in the Civil War, and fired the first shots in the maritime part of the great national conflict. Note, a story later in this newsletter mentions one such action involving the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service in action at the Battle of Drewry’s Bluff. As many know, the U.S. Revenue Above: Capt. Charles Webb Discussing Operations with CWMO Schwander at CGAS Traverse City Cutter Service was combined with the U.S. Life Saving Service to form (photo courtesy of: Scott & Tina Schwander) the United States Coast Guard by act of Congress on 28 January 1915. Tina and CWMO Schwander wrote the following to share with everyone: “We want to thank Captain Chuck Webb for the invite to tour the Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City. We had a wonderful lunch & great visit with this wonderful, compassionate and caring gentleman that goes above and beyond for others. The staff there is amazing at what they do. We look forward to another visit. Please take the time to thank these men & women as well as all veterans when you see them out and about. They deserve our love and support!” U.S. Flag Placement in Oakwood Cemetery On Friday, 28 May 2021 at 10:00AM (1000), the American Legion Post 35 will be placing U.S. flags at Veteran’s graves throughout Oakwood Cemetery in Traverse City. The meeting place will be at the main entrance off 8th Street near the mausoleum. The Michigan State Police District 7 will be sending Troopers to assist. Also, Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City will be sending Coast Guardsmen to also help out in the effort. CWMO Schwander will lead the Camp 14 contingency. Any Brothers and Sisters that would like to help up are encouraged to meet at the specified time and date, or to contact Brother Schwander for additional information. IN MEMORIAM The Sharpshooter Spring 2021 Pg. 2 Commander’s Message Brothers Of Robert Finch Camp 14 I wish to acknowledge and extend my appreciation to the Brothers who have individually and largely on their own initiative performed many acts of service and kindness to Keep Green The Memory of all those who have served. We are looking forward to those days yet to come when we can perform such Services and Memorials as a Camp effort. Until that time we will continue to do the work of the Order as best we can and remain compliant with state mandated COVID restrictions. We continue to monitor the situation with the goal of returning to business as usual. Our last meeting on March 13 was well attended and still within State guidelines. The Camp Committee For Planning and Executing Ceremonies and Services was formed to plan and execute Memorial Services and other Camp Celebratory Events. Earlier the Committee members were defined only by the various officer positions serving on that Committee. For clarification, the Committee members are as follows: Camp Commander: Paul Davis, SVC: David Smith, GRO: John Sawyer, CMO: Scott Schwander, Camp Chaplain: Ted Mattis, Counselor and Advisor to the Camp Commander: David Smith. As many of you are aware we had to scramble to find a meeting place as the Elk’s Lodge was no longer able to accommodate us. We have been graciously welcomed by the VFW who has provided us with a meeting place. At our May meeting we will need to make a decision to remain at the VFW Post or find another meeting location. Please give this decision your full and complete consideration. I remain your most obedient servant, Paul Davis, PDC, Commander, Robert Finch Camp No. 14 Commander Davis can be reached at: [email protected] Nominations for Sharpshooter Award Paul Davis, PDC 4490 Buteo Drive For the 2020-2021 administrative term, if anyone would like to Traverse City, MI 49684 nominate a Brother(s) of the Camp that has provided sustained and high performance should contact Commander Paul Davis, PDC. The Sharpshooter Award is for the Most Outstanding Brother of the Camp 2021 Department Encampment during the period specified. See the Camp Bylaws for full details of the award. The 2021 Michigan Department Encampment is tentatively scheduled for 30 April & 01 May 2021 in Okemos. For up-to-date news, as well as lodging and meals information can be found at: Camp Bylaws and Operating Guidelines https://suvcwmi.org/DeptEncampment/DEindex-137.php Any Brother that would like the most recent issue of the Camp Bylaws Last Veteran of the County Donations and Camp Operating Guidelines via e-mail in a PDF format should contact Secretary-Treasurer Aurand, PDC, via e-mail at: If you would like to donate to the Last Veteran of the County project, [email protected] or to sponsor a particular county, you can send a donation to the Camp Treasurer, Dale Aurand, PDC. Please send a check or money Finch Banquet Postponed Until Fall 2021 order made out to “Robert Finch Camp 14” to the Camp Treasurer along with a note indicating what county or counties you would like Due to the ongoing public health situation, the Frances Finch Aux. No. to sponsor if that is an interest. The Camp Treasurer’s address is: 9 and Robert Finch Camp No. 14 “Finch” Banquet is postponed until Dale Aurand, PDC the Fall of 2021. The event is still anticipated to be held at the Elks 321 W. 9th St. Lodge No. 323 in Traverse City. Stay tuned for more information Traverse City, MI 49684 regarding the rescheduling of the event. The Sharpshooter – Distributed 6 times annually to: all Camp No. 14 Brothers, Auxiliary No. 9 Sisters, selected Department of Michigan Officers, selected National Officers, and friends of the Camp. Note: All Camp, Department, and General Orders and SUVCW communications are sent to Camp No. 14 Brothers via e-mail expeditiously, and are not included herein. Commander: Paul Davis, PDC Editor: David S. Smith, PDC The Sharpshooter Spring 2021 Chaplain’s Call Pg. 3 I am looking forward to this year’s Easter season as an opportunity to get my life in order as never before. We have all suffered the ravages of covid if not the virus, then the restrictions on our lives as a preventive measure. The impact on our daily lives and social behaviors are having a long term effect which will be realize in many ways over the years to come. Our children have had 2 years of their education disrupted and many will just slip through the cracks by the interruptions not to mention careers put on hold for who knows how long. That is what has happened but what will tomorrow bring? We need to take advantage of the Easter Season to restore ourselves and renew our courage and zest for life. The 40 days of lent is meant to cleanse our hearts and minds and restore our souls followed by Easter. Easter is the gateway to spring, April showers, green grass, and flowers in bloom. The promise of warmth and sunshine to warm our hearts and inspire our activity is yours to embrace. We need to leave the old covid stresses behind and renew our purpose in life making the best of what is in front of us as we move forward. Surely we will face obstacles and hurdles in front of us taking these things in stride not seeing these restrictions as barriers but obstacles to overcome. Life goes on and we are part of it and should not be taking a back seat but going forward as leaders of men. I have prepared myself through lent asking forgiveness for my sins and the shortcomings in my life and will be attending Easter services at a local church. I want to encourage all of you to do the same or to recognize Easter in your customary way with family and friends. Our Ancestors faced their problems that we can read about but we can only experience our own stresses such as covid. They overcame the obstacles before them and we will too with courage, fraternity, and faith in God. Let’s all vow to renew our faith and courage as we face the future because yesterday is behind us while tomorrow is a new day waiting to be embraced. I wish all my brothers and their families A very Joyous Easter, Ted Mattis, PCC, Chaplain Easter Sunday 1864 – Atlanta Campaign This wonderful image was submitted by CWMO Schwander for the Easter season. The image can be found at the website for the Library of Congress at: https://www.loc.gov/resource/pga.00020/ The image includes: Soldiers in a church service in the field, a portrait of Rev. P.P. Cooney, soldiers receiving holy communion, a battle scene, and sisters in a field hospital.