The Skirmish Line - Winter 2017

THE MAGAZINE OF THE NORTH-SOUTH SKIRMISH ASSOCIATION, INC.

Winter 2017

Volume 63 ~ Issue 1

In this Issue: 135th National Draft Schedule 2016 N-SSA Society of Color Bearers Veteran’s Skirmish Invitation Interview with a Costumer Regional News Emergency Medical Information

Photo by Kara Walter 1st PA Rifles “Bucktails”

The Skirmish LineTM is the quarterly publication of The North-South Skirmish Association, Inc.

Non-member annual subscriptions are available for $24 per year (U.S. Funds) Editor & Publisher Editor, Chris Branch ~ skirmishline@n-ssa.net National Photography Officer ~ Ericka Hoffman Visit our website at: http:\www.n-ssa.org

The N-SSA Corporate Seal and the magazine title, The Skirmish LineTM, are registered trademarks of the NorthSouth Skirmish Association, Inc. Reproduction in any form or manner without the expressed written consent of the N-SSA Board of Directors is strictly prohibited. All pages are copyrighted by the North-South Skirmish Association, Inc. and The Skirmish LineTM magazine. Text and images in this publication are the property of the original owners (authors). Text and images may not be published separately, in hard copy or electronically, without the expressed written permission of their owner(s). The authors and advertisers are responsible to make sure that they have the permission and right to publish articles, photos, and illustrations that they did not create. The NorthSouth Skirmish Association, Inc., The Skirmish LineTM, and its staff are not responsible for copyright infringement.

Please contact the Editor for questions relating to any matter, including but not limited to rights, if any, to copy materials herein.

Disclaimer: The North-South Skirmish Association does not guarantee, warrant, or endorse any product or service advertised in this publication. The publisher also does not guarantee the safety or effectiveness of any product or service illustrated, mentioned, offered, or advertised herein. The publisher does not assume responsibility as to whether or not products or services advertised in this publication comply with all state or local laws which may be applicable in regard to the purchase or usage of such products or services.

Warning: Neither the author(s) nor the North-South Skirmish Association, Inc. can accept any responsibility for accidents or differing results obtained using techniques, products, and combinations thereof that will make results vary. Firearms should be checked before firing and periodically thereafter by a competent gunsmith and all manufacturer’s instructions and warnings must be followed.

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**ANNOUNCEMENT**

Work Skirmish Saturday, June 17, 2017 Fort Shenandoah, Virginia Last year’s Work Skirmish was a resounding success with over 90 volunteers participating. The 2017 National Work Skirmish will be held on June 17. This year, you may sign up for a specific project if you desire. The projects are as follows: Create steps in the short embankment behind the Veterans Building.

Replace flap hinges as needed on Sutler’s Row and repair roof leaks.

Repair Main Range Tower steps, replacing treads and risers as needed.

Replace rotting gun racks as needed.

Re-stain Sutler’s Row buildings as needed.

Install frame holes at 25 feet on BB Gun Range.

Prune new growth vegetation as needed.

General maintenance and cleanup.

All teams who have members who would like to volunteer, please respond to Jeff Hall at jchall23@verizon.net, and/or Tim Scanlan at nssapropertymgr@aol.com, so we can properly plan the work and obtain the required material.

Thanks for your help!

Jeff Hall, Property Management Committee

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Volume 63 ~ Issue 1 Winter 2017 Covering the News & Happenings of the N-SSA from November 1, 2016 - March 31, 2017.

Visit Us at www.N-SSA.org

On the Cover Fort Shenandoah Photo by Kara Walter (Kara’s Dad’s daughter)

1st PA Rifles “Bucktails”

Change of Address Requests Please send all address changes to: Judy Stoneburner N-SSA Executive Secretary PO Box 218 | Crozet, VA 22932-0218 If your household receives multiple copies that you’d prefer not to receive, please email execsecretary@n-ssa.net.

You must include your Zip+4 to receive The Skirmish Line

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In this Issue Work Skirmish Announcement ....................................................................... 2 National Commander’s Column ...................................................................... 4 Meet the Staff Officer - Bob Gorsky ................................................................ 5 Small Arms Committee .................................................................................... 6 New Skirmish Schedule Event - AA ................................................................ 7 Taps .................................................................................................................. 8 Welcome New Recruits .................................................................................... 9 SCV & UDC Southern Social ........................................................................... 11 Officer, Commander, Staff, and Committee Contacts .................................. 12 Pictorial Directory of Officers & Regional Commanders ............................. 14 135th National Draft Schedule ..................................................................... 16 An Interview with a Costumer ~ Linda Duffy.............................................. 18 Team Classifications ...................................................................................... 22 The Unsung Skirmisher - John Doyle ........................................................... 23 Charitable Giving - Estate Planning ............................................................. 24 2016 N-SSA Society of Color Bearers ............................................................ 26 50 Year Membership Award Form ................................................................ 27 Winter Board of Directors Meeting Minutes ................................................ 28 Fall Membership Meeting Minutes ............................................................... 34 Skirmish Line Deadline & Submission Details ............................................. 35 Veterans Skirmish Information & Donations Needed ................................. 36 Regional News: Tidewater ......................................................................... 38 Deep South....................................................................... 40 EMERGENCY MEDICAL INFORMATION ..................................................... 43 Letter to the Editor ........................................................................................ 45 2017 Skirmish Dates - Approved Full List .................................................... 46

In the Next Issue ...

Spring Edition Information & Deadlines: This color edition will contain news from the Spring Nationals and other articles of interest.

National Officer articles, Regional Reports, photographs, etc. are due to skirmishline@n-ssa.net by May 31, 2017.

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As we move into the 2017 skirmish season I hope that all of you are excited and ready for a wonderful year of skirmishing. I want to thank you for giving me the great honor of being elected as commander. I have been a skirmisher for 41 years and I know how big the shoes have been of our previous commanders and how hard it will be to fill them. It is a sacred duty to do this job. I want to thank Phil Spaugy and Judy Stoneburner for all of their help in the transition from one commander to the next.

I believe that our winter Board of Directors meeting went smoothly. If you have never been to a Board of Directors meeting, you should try to attend one. When you are there you can see how your regional commander contributes to the decision making and you can also see how the Board handles the problems and opportunities that it faces. We all know that the N-SSA faces many issues such as recruitment of new members, expansion into new geographic areas, meeting financial goals, and so on. I am certain that we will work together to solve all of these challenges.

Based on a vote at the August 2016 Board meeting, and approval by the membership in this past October, we now have a non-shooting membership class. These folks will pay 50% of the normal dues and be limited in how they participate in skirmishes. We hope that this will allow people to continue in the N-SSA even though they cannot shoot any longer.

We have some important changes in the national format. One decision was to restructure the musket match at our national skirmish. Beginning this spring we will have two relays of musket in the First Phase and two relays in the Second Phase. We hope to actually start the Second Phase at 11:30 a.m. We expect that we will be able to finish the entire musket match an hour earlier than when we have three relays in the morning. Skirmishers will also be able to purchase practice targets when they register for individuals for the national or buy them from our Executive Secretary when she is in her office. There will be a relay of artillery on Friday afternoon since the number of guns has significantly increased.

Howitzers and mortars will set up together, the howitzers will fire, and when they are finished, the mortars will fire. Due to the time constraints that this causes, breechloading rifles/carbine II (generally called the Henry match), single shot breech loaders, and the Spencers will all fire in the same match. We will not have the Traditional Match this spring but may have it in the fall. We will continue to have the NRA match (aggregate musket score) and hope that more skirmishers will sign up for it.

Wayne Jordan coordinated a very successful donation campaign that brought in almost $25,000 for our treasury.

Thanks to Wayne and to everyone who made a contribution. We really need to keep this effort going into the future. Chris Defrancisci and Melinda Shaw have led a marketing and recruitment program that has brought in a number of new people.

We need to publicize our sport and constantly bring in new members. Chris and Melinda are doing a great job!

Our Property Management Committee will once again hold a work skirmish on June 17. They will publish a list of jobs to be done and skirmishers can sign up to do a specific job. This volunteer labor is very important to the maintenance of our fort. Any donations for that work skirmish are greatly appreciated.

I thank all of you for what you do to help the N-SSA. I look forward to seeing you on the firing line!

Dave

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MEET THE STAFF OFFICER By: Wayne Jordan Meet Bob Gorsky, National Bivouac Officer . He is a member of the 8th Virginia Infantry in the Potomac Region. Bob has been handling this duty for about twelve years now.

What exactly does the Bivouac Officer do? “My main job is to try to keep the peace,” is his first answer, and his overriding priority. Most of his time is taken up with property line issues among the campsites. Over time, some campsites tend to grow or shrink as the number of team members changes, and posts that once marked boundaries disappear. There are a variety of reasons why property lines can end up in dispute as things evolve over the years.

But inevitably, the time comes when someone must determine where the line actually is. When Bob first took over the job, he took the master map of Ft Shenandoah and walked all the campsites to verify its accuracy and get an idea of where problems may arise. There are no definite measurements on the maps and the land doesn’t always allow for every campsite to be a simple and obvious rectangle. Sometimes Bob has called in Jackie Venskoskie to help settle questions about property lines since Jackie had a big hand in laying out many of the campsites. “Jackie has an amazing memory of exactly where everything originally was,” Bob says.

Whenever a new team comes along and needs a campsite, it is up to Bob to find a place for them. That is also the case when a team wants to relocate. Although he can usually come up with workable solutions, it is not always easy to do. Any major decisions about Team movements, boundary lines, or campsite expansions and contractions must go to the Board for final approval.

When Nationals come around, it is up to the Bivouac Officer to find places for people to park. He may need to designate various patches of land that he knows will not be in use as places for teams to park vehicles that won’t fit in their campsites. He may also have to find a place for people to camp who are part of a team that doesn’t usually camp on site.

Most Nationals require a lot of juggling of spaces around Fort Shenandoah.

Bob took on this job originally out of a desire to do his part to support the organization. In his younger days he would have liked a more physically active job working around camp, but this seemed to be the next best option. The best part of the job is that it gets him out meeting people whom he might not encounter otherwise. The most difficult part of the job is being stuck in the middle of disputes that cannot be easily resolved. “Sometimes the best solution I can come up with leaves people on both sides mad at me,” he says.

Since many of the property line disputes evolve over time and each side has a valid claim, Bob has learned a few methods to break the gridlock. “I like being called in to work with teams that have older, longtime members. I’ve found that when I call on them to help out, they often can remember where boundaries once were and how they got moved.

With that information I can often help people reach an agreement.”

Bob first joined the N-SSA in 1999 as a member of Chiswell’s Exiles where an old friend was already a member, and quickly moved into the Expert category with most of his weapons. He has held numerous other positions over the years including Potomac Regional Inspector General, Regional Skirmish Director, National Statistics Deputy, Small Arms Committee member, Team Commander, and Team Range Officer. Bob and his father, who was also a member, are professional machinists and Bob does quite a bit of gunsmith work for many N-SSA members. His favorite gun to work on is the Model 1 Maynard due to some of its unusual design features. Bob was a roundball shooter and archer before joining the N-SSA, and is an avid hunter. He lives in Westminster, MD with his wife, Lucy.

