aerie 714 newsletter published by: cindy smith · a large box of toiletries and other sundries was...
TRANSCRIPT
Soaring Eagle January 2015 Page 1
Aerie 714 Newsletter
Cindy Smith’s email:
Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 714 3118 Chestnut Drive Atlanta, Georgia 30340 Phone: 770-457-7407
Fraternal Order of Eagles Websites:
www.foe714.com Atlanta Aerie 714
http://www.georgiafoe.com (Georgia State
Aerie)
http://www.foe4379.com (St. Mary’s 4379)
http://www.floridafraternalorderofeagles.com
(Florida State Aerie)
http://www.foe.com (Grand Aerie)
https://our.foe.com (Members Only Website)
FOE 714 Facebook Page
Published by: Cindy Smith
January 2015 Special Year-end Issue
Aerie Secretary: Dan Windle
770-377-7376
(cell)
Auxiliary Sec.: Flo Mungioli
770-458-6981
(office)
Soaring Eagle January 2015 Page 2
2014 – 2015 Atlanta 714 Fraternal Order of
Eagles Aerie Officers:
Jr. Past Worthy President: Richard
Moscaritolo
Worthy President: Don McGee
Worthy Vice President: Bobby Mislow
Worthy Chaplain: Otis Kilday
Secretary: Dan Windle
Treasurer: Joe Ayers
Conductor: Ron Lohmeier
Inside Guard: Bill Russell
Outside Guard: Donnie Spruell
Trustee: Doug Marks
Trustee: Ted Mead
Trustee: David Roberts
Trustee: Heather Rowe
Trustee: Wayne Boyd
2014 – 2015 Atlanta Aerie 714 State Officers:
Worthy President: Otis Kilday
Conductor: Bob Bare
Chaplain: Wayne Beck
Inside Guard: Tom Hatfield
Outside Guard: Don McGee
Trustee: Doug Marks
Past SE Regional President:
Pete Braunecker
SE Regional President:
Jamie Galviz (St. Mary’s)
2014 – 2015 Atlanta 714 Fraternal Order of
Eagles Ladies Auxiliary Officers:
Past Madam President: Gloria Jones
Madam President: Paula Bougher
Madam Vice President: Kimball Williams
Madam Chaplain: Louise Hatfield
Secretary: Flo Mungioli
Treasurer: Kim Taylor
Conductress: Renee Kilday
Inside Guard: Sheree Barron
Outside Guard: Sarah Pujadas
Trustee: Jinna Clark
Trustee: Evelyn Hyrns
Trustee: Catherine Turner
2014 – 2015 Atlanta Aerie 714 Ladies Auxiliary
State Officers:
Jr. Past M. President: Kim Taylor
Madam President: Carol Knipfer
M. Vice President: Louise Chatellier
Madam Chaplain: Gloria Jones
Madam Conductor: Evelyn Hyrns
Madam Treasurer: Jinna Clark
Outside Guard: Sheree Barron
Trustee: Paula Bougher
Trustee: Renee Kilday
Trustee: Kimball Williams
State Auditor: Flo Mungioli
Committee Appointment:
Auxiliary Auditor: Violet Jorgenson
Madam Membership: Louise Hatfield
Soaring Eagle January 2015 Page 3
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
28
7:00pm
Bingo
29
30
7:30 p.m.
Bingo
31
1 2
7:30 pm Bingo. 9:00pm
Queen of Hearts. Wii
Bowling. Bucket of Beer
& Wings
3
2:00 pm Bingo Bucket
of Beer & Wings.
8:00pm Randy Harper
4
7:00 pm
Bingo
5
6
7:30 pm
Bingo
Epiphany
7
6:30 p.m. Aerie
Officers Meeting 7:00
p.m. Aerie
Membership Meeting
Orthodox Christmas
Day
8
6:30pm. Auxiliary
Officers Meeting
7:00pm Ladies
Auxiliary Meeting
9
7:30pm Bingo 9:00pm
Queen of Hearts. Wii
Bowling. Bucket of
Beer&Wings
10
2:00pm Bingo.
Bucket of
Beer&Wings.
8:00pm Tom Hill and
the Midnight Sun
11
7:00 pm
Bingo
12
13
7:30 pm
Bingo
14
15
16
7:30pm Bingo 9:00pm
Queen of Hearts. Wii
Bowling. Bucket of
Beer&Wngs
17
2:00pm Bingo.
Bucket of
Beer&Wings.
