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COMO OLIVER HAZARD PERRY POST
Volume 5, Issue 1 Spring 2007
GREETINGS FROM COMMANDER
LEAVER
LEAVER
In December, we had our annual Christmas meeting at the Rusty Bucket. We had a full program. We had our gift exchange, after which Dana Russell continued his presentation on his time in Iraq. He enhanced his comments with some vivid pictures (some vivid commentary too). After that, we had a silent slide show of SAMS 1813 activities over the years, while we socialized. Lew Kestella was, as usual, stellar on the pipes.
We were glad to welcome Neil Campbell as our newest member. Neil’s military background is in the Ohio National Guard in the ‘80s. You’ll have to guess at his clan affiliation. He’s a recruit from last summer’s Ohio Scottish Games. His wife, Julie, is very supportive of his involvement. He won’t be the “newbie” very long, since Joe Dickerson has bit the bullet and joined. His application is at National and he’ll be on board soon.
We also were happy to see long-time member Gene McDonough and his wife Ann. Gene hasn’t been able to attend meetings because of work conflicts.
We approved the change to the by-laws, synchronizing terms of office, to odd years every two years.
In January, we lost a good friend and member of the Post, George Sharp. He lost his battle with heart and lung disease. George was unable to attend meetings for the last couple of years, because of his illness, but he was with us in spirit.
Our Active Duty members have been “movin’ on up”. Jerry Rees was promoted to Colonel in early January and Jodie McFee was promoted to Major shortly after. CPT Joe Dickerson is attending school at Ft Bragg and will be back in October.
The March meeting was held at the Rees home – minus Jodie – on St. Patrick’s Day. It just happened that there was their annual “Spring Thaw” party immediately after. Tough duty. The nominating committee gave its report, and the slate of officers for the coming two years was presented.
We represented the Scottish Community, along with Margaret McCullough, convener of MOSHA, at the flag-raising in front of the Capitol building on Tartan Day, April 6.
We’ll be the Color Guard at the Ohio Scottish Games, so let’s have a good turnout.
All the Best – Dick
OFFICERS NOMINATED FOR FY08 – FY09
The nominating committee presents the following slate for the Post Offices for the two-year term beginning 1 July 2007.
- COMMANDER - Ray McFee
- VICE COMMANDER - Glenn Morrison
- ADJUTANT - Jerry Rees
- COMPTROLLER - Mark Melroy
The election will be held by ballot emailed to the active members in the near future and will be returned to the teller, John McCullough.
NEW DUES PAYMENT PROCEDURES AND LIFE MEMBER SCHEDULE
National SAMS has strongly recommended that individual Posts collect dues both for national and post dues. This will enable us, at the Post level, to know where we stand at all times, without having to quiz the individual members or National AG as to whether they have paid national dues. We will be shortly sending a statement, reflecting the most current information we have, for FY 08 dues. Some of you are Life Members, and some are already paid at National for some number of future years. You’ll, of course, be billed only for Post dues. National has also adopted a new formula for life memberships. This will be outlined in a separate communication.
Rees and McFee Promoted
COLUMBUS, OHIO - In January, Jerry Rees became the newest, and youngest, currently serving Ohio National Guard Colonel. He served with distinction as Recruiting Commander for three years and is now the G3/J3 in charge of Operations for the State of Ohio. At the ceremony, Jerry was surprised by a big-screen video message from Jodie, from her post in Mosul, Iraq. At the end of the ceremony, yet another surprise! Commander Dick with a bagpipe serenade.
MOSUL, IRAQ - Only a few weeks later, CPT Jodie McFee became MAJ Jodie McFee. She, too, was surprised with videos from home congratulating her on her accomplishments. Because of her can-do attitude and abilities, she was made Battalion S-3/ Operations officer. Among her duties is perimeter security for FOB Marez and Diamondback. Unfortunately, Dick couldn’t make it to serenade her. We’ll have to wait till she gets home.
FLOWERS OF THE FOREST
GEORGE SHARP 1937-2007
George was a loyal friend and had a great dry sense of humor. Dick and Ray spent many “field trips” with him over the last fifteen or so years, all three belonging to the Aladdin Pipes and Drums and The Franklin County Sheriff’s Band, as well as the “Outlaws”. George was an accomplished tenor drummer, one of the few in Columbus. He was an avid camper and even taught Jeanne how to keep a fire going in the rain (almost). Our sympathies to Barb. He’ll be missed.