Meet the Staff Officer or Committee Chairperson will be published in each edition of the Skirmish Line. The most recent N-SSA directory lists 31 Staff Officers and 21 Committee Chairs. This reflects the wide range of duties that must be performed to keep our organization running. Most of these volunteers are low profile people who work quietly behind the scenes, contributing an enormous number of hours of work to support the N-SSA each year. This series of articles is meant to bring them out of the background and share with our membership who they are and why they are in these jobs.

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This Small Arms column will be a “potpourri” of topics, some new, some old, and some refresher items for our new members who have not had access to the plethora of back issues of the Skirmish Line.

Ballard, Important Update:

grandfathering was posted on the N-SSA’s Bulletin Board on 12-12-2016. Because of the important nature of this decision The Small Arms Committee (SAC) approval for the Ball & it is necessary to place this information in the Skirmish Line Williams Ballard known as the “Civilian/Military Hybrid Carbine” has been withdrawn and a “Moratorium” has been for all to read, because not everyone in the N-SSA uses the placed upon any further submittals. This is one of the lesser internet. known, and very rare, Ballard Carbines. The Ballard in Smooth Bore Muskets and Sights, Revisited: question has been known in the N-SSA as the “Ball & Here is a question heard with frequency by the SAC: “Why Williams Ballard Civilian/Military Hybrid Carbine.” This can’t I modify the sights on my smooth bore musket?” The Ballard is a blend of Civilian and Military attributes. It has a answer is quite simple, because Rule 19.9.1 (l) says you full octagonal barrel with sling swivel, a sporting rifle can’t modify the sights on your smooth bore musket! The forearm, military sights, and a military butt stock with sling Smooth Bore Matches, from their inception, have always swivel. been intended to be “as-issued” matches. As a personal th Shortly after the 134 National the SAC had the occasion to observation, the N-SSA is the only competitive discipline revisit the authorization for allowing this rare model Ballard where the majority of competitors seem to not know the to be used in the N-SSA’s Competitive Matches. In the Rules! Believe me, I hear it all the time “I didn’t know that course of some six weeks of intense research it was was a Rule!” In most other disciplines the very first thing a discovered that the original documentation which had been new competitor does is nearly memorize the Rules. Why? the basis for allowing this arm was faulty. There had been Because they are cut-throat competitors and they will beat quite a few years elapse from when the original you by the Rules every chance they get! Now, I’m not documentation was provided, and in the ensuing years suggesting you begin filing protests at every opportunity, but newer information had come to light which now showed that I am suggesting you at least read the rules once a year this Ballard did not meet the N-SSA’s requirements. This because they do change at nearly every Board Meeting. requirement is spelled out in the Rules, specifically 19.1 (b) There are several simple and seemingly innocent violations which calls for documentation of 100 arms manufactured. that can get your Individual Match targets disqualified at a The newly updated research shows that only 60 such arms National. It is nothing short of tragic to have a medal winning were produced by Ballard. However, if in the future anyone target disqualified after having driven hundreds of miles to is able to document 100 such arms the SAC will be more compete. than happy to revisit the topic. Until then no more “Ballard Speaking of sights on Smooth Bore Muskets, you are also Civilian/Military Hybrid Carbines” will be approved for use in not allowed to add a rear sight to a smooth bore musket the N-SSA. In addition, the 4 or 5 pre-existing SAC which never had one! Again, see Rule 19.9.1 (l). The Individual Approval Cards which had been issued will be problem arises with the muskets altered to percussion by the “grandfathered”, so as to allow the individuals who had met chambered breech method, aka a patent breech. These the requirements at that time will be allowed to continue to muskets were altered to percussion by some 25 shops in the use their Ballards in the N-SSA. An “Official Notice” regarding the withdrawal of the approval and the ensuing (Continued on page 7) 6

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Philadelphia, PA, area in 1861 and 1862, and originally never had rear sights installed. Many of them resemble the well-known H&P altered muskets which had rear sights installed when they were altered. If you have one of these originally unsighted alterations please understand that you can’t add a rear sight and call it an “H&P”. All smooth bore muskets with rear sights are required by the Rules to have a SAC Individual Approval Card, see Rule 19.7.1 (d) 7. When you submit your musket for a SAC inspection and it is determined that you have added a rear sight to a musket which never had a rear sight originally you will not be granted permission for what you have done, nor you will receive a SAC Card for your efforts to deceive. All you will have done is wasted your time and money, and in turn you will have ruined a historic Civil War musket.

Reproduction Austrian Lorenz Rifle Musket: As this publication goes to press one of the hottest topics around in the reproduction arms market is the announcement by Pedersoli that they have finally produced an Austrian Lorenz Rifle Musket! The only example they have at this time is a prototype which has been shown in videos on the internet. Their example is the model with the leaf rear sight, which is what we would want over the block non-adjustable type. The stock will be in American Walnut, which hasn’t made some potential customers too happy because it isn’t the original Beech wood. For my two cents, have you seen the original Lorenz muskets with Beech stocks? They’re not attractive, well, not to me anyway! The Lorenz will be bored in .54 caliber, and there will be an original type compression bullet mould available, also made

by Pedersoli. Because the Pedersoli Lorenz is still in the prototype stage, they have stated that they have some minor modifications yet to be done before it goes into

John Holland, Small Arms Officer production. They hope to have it on the market by September of this year. When it becomes available the SAC will receive a sample for inspection and review for an anticipated “N-SSA Production Approval.”

135th National: The Small Arms Office will once again be open for individual inspections Wednesday through Friday, from 9:00 to 11:00 AM. The general membership is always welcome to stop by with any small arms questions you may have, or if you just want to see what it is we do!

Sincerely, John Holland Small Arms Officer

NEW 2017 SKIRMISH SCHEDULE EVENT The N-SSA Board of Directors graciously approved the establishment of a new event beginning with the 2017 Spring National Skirmish.

Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting Friday evening from 6-7pm in the lower level of the Historic Center This will be an open discussion meeting. If you have, or think you may have, a problem with drinking, you are welcome to attend. My name is Larry M., and I am a recovering alcoholic for 21 years. If you have any questions or would just like to talk, please feel free to call me at 765-425-5716.

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TAPS Melvin W. Forehand ............................................... Mosby’s Rangers William Heuer ........................................................ 73rd New York Volunteer Infantry Michael F. Hulbert .................................................. Manly’s Battery Graham King.......................................................... Co. G 23rd North Carolina State Troops George Lomas ....................................................... 3rd U.S. Regular Infantry Walter F. Magee .................................................... 10th Massachusetts Battery Peter G. Mowitt ...................................................... Washington Blue Rifles Robert E. Parmenter .............................................. 1st Virginia Cavalry Regt.

Arthur E. Preston ................................................... 8th New York Heavy Artillery Ellsworth “Ray” Rapine .......................................... 149th Pennsylvania Volunteers Johnathan R. Ray .................................................. Tuckers Naval Brigade William E. Riemer .................................................. 20th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry

David L. Sheldon.................................................... Battery C, 1st Michigan Lt. Artillery Robert L. Smith ...................................................... 66th North Carolina Regt. Co C. Walter H. Toward ................................................... 5th Virginia Volunteer Infantry

Bob J. Yates .......................................................... Dismal Swamp Rangers Mary Zahner .......................................................... 11th Indiana Volunteers

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Welcome New Recruits Allegheny Region Steven R. Jones.................................... 12th Regiment Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteers Carolina Region Joseph A. Brecher ................................ Iredell Blues Terry L. Chambers ................................ Iredell Blues Edward E. Hood .................................... Co G 23rd North Carolina State Troops Johnny F. McGrath ................................ Co G 23rd North Carolina State Troops Jack D. Miller, Sr. ................................. Palmetto Sharpshooters Joseph M. Newman, Jr. ....................... Co G 23rd North Carolina State Troops Tiffany A. Payne .................................... Iredell Blues Paul Reed ............................................. Buncombe Rifles Jack K. Russell, Jr. .............................. Palmetto Sharpshooters Logan Brannen Sanders ....................... 24th Georgia Volunteer Infantry Randall O. Spradlin ............................... Palmetto Sharpshooters Central Virginia Region Kenneth Lee Bage ................................ Central Virginia Region Recruit Co. Donald T. Bennett ................................. Company D, 33rd Virginia Bryan Buck, III ....................................... 1st Tennessee Vol. Inf. Regt.

Cynthia A. Jones ................................... 5th Virginia Volunteer Cavalry Hunter C. Shaw..................................... 1st Richmond Rifles Chesapeake Region Michael Chamberlain ............................ Co. C, 2nd U.S. Sharpshooters Randy E. Feltman ................................. Wheat's Special Bttn, Louisiana Tigers Andy D. Macpherson ............................ Wheat's Special Bttn, Louisiana Tigers Calvin L. Reuker ................................... Wheat's Special Bttn, Louisiana Tigers Ethan C. Wetzel .................................... Co. C, 2nd U.S. Sharpshooters

(Continued on page 10)

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Welcome New Recruits Deep South Region Larry B. Weeks ...................................... 4th Louisiana Infantry Delta Rifles Mid-Atlantic Region Arthur L. Best, IV ................................... Lancaster Fencibles Ryan M. Dolbier .................................... 15th Regt. New Jersey Volunteer Infantry Emma Hillman ..................................... 15th Regt. New Jersey Volunteer Infantry Benjamin E. Knisely .............................. 69th New York State Volunteers Todd S. Weber ...................................... Lancaster Fencibles Donald R. Whitley ................................. Lancaster Fencibles Marco Silvestri....................................... Durell's Independent Battery Midwest Region Julie Bittner ........................................... Harris' Light Cavalry Roger Casey ......................................... 6th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry Michelle A. Cleland ............................... 110th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Donald L. Gordon .................................. 2nd Kentucky Cavalry, CSA Vicki J. McMaster .................................. 19th Indiana Infantry Le Anna D. Muckenhirn ........................ 19th Indiana Infantry Marven D. Wilson .................................. 19th Indiana Infantry

New England Region David R. McSorley ................................ 34th Bttn. Virginia Cavalry Gordon Reddick .................................... 4th Virginia Infantry Richard E. White, III .............................. 5th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry Northeast Region Shawn Lamere ...................................... 63rd New York State Volunteer Infantry Northwest Region Owen G. Messer ................................... 1st Michigan Volunteer Infantry Patrick Tack ........................................... 24th Michigan Volunteer Infantry

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Welcome New Recruits Potomac Region Benjamin Barnett .................................. Washington Blue Rifles Niki D. Bethke ....................................... 3rd Maryland Artillery, CSA Joshua A. Calabrese ............................. 1st Maryland Artillery, CSA Michael S. Cather ................................. 5th Virginia Volunteer Infantry Wayne W. Cullers ................................. 5th Virginia Volunteer Infantry Adrian Langford .................................... Hampton Horse Artillery Marsha L. Resch ................................... 49th Virginia Infantry, CSA Colin T. Scanlan .................................... 1st Maryland Cavalry, CSA Tidewater Region Johnny R. Bastin ................................... 3rd North Carolina Cavalry Kimberly C. Corrigan ............................ 66th North Carolina, Regt, Co C. Roy T. Laney, Jr. .................................. Manly's Battery Western Region Nate J. Crider ........................................ 1st Regt. Illinois Volunteer Light Artillery

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National Officers, Regional Commanders, Staff, and Committee Contacts National Officers National Commander Past National Commander Deputy Commander Adjutant Inspector General Executive Secretary Paymaster

David T. Booz Phillip L. Spaugy Wade O. Huffman Melinda C. Shaw Wayne Shaw Judy O. Stoneburner James G. Baird

717-338-9379 410-916-4387 215-913-0329 610-494-2530 434-823-4772 540-382-3213

Regional Commanders and Regional Inspectors Allegheny John V. Doyle Region Inspector Craig C. Shedd

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dtbooz@yahoo.com pspaugy@aol.com stroker38370@gmail.com annieoak13@gmail.com wdsmas@aol.com execsecretary@n-ssa.net paymaster@n-ssa.net

540-869-3706

trapdoor1888@yahoo.com ccsmew@yahoo.com

Carolina Region Inspector

James H. Rogers, III Charles J. Wager

704-880-8324

jjjrogers@abts.net wagerl@soc.mil

Central Virginia Region Inspector

Robert Hannula Phillip E. Crabill

571-221-2415

bobbyhannula@juno.com pdcrabill@shentel.net

Chesapeake Region Inspector

Edwin Thompson Michael L. Linton

443-532-7841

mdrebel@live.com

Deep South

Lawrence E. Gibson

Mid-Atlantic Region Inspector

Roger A. Gray Harry H. Gaul, Jr.