8:00pm Dr Poppa with
Sweet&Salty
18
7:00 pm
Bingo
19
MLK Day
Robert E.
Lee’s
Birthday
20
7:30 pm
Bingo
21
6:30pm Aerie Officers
Meeting 7:00pm Aerie
Membership Meeting
22
6:30pm Auxiliary
Officers Meeting
7:00pm Ladies
Auxiliary Meeting
23
7:30pm Bingo 9:00pm
Queen of Hearts. Wii
Bowling. Bucket of
Beer&Wings
24
2:00pm Bingo.
Bucket of
Beer&Wings
8:00pm Seminole
Jackson
25
7:00 pm
Bingo
26
27
7:30 pm
Bingo
e-Day
28
29
Aerie Open New
Year’s Day!
30
7:30pm Bingo. 9:00pm
Queen of Hearts. Wii
Bowling. Bucket of
Beer&Wings
31
2:00pm Bingo.
Bucket of
Beer&Wings
8:00pm Dale Curry
Soaring Eagle January 2015 Page 4
PRESIDENT’S LETTER
Brothers and Sisters,
We hope that everyone had a Blessed Christmas with family and friends. Hard to believe December and 2014 has come to an
end.
December’s charity was the General Fund. On Dec. 13, Worthy and Madame raised $700.00 in their Rock-A-Thon. Thank you
to Margaret Simms for helping co-ordinate this event and a HUGE Thank you to all the members who donated food and money.
Louise Hatfield even presented a Thank You plaque to DJ Holly for all that he has done for our Aerie. It was really a fun day.
We have so many great members to Thank for all that they did in the month of December and please forgive us if we left
someone out:
Laurie Moon, Barbara Barber and everyone else who helped out at the Meet and Greet on Dec. 6. We were honored to
host Grand Aerie President Elect Chuck Lang, Grand Auxiliary President Elect penny Skinner, Grand Auxiliary
Trustee Jacque Marble, and Scott Haughteling and Jenny Peterman of the Grand. They were in Atlanta to help out at
the 11-Alive Can-A-Thon.
Everyone who attended the Can-A-Thon and showed all of Atlanta what the Fraternal Order of Eagles is all about.
Wayne Beck, Louise Hatfield and everyone else who donated food and/or money for our member’s luncheon on Dec.
14. The food was awesome and a good time was had by all.
We were able to take over 50 toys to Toys for Tots, thanks to the generosity of our members.
A large box of toiletries and other sundries was taken to the VA, thanks to donations from our incredible members.
Kimball Williams, Joe Ayers and their crew for a great New Year’s Eve party. We hope everyone had a great time
ringing in 2015. Congratulations to all the raffle winners!
January’s charity is the Robert Hanson Diabetes Fund. We all know someone who is struggling with this disease. Louise
Hatfield and her team have several opportunities for you to help out, including a spaghetti dinner. Be sure to check out the
calendar and calling post for all the details.
Do you have any New Year’s Resolutions yet? Think about how you can help out at 714 – what is the real reason you became a
member? There are so many ways for members to share their time and talents.
Happy New Year and May God Bless.
Don McGee Paula Bougher
Worthy President Madame President
No Trustees’ Letter.
No Aerie/Auxiliary Secretaries Letter.
No Eagle Riders Letter.
No Volunteer of the Month information for December 2014.
Soaring Eagle January 2015 Page 5
WHERE WOULD WE BE WITHOUT VOLUNTEERS?
Imagine for a moment, “What kind of Aerie would we have without our volunteers?”
There would be: No Fund Raisers every month, indeed-every week; No Monday Night Buffet dinners; No Decorating around the
social room; No Special Sunday brunch meals; No memorials; No Queen of Hearts; and No 50/50 raffles for all kinds of
fundraising efforts that are totally implemented by volunteers. These are people who have a heart for a cause and/or for our
Aerie, that are willing to sacrifice their time and energy to raise money for our Charities or our Aerie.
Instead, you would have a plain sign outside: No Pride; No Private Club; No Friendship and Family; and the costs of drinks and
food would be much higher than it is now so that members wouldn’t be able to afford to come in the Aerie 6-7 times a week.
Many members enjoy being able to have a low costs meal on Monday Nights while socializing at the Aerie. Past Madam
Presidents and Past Worthy Presidents sometimes put on a luncheon or a dinner which members have enjoyed for years.
