2005 Proceedings - Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War

National Committee on Military Affairs Chairman Elmer (Bud) Atkinson
Commander, I would like to hold off making my report until tomorrow. As you know the
Military Affairs Committee only meets twice a year and we haven’t had a chance to meet here and I do
have a meeting called for right after our programs closes here today, with your permission I would like
to hold my report off until tomorrow.
Commander-in-Chief Stephen Michaels
That may be difficult because the Encampment Committee on recommendations will have to
address that in time to make a report tomorrow, as well. Go ahead and you have an exception.
National Committee on Military Affairs, Past Commander-in-Chief Bud Atkinson
Okay, thank you Sir.
Commander-in-Chief Stephen Michaels
The Program and Policy Committee, Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief Don Darby.
Program and Policy Committee Chairman Donald Darby
I have no changes to the Committee’s report, Commander.
Commander-in-Chief Stephen Michaels
Thank you. National Committee on Remembrance Day Past Commander-in-Chief Bud
Atkinson, Co-Chair.
National Committee on Remembrance Day Co-Chairman Elmer (Bud) Atkinson
I would like to yield the floor to my Co-Chairman Brother Kuhn.
Commander-in-Chief Stephen Michaels
Brother Kuhn.
Charlie Kuhn, Department of Pennsylvania
Okay because of an incident that occurred last year. How many, let me see a show of hands of
who was all at Remembrance Day last year in Gettysburg. We had a bit of incident that occurred there
last year. We had a regular, Pennsylvania National Guard Unit, that had approached us about three
weeks before Remembrance Day and asked to participate in the parade. After discussion with the
Remembrance Day Committee and the Officers of the General Staff of the SVR we had decided that we
would like to keep the parade in a format representing the Union Soldiers and Sailors in period attire.
So we respectfully sent an e-mail back to them saying thank you very much we appreciate the service
you are doing your country, but we would like to keep this in a period format, where people are wearing
blue and gray uniforms. Low and behold, in the middle of the parade, a unit stopped and they entered in
the middle of the parade and this created a serious problem, because we had asked Brothers of this
organization, who were serving in the current military at the time to not participate and they did not.
And they were standing along the street when this other unit marched by. That really got to be an ugly
situation. The Internet, as it may be, is a great tool for disseminating information but it is also a double
edged sword. There all of a sudden became an Internet Website dedicated to bashing the SUVCW,
because we were blank, blank, blankady blank for making a statement about this National Guard Unit
entering the parade. So, we realized that there was never a set of rules for participation in the
Remembrance Day Parade. So, through some of the things on this list here and you all can take a look
at it. At the Council of Administration Meeting, that ended up in a long discussion last night, we
decided to table this and bring it before the body for approval. There are some things that cannot be
changed. They are pertinent to the location, which we form. For instance, like number 8; animals are
not permitted on the school ground property. We have animals or horses riding up on the grass of the
school we will loose the formation area. So, those types of rules cannot be changed but the number one
listing here has probably created the most discussion last night and I would move that this body approve
for the list of rules and regulations for Remembrance Day.
Past Commander-in-Chief Richard Orr, Department of Pennsylvania
First I would second it and ask Charlie if he would accept a friendly amendment changing it
from rules to Policy.
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