732-280-8159

rgray@njng.com har3rdus@verizon.net

Midwest Region Inspector

Eric S. Schuessler Ian Egbert

216-990-5903

eschues@aol.com ian45662@yahoo.com

New England Region Inspector

Paul R. Morgigno Richard M. Intravia

860-302-2870

paul14cvi@att.net quahog@sbcglobal.net

Northeast Region Inspector

Ronald J. Barvian Stanley Wawrzyniak

585-652-9625

bbarvian2@rochester.rr.com sw12304@gmail.com

Northwest Region Inspector

Charles L. Kindle, Jr. Edward Walters

419-346-6768

clk111@roadrunner.com ewalt1855@gmail.com

Potomac Region Inspector

Davy Crockett, Jr. Mark Elton

570-888-8686

davyc@stny.rr.com mark.alaska@verizon.net

Tidewater Region Inspector

Linwood L. Mc Mahon James T. Wilkinson, Jr.

757-536-5187

linwood.mcmahon@verizon.net jimmyoddtw17@yahoo.com

Western Region Inspector

Yancey Von Yeast John T. Thatcher

618-210-5583

yvonyeast@yahoo.com jt450@aol.com

Staff Officers Artillery Officer Bivouac Officer Corporate Relations Officer Emergency Coordinator Historical Center It Manager/Sutler Officer

Robert T. West Robert E. Gorsky Allen Minneman Chester T. Lauck Bruce A. Allen Linwood L. McMahon

757-508-3007 410-795-2677 937-272-7520 540-336-3938 703-966-9277 757-536-5187

cannoneer@cox.net gorsbob@aol.com allenm@mtmcase-gard.com lauckc@yahoo.com southernshooter1@verizon.net linwood.mcmahon@verizon.net

lawrence5650@gmail.com

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Staff Officers (Continued) Judge Advocate/Solicitor Lars E. Anderson Living History/Re-Enactor Officer Robert L. Hodge Logistics Todd H. Hess National Photography Officer Ericka L. Hoffmann National Registration Officer Michael J. Bodner National Safety Officer Brian J. Evans NRA Liaison Deputy CWO 2 Frederic A. Behrens Ordnance Officer/Med Liaison John Venskoske, Sr. Program Staff Officer & NRA Liason Officer Craig Stanley Property Management Staff Officer Jeffrey C. Hall Property Manager Timothy D. Scanlan Protocol Officer Brandon S. Bowser Provost Marshall Robert S. Klutas Public Information Officer Bruce W. Miller Range Officer Scott B. Harris Recruiting Officer Melinda C. Shaw Revolver Range Officer Chris M. DeFrancisci Rules Officer John S. Robey Sanitation Officer Charles J. Wager Signal Officer David Cole Small Arms Staff Officer John D. Holland, Jr. Statistics Officer Matthew R. Bennett Traditional Match Officer Phillip L. Spaugy Youth Program Coordinator Frederick J. Schell Skirmish Line Editor Chris Branch Advertising Committee Chairs Award Committee Charitable Giving Community Relations Costume Committee Chair History Committee Insurance Committee Intl. Muzzleloading Committee Marketing Committee Membership Committee Chair Bulletin Board Admin Webpage Admin Personnel Review Chair Publications Committee Chair Recreation Chair Uniform Committee Veteran's Committee Chair Visitor Committee Chair

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Nancy Crockett Wayne V. Jordan Gary J. Crawford Sharleen Mullins John P. Zebelean, III John W. Richardson Errol W. McLean Chris M. DeFrancisci Kenneth L. Stiles Vicky L. Rowe Tony Ebersole Carlton Layne Sharon A. Myers Joseph M. Fisher Mark E. Latham George J. Schell Michael J. Bodner

703-967-1789 703-944-6970 717-398-5678 973-600-3777 540-409-7598 804-598-2868 540-888-3349 717-649-9461 703-901-3691 540-888-4334 419-274-9197 717-921-8660 248-258-9007 571-436-0343 215-913-0329 540-840-2707 937-399-3081 910-326-4833 703-362-7836 716-824-5542 540-327-8143

lars.anderson@ofplaw.com robertleehodge@yahoo.com ehkayak@gmail.com mbodner@chemringsensors.com icemo@comcast.net redbaron13@verizon.net bcgsi@hughes.net cws11@ptd.net jchall23@verizon.net nssapropertymgr@aol.com

stonycrick61@gmail.com spartan70@sbcglobal.net cwshooter575@gmail.com annieoak13@gmail.com chris@esotericresearch.com robey1861@aol.com Wagerl@Soc.Mil Cole84_89@Verizon.Net Jh44ny@Verizon.Net mbenne1@msn.com pspaugy@aol.com

410-687-4173 skirmishline@n-ssa.net

570-423-1070 703-407-2445 540-869-2896 757-868-7844 410-747-4161 781-545-3926

nancyc@stny.rr.com wvjordan@aol.com usimlt@hughes.net slwcarr@yahoo.com rebshooter@aol.com jrichardson@historicfirearms.com

540-840-2707

chris@esotericresearch.com nssa.org.membership@gmail.com vickylrowe@gmail.com tony@madcrayfish.com cpllayne@aol.com sharon.a.myers@comcast.net joe@wolfcustoms.net balchiss@hotmail.com gschell516@cs.com mbodner@chemringsensors.com

919-554-0244 717-222-9614 770-426-1918 724-258-4807 603-382-7014 410-461-1670 973-600-3777

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National Officers

David T. Booz National Commander

Wade Huffman Deputy Commander

Melinda Shaw Adjutant

Judy Stoneburner Executive Secretary

Jim Baird Paymaster

Phil Spaugy Past National Commander

Wayne Shaw Inspector General

Regional Commanders

John V. Doyle Allegheny 14

James H. Rogers, III Carolina

Robert Hannula Central Virginia Winter 2017

Edwin Thompson Chesapeake Skirmish Line

Regional Commanders

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Lawrence E. Gibson Deep South

Roger A. Gray Mid-Atlantic

Eric S. Schuessler Midwest

Paul R. Morgigno New England

Ronald J. Barvian Northeast

Charles L. Kindle, Jr. Northwest

Davy Crockett, Jr. Potomac

Linwood L. Mc Mahon Tidewater

Yancey Von Yeast Western

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An Interview With A Costumer ~ Linda Duffy By: Marylou F. Wells I am fascinated with why we humans pick our hobbies and especially my own hobby, historical costuming. Why do we spend so much time, brain power and money on a hobby? Personally, I have psychoanalyzed myself and sourced it back to my childhood... the doll clothes I made for that beloved baby doll, yearly construction of Halloween costumes, paper dolls and learning to sew my own clothes at an early age. Whatever the reason, here we are, mining much learning of new skills and enjoyment from our favorite pastimes.

My fascination led me to pick the brains of other costumers, and so doing, decided to interview the ladies and gentlemen that have been at this hobby the longest. One such genteel lady is Linda Duffy. Linda was one of the first costume competitors that I saw win the coveted “Delaney Award�. Linda's perky personality and willingness to share what she has learned drew me to ask her for an interview and, of course, she graciously granted it.

ML: I love your dress, it's very interesting. (Photo at right) Linda: This is the dress I wore when I first started reenacting with my father, when he was with the 118th Pennsylvania, one of the original reenacting groups. At first I wore a uniform, a little boys uniform from a military college. It was from the 1870's and I thought I was pretty cool in it, but then I started to develop and that was the end of the uniform. I started to see ladies in pretty dresses with hoops and I thought I might like to have one. So, my Godmother helped me make this dress. She showed me how to sew and did all the details while I helped with the seams. My Grandmother gave me the money, and I picked out the material myself, and fortunately the material is correct.

Many of the other parts [of the dress] are not correct by the standards that we use today here at the N-SSA. One is a big zipper that runs up the back.

ML: May we see the zipper?

Linda: Oh yes, here is my lovely zipper. It is even a metal zipper, so that tells you how old this dress is. They didn't have plastic zippers then. So, if you have done the math, that was 1961, I was 11 years old and now I am 62 and fortunately, with a little bit of maneuvering and holding my stomach in, I still fit into it. It is very short, so I took a very deep hem that my godmother saw fit to put in [and lengthened the dress], and it Linda Duffy in the dress that she and her doesn't look bad. There is a little bonnet that goes with it, and of course, it's matching, Godmother made when she was 11 yrs. old. which we would not do today because we know they wouldn't have done it [then]. [The bonnet] doesn't fit my head. My head must have gotten big, haha. [Sewing a costume] kicked me, as a teenager, into constantly wanting a newer and prettier dress.

ML: When did you actually start sewing?

Linda: I started sewing little things, like pot holders and aprons, when I was about ten and then this dress, with the help of my Godmother, when I was eleven. It was made in 1962 and the first big event I remember wearing it to was in 1963, the Gettysburg Centennial. This [dress] was [made] from a pattern [that was offered by] Simplicity or Butterick. Each [company] had a Centennial pattern and ladies could make a dress, not so much for reenacting but to attend parades and other festivities because reenacting was still fairly new. The patterns were not bad. They did get some things right, but not everything.

ML: What drew you into historical costuming, which is more involved than the Centennial costume?

Linda: I think it was the transition that I had to make from being a tomboy to being a young girl. Also, I wanted a prettier dress. When some of the older women were gone, we started to realize there was something wrong with running a hula hoop through the hem of a dress, or making dresses in your favorite color, or using plastic lace. [Accuracy] took a long 18

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time, and this place [the N-SSA] is where it all started. The ladies started to say, “Hey we have Godey's and Peterson's magazines, these have original pictures in them, and these are what we should try to copy.” So that started the ball rolling, where we said, “We should not have armhole seams up here, they should be down here. We shouldn't have zippers, we should have hook and eyes.” And of course, there were original [antique] outfits still left at the time and so we started to collect them.

