On February 12th members of Gettysburg Camp #112

attended the annual PA Dept. Lincoln Lunch at the Eden Resort

in Lancaster, PA. Camp 19 in Lancaster hosted the event. A

very good buffet lunch was provided and the

entertainment was provided by the local Civil War themed Explorer

Post with Victorian Tableaus. The keynote speaker was

author, poet, and playwright, Daniel Mark

Epstein. His books about Lincoln include “Lincoln’s Men: The

President and his Private Secretaries”, “The Lincolns: Portrait of a marriage”, and

“Lincoln and Whitman: Parallel lives in Civil War Washington”.

In Washington D.C. on Saturday, February 12th,

Members of Gettysburg Camp #112 attended the

Lincoln Birthday ceremonies at the Lincoln Memorial.

A joint effort between several organizations, the color

guard representing the S.U.V.C.W. is traditionally the

Lancaster Fencibles, S.V.R. A wreath laying

ceremony is held and participating organizations such

as the S.U.V.C.W., L.G.A.R., and MOLLUS place

wreaths along with the wreath sent by the President

of the United States. In past years our own

Gettysburg Blues S.V.R. have participated.

There has been some confusion in the past months regarding how the GAR Hall should be used, left

and maintained. The lack of knowledge of the conditions of use set by the HGAC has led to a strain

on our relationship. This is an area that must be dealt with wisely so as to avoid a return of the difficult

relationships that have arisen in the past. We must know and respect the fact that when the

GAR Hall was deeded to the HGAC it was in a state of disrepair that might have led to its ultimate

loss. This would have removed a historic building from Gettysburg and deprived us of a part of the

GAR heritage we are sworn to preserve. As such, the following directives are to be followed by all

participating in any activity which involves the use of the GAR Hall.

1 Rooms must be left in a clean and orderly condition.

2 The chairs in the meeting room should be returned to their “meeting room” configuration. This

means rows straight across with a single center aisle. The rows should not go back beyond the cabinet

which contains the projector screen controls and the sound system.

3 The sound system is not to be used without permission of HGAC.

4 Heat and air conditioning can be adjusted for comfort, but the settings must be returned to the preuse

level before leaving.

5 Lights and ceiling fans must be turned off and all doors including the old heavy front doors and

the double door entry to the main room, must be locked before leaving.

6 Parking behind the building is permitted only in those spaces marked for HGAC.

7 Any trash generated by an event must be taken for disposal on leaving.

8 It will be the duty of the Camp Commander to see that the above rules are observed.

So ordered

February 6, 2011

Paul McMillin, Camp Commander

Gettysburg Camp #112

SUVCW

One of the three principles on which our order is founded is charity. The members of Skelly Post #9

expressed charity when they committed their fullest efforts to shut down a horrid orphanage here in

Gettysburg. The orphans of their fallen comrades were relocated and rescued from a hell on earth.

Charity can often be described as brotherly love or compassion. It is what is expected from each of

us. It is what separates the wheat from the chaff and, with the breath of kindness, blows the chaff

away. I am reminded of the definition of charity given so eloquently in I Corinthians.

and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity,

be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth

not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all

things, endureth all things.

in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

We never use the long form of initiation for new members because it is, by definition, long. This

past month, I read it for the first time. I repeat here, the charge given by the Senior Vice Commander,

for its impact and for its instruction to all members of our order.

“Charity is one of the most important principles demonstrated by the Sons of Union Veterans of the

Civil War. Charity comes as quietly as the dew of heaven, comforting

and making glad the hearts it touches and instilling the giver with noble thoughts and unselfish aims.

We, who are able, help those Brothers with failing strength, suffering misfortune or distressed by

problems common to this life. Let them lean upon our shoulders, share with us our portion and draw

from us inspiration to hope and happiness. How often did the Union soldiers divide their last morsel

of food, and drink from the same canteen? Sick in camp or wounded in battle, they knew that the

kind and loving hearts of their comrades were joined to brave and willing hands, the fevered brow

was cooled, the parched lips were moistened and the last moments of the dying were made blessed

by the love born of their comradeship and seasoned in the conflict of battle. But our charity should

go still further. It should be as broad as the blue vault of heaven itself and as vast as the mind of

mankind can conceive. It should be that great charity that makes all a fraternal whole, overlooking

the faults and failings of each other. That grand broad charity expressed by Lincoln when he said to

the people of this nation then engaged in deadly warfare. ―’With malice toward none, with charity

for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on.’”

“With malice toward none; with charity for all;

with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right”

Abraham Lincoln, March 4th, 1865