MONTHLY MEETING

EZRA S. GRIFFIN CAMP #8

September 20, 2025

The meeting was called to order in ritualistic fashion by Commander Tim Chase.

Other members in attendance were:

Officer Excused: Bob Baker, Howard Wolfe, Jim Jones, Giovan Lisi and Tim Pierce

All members received a digital copy of the minutes twice prior to the meeting.  A motion to accept the June minutes was made by Bob Shaffer and seconded by Bill Burns.  All were in favor.

TREASURER’S REPORT:

 Jerry Skotleski reported the account has no outstanding checks, online banking is set up and a 12-month CD is about to mature.  A motion to accept the report was made by Bill Dixon and seconded by Hal Myers.  All were in favor.

SICK MEMBERS:  

The brothers were advised of the passing of Dale Keklock's brother. 

Bill Dixon advised those in attendance that Frank Walsh had a heart attack, but is doing well recovering.

Hal Myers gave an update on Jerry O'Malley.

CORRESPONDENCE:

All communications from the Department and National have been forwarded via email to all members.  Bill Dixon did receive a Special Order and a General Order from National that he had not sent to members.  The Special Order talked about how to make meetings more well intended and informative and the General Order discussed the upcoming Remembrance Day festivities.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

A discussion was held on purchasing Jerry Skotleski a new copy of Ken Burns' "The Civil War."  It is cheapest on Amazon and will need someone to purchase it with an account.

Bob Shaffer stated that Gavin is not seeking reimbursement of a new USB drive for the one he used for the Museum Slideshow.

Bill Dixon thanked everyone for their help with the Last Veteran Service.  Commander Tim Chase then thanked Bill Dixon for taking the lead on this and seeing it to completion.

Bill Dixon has started compiling a list of old/unfinished business and will forward it to members.

NEW BUSINESS:

Due to Remembrance Day being held on November 15th, the same day as our November meeting it was asked to be moved to November 8th to allow members to attend Remembrance Day.  A motion was made by Commander Tim Chase and seconded by Nate Evans.  All were in favor.

A discussion was held on Camp apparel.  Bill Dixon was asked to reach out to Howard Wolfe and work with him.

A discussion was held on the Ladies Auxiliary and its status.  Rich Ryczak stated Millie has been working on bringing it back.

Bill Dixon was asked to reach out to the Lackawanna County Library System and inquire if they could advertise the October 13th "PA Reserves" Presentation.

Bill Dixon was asked to be reimbursed $110.21 for the purchase of the new microphone and stand that will be ysed by the Sons and the GAR Memorial Association.  A motion was made by Jerry Skotleski to split the cost between the Camp and GAR.  The camp will pay $55.11 and the GAR $55.10.  The motion was seconded by Bob Shaffer.  All were in favor.

Bill Burns stated tge GAR will meet in October and provide reimbursement then.

GOOD OF THE ORDER:

Hal Myers spoke about the roots of the GAR and the roots of the SUVCW.  He brought attention to the book, "Glorious Contentment: The Grand Army of the Republic 1865-1900" by Stuart McConnell.

Bill Fischer advised the members of the passing of his close friend and Past Department Commander of the Department of Kansas Conrad Fisher.

Bill Burns stated that more help is needed for the Howard Gardner School visit on Friday, September 26th.  Members will need to be at the Museum between 9am and 9:15am with students arriving at 9:30am.

A discussion was held on the dues increase for Department for 2026.  The total would raise our dues by $3.00 to a total of $53.00.  After a lengthy discussion, the matter was tabled with the consensus that we should wait and see how retention of members plays out for 2026 and re-evaluate for 2027.  The fear is, after the previous dues increase, the Camp lost mamny members.

Bill Dixon reminded the members of the Dunmore Cemetery history walks.  They are scheduled for Sunday, October 5th and the following Sunday, October 12th.

Civil War tidbits:

     Bob Shaffer asked if members in attnedance knew what GAR medals were made from.  A quick laugh was had when he stopped Hal Myers from answering.  The medals were made from Confederate cannons.

     Bill Dixon let everyone know that today was General John Reynolds 205th birthday. 

Hal Myers brought up that we should look into having a Medal of Honor Service this coming March 25th.

The members were advised of another Civil War event being held at the Old Mill Village in New Milford on October 4th and 5th.

Members in attendance were informed that Bob Baker and Paul Rogan were participating in the Lackawanna County Historical Society History Fair.  The Fair is being held at the Viewmont Mall and is currently underway running to 4pm.

The following was added after the meeting with the information from Bob Baker.  He will be at the Soldiers Orphans School in Harford on Saturday, October 4th between 10am and 2pm to address questions about the GAR's oversight (mostly by Ezra Ripple) of the school until 1902.  The last building on the grounds will also be open with exhibits, as well as a used book sale.

The next montly meeting will be held on OCtober 18th at 10am.

With no further business, the camp was closed in ritualistic manner by Commander Tim Chase.

Respectfully submitted,

William J. Dixon

Camp #8 Secretary