You then could see the sewing technique that helped make the dress appropriate. It made the dress look the way it really, really should look. So off came the blue eye shadow, and the false eye lashes, and the funny artificial hair, and modern earrings, and fingernail polish, and wrong shoes, and hoop skirts that someone wore in a wedding, and the old hula hoop, and the wrong fabric, and polyester, and nylon lace. Competition just evolved over time. Competition got stiffer and stiffer.

If you go anywhere in the country today and see a really good reenactor woman, not dressed in something that looks like a prom dress, or you go to a living history event, or a really good museum, where the costume guides actually look like they stepped out of a page of history, it all started here at the N-SSA, and it's just gone on for so many years.

ML: When did you start coming to N-SSA and then start getting involved in costume competition?

Linda: I don't know the first date when we came here exactly, but it was in the mid 1960's, and the first time that I was in competition was in 1965. Then in 1968 I wore my dress that I thought was outstanding. It was a blue velvet dress with big puffy sleeves, and that's the one that I laugh at when I look back, because it was a blue velvet dress, a blue velvet handbag, and a blue velvet thing to put on my head. My pantalets had blue nylon lace all the way down from the knee to the ankle, which we know now is not what we are suppose to wear.

ML: I know eventually that you became a winner of awards in this costume competition. To get to that point, you really had to pay attention to detail.

Linda: Yes, absolutely!

ML: Did you go to any classes?

Linda: No, there really weren't any classes back then, and I started to collect antique clothing and Godey books. Thankfully, they were a little more affordable in the 1960's. As a result, I have a large collection, not just from the Civil War, but all fashions from the 1820's clear up to my own lifetime. Most of it generates from about 1850 to 1920. I like to take what I see and change a costume into an accurate reproduction. I have a lot of little trophies from those days. They gave you a little Madame Alexander doll, or a piece of jewelry, or little trinkets, and then trophies.

Linda's blue velvet dress with matching muff and headress.

ML: Do you remember the names of the awards?

Linda: I got seven first places and an honorable mention. You kind of work your way up. We also used originals [antique clothing] which again I would never do today. I would never put on an original outfit and come here in the mud. But we didn't know any better and that [practice] went the way of the hula hoop. They stopped that [wearing originals] in the early 90's. People realized that it is not what we should do with original things.

People say, “Why do you stick with the hobby?” and I say, No.1, my father was my buddy and we came here all the time, together, and it kept me out of trouble. I looked forward to May and October, and what I was going to wear in May and October.

ML: When did you actually start sewing for the next competition?

Linda: On the way home, my father would drive and I would get out a pencil and paper and sketch what I wanted to wear the next time. I always made the sketches first, and then tried to turn that into the outfit I was thinking about.

(Continued on page 20)

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ML: I was there when you received the Delaney Award. You were thrilled and said your father would have been so happy for you.

Linda: I really was because I didn't think that I would get it. I got a big lump in my throat because every year my father would say, “Go up and see if you can get the big trophy.” But he had passed away, so when I won, I said, “I did it, I did it, see Dad, I did it.” It was definitely the highlight of my competitive career.

ML: What did you do after that?

Linda: Then I started to think, “What am I going to do with all these original things?”

I have two boys, they shoot, they don't want anything to do with boxes full of crinolines and bonnets.

ML: You need some granddaughters.

Linda: Right, right. I told them they can auction it all off when I am gone [except] the one dress that I won first place in. The one I liked the most was one that I cartridge pleated, which wasn't easy for me. I've worn it over one hundred times, I've stopped counting.

ML: By cartridge pleating, do you mean gauging?

Linda: Yes, gauging, but at first we called it cartridge pleating, so I'm kind of stuck on that word. Yes gauging would be more accurate.

Linda Duffy winning the Delaney Award I'm going to be buried in that [dress], that's the October, 1995 rule. They can auction everything else off, but bury me in the brown dress with all the undergarments, so when they dig me up, some archaeologist will say, “What happened here?”

ML: Oh my, I'm laughing so hard I'm gonna …

Linda: So that's the big joke, they can get rid of everything else but that dress.

There is a contingent, that if Jaunita [Leisch Jensen] survives me, they are to call Jaunita and she'll do the right thing. If we happen to go together, there is an auction notice with my collection. It says, “Before they would ever sell my collection to a theater group, they can burn them.”

ML: Oh really?

Linda: Yes, because it would just destroy them. I have friends that do reenacting for WWI and I would love to be a WWI nurse, or even a WWII nurse, but I thought, “I can't collect anything else, there is no room.” My husband says I'm a borderline hoarder. My son is a fire inspector and says, “If the Fire Marshall ever walked in this room, he would see boxes stacked floor to ceiling....” and that's not a good thing.

Linda's favorite brown dress that won a 1st Place in costume competition.

ML: You need a separate building.

Linda: Yes, I need a building, a whole building. Whoever dies with the most dresses wins, hahaha. And the friendships you make over the years are amazing, because we all love the same things, and we all have the same sort of stories.

Jaunita and I have sat and laughed, we don't know when we met. You see somebody in costume competition and you think, “Well, she looks better than I do,” and we probably gave each other the evil eye before we spoke, but we did form friendships. The good thing about the N-SSA was sharing, everything was shared. We had workshops, we had displays, people bought originals and then they brought them here and shared that information. It was competition, but you shared what you learned. That's what sets this N-SSA costume competition aside, and really makes this the best.

ML: I agree, I agree, thank you Linda, for this fun trip down memory lane.

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Linda R. Duffy 1st Place Specialty Dress & Hulshart Award

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One of Linda's 1st Place dresses, from May 2011.

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Team Classifications After 134th National Skirmish, Oct 5 - 9, 2016

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The Unsung Skirmisher By: Wayne Jordan “He is a hard worker and a true N-SSA member.” This is how one of John Doyle’s teammates, Dicky Dodd, describes him. John is a member of the 2nd Virginia Infantry, and has been for the last 40 years. In the 1970s, he sold auto insurance to longtime skirmisher Donny Herring and the next thing he knew, John was spending time at Ft. Shenandoah as a new skirmisher. Since then he has been described by another teammate as “the consummate skirmisher.”

John did not set out to make such a large mark on the N-SSA, but his work ethic led him to be the first to show up and the last to leave when projects needed to be done, whether for his team, his region, or the National. Tim Scanlan finds it hard to list all the times he has been able to turn to John for help around Ft. Shenandoah, but he Unsung Skirmisher - John Doyle knows that when he needs a second person to assist with a job, John can be counted 2nd Virginia Infantry on to help him out. Does a dead tree need to be taken down before it falls? John will be there to help take it down. When help was needed over the past couple summers with resetting all the target frame post holes on the firing range, John was the first to volunteer to help Tim and Bill Jordan with the job. They all put a lot of hours and a lot of sweat into that job. In addition, Karen Rawls says that she cannot think of a work skirmish the last couple decades that John did not participate in.

John has served in numerous official capacities as well, including being the Allegheny Region Commander, 2nd Virginia Infantry Commander, member of the Property Management Committee, and Skirmish Director. Although it was not his intention to hold any of those positions, when there is need for someone to step up he doesn’t seem to be able to say no. And once he has the job, he dedicates himself to it.

His teammates know him as the guy who mows the lawn and cleans up the campsite before everyone else arrives.

Jim Johnson says John is the guy who sees a problem and, rather than complain, goes and fixes it. “He is a do-er. He always does something positive,” says Jim. A former teammate says that when team projects ran over budget, John was quick to make up the deficit from his own pocket rather than let the project slow down. His leadership and determination to get a job done has been motivational to people around him.

According to Mac Rutherford, “John helps people. If he sees a skirmisher in need, he quickly helps out. If you need a musket, he’ll hand you one. If yours is fouled, he’ll jump in and help you clear it. Do you need advice or suggestions on something? He’ll offer his thoughts based on his 40 years of skirmishing. He tends to be there when someone needs a hand – with anything.”

But despite all the work, John can still find ways to relax and enjoy himself at camp. He started an after dinner tradition for his team years ago. According to GL Mears, John decided that everyone needed to have a chance to relax with “a civilized drink” at camp. Since then, he has served Gin and Tonics to his fellow skirmishers after many a team dinner.

John participates in similar projects for his community including volunteering at the Kernstown Battlefield, and at Habitat For Humanity.

John Doyle, for being the guy who so many of your fellow skirmishers can count on, you are recognized as the Unsung Skirmisher.

The Unsung Skirmisher is a regular feature of the Skirmish Line. Each edition will highlight at least one N-SSA member who has done something above and beyond the call of duty for the benefit of the N-SSA and its members. It can be large or small. It can be a guest or family member. The purpose is not only to recognize these individuals, but to help motivate others to make that extra effort on behalf of their teammates and fellow N-SSA members. Be on the lookout for such an individual and nominate them for The Unsung Skirmisher column. Do you know someone who has given selflessly of their time for the benefit of others? Contact Wayne Jordan at wvjordan@aol.com or 703-407-2445.

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Charitable Giving

ESTATE PLANNING A Way to Give to the N-SSA that Delivers Big Results There are several different ways that N-SSA members can plan to make donations to the organization in the future. Most of us have put a lot of time into the N-SSA. We have made many friends and created countless memories while skirmishing. These gifting ideas will help to ensure that the N-SSA lives on so that many more people in the coming years will get to experience the competition and camaraderie that we have all shared. In this edition of the Skirmish Line I am going to discuss one way to leave a meaningful gift to the N-SSA. INCLUDE THE N-SSA IN YOUR WILL OR REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST – This is really quite simple to do. In today’s complex world of taxes and legalities, everyone needs to have a will and related estate planning documents. So, first address the need for these documents to protect your family and yourself from the possibilities of some absolutely horrific problems arising at the end of life. You can have your lawyer add a bequest to the N-SSA to your will, or include it in your trust using some fairly simple language. There are a number of different ways you can do this. For example, you can leave a certain dollar amount to the N-SSA, or you may find it more prudent to designate a certain percentage of your estate (or of a specific account) to be donated. There are numerous ways to anticipate your situation at a future date and a good lawyer can craft the language to accomplish your goals. Such gifts can even be made based on a variety of contingencies that may be important to you. Also, keep in mind that you can always make changes in the future to any language that you include in a will now.

For most people, leaving a bequest would not be very involved. Here is some simple language that many people have used to make their intentions clear. Select the appropriate option for your situation.

For a specific dollar amount bequest: I give, devise, and bequeath to the North-South Skirmish Association, 480 Chalybeate Springs Rd, Winchester, Va., the sum of $____________ (or here otherwise describe the gift) for its general purposes (or describe the purpose) as shall be determined by its governing Board.

For a proportional bequest: All [or state a _______%] of the rest, residue, and remainder of my property, both real and personal and wheresoever situated, I give, devise, and bequeath to the North-South Skirmish Association, 480 Chalybeate Springs Rd, Winchester, Va., for its general purposes (or specify another purpose) as shall be determined by its governing Board.

For a gift of firearms or other tangible property: I give, devise, and bequeath to the North-South Skirmish Association, 480 Chalybeate Springs Rd., Winchester, Va., [here describe the gift, ex: coins, property, and/or firearms, etc.] for its general purposes (or other specific purpose) as shall be determined by its governing Board.