Recently, we have had meat raffles on Sunday afternoons to help with charities or Aerie Operation Funds. Free Thanksgiving
Day meal and Christmas dinner. By the way, these meals take volunteers several hours of prep work to prepare and serve, and
the attendance by members was not appreciated based on the numbers. Food had to be walked out or thrown away.
Each and every one of these events are made possible by Eagle volunteers. It is sad to say that too few members are willing to
step up and give of their time to help make all this possible. And, it is sad to say that too many members are willing to criticize
and complain about the work the volunteers do.
If you have never helped with a fund raising event or never worked in the kitchen, then I must say, you have no place in voicing
your opinion. Before complaining, perhaps you need to consider that sometimes those volunteers have a LOT of things on their
plates such as jobs, relationships, kids, etc. Many volunteers donate their own money when the funds are not there for you to
enjoy. If something is missed or not done to your expectations, these kind, giving people should NEVER be dumped on.
Rather, Eagle members should asked “How can I help”? The majority of members joined the Fraternal Order of Eagles to be part
of something bigger, to give back to their community, and to help raise money for charities. If all you want is to hang out at a
local bar, there are any number of establishments to which you can go. Our volunteers are what set the F.O.E. above and apart
from being “just a bar.”
Next time you are ordering food, or happen to see someone who is helping out, pause and tell them “Thank You!” A kind word
goes a long way and really is the only reward a volunteer gets.
SPECIAL SURVEY
After numerous debates and inquiries about the smoking policy and several other inquires at Atlanta Fraternal Order of
Eagles, Worthy President Don McGee has decided to call a special survey to kick off the New Year 2015. The results of
this survey will be posted and discussed at the next Aerie Joint meeting on January 28st, 2015. To see if there are any
directive changes needed to be added to our By-Laws and/or House Rules. All changes to our By-Laws and House Rules
shall be submitted by the By-Law Committee and be voted at an Aerie General Meeting at a future date.
This is an important vote and we are asking all members to submit their vote and attend the Officers/Membership Joint
meeting on Jan 28th, 2015 at 6:30 pm to discuss their survey vote.
Aerie and Auxiliary members may place their surveys in a special box by the front door or mail your survey to our local
secretaries before January 21th, 2018.
Soaring Eagle January 2015 Page 6
Please place a check mark in the answer box; The Question on the special ballot will be the following:
1. Are you in favor of Atlanta Fraternal Order of Eagles #714 becoming a NON-SMOKING Aerie, with smoking
only allowed on the back porch area or by the Flag Pole area of the property?
YES
NO
2. Are you in favor of Atlanta Fraternal Order of Eagles #714 social room getting an updated satellite juke box for
all type of music to be heard by members of the FOE? Think before answering, your free juke box will not be
available.
YES
NO
3. Are you in favor of Atlanta Fraternal Order of Eagles #714 on the Dinner Special Prices $12.00 or lower?
YES
NO
4. Are you in favor of Atlanta Fraternal Order of Eagles #714 weekly entertainment?
YES
NO
5. Are you in favor of Atlanta Fraternal Order of Eagles #714 open their Aerie doors on Saturdays at 12 noon?
YES
NO
If there are any other changes or comments you as a Fraternal Order of Eagles member of Atlanta Aerie #714 wishes to
add to this survey, please write a small statement below or meet with your Aerie/Auxiliary Presidents.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Soaring Eagle January 2015 Page 7
Rockin Around The Christmas Tree Party
At the Aerie Sunday December 7 starting at 2:00 p.m.
many helped decorate the Christmas tree in the Social
Room. DJ Holly will be spun tunes all afternoon.
Madame President Paula Bougher challenged Worthy
President Don McGee to a Rock-A-Thon to see who can
raise the most money for the Aerie General Fund. They
were in rocking chairs all afternoon accepting your
donations. Bragging rights and a special ‘trophy’ will
go to the President that raises the most money. There
will be a pool for members to participate in to see which
President can rock the longest. Also on hand will be a
raffle for “Santa’s Helper” (Bet you can’t guess what
that might be)! This is also the last day to donate to
Toys for Tots. Come on out and join your Eagle
Brothers and Sisters as we kick off the Christmas
season!
