Twenty Years of Growth
Brothers from Major General Thomas H. Ruger Camp #1 gathered at Chris’s Open Hearth Steak House to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the first camp established in North Carolina for Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War...
Major General Thomas H. Ruger Camp
#1.
History:
Ruger Camp #1 became a Camp-at-Large on September 16, 1995. The first SUVCW Camp in North Carolina. This initial camp was the seed that subsequently grew into the SUVCW Department of North Carolina. The Department continued the growth and ultimately reached a total of five individual camps as a result of the initiative of the Brothers of Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Ruger Camp #1.
Anniversary Party:
Several Ruger Camp #1 Brothers, and their wives, attended the celebration. Department Commander Dennis St. Andrew joined with other Brothers of Ruger Camp #1 along Ruger Camp #1 Charter member and Council Member Douglas Elwell who officiated the evening's activities.
The evening began with beverages, a fine meal, good conversation, the sharing of stories from the past 20 years but mostly the enjoyment of fraternal fellowship.
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| Ruger Camp #1 Brothers and Wives |
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| Ruger Camp #1 Brothers and Wives |
Letters of congratulations and well wishes were read by Brothers Dennis St. Andrew and Douglas Elwell during the evening's festivities.
Brother Doug Elwell, read a letter of well wishes from Brother Dr. Maurice Ankrom, PCC.
Brother Maurice was the original camp organizer and the first Major General Thomas H. Ruger Camp #1, Camp Commander.
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| Council Member and Charter Member Douglas Elwell |
Department Commander, Dennis St. Andrew PDC, shared a congratulatory letter from
National Commander in Chief, Eugene G. Mortorff PDC.
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| Department Commander Dennis St. Andrew |
Toasts were made honoring many Camp Brothers for their service to the SUVCW. "Happy Birthday" was sung to Brother Richard Bishop’s wife Jean who was celebrating her birthday that evening. Brother Jim Johnson's wife Carol pinned a Birthday corsage on Jean's jacket when she entered the dining room. Brother Doug Elwell handed out commemorative twenty year lapel pins with ribbons to everyone.
Door prizes donated by the Commanders; St. Andrew, Speers and Council Member Elwell were awarded to lucky individuals following dinner. Everyone received home made cookies as take home dessert provided by
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| Brother Jim |
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| Brother Dick |
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| Brother Doc |
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| Brother Edward |
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| Brother Wendell |
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| Jean Bishop |
A sincere thank you goes to Council Member Brother Douglas Elwell and his wife Shirley, for organizing this special celebration of 20 years of Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty.
Honoring:
“Worthy Brothers” as Charter Members:
Maurice Ankrom, William Davis, Roger Dostall, Eugene
Mulhall, Charles Benrud, John Anthony, Herbert Birdsall, William Dartt, James
Davis, Douglas Elwell, Harry Goodman, George Hale, Anthony Koehler, Kent
McCoury, Yale Mooers, Myron Murley III, Michael Palmer, Steven Pirotte, Roscoe
Reeve, Dallas Rightmyer, Thomas Rightmyer, Nathan Russell, Alonza Salter,
Stephen Sayko, and Frederick Willshaw.
