Monthly Meeting

Ezra S. Griffin Camp # 8

March 16, 2024

The meeting was called to order in ritualistic manner by Commander Rich Ryczak.

Members in attendance:

Excused Officers: Howard Wolfe

Minutes from the February meeting were read by Secretary Bill Dixon.  A motion was made by Mark Myers to accept the minutes and seconded by Bill Burns. All were in favor.

TREASURER’S REPORT:

There was no report as Treasurer Wolfe was not in attendance.

ILLNESS/DISTRESS:

Bill Fischer advised us of the passing of his brother, condolences were passed along by all in attendance.

INVESTIGATIVE COMMITTEE:

Hal Myers provided an update on the continued deterioration of the cannon pedestal at Cathedral Cemetery.  He informed everyone that upon completing research he found that the GAR placed the cannon at the cemetery.  Hal Myers had a conversation with the Director of the cemetery and found that the city has only painted the base but never performed maintenance.  Bill Dixon has a friend who owns a masonry company.  He is going to reach out to him and ask him to visit the cemetery and draw up a number as to what it would cost to fix the base.  Hal Myers brought up about looking into a grant from the county once the price of the repairs is known.

CORRESPONDENCE:

All General and Department Orders have been emailed to members.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

There was an update from Secretary Dixon on working on the Facebook group page with Dale Keklock.

NEW BUSINESS:

Commander Ryczak inquired if the gravesite flags had been ordered from the County.  Secretary Dixon will reach out to Howard Wolfe.

Memorial Day Ceremony Planning - Mark Myers offered to speak and play Civil War music at the service.

Bill Fischer made a motion to accept Mark's offer; seconded by Dale Keklock.  All were in favor.

Other topics discussed about Memorial Day were: cones for traffic control; a flag detail (will reach out to Craig Kelly); the possibility of having re-enactors; and if anyone had a contact for a band.

Bill Fischer informed everyone of a Department By-Laws change.  Under Article XIX: Honors, A Camp by a simple majority vote of brothers assembled may bestow  the honor of Emeritus to a brother who has served a minimum of 10 years in a Camp Office.  Bill Fischer asked Commander Ryczak to call a vote and bestow this honor to Bob Shaffer for his years of dedicated service to the Camp.  All members in attendance were in favor.

Secretary Dixon advised the members that five members failed to pay dues before March 1st deadline.  The brothers are: Gary McCutcheon, Dave Rudis, Norman White, James Straub and Gary Roche.

A motion to drop the members from the Camp was made by Bill Fischer and seconded by Bill Burns.  All were in favor.

Jerry O'Malley asked Secretary Dixon to mail a formal letter to the dropped Brothers explaining the decision and advising them of how to rejoin if they chose to.

PATRIOTIC INSTRUCTION:

Giovan Lisi gave a presentation on "The Boy General" Micah Jenkins.

FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER:

Bill Fischer advised the members that two new Camps were forming in the Department.  One in Williamsport and the other in Westmoreland County.

Secretary Dixon advised the Camp that the annual life member reimbursement form had been filed with National.

Jerry O'Malley passed along the sad news of the passing og long-time Forest Hill Cemetery caretaker Norma Resse and shared some memories about wotking with her and how much of a loss to the local history community her passing is.

The next meeting will be held on Saturday, April 20th at 10am.

With no further business of discussion, the meeting was closed in ritualistic fashion by Commander Ryczak.

Respectfully submitted,

William J. Dixon

Secretary