5 Bro. Art Smith, PCC at his Grandfathers Grave at Albany Rural Cemetery, Menands, NY 12 JR. VICE COMMANDER ARTHUR YOUNG LOOKS ON AS THE 125 TH REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION FIRES A VOLLEY AT THE GRAVESITE OF COL. G.L. WILLARD, IN OAKWOOD CEMETERY DURING MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND CEREMONY. BROTHER SALMON (R) AND COMMANDER LEMAY (L), SWEAR IN OUR CAMPS TWO NEW JR MEMBERS, BRANDON LEMAY AND CARL J. MASON JR. ON MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND AT OAKWOOD CEMETERY CEREMONIES DEPARTMENT COMMANDER PETER LINDEMANN

FROM THE DESK OF THE CAMP COMMANDER Dear Brothers, I hope this past summer has been good to you and I hope this Finds you all well. A hearty welcome to all our new brothers!! Well we are well on our way to a new chapter in the Camp History. We have been graced with many good fortunes this past year. Our camp received all the top honors at the 125th Department Encampment In Waterloo, NY. We took the top 3 prizes this year. I am proud to say the John Kernan PDC Cup for Best Camp Growth has Returned home to Albany. Along with the Oliver P. Clarke Plaque for Individual Recruiting Presented to myself by DC Peter J. Lindemann. I was honored to accept these Honors on behalf of the Camp at our June Meeting. We have one of our own Past Camp Commanders, Peter J. Lindemann at the Helm as Department Commander. A hearty HUZZAH!! Brother!! Our camp has done much this past year. We have brought our membership up and still hold our stance as the 2nd largest camp in the Department. Of the many events attended this past summer, was the Troy Memorial Day Parade, the St. Agnes Cemetery Dedication for the Addition to the National Historic Register, Grants Cottage Memorial Day Service, Reenactment of Grants Funeral,Pres. Chester Arthur Memorial Service, Camp Memorial Day Services at Albany Soldiers and Sailors Lot at Albany Rural Cemetery, and the Troy Soldiers and Sailors Lot at Oakwood Cemetery as well as attending the 1st Watervliet History Day. At the Time of this writing, many work projects were approved this summer; here they are: Work at Restoring the GAR Lot at Vale Cemetery in Schenectady, Installations of New Stones at Mt. Ida Cemetery and an active Mt. Ida Cemetery Cmte. Also work is being done on identifying the Oakwood Cemetery Soldiers and Sailors Lot as a GAR Lot. We are also working on the Carlton Covell Memorial Camp scholarship, and starting a program for the JROTC and ROTC. Also work has started with the 125th NYVRA on starting up the Troy Civil War Weekend again. They are looking for Sponsors and sites in/near Troy. We have also started work on the 110th Anniversary Birthday Ceremony of Our camp charter next year in The camp will be creating a camp history book/booklet depending upon The response of Brothers as we would like a biography on each of your Ancestors as well as any pictures, etc I also need this for the camp website. If you can, please send a brief biography of Service, and headstone and picture of your ancestor if available. As for the History Book; Send All Physical copies of Information to Brother Secretary Salmon. If nothing is received your full name and ancestors name will be published. At the very least we would like the cemetery and exact location of Veteran ancestor/ancestor’s graves. There will be a Dedication of a Placard at the Old GAR Room at the Albany County Courthouse marking our former camp HQ/meeting room as well as a Luncheon and memorial service at the Albany GAR Soldiers and Sailors Lot As well as a special camp meeting and Luncheon at a Local Hotel. Requests for reservations will be dispatched when a Hotel is chosen. Brothers will receive a special hotel rate. Brothers, last but not least, I have the sad duty to report the loss of Brother Arthur P. Smith, Jr. PCC who passed away peacefully on August15th in Albany.Bro. Art Smith was a true son through and through. His Grandfather was Sgt. Oscar Smith, GAR Department Commander of NY and was influential During his term erecting the Albany County Soldiers Monument in Washington Park. Art was also a charter member of the Willard Camp namesake. I was honored to command the Camp Color and Honor Guard at his burial, Art we salute you. Rest in peace. Bro. Smith was laid to rest Sunday, August 24th at BloomingGrove Cemetery in DeFreestville. Lastly I would like to conclude in saying, we will be joining the125th NYVRA during the Albany Veterans Day Parade this year and we will be again setting up a recruiting table at the Troy Victorian Stroll!! Brothers, lastly I would like to float the idea of having an annual Lincoln Day Camp Meeting-Dinner; looking to have it around Lincolns Birthday/Presidents Day in February. If you believe it is worthwhile, please write back to either myself or Bro. Secretary Salmon. Also brothers don’t forget elections are in November; If you would like to serve the camp in an office or would like to nominate somebody; send in your nominations now. Brothers let me conclude in saying, thank you for making this another Great year for Camp Willard. In Fraternity, Charity, & Loyalty, Raymond W. LeMay III, CC PCC Camp Commander National Aide~LM#663~MOLLUS#22485~