Meeting 2 nd Sunday every month, 2PM Covenant Center, N. Water Street Kittanning. Web Site - http://www.suvcwcamp43.wordpress.com Passing of the Armies On Saturday, June 27 Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall hosted an Ending of the Civil War event at Hartwood Acres, and on this very rainy, and dismal day (much like the weather at Appomattox where the Surrender of the Confederate army took place 150 years ago) Peg, Jason and Charlene and Mindy dressed in period clothes went to be a part of this special day in Pittsburgh's history. The reenactments took place as scheduled through the downpours and breaks in the rain, cannons fired, the men battled and the reenactment went on as best it could. Curator Michael Kraus kept the events rolling, come rain or not. Peg and Mindy sat with the ladies under a rain-leaked fly watching them carefully make small brown paper wrapped packages for the soldiers with period items like ginger snaps, hard candies, and good tasting treats. Nothing could stop them, not even the rain. There were campfires and stations that soldiers would report to for their orders. The campfires were hard to keep going, but their spirits never dimmed. At the main tent area were folks from the Pittsburgh CW Roundtable with many original items from the 1860's and information about many units from the Pittsburgh (Allegheny City then) area. Carnegie Library was represented by Diane Kleinfelder and other historians brought their many period items to show. One exhibit was of the surgeons tools, implements, books and 'pharmacy' medicines. It was quite educational. In the afternoon the Wildcat's Regimental (105th) Band played a concert of music from that period and with original instruments. Jason and Charlene played with the band. It was quite lively! Once again the rain started... sheets of rain.. like the sheets of music had their own melody and was enjoyed by all. We came home soaked to the bone whether our cotton or silk dresses, wool alike but none of us would have missed this day in our history even if it was pouring down rain like cats and dogs.
Michael Kraus, Curator at the Soldiers and Sailors Hall and Museum, was one of the major coordinators at this event. He and the staff did a great job setting everything up. Joe McShane of Camp 43 and Cindy McShane also attended this event on Sunday with Ray Lizarraga of the Confederation of Union Generals who portrays Brigadier General Henry Pleasants. The following are some other photos of the event.
Dedication Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Josie is our deceased sister Dr. Chris Catalfamo's daughter. She had a ceremony at the Clark House in Indiana on Sat July 25 th to place the Auxiliary's bronze marker that she was given by our Auxiliary when Chris died over 2 years ago. It was yesterday at the Clark House around the Rest On Arms monument and brother Tim Nupp stood in to lead the ceremony and help Josie. There were 20 in attendance for this emembrance of Chris on what would have been her 62nd birthday. Josie had messaged me and asked me to come so I told her I would be there. It was a bright beautiful day to remember Chris and many of those shared their sentiments with those there, I shared my thoughts and said that Chris still has me working to find the family of a Civil War nurse from Blairsville, and the journey goes on. Josie was thrilled to see all who came and hear how much her mother meant to all. The bronze marker was placed in front of the Clark House. After the ceremony was over she and I went to Eat N Park, Chris' favorite place to go on her birthday. Her father was in Peru, her sister in Europe and unable to be there. Josie's cousin was the only relative to stand with her to do this. That meant a lot to her, plus the circle of friends who come to. She dressed in her mother's dress, and it was amazing how much she looked like Chris in her clothes. The auxiliary marker looks nice where she put it. We were blessed to have a woman who loved Civil War history so much as a member of our auxiliary and we will remember her always. These are some photos from the ceremony. You can see the one photo of Chris with the dress that Josie wore... how very alike they look. Almost haunting. I was very honored to be there and share the day with Josie.
Burtner House Ceremony Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War On Saturday, June 20th at 1 p.m. Peg Krecota and Mindy Eckler along with Sam ckissick, Dan Klemens, Jason and Christopher Krecota attended the grave rededication ceremony for Corp William T Jones of the 103rd Pa.Infantry Co K buried in the Burtner Cemetery on Burtner Hill in Natrona Heights, Pa. Commander McKissick conducted the service for Corp Jones with 30-40 friends and relatives in attendance. Jason and Christopher stood guard for the ceremony. There was a song sung, taps and his history shared by Sam. A 34 star flag was given to the family. Peg and Mindy placed flowers on the marker. Peg and Mindy visited the Burtner House and talked with the public and some of the volunteers there. It was a lovely sunny day to be there by all.