In the event that you would consider giving anything other than cash or liquid assets to the N-SSA, or if you want to target a specific purpose for your gift, please discuss it with officers of the organization first. You want to make sure that your intentions are clearly understood, and that the organization is prepared and able to utilize your gift as intended.

(Continued on page 25)

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If your assets are held in a Revocable Living Trust (RLT), be aware that provisions in your will may not necessarily apply to the assets in your RLT. Again, consult with the lawyer who set up your legal documents to make sure this is done properly and effectively.

For some people there may be substantial tax benefits to be gained by gifting money or valuables directly to a qualified charitable organization like the N-SSA. But that is something you’ll need to discuss with your tax advisor. The value of this type of bequest may pass outside your estate, thus lowering the possibility of estate or inheritance taxes being assessed.

It is also advisable to speak with your family – spouse, children, and anyone else who may be involved as an executor or heir – and make it clear to them what your intentions are regarding any gifts you intend to have made from your estate. In my case, I have also included a simple letter with my will that expresses my thoughts on several issues including some donations to be made from my estate. My wife and kids will not be surprised, and they already intend to follow my wishes (although one of my daughters has told me that there are limits – she does not want to see me leave more money to “Those Civil War groups” than to her. Fair enough.) I can easily make changes to this letter at any time that I want. But, that said, such a letter is not likely to be legally binding on your executor. If you want to be assured of your wishes being carried out, you really should have your lawyer handle this for you.

There are many other ways to leave a gift behind for the N-SSA. Different approaches to such gifting will work for different people. In subsequent editions of the Skirmish Line this year I will discuss other options for making donations. And remember that neither I, nor the N-SSA, can give you legal advice. These articles are just meant to give you ideas that you can consult with your attorney about.

Also, remember that every gift is important - no gift is too small.

Wayne Jordan, Charitable Giving Committee

The Official N-SSA Store National Hours: Thursday - Friday - Saturday 9am – 6pm

Tees, Sweats, Polos, Jackets, Kids Apparel, Hats, Membership Card Holders, Mugs, Patches, Stickers, Barware, Key Rings, Hitch Covers and Christmas Ornaments.

Stop by and mention this ad for a free Bumper Sticker

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2016 N-SSA SOCIETY OF COLOR BEARERS This is our annual listing of those people or organizations who have made cash donations to the North-South Skirmish Association, by category. This year, 75 donors gave a total of $21,016 to our organization. Most of these donors were N-SSA members, but some were employers or other non-members. Many of the donations were dedicated to the memory of another skirmisher or earmarked for a specific purpose, like the land fund or work skirmish expenses.

These donors make up 2.5% of our membership, yet their contributions are equivalent to $7.00 per N-SSA member. Given that our annual dues are $80/ member, without these donors it could be necessary to raise the dues by nearly 10% to make our budget balance. On behalf of the N-SSA I would like to thank all of these generous donors. I am hoping that in 2017 many more of our members will join the N-SSA Society of Color Bearers by making a donation. Remember, no donation is too small.

Wayne Jordan, Charitable Giving Committee PRIVATE (up to $99.99)

BUGLER (Continued)

John T. Conway Steve P. Dorner Steven Nelson Ralph Wainwright 49th Va Inf, in memory of Don Falls John t. Conway Cheryl Holt, in memory of William Welch Roger B. Cummings Dan Keener John H. Bologna, Jr Roy Brookshire, Jr., in memory of Louis J. Ruggiero William Heuer G L Mears Edward P. Wright James Esswein Harmon Family L. R. Rowe James Cromer, Jr F. Michael Hale Fred A. Smith Eldon R. Bertram F. William Rambo David W. Landers Pete Brown Larry & Le Anna Muckenhim Gil Tercenio Earl Coates Paul Sonner Edward Foresteire Paul C. Weber Kenneth J. Spence, Sr James Burgess, Jr Dave & Barbara Booz Robert P. Hicks Phillip Spaugy Ann S. Hobbs John Thomas A M Elko Larry M. Kershner Norman G. Horne Raymond S. Smith Lester Rickards, Jr William Hedge, Terry Pierce, Robert & John D. Fiebig Gloria Kelly, in memory of Art Preston Raymond Barber Amazon Smile Richard Carroll, Southern Gun Works CORPORAL ($250 - $499.99) Thomas Cutright 1st Md Cavalry BUGLER ($100.00 - $249.99) Edward J. Kanuha Guy Mazzarella Mark E. Dennis Gerald W. Nelson Laurence D. Funk Walt Toward Michael Lauer Duff J. Conner John Frank Brown, Jr Douglas C. Heiser William Shuey Glenn R. Gravatt Lars Anderson James D. Strang

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SERGEANT ($500.00 - $999.99) Wayne Jordan Northwest Territory Region Robert Hannula New England Region Northrup Grumman/Walter Kreitler Richard W. Hill Scott L. Hamilton Chris M. DeFrancisci John Sharrett III

FIRST SERGEANT ($1000.00 - $2599.99) Steve Light

ORDNANCE SERGEANT ($2500.00 - $4999.99) Francis B. Kapper, Jr

SERGEANT MAJOR ($5,000.00 and up)

Dominion Foundation

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Email: nancyc@stny.rr.com Mailing address: Nancy Crockett, 918 W. Lockhart St., Sayre, Pa. 18840

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North-South Skirmish Association - Winter Board of Directors Meeting February 4, 2017 - Chantilly, VA Approved February 27, 2017 by electronic vote.

David Booz, National Commander at 8:00 a.m., called the board of director’s meeting to order.

Wade Huffman, Deputy Commander led the Pledge of Allegiance and Commander Booz offered the invocation.

Melinda Shaw, Adjutant called roll and the following board members were reported as present.

National Commander, David Booz Past Commander, Phillip Spaugy Deputy Commander, Wade Huffman Adjutant, Melinda Shaw

Inspector General, Wayne Shaw Paymaster, James Baird Executive Secretary, Judy Stoneburner

Allegheny Region, John Doyle Carolina Region, James Rogers Central Virginia Region, Robert Hannula Chesapeake Region, Ed Thompson Deep South Region, Lawrence Gibson Mid-Atlantic Region, Roger Gray Midwest Region, Eric Schuessler

New England Region, Paul Morgigno Northeast Region, Ronald Barvian Northwest Region, Charles Kindle Potomac Region, Davy Crockett Tidewater Region, Linwood McMahon Western Region, Yancey Von Yeast

Commander Booz thanked everyone for attending and stated that he was looking forward to a good meeting today. He thanked Carol White and Wade Huffman for hosting and coordinating the hospitality room for the meeting. He thanked Judy Stoneburner and Phil Spaugy for their work on the transition with him and the behind the scenes work to get everything ready for this board meeting. Commander Booz introduced Ed Thompson as the new Chesapeake regional commander and thanked him for taking the position.

Commander’s opening statement -I know that all of you are sincere in your beliefs and efforts to improve our sport. We have all been elected to the board to lead the N-SSA. As leaders, we must communicate and we must listen. We must listen to our members and give accurate information to our membership. When we leave the board meetings, what we tell our membership is crucial. In addition, we must respond to their concerns in a timely and considerate fashion. When we come together as a board we reflect the opinions of our membership however, we cannot come to the meeting as non-thinking robots. We must come in; we must listen to each other, think about what is going on and make good decisions for the entire organization. The decisions may not be great for one region but great for the entire organization. We are the leaders of the entire association. At times leaders must mold public opinion opposed to reflecting it. Not everyone has the same information that we have; by not having that information, it makes it difficult to arrive at a decision that is best for the organization. I sincerely believe that it is crucial that this board, each member sees the big picture and understands its roles and how the different issues that we face influence the big picture. We are here to solve problems not foster them. We cannot be bogged down in minute details and we must keep the big picture in mind at all times when we are making all decisions.

We must create and implement plans that will ensure the continued success of the N-SSA. We are going to look at issues regarding recruiting, marketing, nonshooter skirmishers, reaching out to the re-enacting community and trying to compete in a traditional sense. We will be deciding issues about our nationals skirmishes. We know that we need more volunteers for our operations. Most of us have been here a long time and many of us run unopposed, not only do we need more volunteers to fill elected positions but volunteers to fill committees and the volunteers are getting harder and harder to get.

In 2009, the Long Range planning committee made recommendations on the following subjects.

▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪

Recruiting Budget Long range plans for all committees Master plan to foster growth The need to use our web site effectively for communication

Recruitment The need to find other places to skirmish Land fund for range growth, The need to build a large meeting hall at the fort Electricity and showers at the fort Scheduling the fort

The question has been asked, “What happened to these recommendations?” At the meeting, these proposals were turned down. We cannot operate like this again, we must look ahead and not behind. Some of the items listed have become part of our current operations; we must continue to look to the future.

Old Business – None Reports and New Business Upon motion by Linwood McMahon, the minutes of the Membership meeting of October 7, 2016 were approved.

Phil Spaugy, Past Commander reported that he is working with Robert Hodge on the living history program and open house to be held at Fort Shenandoah.

He will have more information in the next month or so and this information will be sent out prior to the spring nationals. Volunteers will be needed for this program.

Wade Huffman, Deputy Commander (and past Inspector General) thanked everyone for their support the last four years as the Inspector General. The Deputy

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Commander reported that Co. G. 1st U.S. Sharpshooters had passed their inspection during the fall nationals.

Upon motion by Yancey Von Yeast to accept Co. G. 1st U.S. Sharpshooters as full members to the Western Region. Motion approved. The unit number assigned will be 232-WR. The Deputy Commander raised the topic of the alcohol use during the skirmishes. There have been more and more incidents of drinking during the events times. He directed the region commanders to take this issue back to their units. Commander Booz stated that there could be no leeway on alcohol and firearms.

As reminder, Section 39, 39.3 Use of Alcohol Beverages, Drugs and Narcotics was reviewed.

Section 39 39.3 USE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, DRUGS AND NARCOTICS a. Other than in the camping area, drinking of alcoholic beverages is not permitted on the range side of the creek at Fort Shenandoah during official shooting activities. b. The consumption of alcoholic beverages by any individual participating in an officially scheduled competitive event at any official skirmish is prohibited during the day on which the event occurs until the individual completes his participation in all such events for that day.

Violation of this rule shall result in the exclusion of the offending individual from participation in any such events for that day and the reporting of the violator to the Board of Directors for possible disciplinary action.

There were no reports from the newly elected adjutant and Inspector General.

Judy Stoneburner, Executive Secretary presented her reports. She reported that the ending membership number for 2016 was 2,992. The difference between the year-end membership of 2015 and the year-end membership of 2016 was eighty members.

The following teams did not meet the participation requirement for 2016 were (019-TW) Wythe Rifles and (086-TW) Washington Grays. Linwood McMahon, Tidewater region commander spoke on behalf of the two teams.

The following units were reported as folded: 38th North Carolina Volunteers 239-CR, 8th Michigan Cavalry 057-NW and Winslow’s Battery 225-MA. Upon motion by Linwood McMahon, the 2017 skirmish dates were approved.

After action: Dates have been published on the web site and in the Skirmish Line.

The patch for the 135th was presented for approval. James Rogers of the Carolina Region requested that the orientation of the battle flag be corrected. The corrected patch was approved.