Soaring Eagle January 2015 Page 8
AERIE BIRTHDAYS
1 January Larry R. Barber
2 January Bertha L. Clarke
2 January Roger S. Decker
3 January Van K. Corbitt
3 January Stephen R. Munier
4 January William S. Grace
6 January John J. Holcomb
6 January N. R. Mooney
8 January Donald W. Compton
8 January Paula Lash
10 January Rick R. Beasley
10 January Ted D. Mead
14 January Mark T. Chance
16 January Jay S. Brody
16 January Denise Hughes
16 January Robert L. Snee
16 January Roger D. Crump
18 January Allen M. Johncock
19 January Ricky Ricker
25 January Glen Goren
26 January Larry T. Garrett
27 January Charles B. Hefner, Jr.
27 January Otis L. Kilday III
27 January Thomas Mash
28 January Gerald Brown
AUXILIARY BIRTHDAYS:
1 January Mary Gilstrap
3 January Gail Vaillancourt
4 January Sandra Jetter
5 January Annie Taylor
7 January Juanita Peters
7 January Pamela Scott
8 January Virginia Clark
12 January Alicia Reynolds
17 January Lynn Berry
18 January Rhonda Carpenter
18 January Sarah Riley
19 January Winniw McIlvain
21 January Mary Parker
24 January Rosemary Farrell
24 January Rebecca Minar
28 January Pam Nagel
Soaring Eagle January 2015 Page 9
BINGO – Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday -- $1000 JACKPOT. Each day. Open to the public.
I SUPPORT MY AERIE
=================
11/29 SHEREE BARRON $25.00
12/06 BARBARA BARBER $50.00
12/13 FEE ABRAHAMS $25.00
12/20 JIM DYER $25.00
12/27 JOE AYERS $50.00
AUXILIARY MEMBER DRAWING
========================
12/4 PENNY SKINNER $57.00 PRESENT
12/18 ROSEMARY FARRELL $29.00 NOT PRESENT
NEW AUXILIARY MEMBERS
======================
ANNETTE SHAKESPEARE - PROPOSED BY REBA MOSCARITOLO
PATTY NOCKE - PROPOSED BY MARGARET SIMMS
Soaring Eagle January 2015 Page 10
DECEMBER QUARTER DRAWING:
11-30 Patricia Jones $25.25
12-1 Barbara Serrato $30.50
12-2 Ruby Wooley $35.50
12-3 Keith Daniel $41.25
12-4 James Waites $48.25
12-5 David Wallace $54.75
12-6 Donald Hutchinson $59.75
12-7 Petros Durant $64.25
(Winner!)
12-8 Carla Kornmeier $ 4.75
12-9 Barbara Serrato $ 9.25
12-10 Scott A. Krebs $15.75
12-11 Neal Harrelson $20.00
12-12 Bernice Griffin $27.25
12-13 Charles Parker $33.25
12-14 Gerald Brown $41.75
12-15 Jay Riemersha $44.25
12-16 William Youmans $50.75
12-17 Donna Stamm $55.50
12-18 Ann Crook $60.75
12-19 Barbara Lawrence $67.00
12-20 R. Neal Harrelson $71.75
12-21 Angele Hardin $76.50
12-22 Walt Ingram $79.50
12-23 Earl Thompson $83.75
12-24 Allen Crowe $89.50
12-26 Donna Wilson $97.00
12-27 Donna Stam $105.25
12-28 Ann Crook $110.25
12-29 Peter Baker $116.50
12-30 Bob Urban $121.25
12-31 John Saltis $128.25
Soaring Eagle January 2015 Page 11
More fun at Can-A-Thon!!
A good time was had by all while members
from the Grand Aerie and Grand Auxiliary
were in town! They participated in Can-A-
Thon at the Turner Field location and it was
a smashing success!
So many people turned out to help at Can-A-
Thon! Everybody got into the act...helping
distribute cans, breaking down boxes,
serving hot coffee, Bar-B-Q and lots of fun!
Soaring Eagle January 2015 Page 12
Busload after busload of children arrived
with thousands of cans! It was a truly
awesome site!
There was plenty of entertainment for Kids
of all ages!
The FOE Aerie and Auxiliary rubbed
elbows with the News, Weather and Sports
personalities of 11Alive!
Soaring Eagle January 2015 Page 13
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Christmas at the Eagles Aerie 714!
A great team!
Holy 714! Let the party begin!!! Chicago
Joe Jones and his band rocked some
righteous tunes and there was some serious
dancing and partying!!
More Christmas at Aerie 714!
Soaring Eagle January 2015 Page 15
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Holy 714! Let the party begin!! Chicago
Joe Jones and his band rocked some
righteous tunes, and there was some serious
dancing and partying!
