Mormon Battalion Association

Transcription

1 Mormon Battalion Association Minutes Executive Staff Meeting 10:00 AM, Saturday, 24 January 2015 LTC Max Jamison Residence, 2854 N. Augusta Drive Lehi, UT The Mormon Battalion Association Executive Staff meets at least once per quarter on the third Saturday the month at 10:00 am, except when that day is a holiday or conflicts with another event. In that case, the meeting will be re-scheduled and the Executive Staff will be notified of the change. Members of the public are invited to attend. Policy: As with U.S. Congressional minutes, anyone can read appropriate items into the minutes, but in the interest of expediency we will only discuss those items the Executive Staff deems necessary. Also, detailed discussion of Action Items will be referenced to equivalent sections in Membership Reports, Member Advisory Committee Reports, and New Business. Executive Staff Attendance: The following were present: LTC Max W. Jamison (Battalion Commander), COL Jerome G. Gourley (Battalion Commander s Chief Advisor), and Margaret Larson (Membership Officer). Excused: COL Carl V. Larson (Battalion Executive Officer), MAJ Val John Halford (Quartermaster/Logistics Officer), MAJ Clark Olsen (Community Relations Liaison), and Steven L. Rinehart (Judge Advocate General). Leadership and Guest Attendance: James Waite (Board of Directors), Kevin Henson (Senior Historian), CPT Blaine Bachman (Commander of Albuquerque unit), David Jamiel (Commander of Colorado unit), and Cap Cressup (Southern California unit). Welcome / Call to Order / Recognize Guests / Administrative Items Invocation Pledge of Allegiance LTC Max W. Jamison Margaret Larson None Minutes of 22 November Annual Business Meeting Reviewed and Approved General Business:!Recognition & Awards Death of former Battalion Commander, COL Elmer B. Jones, at home on 14 November Funeral Services were held at Noon, Tuesday, 18 November 2014, in the Foothill 3 rd Ward, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints, 1933 S East, Salt Lake City, Utah. The Mormon Battalion Honor Guard included COL Carl V. Larson, LTC Max W. Jamison, and MAJ Val John Halford, plus President Erma Bullock, MAJ Richard Bullock, and CPT Jerry Anderson from Friends of the Battalion, an associate organization. He was interred that day in the Wasatch Lawn Cemetery, 3401 Highland Drive, Holladay, Utah. Death of former Battalion Commander, COL Norman T. Erekson at home on 20 December Funeral Services were held at 11:00 AM, 30 December 2014, in the Monte Vista Ward, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3845 S West, Roy, Utah. The Mormon Battalion Honor Guard included PVT Rock Erekson (dressed in his father s uniform), LTC Max W. Jamison, MAJ Roger Grua, MAJ Clark Olsen, MAJ Val John Halford, and CPT Robert Olson. He was interred that day in the City Cemetery, Richmond, Utah.!Service Opportunities numerous member advisory committees Page 1 of 7

2 !Pro je c t Re que st Fo rm s No Project Request Forms and Annual Budget Request Forms have been received from local units. We welcome your input on a list of potential projects in which local units can become involved. We need these forms for historical and IRS documentation purposes.!action Item Review Leadership: All: Recruit civic and community leaders to serve on our new Board of Directors. All: Find viable candidates to run for offices of Battalion Commander (e x o ffic io President of Board) and Battalion Executive Officer (e x o ffic io Vice President of Board) in September-October 2014, who will stand for election for two years. LTC Jamison: Create and send cover letter, Membership Forms, and Nomination Forms to all current and former members for general elections. In process, thought significantly slowed by Ltc Jamison s recent illness. All: Recruit and vet a new Chief Finance Officer, preferably a CPA already familiar with QuickBooks. No report. Recruiting: COL and Mrs Larson, James Waite: Visit with CPT James Hansen to reactivate Logan Squad (aka D Company). Journals Transcription: COL Larson and Kevin Henson: Request/create new transcripts of original Battalion journals. Many journals are still in possession of descendant families. Once journals are located, seek opportunities to authenticate current transcriptions and/or retranscribe them, and then post results on website for public use. Kevin Henson: See Historical Committee report below. Graves Memorialization: COL Gourley, COL Larson, MAJ Olsen, and Kevin Henson: No report. COL Larson, LTC Jamison, and Kevin Henson: Locate living descendants of Lewis Dent and Dr. George Sanderson to invite to graves memorialization. COL Larson to research placing ad in local St. Louis newspaper. See Graves Memorialization Committee report below. COL Larson and Kevin Henson: Locate living descendants of Thomas P. Dutcher and William Reynalds (Reynolds) in Michigan to invite to graves memorialization. Contact historical organizations in Michigan. No report. Mormon Battalion Historic Trails Award: Kevin Henson: Create a small committee to redesign patch and update requirements list, booklet, and appropriate bibliographic/resource documentation and provide to the BSA National Trails Office, the LDS/BSA Relations Office, and the Battalion s webmaster for use on their websites. This committee should make a diligent search of the internet to identify the sources of outdated copies of the Award and replace them with links to the new Award on the Mormon Battalion Association website. See Historical Committee report below. COL Gourley: Ask Elder D. Todd Christofferson to find General Authority contact to coordinate LDS participation in BSA Mormon Battalion Trail Award after Mormon Battalion Association takes over. No report. Website Release 3.0: LTC Jamison and Website Design Member Advisory Committee: Continue design of Release 3.0 of our website. Working with i4 Solutions to finalize long awaited Release 3.0. Nearly complete. Members are welcome to preview the website at and offer suggestions. COL Larson: Insert Database of the Mormon Battalion under the Original Battalion Roster tab. Add tab entitled Annals of the Mormon Battalion, which is a merged, day by day history of 26 Battalion journals, diaries, and autobiographies written by original Battalion members. Need to determine how to protect copyrights, while permitting downloading and copying from website. Page 2 of 7

3 !Membership Reports 1. Board of Directors: No report. Associate Organization Reports: 1. Battalion Trek Kevin Henson: No report. 3. Friends of the Battalion - Erma Bullock: No report. 4. Mormon Battalion Arizona (Mesa Company) Cpt Gary L. Smith: No report. (Very active with Christmas Camp activities.) 5. Mormon Battalion Volunteers, Utah Living History Association MAJ Val John Halford: No report. 6. Sierra Nevada Mormon Pioneers Peter D. Guilbert: Received numerous reports. We have discussed their presenting our Battalion Eagle Scout slides in their area. 7. Sons of Utah Pioneers: Received monthly report. Local Unit Reports: Headquarters (HHC) Company MAJ Clark Olsen: No report. Utah North Platoon CPT Robert Olson: MAJ Olsen, MAJ Halford, and CPT Olson have made numerous Eagle Scout presentations. Participated in Honor Guard at COL Erekson s funeral. Eastern Idaho Squad CPT Thomas Griggs: No report. Logan Squad (aka D Company) CPT James Hansen: No report. Ogden Section (aka C Company): No report. Salt Lake Squad (aka A and B Companies): COL Larson and LTC Jamison have made several Eagle Scout presentations. Utah South Platoon LTC Jerry Harris: No report. Albuquerque Squad CPT Blaine Bachman: No report. Cedar City Squad CPT Robert Tingey: CPT Tingey has made several Eagle Scout presentations. St. George Squad (aka Dixie Company) CPT Robert Wood: CPT Wood has made a number of Eagle Scout Slide presentations. White Mountain Squad CPT David Crockett: No report. Field Company CPT Lynn Tegland: No report. California Detached Section LTC Frank Szeles: Invited all to attend the Annual Pioneer Day on 31 January 2015 in San Diego Old Town. Page 3 of 7

4 California South Squad (aka B Company) No report. Arizona Detached Section LTC Lloyd Smith: No report. Yuma Squad CPT Gary L. Smith: No report. Colorado Detached Squad: David Jamiel: On 5-6 December, I took part in an activity at Bents Old Fort National Historic Site in La Junta, Colorado. I was in costume and portrayed a member of the Mormon Battalion Sick detachment who was at the fort to draw supplies for the sick detachment at Pueblo, Colorado. Approximately 1,000 visitor toured the Fort over the two day period. I had the opportunity to speak to many of them. I told folks that I was part of that detachment and was at the Fort waiting to draw rations for the