The patch for the 136th was presented for approval. The national commander will contact the Skirmish Director for modifications to the 136 th patch. Once the patch design has been resubmitted, the board will vote to electronically.

The national program was presented. The request to add the UDC/SCV reception in the barn was approved to be added to the program. The program was approved as a working document until time of print.

The secretary reported on the NRA black powder match and reviewed the participation of 2015 and 2016 in this event. There was a decrease in participation during 2016. She reported on the engravings of the memorial stones. At this time, we have just a few spots available for engraving. James Baird then reported on the financial end of the engravings. The amount charged does not cover the expenses of the engraving. Jim will work with the Veteran’s committee on this.

James Baird, Paymaster presented the financial report. The following were included in the report distributed to the board members: ▪ Statement of Income for the period January 1 thru December 31, 2016

▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪

Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2016.

Statement of Restricted Funds as of December 31, 2016.

Statement of Cash Balances as of December 31, 2016.

Budget vs. Actual for the period January 1 thru December 31, 2016 2017 Proposed Budget

Jim reported that we have received more than $25,000.00 in donations in 2016. This amount is way more than we have ever received in a given year and donors used PayPal and direct mailing. About 95% of the donations were the result of the efforts of Wayne Jordan and he deserves the recognition. We made it through the year under budget although we were over on several items. Mr. Baird made proposals for some adjustments to the budget to correct for overage. As previously reported he paid off the land loan on December 15, 2016. As proposed, the two CD’s that came due in November were used and he pre-funded the land accounts with 2017 amounts. The statement showing the land loan payoff and how the land fund is funded was included in the report. Mr. Baird stated that we need to determine how much of a balance should remain in the land fund, how to fund it, and what changes should be made to the funding.

The recommendations from the National Paymaster are as follows:

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That we continue the funding of the land fund as before through 2017.

▪

Starting in 2018 reduce the funding by using $5.00 per dues and the team sign up amounts for nationals.

Recommend that we build up over the next couple of years and maintain a $100,000.00 balance in the land fund so that any future purchases of land that comes available can be comfortably handled.

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Davy Crockett moved to approve the proposed adjustments to the Budget vs. Actual, approve the recommended proposed 2017 budget and approve the recommendations for the Land Fund funding. Motion approved.

Jim Baird shared the new item that will be available at Doc’s Place this spring national, a trailer hitch cover at the price of $8.00 each.

Commander Booz presented the report submitted by Steve Light of the Washington Blue Rifles. The report covered the sales of the manual “Improve Your Shooting by Reading Tips from Past Skirmish Line Articles”. We have made a decent amount of money from the sales of the manuals. Mr. Light has donated the funds to the N-SSA and he would like the funds to go to the Historical Center. A vote of thanks goes to Steve for doing this job.

Chris Branch, Skirmish Line Editor presented her report to the board. She reported that the content was good and she apologized for the missed deadlines. She stated that we have had some good suggestions and we need more shooting articles. Additionally she reported that the deadlines have been published in each magazine issue. She recommended that there is a need for someone to help with the advertising and more team development that will assist with the publication.

She commended Wayne Jordan on his articles and charitable giving information. In addition, she is going to get prices from different printers so that she can compare rates. Commander Booz stated that we have the obligation to make this magazine a better magazine and that there is a great deal of information just in this room that could be contributed to the magazine. He requested that region commanders have their PIO’s more involved in the process and each region should do what they can to support the magazine.

Bivouac Officer, Bob Gorsky reviewed old business. The 2nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry have been placed in Site 7, Area 6 instead of Site 8. Under new business, the following changes were presented to the board for approval.

▪

Harlan’s Light Cavalry (223-CV) on 8/15/2016 made a request to expand into Site 42, Area 5 should Winslow’s Battery (225-MA) disband. Upon motion

by Bobby Hannula to approve the expansion, the board approved.

▪

Palmetto Guard 2nd South Carolina Volunteer Infantry (251-CR) has made the request to relocate into site 29, Area 4 from their current site 4, area 6.

James Rogers moved to approve the relocation. Linwood McMahon amended the motion to add that the boundary lines will be clarified by the Bivouac Officer and make the final assignment after the lines are established and allow the relocation on a temporarily basis. The board approved the amended motion.

▪

49th Virginia Infantry, CSA (110-PT) has made a request to expand into site 14, Area 3 that has been vacated by the 8 th Michigan Cavalry (057-NW) by a notification letter from the 8th Michigan dated October 5, 2016. Upon motion by Davy Crockett to approve the expansion, the board approved.

Past Commander, Gary Crawford was asked to speak regarding the auction held during the 2016 fall nationals. Gary Crawford stated that long-term skirmisher Moe Marcy passed away a while back and his sutler inventory was donated to the N-SSA. The merchandise of Moe’s Sutler unit was auctioned off during the fall nationals. The proceeds from all of the items sold have brought the association approximately $6000.00. Gary thanked everyone for the turnout and support at the auction.

Artillery Officer, Robert West presented his report. For the first time in the history of artillery, we had no room for several artillery teams to shoot at the 2016 fall nationals. All teams were notified and several teams volunteered to not shoot and they received a refund. Robbie West requested the artillery teams have a relay of howitzer smoothbore cannons compete on Friday just before the mortar match. The range would be needed from 2:45 until 5:00 p.m.

Craig Stanley presented a proposed change in the national program to accommodate this request. After board discussion it was approved to change the Friday lineup by:

▪ ▪ ▪

Suspending the traditional match from the spring program.

Group the Breechloader, Single-Shot & Spencer events as one relay (time 1:15-2:45) Add the smoothbore howitzer cannon (time 2:45-4:00)

Robert Hannula moved to approve the program changes as submitted by the program chair, and allow him the flexibility to adjust targets as needed to accommodate the schedule and any other items that may have been overlooked in the discussion. Motion approved.

Program Chair, Craig Stanley continued with the possible additional changes to the national program. Phil Spaugy moved to start the 2nd phase Musket Match setup time at11:30 a.m. Motion approved. It was recommended to eliminate use of positions 21, 22 and 48 on the main range for the smoothbore match. This was not considered, as this was not submitted for the current board packet. This item can be revisited if submitted for the August 2017 board packet.

The appointments of skirmish directors for the following have been recommended to and approved by the National Commander.

▪ ▪

Butch Spence, McNeill’s Rangers for the 139th Nationals.

Wade Huffman, 5th Virginia Volunteer Infantry for the 140th Nationals.

Commander Booz presented the Charitable Giving report submitted by Wayne Jordan.

Mr. Jordan has done an excellent job with getting donations this past year and we received over $25,000.00 in donations. His work has paid off. The funds requested by the Charitable Giving Committee were approved earlier in the budget.

Linwood McMahon presented the IT & Sutlers report to the board. There were no questions and the board acknowledged the reports as presented.

Property Management Committee, Jeff Hall, Chair presented the report.

The Fort Shenandoah outbuildings and the N-SSA vehicles were maintained in serviceable condition throughout the year. There was continued general upkeep of the ranges including repairs to the fences, gun racks, firing line, safety line system and cleanout of the frame holes. The roads through Fort Shenandoah were maintained on a regular basis including pothole repair up to the budgeted amount. The capital improvements during 2016 were:

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Upgrading latrine at 17th Virginia Repositioning of the 100 yard line target frame holes Rebuilt the lower foot bridge Installed poles and lights at the entrance/registration area Built a stockade fence at the entrance area to screen the portable toilet storage area Rebuilt target frame jigs Re-sculpted the stairs on Cardiac Hill Destruction of non-usable portable latrines

The Pioneer Patch Awards were approved during executive session.

The Maintenance and Operating Cost, Capital Improvement, reserve replacement, and property manager budgets were included and approved in the presented budget.

Chris Defrancisci and Melinda Shaw presented the Marketing and Recruiting reports. Chris thanked the board and he believes the committee has made great strides. Melinda provided a DVD and a flash drive that contained a copy of the new recruiting video to each board member. Chris stated that we have made progress and we need to keep going. The marketing committee has expanded the public awareness of the N-SSA video. The video has been out since September and has received positive reviews from members who have reviewed it.

The N-SSA blog has been created on the N-SSA website under the heading Dispatches. The blog has a number of “how to” articles which are a good start for interested or beginning skirmishers. We have a contest running and will end it after the spring nationals. It is in hope to generate content for Instagram and YouTube. The contest will promote both still images and video submissions for skirmishing.

The print media has been very successful. Multiple ads have run in the following publications: Civil War News, The Artilleryman, The Civil War Monitor, Confederate Veteran and The Banner. The July issue of the Civil War News featured an article on the 133 rd National. The Artilleryman also featured an article on the 133rd National in their summer issue. The Cowboy Chronicle did the article on women skirmishing event in the fall. We reached 61,800 people who are interested enough to pay for these publications. Bruce Miller has done an incredible job for the association by getting these articles to the publications. The interesting things is when the magazine articles are printed in the publications our website interest goes up. When we provide articles, we receive more publicity and free advertising. The marketing impact shows the overall membership loss is less than 3%. New members coming in have shrunk the attrition rate significantly.

Continued marketing and recruiting will move us into positive numbers. We are very close to moving over 3000 members.

The Marketing plan for 2017 was presented with the focus on our core message: History, Competition, and Camaraderie.

▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪

Our Social Media Marketing includes two face book pages – N-SSA business page and N-SSA social page, Instagram, Twitter Newsletter (Mailchimp) to be sent to potential recruits from information collected at shows and from the website More volunteers and regional participation to grow content to increase awareness and following on social media platforms.

Regional marketing recruiting

Establish regional Social Media Ambassadors Establish and organize regional recruiting officers & PIO’s to coordinate events and maintain Social Media website

Chris reviewed the request for the marketing budget for the 2017 year. The budget request is about half of the amount requested last year. The amount requested is $10,815.00. Davy Crockett moved to approve the marketing budget of $10,815.00. Motion approved.

Recruiting – Melinda reviewed the 2016 expenditures of $2,679.67. The expenses did not include time and travel expenses. The volunteers are donating some of the remaining $360.33 used for shipping of recruitment materials. Recruitment on the national level included the 2016 Great American Outdoor Show (Harrisburg, PA), Baltimore Antique Gun Show (Timonium, MD), NRA National Convention (Louisville, K), Gettysburg Reenactment. The results are that interest is high but only 4-6% join (5/100). Volunteers are needed to assist with these events.

The recruitment goals are to

▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪

Increase new members by 100 each year Increase recruitment events throughout all regions (gun/trade shows & at range events) Increase the duties of the PIO officers and recruitment officers and enlist more volunteers.

Recruitment articles for Blog, newsletter and Skirmish Line by discussing successes and new member profiles Attract more members to help with recruiting and build excitement.

Attract new prospective members and follow through with potential recruits by region commanders, recruitment officers and team members

The requested recruiting budget for 2017 is $4,400.00. Davy Crockett moved to approve $4,400.00 for recruiting expenses. Motion approved.

Melinda announced that the NRA National Convention would be held April 28, 29, 30, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. The association is relying on members from the

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Deep South region to assist with this show. The show will be held in Dallas, Texas in 2018. If there are volunteers for either show, they should contact Melinda Shaw for information and sign up.