Saturday night at the Atlanta Aerie 714! An
evening filled with gratitude for our great
organization and wonderful Grand Officers!
Kimball Williams! Thanks for all the great
work you do!
Soaring Eagle January 2015 Page 18
New Year’s at the Eagles Aerie 714!
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Lounge Hours:
Kitchen Hours:
Monday 4:00 pm – 12:30 am
Kitchen Hours: 5:00 – 10:00 pm
BOT Meeting/Turnover 4-8:30pm
Buffet 5:30-7pm
Tuesday 4:00 pm – 12:30 am
Kitchen Hours 5:00 – 10:00 pm
Special TBA
Bingo 7:30 – 9:30 pm
Wednesday 12:00 pm – 12:30 am
Kitchen Hours 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Special TBA
1st & 3rd Weds.Aerie Officers Mtg 6:30-7pm
1st & 3rd Weds. Aerie Meeting 7:00pm
Thursday 4:00 pm – 12:30 am
Kitchen Hours 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Special TBA
1st & 3rd Thurs. Aux. Officers Mtg 6:30-7pm
1st & 3rd Thurs. Auxiliary Meeting 7:00pm
Friday 3:00 pm – 2:30 am
Kitchen Hours 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Special TBA. Bingo 7:30 – 9:30 pm
Bucket of Beer 3pm–2:30 am.
Wii Bowling.
Chicken Wings 5-11pm
Saturday 12:00 pm – 2:30 am
Kitchen Hours (Including Bingo 1-4)
1:00 – 11:00 p.m. Special TBA
Band 8pm-12am.
Bucket of Beer 3-7pm.
Chicken Wings 5-11pm
Sunday 1:00 pm – 12:00 am
Kitchen Hours 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Bingo 7:00 – 9:00 pm Special TBA
Bucket of Beer 1pm-12am
Bucket of Beer 1:00 pm – 12:00 am
Petros Durant (left) and Ryan LeGrande
(right)
Lounge Specials:
WINGS: 10 for $5.00 Friday &
Saturday ALL DAY
BUCKET OF BEER: 5
non premium Domestics $10.00
Friday – Sunday.
Buckets of non-premium beer are now
$11.25.
Soaring Eagle January 2015 Page 22
Quick Picks – Keno – Everyday – Wings
and Buckets of Beer Weekend Specials –
Ask your server.
I would truly like to thank the following people for cooking on Monday nights: Bob
Bare, Michelle, Cindy McGee, BJ and Russ, Gina Clark, Kimball, Flo and Kim, Bama, Pam and
Mary, and Wayne Beck. These people have given their time to cook serve and clean up on
Monday nights in an effort save the Aerie money. Again thanks to all and God Bless.
Louise Chattellier
2014 Guidelines for Soaring Eagle Content
All content must be submitted by the 22nd of each month.
All content must be in TEXT format in Microsoft Word.
Business ads will be removed from the bulletin after 1 month of non-payment (price is
$5.00/month per ad).
Charity Events – please assign 1 point of contact for charity event content to avoid
redundancy.
Thank you!
Cindy Smith ([email protected])
GUIDE LINES FOR PUBLICATIONS IN HOME TOWN NEWS.
To publish in ‘PLACES TO GO’ it is a cost of $20 and will be published in SEVEN
publications. The PLACES TO GO” section reaches 140,000 readers.
DEADLINE SUBMISSION DATES ARE THE MONTH PRIOR
Example: November 8th for December publications/Nov 15th for December publications.
8TH FOR PRESS RELEASES and STORIES/ No charge for these, first come first serve
15th FOR ADVERTISING IN PLACES TO GO $20 fee
Submit details of your event to Constance Binkley via
email [email protected] or call w/details 678-231-4201 no less than 7 days
prior to due dates listed above.