Darlene Waltenbaugh The following was a note sent out by Mindy and July 17 th. We have another 25 year member of our auxiliary, Darlene Waltenbaugh of Leechburg whom served as a Past Auxiliary 43 President in the 1990's and we gave her the 25 year member pin she earned. Her health has been not so good the past 15 years and she has not been able to participate with us due to health issues but kept her membership current every year. We have visited with her a number of times the past few months at her home with her husband Harry also. They were so warm and inviting and we had so much fun talking about 'old times' and all the events they were part of with the auxiliary and the camp. Darlene is now facing multiple myeloma and is taking chemotherapy in hopes it will kill the cancer that she has. Please keep Darlene in your prayers and her husband Harry as he wonderfully cares for his wife as she goes through this very difficult time. She has the most kind spirit and gentle heart and we will keep in touch with her and Harry. Sisters, It is with great sadness that I must share with you. Our Past Auxiliary President of the Sarah A Crawford Aux 43, Kittanning and dear sister Darlene Waltenbaugh has passed on this morning, July 16, 2015 after battling multiple myeloma for the past half year. She served our auxiliary well in the early 1990's and was very active until she was unable to do much after complications with her diabetes. She and her husband Harry and mother and father in law loved to go to parades, do living history and go to the grave ceremonies, sanitary fair events and reenacting. She loved the Kittanning 43 auxiliary and sister Peg Krecota, my daughter Samantha and I have visited with her often this past couple years. We shared many good times and memories from our early auxiliary. She was a 25 year member of our auxiliary and she was much loved and will be missed dearly. Thank you for those who kept her in prayer and sent cards of encouragement. Mindy The following is a note that was sent out by Mindy on July 21 st. Sisters, Last evening we met at the Clawson funeral home to say our last goodbye to Darlene as our sisters in the auxiliary. Linda, Ellen, Shelly, Peg and I met with brothers Darrin, Chris & John Krecota, Sam and Richard to pay our respects to the Waltenbaugh family and the ladies had a funeral service for Darlene with 3 of the officers giving red white and blue flowers to Darlene in the service from the Ritual. She will be buried this morning and laid to rest. Her sister Eileen, was so touched to see us there sharing with us how much Darlene talked about her days when active with the auxiliary and how much fun she
had, and visiting with Samantha, Peg and I during this past couple years. I will send Harry a card of sympathy from the auxiliary, as we had sent her flowers a few months ago and Darlene enjoyed them so much while she fought her battle with cancer. Peg, John and I attended her funeral on Tuesday morning. It was a lovely tribute to a fine sister and our past president. Harry and many relatives thanked us for the cards, the visits, the flowers, the 25 year pin and time we spent with her the past year. ' Harry told me that they remembered their 45th wedding anniversary together on Saturday, July 11th.' We shall dearly miss her. Mindy There were 5 men there at the funeral home to pay their respects. Sad Darlene had to die young. We had a good visit with Harry and Darlene's sister Eileen and other family members. I went to the funeral today and got to talking with a couple who both worked at the VA Hospital in Aspinwall when I did, small world. Methodist Church in Sarver The ladies of the Auxiliary were invited to do a program for the Methodist Church in Sarver on June 13th in the afternoon. Shelly, Samantha, Peg and Mindy provided a time of entertainment and education of the ladies dressing and role at home during the Civil War and with a room of 50 ladies provided much laughter and knowledge of this time period. Samantha and Mindy dressed from the inside out for the ladies showing them how ladies got dressed and all the ' 7 layers' they put on. Eye opening experience for the ladies who had many questions about the attire. Shelly charmed the group with her dress and contributions to the show even while nursing the foot operation she had - she was a real trooper! Peg dressed as Marie Tepe described her out fit and who Marie was and she also brought a collection of her hats, bonnets and shared them with the ladies and many ooo's and aaahhhh's from the crowd. They served a delicious luncheon after wards and Peg answered many other questions at that time.
Flag Flying Days for 2015 The following list is the official United States Flag flying days for the year 2014. January 1 - New Years day January 19 - Martin Luther King Day February 12 - Lincoln's Birthday February 22 - Washington's Birthday May 8 - VE Day May 10 - Mothers Day May 17 - Armed Forces Day May 25 - Memorial Day June 14 - Flag Day June 21 - Fathers Day July 4 - Independence Day September 2 - VJ Day September 7 - Labor Day September 11 - Patriot Day October 12 - Columbus Day November 3 - Election Day November 11 - Veterans Day November 26 - Thanksgiving Day December 7 - Pearl Harbor Day December 25 - Christmas Day Information provided by Sue Carson Elected Camp Officers Commander Sam McKissick Senior Vice Commander Tim Nupp Junior Vice Commander Dan Klemens Secretary Richard Essenwein Treasurer Brian Barraclough Camp Council Michael O Connell, Jason Krecota, Joe McShane Appointed Camp Officers Chaplain Dan Klemens Patriotic Instructor Joe McShane Guide Guard Brian Barraclough Color Bearer Graves Registration, Historian, Civil War Memorials, Eagle Scout Coordinator Richard Essenwein Signal Officer Joe McShane Auxiliary Officers President Mindy Eckler Vice-President Trinette Frerotte Secretary/Treasurer Shelly Krecota Trustees Linda McKissick SUVCW website Our new website is located on the internet at the following addresshttp://www.suvcwcamp43.wordpress.com Please visit this site when you can. The Sarah A Crawford website http://sarahacrawfordaux43.wordpress.com/ Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War National Website -http://www.suvcw.org/ Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Pennsylvania Department Website - http://pasuvcw.org/
Scheduled Meetings Regular Monthly Meetings (2:00 PM): January 11th February 8th March 8th April 19th May 17th June 14th July 12th August 9th Sept. 13th October 11th November 8th December 13 th Up Coming Events Some notes from our Commander about upcoming events. Ladies and gentlemen, We have some upcoming events that I need to know how many of you are available and when. August 23rd, grave rededication in Rimersburg. We need to know who will be there. Rich will do the ceremony and as of now, Joe McShane and I are it for the firing squad. This is for William Dailey of the 103rd PA, who later transferred to the 8th NY light artillery. Need to know if the women can do the floral tribute and who would be available. Also anyone else for the firing squad or taps? This is along 68 in Rimersburg and is flat. Let me know. Saturday September 26th, Living history at Alcola park in New Bethelem to assist the Redbank Valley Historical Society. A chance to assist in a project they are doing for a book on local civil war soldiers. We have permission for a campfire and to fire blanks. So far Rich and I are going. You could talk about any aspect of the war or just interact with people. Let me know who could go and what you would be doing. A good chance to present ourselves to the public. All of the activities are good opportunities to interact and meet the public. Please help if you can. Thanks Fort Armstrong Festival, We need to set up at the festival on Wednesday the 29th at 7 pm, weather permitting. I need to know who can be there, the more hands we have, the faster we can get done On Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday we will be available for the festival crowd. Once again I need to know who can be there. On Sunday, I will not be available, so I will need to have people to tear down at the festival, on either Sunday or Monday based on the weather and keep the equipment till I get home. If I know who is doing what, I can put up a schedule of activities. Let me know Sam