detachment. Everyone I spoke to had no knowledge that there were Mormons in Colorado in and that it was the first American settlement in what would become the State of Colorado. I also will be giving a program for the Aravda Stake Single Adult fireside on 26 January. It is a presentation that speaks to the how resources and individuals were placed in the right places at the right time between 1846 and 1852 that enabled Church members to successfully cross the continent to California and settle the Salt Lake Valley. The talk focuses on the Brooklyn Saints, Mississippi Saints & Mormon Battalion members at Pueblo and the main vanguard company's arrival in the SLV and Church leaders ultimate selection of where to establish the city. I then ask the question; were these people and resources being in the right places at the right times coincidence or providence? I am hoping to do more of these types of programs in the future. One result of doing these programs is that several other historic interpreters (mostly non-mormons) have expressed an interest in joining me in doing Mormon Battalion programs along the East Rocky Mountain Front Range. I'll let you know how things develop. I am sorry that I have not been able to take part in the phone conference meetings. The past six months have been extremely busy. However, please keep me in the loop. I hope that 2015 will bring you many blessings.!membership Advisory Committee Reports: 1. Battalion Flag Committee Mike Anderson, Chair: No report. 2. Graves Memorialization Committee COL Carl V. Larson, Chair: Kevin Henson: We need to develop a comprehensive list of lost souls who need markers. Here I m primarily interested in the guys lost out on the plains and mountains. With the assistance of Ft Leavenworth National Cemetery, we hope to be able to obtain markers for all the other Battalion enlistees who perished on the way. Perhaps this also could be a 2016 effort around the nation. I m in contact with the Ft Leavenworth PAO in hopes he will help steer this effort to get people involved. a. Dr. George Sanderson Kevin Henson: The journal transcription is finished. Assistance by the Larson s and Laura Anderson (Church History Library volunteer working on her own time) has been wonderful. The UofU indicates they have someone under contract to research and publish the journal, so I m going to go softly for awhile longer (late in the year). If nothing happens, then I will publish. Until then, the journal should stay under wraps with very limited distribution. I am preparing an edited version to include what we ve learned about the Sanderson family and Dr. Sanderson. The hope is to provide some additional information and lines of research for others to follow. We are in contact with Ft Leavenworth seeking assistance to obtain and emplace an appropriate marker for Dr. Sanderson and his family. Currently there is only a very sad, acid-rain etched and broken marker with no indication of who lies beneath. We will pursue working with the MO State Historical Society to develop a Page 4 of 7

5 mini-symposium in Would appreciate the MBA s opinion on a best time of year to hold such a symposia (best time to travel, etc.). b. Milton Smith No report. c. Thomas P. Dutcher and William Reynalds (Reynolds) No report. 3. Historians Committee Kevin Henson, Chair: a. Journals Transcription: Both on-line and offline texts are being identified.. b. Dorothy Boyle s Art Project at UVU: No report. 4. Membership Committee Margaret Larson, Chair: No report. 5. Scouting Relations Committee MAJ Clark Olson, Chair: a. Mormon Battalion Historic Trails Award Kevin Henson: Requirements just getting started - This is the most difficult part for me because I see the need for a major revision of both requirements and the tenor of the requirements. An analysis of the existing requirements is being prepared with some recommendations. This will receive extensive discussion with others. A proposal for new requirements should be forthcoming within a couple of months. What requirements are chosen, will, of course, determine what additional supporting documentation and resources we will need to provide. Some are obvious and I m starting to pull together some of those materials; to wit: History of the Battalion just getting started - I ve asked for permission to use a previously published article as a jumping off point for the Battalion