Soaring Eagle January 2015 Page 23
FROM THE AUXILIARY SECRETARY'S OFFICE
===================================
AUXILIARY MEMBERS PLEASE LOOK AT YOUR
DUES RECEIPT CARDS
FOR THOSE MEMBERS THAT THERE DUES EXPIRE
DECEMBER 31, 2014 THIS IS:
R E M I N D E R #1
===============
BENEFIT MEMBERS $25.00
NON BENEFIT MEMBERS $24.00
IF YOU VISIT THE AERIE, DROP YOUR PAYMENT OFF IN
OUR AUXILIARY MAIL BOX LOCATED IN THE HALLWAY
BESIDE THE AUXILIARY BINGO CLOSET OR MAIL THEM
TO:
F.O.E. AUXILIARY #714
P.O. BOX 942014
ATLANTA, GA. 31141-2014
Soaring Eagle January 2015 Page 24
Prayers for Recovery:
Ren Brennan Lee Navle
Tom Hatfield Catherine Turner
Lou Alvarado Russ
Ann Crook Mable Goodrich
Jackie Cauley Carl Hyrns
Members We’ve Lost
Chuck “Captain” Orwick
Big George
Ronnie Rewis
Chuck McGivern
Soaring Eagle January 2015 Page 25
JANUARY 2015
ENTERTAINMENT
***** happy new year!!
*****
3RD. RANDY HARPER
STARTING US OFF
RIGHT!
10TH. Tom Hill & the
midnight sun
Down home
fantastic!!!
17TH. DR. POPPA W/SWEET &
SALTY
Sax and more -
!!!
24th. seminolllle
Jackson!!!!
Total package
!!
31st. dale curry – real
deal
(elvis is out of
town..)
Wings and Buckets of beer
specials Friday – Sunday – ask
you servers.
Bingo – open to public &
members
Tues, Friday, Sat. & Sunday.
Soaring Eagle January 2015 Page 26
Soaring Eagle January 2015 Page 27
Ren Brennan:
No Obligation Real Estate Consultation
o: 404-843-2500
c: 678-508-1536
REN BRENNAN, ABR,
CCB. REALTOR®
Better Homes and Gardens, Metro Brokers
Buckhead
ABR (Accredited Buyer Representative) &
CCB (Certified Commercial Brokerage)
Member of Atlanta Board of Realtors &
Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors & a
42 year Resident of Metro Atlanta
US Army Veteran - served in the 2nd
Battalion, 13th Mechanized
Infantry Regiment, 8th Infantry Division,
US Army Europe
Member of Atlanta FOE 714 & American
Legion Post #140
Paid Advertisement
A huge THANK YOU to the members of
my Aerie decorating "Dream Team" who
worked so hard on Sunday from sunrise to
sunset decorating our club for the
holidays. Members of the team are: Ginna
and Jay Brodie, Gene Tripp and Doug
Simms. Thanks again for a great
effort. Margaret Simms
Your Ad Here
For only $5.00 / month
You can have your business advertised in the FOE 714
monthly bulletin.
Email [email protected] for details
You can have your business advertised on the FOE 714
website.
Email [email protected] for details.
Soaring Eagle January 2015 Page 28
Note from Cindy Smith: If anyone is not
receiving the Soaring Eagle newsletter by
email, please email me at
[email protected], and I will get you on
the list. Thank you! Or leave your name and
email with the bartender.
Words of Wisdom:
The winter at Valley Forge of starting about
January 1778 was especially harsh, soldiers
had inadequate supplies of food, many had
no shoes (often shoes were worn out from
marching), they were poorly clothed,
blankets were scarce, many of the wounded
died of exposure, the quarters were crowded
and damp, and the encampment was ravaged
by diseases like smallpox, dysentery,
pneumonia, typhus, and typhoid. About
2,500 soldiers died by the time winter was
over. Women whose husbands or other
relatives were among the soldiers provided
nursing care and other services, and people
called Regimental Camp Followers were
morale boosters and provided other
necessary support functions. When five
members of Congress arrived to inspect the
Continental Army there, Washington
showed them the desperate conditions of the
men; the Congressional response was to take
control of the supply system so that soon
adequate supplies were flowing to the camp
by the end of February. Martha
Washington, wife of George Washington,
came to the camp on 10 February 1778 and
organized a group of women to sew and knit
for the men shirts and trousers and also
patched socks and other garments. Around
500 women performed many services at
Valley Forge (about 1 woman for every 44
men). After the harsh winter at Valley
Forge, Washington and his army were
heartened by the decision of France to aid
the Revolution by sending not only
monetary donations but also badly needed
military aid. Washington later
acknowledged that the hardships suffered at
Valley Forge made the soldiers and their
helpers more willing than ever to persevere
in their quest for liberty and that this
perseverance is what made the Continental
Army win the War. During this winter in
January 2015, let’s remember the hardships
and the perseverance of all American
soldiers of all wars who have made us and
keep us free.
Encampment at Valley Forge in 1778 (1830
engraving by G. Boynton)