George was a loyal friend and had a great dry sense of humor. Dick and Ray spent many “field trips” with him over the last fifteen or so years, all three belonging to the Aladdin Pipes and Drums and The Franklin County Sheriff’s Band, as well as the “Outlaws”. George was an accomplished tenor drummer, one of the few in Columbus. He was an avid camper and even taught Jeanne how to keep a fire going in the rain (almost). Our sympathies to Barb. He’ll be missed.
SHARP George Franklin "Frankie" Sharp, age 69, of Grandview Heights, passed away Thursday, January 11, 2007, at home. Born October 2, 1937, in Columbus, Oh. to Cora and George Alonzo Sharp, who preceded in him in death along with grandparents William and Loia Brown, Mary and Ulysses Sharp, one brother Edward G. Sharp and one grandson Bobby Wolfe. Survived by his wife, Barbara; son, Michael A. Sharp; daughters, Melody (Bill) King, Michelle Sharp and Marsha (Rick) Layton; step-daughter, Tracy Allen; 8 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; sisters, Betty (Billy) West, Anna (Jim) Heizer, Karen (Don) Meek and Patricia Acuff; many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Veteran of U.S. Army serving with the 82nd and 101st Airborne Europe Theater. Attended Ohio Dominican College. Retired from the City of Columbus as an alcohol control officer. George was past Master and member of Johnstown Lodge #86 F&AM, Scottish Rite, Aladdin Shrine and Pipes and Drums of Aladdin, American Legion, Alcoholics Anonymous Good Sam Club, Scottish American Military Society, Knights Templar. The family would like to thank Riverside HomeReach Hospice and Riverside Family Practice, especially Dr. Elizabeth Jansen and the staff.
Post Adjutant McFee and OHARNG Chief of Staff COL Faber invest COL Rees with his new eagles
The Minstrel Boy himself!
The new Major
Post Members Leaver, McCullough, McFee & Melroy participated in the services. Leaver and McFee were at the Masonic Service Sunday night. On Monday, Leaver and McFee piped George into the hearse at the funeral home, then at the cemetery were joined by McCullough and Melroy, along with members of the Pipes and Drums of Aladdin, where the combined band piped him into the chapel. At the conclusion of the service, the band played Amazing Grace, led by P & D director Jim Bradham, and finished by Post Piper John McCullough.
QUARTERMASTER GLENN MORRISON has been restocking our supplies and has an adequate supply of most accoutrements. See him if you need badges, patches, ties, etc. He can also help with shirts, drawing on his years as a “uniformer”.
DANA RUSSELL has joined the DSCC Security Force and is currently at Federal Law Enforcement Course in Georgia through July.
Other News
TARTAN DAY – 6 APRIL 07
MOSHA Convener Margaret McCullough, McFee, Governor’s Rep. Matt Collopy, Barclay, Melroy, Morrison, Campbell, McCullough
Due to the inclement weather, the Proclamation declaring this day Tartan Day in Ohio was read inside the Statehouse. We then proceeded to the flagpole, where each of us took a turn on the crank to raise the St. Andrew’s flag. Kids and wives got a turn also. There was a small turnout of non-SAMS people, and they got to participate also. The flag flew all weekend. MOSHA is archiving the proclamations.
After the ceremony, most of us went to Mac’s Café for lunch, where we were joined by Jerry Rees, who had to work during the time of the ceremony.
Thanks to Julie Campbell and Jeanne McFee for the pictures.
Our participation in Tartan Day this year is especially important because it was the only one in Central Ohio, Reynoldsburg having dropped its support this year. John and Margaret are exploring a new venue for next year, perhaps in Clintonville. Let’s stay ready to give them whatever support we can. We’ve already committed to coordinating the flag-raising with the governor’s office. We got a little assurance that maybe the governor might attend next year.
UPCOMING EVENTS
ROTC AWARDS – May and possibly early June. At this point, we don’t have the names or dates but keep it in mind and come if you can. We’ll let you know at the earliest possible date.
KENTUCKY SCOTTISH WEEKEND – MAY 11-13. We don’t have a mission for these games, but they are fun. Campbells and McFees going for sure. The more the merrier.
OHIO SCOTTISH GAMES – June 23-24. We’ve been honored with color guard duty for the Parade of Tartans. We have three flags and two rifles and probably can scare up another flag or two if we have enough marchers. John will be piping at the head.
DECEMBER MEETING AND CHRISTMAS PARTY
We missed all who
couldn’t come. Look
forward to seeing you soon.
couldn’t come. Look
forward to seeing you soon.