s history. Awaiting response. We will need a group to review the History to ensure it helps achieve the stated requirements. [subcommittee] Journal & Bibliographic resources underway Both on-line and offline texts are being identified. [subcommittee] Foods List almost completed - You ve seen a preliminary version and I ve gotten some good feed back from Randy Madsen which is being incorporating into the chart. Those pursuing the hike/campout requirement will have ready access to a referenced food list. Depending upon their desires, they can go easy or hard core on the foods they eat. Equipment not sure MAJ Halford s work could be expanded with better illustrations/photos and updates on new research. Museum/Key locations not begun we need to develop a revised listing. [subcommittee] Maps underway this will be an offshoot of my on-line trail project. A topographic layer is being included for groups to print out their local trail. They will then have to obtain permission as necessary. 6. Men s Uniform Committee MAJ Val John Halford, Chair: No report. 7. Women s Dress Committee Kayla Willey and Wendy Sorenson, Co-chairs: No report.!continental Support Staff Reports: 1. Quartermaster/Logistics Report MAJ Halford: No report. 2. Acting Finance Officer Report LTC Jamison: Our financial status continues to improve. A separate monthly finance report is being ed to the Board of Directors and Executive Staff. Current bill from i4 Solutions for website Release 3.0 is now just under $1, We may have to assist the anonymous donor with this bill. New Business (Open to Floor) Lecture by Dr. Lyman: BG Ashley Hall, a member of our Board of Directors and Chairman of the Old Spanish Trails Association, attended a presentation/lecture by Dr. Lyman, a professor in St. George, Utah, on the effect of the Mormon Battalion on the Spanish Trails. LTC Jamison asked him to approach Dr. Lyman about posting the lecture on the Battalion website. Page 5 of 7

6 Defacement of Mormon Battalion Marker in New Mexico: CPT Blaine Bachman reported that someone chipped off some words from Mormon Battalion marker, and will look into replacing it. The general question of how best to protect and replace monument markers and graves memorializations from defacement, destruction, and being stolen. Action Items: Leadership: All: Recruit civic and community leaders to serve on our new Board of Directors. All: Find viable candidates to run for offices of Battalion Commander (e x o ffic io President of Board) and Battalion Executive Officer (e x o ffic io Vice President of Board) in September-October 2014, who will stand for election for two years. LTC Jamison: Create and send cover letter, Membership Forms, and Nomination Forms to all current and former members for general elections. All: Recruit and vet a new Chief Finance Officer, preferably a CPA already familiar with QuickBooks. No report. COL Gourley and James Waite: Contact other Board members to determine when next Board Meeting will be held. Recruiting: COL and Mrs Larson, James Waite: Visit with CPT James Hansen to reactivate Logan Squad (aka D Company). Journals Transcription: COL Larson and Kevin Henson: Request/create new transcripts of original Battalion journals. Many journals are still in possession of descendant families. Once journals are located, seek opportunities to authenticate current transcriptions and/or retranscribe them, and then post results on website for public use. Graves Memorialization: COL Gourley, COL Larson, MAJ Olsen, and Kevin Henson: No report. COL Larson, LTC Jamison, and Kevin Henson: Locate living descendants of Lewis Dent and Dr. George Sanderson to invite to graves memorialization. COL Larson to research placing ad in local St. Louis newspaper. COL Larson and Kevin Henson: Locate living descendants of Thomas P. Dutcher and William Reynalds (Reynolds) in Michigan to invite to graves memorialization. Contact historical organizations in Michigan. All: Determine how best to protect and replace monument markers and graves memorializations from defacement, destruction, and being stolen. Mormon Battalion Historic Trails Award: Kevin Henson: Create a small committee to redesign patch and update requirements list, booklet, and appropriate bibliographic/resource documentation and provide to the BSA National Trails Office, the LDS/BSA Relations Office, and the Battalion s webmaster for