Charter Festivities

Charter Festivities - Charter Night April 23, 2003

	We began to gather at the Red Ranch Restaurant in Sequim, Washington, about 1800 in the evening and were welcomed by the restaurant staff who turned over the main dining room for our use and prepared a delightful buffet of prime rib, chicken, and salmon with side dishes and a salad bar. Refreshments were also served.		We filled the room with nearly all of of the local sojourners and their wives attending, but were sad to miss a couple who were unable to attend at the last minute due to emergent issues. We were also very pleased that many of our out of area members took the time to journey to join us for the evening
As has become our tradition since formation as a Sojourners Club, we began our program with a Toast to the Flag of the United States of America delivered, on this occasion, by Fred Johnson of Port Townsend, Washington using a miniature flag as we were unable to display a full size flag in the room due to space.		We were pleased to welcome Sojourner and Hero, MWB James N. Reid, Jr. Grand Master of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington who took time out of his very busy schedule to join us for the evening and to observe the fruits of his announcement six months ago that a few brothers were meeting to investigate forming a club.
	We were also pleased to welcome a fellow member of our chapter in his official capacity as the National Commander, Heroes of '76, who journeyed from his home in California with his lady Judy to join us for the evening and to spend an extra day in the area before returning to a busy schedule.		The elected officers faced their chapter to confirm their election amidst good cheer. From right to left; Clarence Johnson, President; Dee Yager, 1st Vice President; John Jones, 2nd Vice President; Franklin Benson, Chaplain; and Steve Seteroff, Secretary-Treasurer while our Grand Master awaits chapter approval to proceed in the background.
We were privileged to receive our Charter as Olympic Sojourner Chapter No. 539, National Sojourners, from the hands of our Grand Master James N. Reid, Jr. and to have our first officers installed by Br. Joseph W. Illes of University Place, Washington, our Pacific Northwest Area Representative.		It was now time for the Marvin Shields Camp of heroes of '76 Officers to be installed. Left to right; Don Patrick, Camp Commander; Fred Johnson, Chief of Staff; Franklin Benson, Chaplain; and Steve Seteroff, Adjutant standing in readiness to take their place as the first officers of a new camp.
	Wendell Dutt of Tacoma, Washington, Regional Representative installed the officers of the camp and is shown here presenting the Camp Charter to our newly installed Camp Commander, Don Patrick, while the National Commander, who personally delivered the charter, looks on.		Our National Commander took the opportunity to share his views on Heroes with us announced that he has granted permission for us to initiate two Heroes per Bivouac for the remainder of his term in office. He also kicked off our 3-6-5 Sojourner Memorial Fund Club by becoming the first SEM Life Member.
Our Grand Master address the gathering in his usual informative and humorous fashion and contributed greatly to our better understanding of the issues facing our Grand Lodge and our place within the Masonic Family. It is so refreshing to enjoy the appearances of our Grand Master who is also a Sojourner and Hero, and in particular can prod=vide such an informative and entertaining address. Our newly installed President then presented our Grand Master with a Certificate of Appreciation.		It was then time to end our program with a rendition of "Old Glory Speaks" before moving to informal camaraderie, paying of the bill, and posing for pictures so that future members of the Olympic Chapter and Marvin Shields Camp of heroes can look back at the formation and share in the optimism that prevailed on this occasion. We are a Chapter! We are a Camp! Thank you Sinclair Inlet Chapter No. 80, Graham Kent and Harold Richardson, for sponsoring us during the formation.

We would especially like to thank our installing officers, and other honored guests, who are regretfully not pictured. Installing Marshall was Wayne Smith, Northern Regional Representative and District Deputy of the Grand Master in District 9; Installing Chaplain, Graham Kent, President of Sinclair Inlet Chapter No. 80 and Commander of Lewis and Clark Camp; Installing Secretary, Harold Richardson, Secretary-Treasurer of Sinclair Inlet Chapter No. 80 and Adjutant of Lewis and Clark Camp. Also attending were Arnie Finley, Deputy of the Grand Master in District 11, and Michael Pursey, Sojourner, Junior Grand Steward.