Camp 2 was invited to participate in Conroe Founder’s Day on March 15 in Conroe, TX, an annual event held in memory of Union Civil War veteran and city founder Captain Isaac Conroe, 12th IL Cavalry. City Council member Shana Arthur gave us a glowing introduction and read the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Day proclamation from Mayor Duke Coon. PCC John Vander Meulen addressed the gathering and spoke about the importance of honoring our history. As the ceremony drew to a close the Camp 2 Honor Guard fired an impeccable 3-round volley followed by the playing of taps.
The Organizing Committee presented Camp 2 with a letter and generous donation acknowledging our first-time participation, for which we are very grateful. Unfortunately our video cameras malfunctioned (everyone had AV problems) and we did not have a photographer, so all we have is the audio of Brother Vander Meulen’s remarks and this one picture to commemorate what a truly great event it was.
The Honor Guard was led by Captain Robert Riley and Drummer William Myers. The firing party included CC Daniel Pourreau, PDC Michael Lance, Michael Rappe and JVC Jason Hoffman.
Brother Vander Meulen’s remarksCamp 2 Honor Guard at Conroe Founder’s Day – Bros. Myers, Riley, Pourreau, Lance, Rappe & Hoffman
Courtyard by Marriot, Houston Northeast at 120 N Redemption Square Rd, Houston, TX 77044 is 2 miles from the reception on Friday and 30 miles from the Encampment location.
If you prefer to stay closer to the events on Saturday a Google search shows both these hotels within 1 mile of Holy Cross Lutheran Church where the Encampment will be held.
John Hendricks was the last surviving veteran of the Eighty-Ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment. He wrote this poem long after the Civil War expressing his concern that future generations might forget what Union soldiers and members of the Grand Army of the Republic held most sacred: the Union, and the flag for which they fought.
Brothers of LCDR Edward Lea, Camp 2 were joined by Brothers from Gen. James Byrne, Camp 1 of Fort Worth and Col. Elmer Ellsworth, Camp 18 of Dallas for the 31st Annual Battle of Galveston Commemoration Ceremony on January 4, 2025. We were so pleased to have representatives from the Allied Orders and many friends, affiliates and guests join in as well, including the Sarah Emma Seelye Ladies Auxiliary #1; Sarah Emma Edmonds Detached Tent #4, DUVCW; Co. K, 1st U.S. Infantry, Sons of Veterans Reserve; Co. A, 13th Regiment, U.S. Infantry; The Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the U.S.; the Dames of the Loyal Legion of the U.S.; Harmony Lodge No. 6 A.F. & A.M; United Daughters of the Confederacy, and Kathleen Shanahan Maca of Tales from Texas.
Live music made its return this year as Department Commander Timothy Phillips played Taps and Camp 2 drummer Bill Myers led the opening procession and assisted the Honor Guard with fire by the drum. DC Phillips also performed the officer installation ceremony at the post-ceremony luncheon. Congratulations to CC Daniel Pourreau, SVC Herb Powers, JVC Jason Hoffman, Secretary/Treasurer PDC Stephen Schulze and all the appointed officers for 2025.
Photojournalist Stuart Villanueva from The Daily News in Galveston was on hand for the entire event. Click here to see some of his excellent photographs and read the front-page story in the January 7, 2025 issue of The Daily News. And keep scrolling to see our own pictures – there is a nice high-resolution group shot at the end.
Henry Henck, PCC Harold Henck, Jr & Dick Gray, Harmony Lodge No. 6Rebecca Feaster (DUVCW), Katherine Gill (UDC) and Vali Reyes (ASUVCW)Address from Dick Gray of Harmony Lodge No. 6 A.F. & A.M.Greeting from Commander John Vander MeulenPDC Schulze and Department Commander Phillips
Installation of Officers
Installation ceremonyPassing the gavelCC Pourreau and PCC Vander Meulen
Group Picture
Steve Brock, Charity Zemzoum, Robert Riley, Janet Hicks, Brook Thomas, Becky Feaster, Bill Myers, Dick Gray, Jill Schneider, Vali Reyes, Dan Pourreau, Steve Schulze (PDC), Jana Marsh, John Schneider (PDC), Howard Rose, Herb Powers, Fran Matchett, Michael Lance (PDC), Sue Barry, Jason Hoffman, DC Tim Phillips, Michael Rappe, Michael Schneider (CC), Don Gates (PDC), Blair Rudy (PDC), (not pictured CC John Vander Meulen, John Schneider, Jr., Harold Henck, Jr. (PCC))
Honoring a Civil War veteran who was lost to history
Curious about her family’s history, journalist Cheryl Wills began researching her ancestry, and found she was related to Sandy Wills, a former slave who served in the Civil War with the United States Colored Troops. Her search also led her to a distant relative, a former plantation, and ultimately to Private Wills’ remains, which have now been laid to rest – with full military honors – at a veterans cemetery in Memphis. CBS News’ Bill Whitaker reports.
It was a beautiful fall morning as members of Camp 2 arrived at historic Glenwood Cemetery in Houston Heights to take part in a graveside ceremony honoring Civil War veteran, Captain Isaac Conroe. Conroe served as Captain of the 12th Illinois Cavalry and migrated to Texas after the war. He built a lumber business, and eventually founded the nearby city of Conroe, Texas.
The ceremony was supported by volunteer participants from the Sarah Emma Seelye Auxiliary No. 1, Col. Elmer E. Ellsworth Camp 18 of Dallas, and the Sarah Emma Edmonds Detached Tent No. 4, DUVCW. Special guests included Conroe City Councilwoman, Shana Arthur, Andrew V. Rapoza of the Montgomery County Historical Commission, and many descendants of Captain Conroe.
William Myers, Jason Hoffman, Daniel Pourreau, Herbert Powers, PDC Don Gates, Brook Thomas, Steve Brock, PDC John Schneider, Sr., PDC Michael Lance, Michael Rappe, PDC Stephen Schulze, CC John Vander Meulen, Robert Riley, Keith Moody, (not pictured, John Schneider, Jr. photographer)Jill Schneider, Mary Anthony Startz, Janet Hicks, Charity Zemzoum, Susan Barry, Rebecca Feaster, Cecily Kelly, Anne Lineberry, Vali Reyes, Norma Pollard The Honor Guard enters led by Drummer William MyersKeynote Speaker Andrew RapozaDescendants of Captain ConroeFamily Members lay Red RosesKeith Moody presents Grapevine WreathHonor Guard SaluteCouncilwoman Shana Arthur presents Mayoral Proclamation to CC John Vander MeulenClosing RemarksAndrew Rapoza and Councilwoman Arthur
The Honorable Mayor Duke W. Coon and the City Council of Conroe, TX have proclaimed today, October 5, 2024, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Day in the City of Conroe, Texas.
William Myers, Jason Hoffman, Daniel Pourreau, Herbert Powers, PDC Don Gates, Brook Thomas, Steve Brock, PDC John Schneider, Sr., PDC Michael Lance, Michael Rappe, PDC Stephen Schulze, CC John Vander Meulen, Robert Riley, Keith Moody, (not pictured, John Schneider, Jr. photographer)
