Pictures from 2009

Our special guest speaker for our year-end and Christmas meeting on Dec. 1, 2009 was Dr. H. Rondel Rumburg,
past Chaplin-in-Chief of the S.C.V.  He spoke about a southern Christmas in 1862.

Cdr. Tony Griffin presented Compatriot Tommy Thomas with a Certificate of Appreciation
for his dedicated service to the Avengers Camp and the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

The Avengers are always happy to see two very special ladies in attendance:  Helen Beale and Elizabeth Respess.

 

November 10, 2009:  Lt. Cdr. Fred Chiesa of the Stonewall Camp #380 in Portsmouth gave a very informative
talk about Confederate Veterans.  He explained how many veteran groups were formed and how the Sons of
Confederate Veterans came into existence.  He passed around many artifacts, and had many more on display.

 

November 7 , 2009:  A few of the Avengers cleaned a couple more Confederate head stones
at Ivy Hill Cemetery in Smithfield.  This ongoing project probably won't be completed until next
year because more Confederate graves are constantly being found.
 
   
October 6, 2009:   Richard Watkins, a lawyer in Prince Edward County and the former Captain of Co. K of the 3rd Virginia Cavalry joined the evening meeting of the Isle of Wight Avengers to tell stories from the "recent unpleasantness.  These stories and more contained in Jeff Toalson's recent Send Me a Pair of Old Boots & Kiss My Little Girls - The Civil War Letters of Richard and Mary Watkins, 1861-1865.


Adjutant John Respess and Joe Epps discussed Camp business during a break in the meeting.

 

On Sept. 26, 2009 Cdr. Tony Griffin led a contingent of dedicated Avengers
to Ivy Hill Cemetery where they cleaned some more stones belonging to
Confederate soldiers.  They cleaned more stones than the ones shown here.

 

 

On Sept. 1, 2009, Compatriot Mike Hendricks and his friend Bill Lee, both of the Princess Anne Camp # 484, visited the Avengers.
Mike displayed many uniforms from the Army of Northern Virginia that he made by hand after years of research.

 

On August 4, 2009 Cdr. John Sharrett of the Stonewall Camp #380 in Portsmouth gave
a wonderful slide presentation about Confederate monuments in and around Richmnd.

 

July 18, 2009:  Dedicated compatriots Cdr. Tony Griffin, Lt. Cdr. Buddy Jones, Tommy Thomas, Color Sergeant Dan Carbaugh (& Erika) resumed work at Ivy Hill Cemetery cleaning head stones of known Confederate veterans.  Their efforts were rewarded with compliments from a group touring the cemetery.
Three head stones were cleaned today.

 

On July 11, 2009 the Avengers enjoyed a summer cookout with the assistance of Chef Joe Epps who brought his grill.  
We all enjoyed hot dogs and hamburgers in addition to the other "goodies" that the membership provided.

 

On June13, 2009 Park Ranger Randy Watkins gave the Avengers an excellent tour of the Petersburg National Battlefield.

 

On June 6 - 7, 2009, the Avengers Camp worked a booth at Heritage Park for the reenactment of
the Battle of Gaines Mill.  Thanks to Compatriot Joe Epps for bringing his "Titanic" for our HQ (!),
and to Dan Carbaugh (and friend Erika), Buddy Jones, Tony Griffin, John Respess for their assistance.

 

Sent: Wednesday, May 06, 2009 3:04 PM
Subject: [VAcourier] Compatriot Russell Darden Passes


It is with sadness I pass on to you the message below, indicating that Compatriot Russell E. Darden of Courtland, VA, late yesterday evening, answered the last roll call and crossed over the river to rest in the shade of the trees.

Russell put everything he had into fulfilling the Charge, and he was a true believer in The Cause. The Urquhart-Gillette Camp, the Virginia Division and the SCV in general have benefitted greatly by this man's untiring efforts and he will be greatly missed.

The Camp would appreciate anyone who has a greater email address list, to forward this on to all those who would like to be informed of Russell's passing.

Funeral arrangements for Compatriot Russell E. Darden are as follows:

Visitation Thursday, 7:00 to 8:30 PM at Wright Funeral Home, 206 W 4th Ave.,Franklin, VA 23851

A funeral service will be conducted Friday at St. Luke's Church at 2:00 PM,Courtland, VA, Burial will be in the Church Cemetery following the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Courtland Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad, Courtland, VA 23837, the Urquhart-Gillette Camp
# 1471, for the Mahone Tavern Museum Fund, P. O. Box 565, Courtland, VA 23837 ,or a charity of choice.


Submitted by:
Mike Rose
Adjutant
Virginia Division

 

May 5, 2009:  Past A.N.V. Commander Henry Kidd spoke to the Avengers about the Battle of Petersburg with emphasis on the Crater.  He also shared with us his new book and some of his original artwork.

 

In March, 2008 Compatriot Charles Darden of the Tom Smith Camp #1702 spoke to the Avengers about UNpopular carbines used during the War Between the States.  On April 7, 2009 Charles spoke to us about POPULAR carbines used by the cavalry.  Once again, Charles had on display a vast collection and talked about their finer points including the number of each manufactured and how they were rated by the soldiers.

 

On March 3, past A.N.V. Commander Russell Darden of the Urquhart-Gillette Camp # 1471 spoke to
the Avengers about the Yankee POW camp at Point Lookout, MD.  No pictures were taken to record
this fine presentation.

 

February 3 , 2009:  past Cdr. Lee Hart of the Tom Smith Camp #1702 and Chairman of the Oakwood Cemetery Restoration Committee gave a complete update on progress being made at the Cemetery.  Those wishing to make a donation to the Oakwood Restoration Fund can mail it to
P.O. Box 114 in Beaverdam, VA 23015-0114.

 

On January 6, 2009 Cdr. Tony Griffin and Lt. Cdr. Buddy Jones inducted Chris Porter into our ranks!

Also on January 6, 2009 our special guest speaker was SCV Field Representative Jack Marlar
who spoke to us about the H. L. Hunley.