use on their websites. This committee should make a diligent search of the internet to identify the sources of outdated copies of the Award and replace them with links to the new Award on the Mormon Battalion Association website. Kevin Henson: Rewrite History of the Battalion using previously written article as jumping off point. COL Gourley: Ask Elder D. Todd Christofferson to find General Authority contact to coordinate LDS participation in BSA Mormon Battalion Trail Award after Mormon Battalion Association takes over. Website Release 3.0: LTC Jamison and Website Design Member Advisory Committee: Continue design of Release 3.0 of our website. All: Preview website at and offer suggestions. LTC Jamison and Steven Rinehart: Determine how to protect copyrights, while permitting downloading and copying from website, collecting fee via PayPal, and forwarding royalties to authors. Page 6 of 7

7 COL Larson: Insert Database of the Mormon Battalion under the Original Battalion Roster tab. Add tab entitled Annals of the Mormon Battalion, which is a merged, day by day history of 26 Battalion journals, diaries, and autobiographies written by original Battalion members. LTC Jamison: Create new recruiting materials for website to go with Membership Application. Forward copies to David Jamiel. Lecture by Dr. Lyman: BG Ashley Hall: Approach Dr. Lyman for copy of lecture to post on the Battalion website. Closing Remarks & Inspirational Thought LTC Max W. Jamison In the past few years, we have seen stalwart members falter and fall by the wayside, even become embittered. My heart aches for them, even reaches out to them, but we must march on. We have also heard others insist we become a strictly secular military heritage association. As the salesman exclaims, But wait, there s more! Our very name suggests that we have a unique dual heritage which includes both secular and spiritual elements. While we welcome people of faith to our ranks regardless of nationality, race, religion, or creed, we cannot we must not forget that the original Battalion lived out the most solemn Old Testament oath possible as they trekked thousands of miles, literally rending their garments in selfless service to their God, their religion, their freedom, their peace, their wives, and their children. (See Alma 46:12). Their ragged, tattered clothing became consecrated Titles of Liberty! We must not forget that a prophet in our day made the most solemn and of New Testament oaths possible, that as the Lord lives they would never be forgotten, worlds without end, but...will be had in honorable remembrance, for ever and ever if they but lived up to their privileges. We cannot forget that another modern prophet called us into existence over 65 years ago to help fulfill that prophesy. We have not yet been released us from that sacred mission. As Sir Galahad, the mythical knight errant of the Round Table on his quest for the holy grail, we must strengthen our souls through service to the weak, the poor, and the needy. Brethren, let us not pass through life immersed in the three W s: Wearied, Worrying, and Whining. We live beneath our privileges when we allow worldly anchors to keep us away from the abundant joy that comes from faithful and dedicated priesthood service... We live beneath our privileges when we fail to partake of the feast of happiness, peace, and joy that God grants so bountifully to faithful priesthood servants. (President Dieter F. Uchdorf, April 2011, We are making definite progress. Our California members are taking tremendous strides. The folks in Southern California are participating in the annual Pioneer Day on 31 January. The Sierra Nevada Mormon Pioneers are going to start presenting Eagle slides for us. Our new Colorado members are showing great promise. Our new Historic Trails patches will be an inspiration to countless youth throughout the world. Our website Release 3.0 is nearing activation, with many new products and historical data coming online. We cannot we must not fail. Brother Brigham s challenge rings down through the ages: Consider the blessings that are laid upon you, will you not live for them? Let us resolve anew to live up to our privileges. Benediction / Adjournment James Waite Next Executive Staff Meeting: 10:00 AM- Noon, Saturday, 21 February 2015 Residence of LTC Max W. Jamison 2854 N. Augusta Drive Lehi, UT Page 7 of 7