On November 1, 2025 the brothers of LCDR Edward Lea USN, Camp 2 conducted a ceremony at Glenwood Cemetery in Houston to honor Captain Mahlon E. Davis, Company A, 21st US Colored Troops and to dedicate his new headstone, which was sponsored by Camp 2. They were joined by sisters from the Sarah Emma Seelye Ladies Auxiliary #1 and the Sarah Emma Edmonds Detached Tent #4, DUVCW.
Steve Brock, Stephen Schulze, PDC, ___, William Myers, John Schneider, Jr., Susan Berry, Cody Holcomb, Rebecca Feaster, Michael, Rappe, ___, Robert Riley, CC Daniel Pourreau, Lisa Riley, John Vander Meulen, PCC, Herb Powers, Michael Lance, PDC
Kneeling: L-R: Todd Wilber, George F. Hansen, Larry Joe Reynolds, Blair G. Rudy, and Daniel B. Pourreau Standing: L-R: James K. Lea, Michael D. Rappe, William D. Myers, Cody N. Holcomb, Jason M. Kyle, Stevenson T. Holmes, Michael L. Lance, Donald L. Gates, John C. Vander Meulen, Stephen D. Schulze, Brook J. Thomas, CinC Kevin Martin, John E. Schneider Sr., Robert G. Riley, Timothy M. Phillips (partially hidden), Terry T. Sutton, Herbert W. Powers, Brian R. Glass, Michael K. Schneider, Ronald ‘Steve’ Brock, and Ben C. Bonnett Not pictured: Richard Carson, Harrison G. Moore IV, Paul Ridenour, William L. Swafford, Clifford F. ‘Butch’ Durham, Harold L. Sickler, Richard W. Erder, Mark Andrus and Beau B. Moore.
Sisters of Sarah Emma Seelye Auxiliary #1
Vali Reyes, Colleen Swafford, Annette Kinslow, Norma Pollard, Jana Marsh, Lisa Riley, Jill Schneider
On behalf of the Brothers of LCDR Edward Lea USN, Camp 2 and the Sisters of Sarah Emma Seele Ladies Auxiliary #1 we offer our sincere welcome and wish you all the best at the 144th National Encampment of The Allied Orders of the Grand Army of the Republic, right here in the great city of Houston, Texas.
If you have questions or need assistance members of our Department of TX and LA Host Committee are here to help. Look for the name tags with red ribbons.
U.S. Senator John Cornyn sends greetings
Check out the Photo Experience on Friday and Saturday after the meetings
CLICK HEREto read the June, 2025 issue ofThe Harriet Lane.
This engraving, entitled Capture of USS Harriet Lane, 1 January 1863, was published in Harper’s History of the Great Rebellion, page 421, and depicts Confederates boarding the Harriet Lane from the C.S. gunboats Neptune and Bayou City.
THIS PDF lists the volunteer opportunities available. Contact Brother Schulze if you would like to sign up.
Official Schedule
CLICK HERE for the Official Schedule on the National website.
National Encampment Reports
CLICK HERE to view an advance copy of the 144th National Encampment Reports.
This is a compilation of National Elected Officers, National Appointed Officers, National Standing Committees, National Special Committees, and Department reports to the National Encampment and Council of Administration for the August 7-10, 2025 meetings in Houston, TX. (Note: this link will expire on August 6, 2025.)
Important Dates and Other Information
Pre-Registration closed on July 19. Contact Brother Schulze or your camp secretary for assistance with late registration.
Registrations for the SVR Breakfast on Saturday are due by July 11. CLICK HERE to register for the SVR Breakfast.
The deadline to order Encampment Gear is June 30 and word is the Department needs to stick to that. Get your orders in now or you may miss out. CLICK HERE to order your gear.
Grand Army of the Republic plot at Washington CemeteryVali Reyes & Susan Berry salute as Steve Brock rings the Camp 2 BellMichael Lance, PDC, Michael Rappe & CC Daniel PourreauSusan Berry, Stephen Schulze, PDC & John Vander Meulen, PCCPatriotic DecorationsThe Allied Orders – SUVCW, ASUVCW and DUVCWAuxiliary Sisters Vali Reyes (President) & Jana Marsh (Secretary) at the grave of Sarah Emma SeelyeBrothers Vander Meulen & SchulzePresent ArmsBrother Schulze gives the Divine BlessingRed Roses to honor the deadUnion veteran buried at Washington Cemetery G.A.R. PlotOne of ten graves in this plot, and many others throughout Washington and adjacent Glenwood cemeteriesWelcome from CC PourreauJana MarshMary Anthony Startz, Vali Reyes, Jana Marsh & Susan BarrySVC Powers calls the names of Union veteransThe Honor GuardFire by the Drum!Shoulder ArmsMichael Lance, PDC, Michael Rappe, CC Daniel Pourreau, SVC Herbert Powers, William Myers, John Vander Meulen, PCC, Stephen Schulze, PDC, Steve BrockBrothers Lance and Pourreau with Tommy Attaway (left), Howard Rose (right) and other members of the Texas Rifles. Prepared for Honor Guard ceremony on Memorial Day morning at Houston National Cemetery.