Commander Booz presented the request of the Small Arms Officer, John Holland that the board of Directors makes no changes to the N-SSA Rules, which govern all Smoothbore Matches, and specifically Rule 19.9.1(1) which prohibits modifying the sights on smoothbore arms in any manner from which they were originally issued. Commander Booz stated this would be discussed in the rules portion of the meeting.

Rules Officer, John Robey, presented the rules change proposals. Note changes are in italics and go into operation March 1st unless otherwise stated.

Phil Spaugy moved to amend rule 37.20 and add rule 37.20.1 to allow lead picking at certain times during national skirmishes. Motion approved.

37.20 IMPACT AREAS a. Impact areas are off limits beginning Friday of all National Skirmishes until the closing of the range on Sunday, with the exception of artillery crews in the artillery impact area after the artillery matches. On Wednesday and Thursday, access to the impact area is permitted only after the close of individual matches.

37.20.1 LEAD PICKING AT NATIONAL SKIRMISHES a. During all national skirmishes, the red range flag shall be lowered after the conclusion of individual match competition on Wednesday and Thursday to allow for lead picking.

Charles Kindle moved to allow sights on smoothbore arms to be altered by deleting rule 19.1.1(1) and amending rules 19.3(k). The board voted 17 opposed and 1 in favor. The motion did not pass. Rule 19.1.1 stands.

Motion to establish parameters for allowable participation of non-shooting N-SSA members by adding rule 16.5.

REDUCED-RATE (NON-SHOOTING MEMBERS) Reduced rate (non-shooting) members may not participate in any shooting event or in any artillery/mortar match.

Reduced-rate (non-shooting) members must display the correct membership card when in the ready area or on the range.

Robert Hannula moved to amend the motion by deleting items c. and d. The board approved the amended motion.

When Article X (Dues), Section F was presented to the membership for approval during the October 2016 membership meeting, it was presented if approved the board would finalize this section at the winter board meeting.

Article X (DUES), Section F Individuals who are or who have already been members of member organizations, but who can no longer shoot due to age, infirmity or other reasons, may maintain membership by paying reduced dues of half the current national rate for a non-shooting membership. Such membership status shall maintain all privileges of membership EXCEPT: Holding regional or national office.

Participating in individual matches, or as members of small arms companies, or as members of artillery crews (including mortars).

Non-shooting members shall have membership cards distinctly different from shooting members.

The board approved the adjustments by adding who have, been and other reasons.

Chuck Kindle made the motion to charge non-shooting members half the current rate at the current time. Motion approved Eric Schuessler made the motion to amend rule 7.10 and Table 28.2(b) to penalize revolver company match unhit targets by adding the penalty for unhit targets to the full event time, instead of the called (stopwatch) time. After discussion, the motion was tabled until the August board meeting.

Jim Rogers made the motion to add the sale and supervision of practice targets to the official program of national skirmishes by amending rule 3.1.1. and adding rule 3.12. Motion approved The executive secretary presented a proposal to begin offering pre-sale practice targets with the spring registration packet and during the secretary’s posted office hours. A rough draft of a pre-sale order form was distributed for consideration as a working document 3.1.1 National Skirmish Required Program n. Youth Competition (see Section 36) o. Sale and use of Practice Targets Practice Targets

Each National Skirmish shall include range space set aside for the use of N-SSA practice targets, to be concurrent with individual match competition.

The review of rules for 20.6 Loading Revolvers and 20.7 Loading Single-Shot Pistol with amendments failed due to lack of motions.

James Rogers moved to not use positions 23 and 24 on the main range for team competitions during national skirmishes, because of inadequate ready area space.

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Policy 2017.1 Whenever possible, positions 23 and 24 on the main range shall not be assigned for Small Arms Company or mortar matches at national skirmishes.

Motion approved.

The board approved Nancy Crockett as awards chair, Carlton Layne and Jackie Venskoske as committee members.

Phil Spaugy was approved as the Traditional Match Officer.

Jeff Hall was approved as the Property Management Committee Chairman.

Don Branch was approved as the Advertising Manager for the Skirmish Line.

Phil Spaugy moved to accept all actions taken by the board of directors during the executive session. Motion approved.

The Northwest Territory would like to donate and maintain an individual aggregate smoothbore plaque to be awarded at each national. This trophy is to be named the Brian Haack Memorial Smoothbore Aggregate Trophy for individuals. It is requested if approved that it be added to the script beginning with the spring 2017 nationals (135th).

Chuck Kindle moved to approve the Brian Haack Memorial Smoothbore Aggregate Trophy for Individuals. Motion was approved.

The board of directors acknowledged the following reports.

Public Information Officer, Registration Officer, Youth Coordinator, Costume Committee, Historic & Education Officer Report, Traditional Match Officer, Visitor’s Committee and Skirmish Director’s Report.

Announcements:

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Commander Booz asked the region commanders to copy him on what they send out to their regions concerning the board meetings.

▪

Phil Spaugy announced that he received a text from Phil Shrier of the NRA and Phil stated Phil Shrier had been appointed the liaison between the NRA and N-SSA.

Commander Booz announced that the August 2017 Board of Director’s meeting will be held at the Kernstown Battlefield. Gary Crawford has graciously consented to allowing us to use the facility for the meeting. We were at this location last August and I believe everyone enjoyed the meeting place. One reason to hold the meeting at the Battlefield is because it is a real battlefield and our organization while it is devoted to competitive shooting is also devoted to the history of the civil war and to civil war preservation.

James Baird returned with the budget updates from the days proceedings. The budget, because of actions taken in executive session has added a $1,000.00 to the earlier proposed and approved budget. Jim recommended that we reduce the miscellaneous funds by $1,000.00 and the budget would be balanced. Davy Crockett moved to accept the paymaster’s budget as proposed. Motion approved.

As there was no additional business of the day, board members were asked for any final comments/thoughts.

Jim Baird -Hitch covers will be available at Doc’s place in May. Bobby Hannula – Meeting was well done John Doyle - Good meeting Jim Rogers - Go Falcons Roger Gray- Glad to be back Eric Schuessler - Dave, glad you are here Ed Thompson -Thanks for the warm welcome Davy Crockett -Good meeting Ron Barvian - Thank you to Judy Lawrence Gibson -Second, Judy helps me a lot Chuck Kindle -Thank you Linwood McMahon -Excellent meeting, need to get straight on the positions Judy Stoneburner – Thank you Melinda Shaw -Thank you for being inviting and don’t forget to volunteer Phil Spaugy - Well done Commander’s closing comments Thank you all for your efforts and cooperation and all of the contributions you make to the N-SSA and to this meeting. Thanks especially to Phil and Judy for the comfortable transition. Melinda spoke about the Harrisburg show that starts today and the March 18-19 Baltimore Gun show. I have complimentary tickets if you would like them. We are very fortunate to be able to do the sport that we do, it is a way of life for many of us and we need to make sure that the organization continues to grow and prosper and that is on us. I thank you very much and look forward to seeing you many times this year.

Upon motion by Davy Crockett, the meeting adjourned at 3:29 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Judy O. Stoneburner Executive Secretary

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North-South Skirmish Association - Membership Meeting Friday, October 7, 2016 - Fort Shenandoah, Winchester, Virginia Minutes approved by the N-SSA Board of Directors, Saturday, February 4, 2017 Commander Phillip Spaugy called the membership meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

Deputy Commander, Frank Kapper offered the invocation.

Adjutant, Carlton Layne called for absent units to sign in. The following units did not sign in during the membership meeting.

005-TW Richmond Volunteer Militia 094-NW 5th Battery Michigan Light Artillery 188-MW First Rockbridge Artillery 192-DS 4th Tennessee Infantry (Harris Guards) 237-TW 3rd North Carolina Cavalry – Absent due to hurricane Matthew 239-CR 38th North Carolina Volunteers Commander Spaugy welcomed everyone to the meeting.

James Baird, Paymaster announced that some packets contained a Fair Share Tax bill. The original bills were distributed in the spring and are now past due. He also announced that it was approved during the August board meeting to pay off the balance on the property by the end of this year.

Joseph Plakis announced that $346.00 was earned during this nationals from the sale of practice targets. Commander Spaugy announced that the sale of practice targets by the host staff would be on the agenda for the winter board meeting. This program has a tremendous value to the organization.

Walt Zdon, skirmish director announced that all was going well.

Scott Lynch, Property Management Committee Chair announced that after this nationals, campers left on the property would be surveyed for proper identification (competitor number and name) near camper door. If a camper does not have the proper member identification on it, a letter will be sent to the team. Derelict campers will also be assessed and letters sent. The committee will work with members all that they possibly can regarding the derelict campers.

Commander Spaugy announced that electrical outlets in restrooms are not for personal use for charging items.

Melinda Shaw, Recruiting Officer spoke on the new recruiting video. Commander Spaugy stated that we had over one hundred new members this year and the average age of these new members is 34 years old. He believed that the recruiting efforts are paying off and we are starting to see a turn around.

Wayne Jordan, Charitable Giving Committee Chair spoke about the insert for Charitable Giving that was included in the team packets. The brochures contain an envelope for contributions. If there are any questions, he is always available.

Fred Behrens, spoke about the NRA convention that will be held in April in Atlanta, Georgia. He is looking for volunteers to help with the convention. If you are interested in assisting with the booth at the convention, please contact Fred.

Commander Spaugy presented the amendments to the By-Laws to be voted on by the membership.

Proposal Number 1: Motion to amend Article X, Dues of the BYLAWS by adding Section F (new) Individuals who are already members of member organizations, but who can no longer shoot due to age and/or infirmity, may maintain membership by paying reduced dues (in an amount to be set by the Board of Directors) for a non-shooting membership. Such membership status shall maintain all privileges of membership EXCEPT: Holding regional or national office, or Participating in individual matches, or as members of small-arms companies, or as members of artillery crews (including mortar).

Non-shooting members shall have membership cards distinctly different from shooting members.

Written Votes: 159 in favor 17 against. Motion passed. Effective December 1, 2016 Proposal 2 (change in italics): Motion to amend ARTICLE II, Section 5 All members in good standing of member or probationary member organization in good standing shall be deemed to be members of the Association. These individuals must be fourteen years of age or older, not convicted of any crime or subject to any other legal disability prohibiting his or her possession of a firearm, and must not be members of any organization having as its sole purpose or one of its purposes the overthrow by force or violence the government of the United States or any of its political subdivisions.

Written Votes: 160 in favor 16 against Motion passed. Effective October 8, 2016 Prior to the vote on proposal 2, Commander Spaugy and Brian Appelt, Judge Advocate spoke to the membership in regards to this proposal and answered numerous questions from the membership. The association is incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia, therefore, the laws of the commonwealth prevail. In the Commonwealth if a weapon fires a projectile by means of explosion, the firearm is not exempt based on pre-1898 definition and a person’s right to possess a firearm can be removed.

Commander Spaugy turned the meeting over to Bobby Hannula, elections committee chair. Bobby Hannula called for any nominations from the floor. As there were no nominations from the floor, nominations were closed, ballots were collected and counted. Bobby Hannula announced the 2017 national officers elect.