The 31st Annual Department of Texas and Louisiana Encampment on May 10, 2025 in Houston was a big success. We were so pleased to be joined by Commander in Chief Kevin Martin and National Auxiliary President Rosemary Martin as our guests of honor. Congratulations to newly-elected Department Commander Brook Thomas, DSVC John Vander Meulen, DJVC Butch Durham, and to all of the 2025-2026 officers.
DC Phillips & PDC Schulze
Highlights for Camp 2 included the Camp Brother of the Year Award for SVC Herbert Powers and the Department Achievement Award, presented by Department Commander Timothy Phillips to our very own Secretary/Treasurer, PDC Stephen Schulze.
Now it is on to August when we meet again in Houston for the 144th Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War National Encampment.
Huzzah!
Front Row – DJVC John Vander Meulen, DC Timothy Phillips, C-in-C Kevin Martin, DSVC Brook Thomas, Steve Brock Back Row – PDC Michael Lance, Robert Riley, PDC Stevenson Holmes, Bill Myers, Brian Glass, Butch Durham, PDC John Schneider, Sr., Terry Sutton, PDC Don Gates, PDC Stephen Schulze, Jason Kyle, Michael Schneider, Daniel Pourreau, Charles Reed, PDC Beau Moore, Bill Elliot, Herb Powers, Todd Wilber, Jason Hoffman, Michael Rappe, Todd Williams, Harold Sickler, PDC Blair Rudy Not Pictured – Paul Ridenour
OPENING
Nice turnout for lunch before EncampmentDelicious Texas BBQDaniel Pourreau, PDC Stevenson Holmes & Brian GlassTodd Williams from Camp 18Commander in Chief Kevin Martin & National Auxiliary President Rosemary MartinMichael Schneider, Brian Glass & PDC Blair RudyOur wonderful Auxiliary sisters! Jill Schneider, Sarah Emma Seelye #1 President Vali Reyes, National President Rosemary Martin and Norma PollardJason Hoffman, Brian Glass and The BookReady for Opening CeremonyThe Color GuardAdvancing the colorsPledge of AllegiancePDC Michael Lance escorts C-in-C MartinPDC Lance escorts National Auxiliary President Rosemary MartinGifts!More Gifts!
REPORTS
Patriotic Instructor Report from Bill ElliotSecretary/Treasurer report from PDC GatesReport from PDC RudyCamp 1 report from CC GlassCamp 2 report from CC PourreauCamp 18 report from CC SchneiderJohn Vander Meulen – The Sound ManRobert Riley – The Camera Man
DISPLAYS
G.A.R. and Woman’s Relief Corp BadgesThe ChartersMore G.A.R. Badges!G.A.R. UniformFive Flags of the Department of Texas & Louisiana
AWARDS
CC Pourreau and Camp 2 Brother of the Year Herb PowersPDC Gates and Camp 5 Brother of the Year Bill ElliotCamp 18 Brother of the Year John Schneider, Sr. PDC and CC Michael SchneiderDC Phillips presents Department Achievement Award to PDC Stephen SchulzePDC Schulze and C-in-C MartinBros. Rudy, Sutton & Schneider w/ Officer CertificatesC-in-C Martin, SVC Herb Powers & Michael RappePDC Schulze, PDC Lance, C-in-C Martin & PDC HolmesDepartment Officer Certificates of Appreciation
OFFICER INSTALLATION and CLOSING
Prepared for InstallationTaking the OathDC Thomas receives badge from C-in-C MartinPast Department Commander badge presentationButch Durham receives Department Officer’s badgeColor Guard ready to closeClosing ceremoniesAll done!
Pictures from the C-in-C Reception held on May 9, 2025 at the home of Camp Commander Daniel and his lovely wife Dianne Pourreau. Good times had by one and all!
Department Officers JVC John Vander Meulen, SVC Brook Thomas and Commander Timothy PhillipsJVC Jason Hoffman, Charles Reed, Katie Reed & PDC Michael LanceMichael Rappe, SVC Herb Powers & DC Tim Phillips, at sunsetNational Auxiliary President Rosemary Martin, Dianne Pourreau and C-in-C Kevin MartinStanding – PDC Michael Lance, CC Daniel Pourreau, PDC Don Gates, Michael Rappe, Robert Riley, ___, PDC Steve Schulze, DSVC Brook Thomas, PDC John Schneider, Sr., Charles Reed, Terry Sutton, DJVC John Vander Meulen, Herb Powers, PDC Stephenson Holmes, DC Timothy Phillips, JVC Jason Hoffman Seated – National Auxiliary President Rosemary Martin, Commander in Chief Kevin Martin, Jill Schneider