National Elections results are as follows: National Commander: *David Booz 118 votes Frank Kapper 57 votes Deputy Commander: *Wade Huffman 171 votes Inspector General: Phillip Crabill 64 votes *Wayne Shaw 111 votes National Adjutant: Joseph Plakis, III 48 votes *Melinda Shaw 128 votes Paymaster: *James Baird 173 votes * = denotes officer elect Commander Spaugy announced the location of meetings for the host teams of the 135th, 136th, 137th and 138th nationals.

The meeting was recessed at 8:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted Judy Stoneburner, Executive Secretary 34

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The 46th Veteran’s Skirmish July 14th - 16th, 2017 - Fort Shenandoah To All Veteran Skirmishers,

Don't play opossum, come hang with us!

It’s a shame that, as more people are becoming veterans, fewer and fewer are showing up to the Veteran's Skirmish - a skirmish designed for veterans by veterans! Not only will you get to come out to a shoot with fun targets, cocktail parties, and plenty of chances to tell lies about the good old days, you’ll also enjoy a nice dinner and have a chance to meet fellow veterans you might not normally see or talk to. I expect more skirmishers to attend this shoot knowing that it is a buddy shoot. Even if you're not a veteran, you can still come out and volunteer to help and get free food and drink.

Yours Truly, Michael L. Linton Commander, R. Preston Chews Battery

REMEMBER, THIS IS A BUDDY SHOOT!!!!

Veteran’s Skirmish Schedule of Events FRIDAY JULY 14th, 2017 1100 - Main range & stat house open for individuals & fun stuff 1600 - Range closes 1800 - Welcome potluck (location TBD) Saturday July 15th, 2017 0900 - Main Range opens for individuals 1200 - Range Closes 1300 - Veterans meeting in the Vet's building (lower level) 1430 - Creek party (by the pistol range) 1800 - Ruritan dinner (at the Ruritan concession stand) 2000 - Punch party at the 3rd Maryland Artillery Campsite Sunday July 16th, 2017 0830 - Team captain's meeting 0845 - Opening ceremonies 0900 - Musket match & bridge shoot - followed by the awards ceremony

2017 Veteran’s Skirmish - Registration Form Competitor's Name: _______________________________________________________________ Number: ___________________________

Contact Information: __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Buddy’s Name: __________________________________________________________________ Number: ___________________________ Registration Fee

$30.00 Each

______________

(INCLUDES 1 DINNER TICKET)

Veteran's Shoot T-Shirt

$15.00

______________

Size _______ (S - 5XL)

Picnic Fee

$ 4.00

______________

Extra Picnic

$ 4.00

______________

Extra Saturday Dinner

$ 7.50

______________

Total 36

______________

Mail Registration and Check (Payable to N-SSA Veterans Association) Michael L. Linton, 10964 Scaggsville Rd, Laurel, Maryland 20723 (301) 873-7110 MLinton1966@yahoo.com

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The July 2017 VETERAN’S SKIRMISH NEEDS YOUR DONATION! Any N-SSA member who would like to donate to the prize table at the next Veteran’s Skirmish is invited to do so. Any item that you would like to part with, which you think would be of value to your fellow skirmishers would be helpful.

DONATE ANYTHING THAT A SKIRMISHER MIGHT MAKE USE OF AT FT. SHENANDOAH. Do you have a bullet mould that you no longer need? An extra Coleman lantern? Do you have any other surplus skirmishing items (tools, etc.) that are just in the way? Do you run a small business selling products that skirmishers need (lead, lube, powder, etc) and want to publicize your business to a grateful membership? Would you like to sponsor a gift certificate? Do you know of any local businesses that you might be able ask for a donation? Anything that a skirmisher might make use of at Ft. Shenandoah is fair game (a beer stein maybe?). Of course, lead, tubes, caps, lube, etc. are always useful. No junk, please, only items in good condition.

So far, we are short on donations of caps, just in case any sutler or member needs an idea for a donation (sleeves or tins).

We are expecting over 200 registered Veterans, plus the many other members and guests who often attend. For those of you who have not come to a Veterans, every registered shooter receives a numbered ticket when they sign up. On Saturday afternoon the numbers are drawn and the Vets go in that order to the prize table to make a selection. Our goal is to have something for everybody. All donor’s names will be publicized. Many sutlers and N-SSA members have already contributed, but we’re only halfway there.

SPONSOR A BEER KEG! You can dedicate it to anyone or anything that you would like.

SPONSOR A MUSKET RELAY! Again, you can dedicate it as you see fit.

This is a great way to support the N-SSA. If you would like to discuss a donation, please contact: Prize Table Committee Wayne Jordan (#9447, Chiswell’s Exiles) cell phone - 703-407-2445 email - WVJORDAN@aol.com

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REGIONAL NEWS - Tidewater Tidewater Region News This past year the Tidewater Region held its annual Cure for Cancer Skirmish on October 21-23, 2016 at Fort Mahone in Capron, Virginia. During 2016, the region raised $10,000.00 for the cure for cancer by means of the cancer skirmish, donation jars, and donations by individual members and teams alike. The following amounts have been donated this year to well deserving hospitals and research facilities: $4,000.00 - St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, $2,500.00 -Sloan Kittering Cancer Research Hospital, $2,500.00 - Children’s Hospital of the Kings Daughters, and $1,000.00 - Huntsman Utah Cancer Center.

The Tidewater Region began this charitable event seven years ago. Because of the hard work and dedication of so many of the region’s members, the region has been able to contribute a total of $42,000.00 to cancer research.

St. Jude wrote to the region that their hospital has changed the way the world treats childhood cancer. “But one thing that has never changed and never will, as long as we can count on friends like you, and that is the families never receive a bill from St. Jude for anything. God bless you for all you’ve helped us achieve in the past and all we’ll accomplish together in the future.”

The Children’s Hospital of the Kings Daughter in Norfolk, Virginia sent a card that told the story of Laney, a newborn that was fighting for her life with a serious congenital heart defect requiring life-saving cardiac surgery when she was only seven days old. “Today, little Laney is healthy and strong and her family is forever thankful for your support of the Children’s Hospital.”

The Cancer Skirmish is scheduled for October 20-22, 2017 at Fort Mahone, and the region invites any N-SSA member or N-SSA team that would like to participate.

On Saturday, February 11, 2017, twenty-seven members of the region attended and did an enormous amount of work on the Fort Mahone range in Capron, Virginia. A new walkway with railing to the revolver range was constructed, outhouses were updated, trees were trimmed, brush was pushed back, buildings were painted, and a docking station for the trash truck was constructed. Fun was had by all in attendance.

Judy Stoneburner, Tidewater PIO

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REGIONAL NEWS - Tidewater Tidewater Region Light Program for Memorial Park at Fort Shenandoah By: John A. Sharrett III It was my understanding that the four light poles in Memorial Park were placed as a Boy Scout project many years ago. Since then. the poles had rotted at the ground and one was being held up with a stick and wire and another was leaning against the fence. They have served us well, but it was time to replace them with new poles and lights.

I brought this situation to the attention of the Tidewater Region at the January 2015 Regional Meeting and suggested that it would make a great project. I contacted the Property Manager and the Property Management Committee Chairman prior to spending any money or starting any work and received their approval.

The Tidewater Region voted to do the work. The region voted to purchase new light fixtures and Tomlin Cobb, of Tuckers Naval Brigade, volunteered to make the poles out of treated wood. I purchased the light fixtures from Illuminator Lighting in California on August 27, 2015 at a cost of $369.96.

The light bulbs were purchased at Lowe’s at a cost of $19.41 on September 3, 2015. Four teams volunteered to purchase one pole each at a cost of $60. They were the Old Dominion Dragoons, Dismal Swamp Rangers, Tuckers Naval Brigade, and 3rd North Carolina Cavalry. The treated poles were 8” X 8” X 10’ and were purchased and delivered to Tomlin Cobb’s business, Olde Virginia Moulding & Mill Works in Franklin, Virginia. Tomlin spent over eighty hours creating four beautiful poles, which started out square at the bottom and transitioned into tapered octagon shape to the top with round turned toppers to accept the light fixtures. A wiring channel was added to place the wire.

The original date of installation was to be at the Fall National Skirmish, but the threat of hurricane Joaquin postponed the project because so many members did not attend the National, or they left to go home to protect their homes and personal property. Most of the members in our region live near the coast of Virginia and North Carolina. I had one of the fixtures in my yard and wasn’t pleased with the appearance so, over the winter, I decided to repaint the light fixtures with a better grade of paint.

The Spring National was the selected date to install the poles and light fixtures. When Tomlin arrived on Thursday with the poles, the old poles had been removed, holes dug out, and the wire pieced out because the new poles were two foot longer than the old ones.

There was also a work crew of about 20 members at Memorial Park ready to install the poles. I brought some asphalt shingles from home to place on the ground around the poles to keep the grass from growing and I purchased 16 patio blocks, four per pole, to place on top of the shingles to keep the grass away from the pole so the poles would not be damaged by a weedeater. Cost of 16 blocks was $25.28 and they were purchased at Lowe’s in Winchester.

After all the poles and lights were placed, the lights were turned on, but only one came on! The wiring in the panel was checked as well as the photo eyes, but the problem could not be located. At the Work Skirmish held on Fathers Day weekend, the problem was found and a new wire was buried from the first light on the right as you enter Memorial Park to the second light on the right. While attending the Vets Skirmish I tried the lights and they all came on. I left them on Saturday night and turned them off Sunday morning.

The only thing left to do to complete the project was to clean the poles and add another coat of paint. This was done at the Fall National Skirmish.

I estimated that there were close to 159 hours spent on this project, with Tomlin Cobb spending over 80 hours manufacturing the poles. Total cost for the project including pole, light fixtures, light bulbs, and pavers was $654.65.

This was a great project sponsored by the Tidewater Region and the poles should last for the rest of most of our lives. Something we can be proud of every time we see them day or night.

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REGIONAL NEWS - Deep South

http://4thla.weebly.com/

February 2017 After about a three-year hiatus from hosting a skirmish, the 4th Louisiana teamed up with the 4th Tennessee to host the first skirmish of the year, with Steve Sheldon acting as Skirmish Director. We had a tremendous turnout of members to help host the event, which was held at Brierfield Ironworks Park. Between the two teams we had plenty of hands to make light work of all the things that have to be done to put on a successful skirmish.

The weekend started off on Thursday when Bob Kelley and Steve Sheldon were on hand to get the frames pulled down from the hill and set up on the field. The frames were in pretty good shape, with only a few needing to have cross-pieces replaced. Will and Willa Dickerson were also there to get started on the target materials, cut and drill all the cardboard, and fill all the target baskets with the targets and wires needed for each event.

Friday morning Will and Willa wrapped up the target materials, while Bob hooked up his sound and PA systems. At noon the Individual shooting started and continued until dark.

The field set up for individuals.

Saturday morning, we broke with tradition and held a first-thing-in-themorning Revolver team match. This was a special demonstration match that was held with all courses of fire being shot at only 15 yards! We also utilized some larger-than-usual targets, including 6� tiles and 9� countertop drop-outs. The idea here was to have a more-fun Revolver match where people could actually hit things. And hit things they did! Some of the 3 teams were able to clear their frames. This was so fun, the 14 th MS is going to do it again next month.

The "Can't Miss 'Em" Revolver Match 40

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REGIONAL NEWS - Deep South After the Revolver match, the field was again open for Individuals until lunch time. Commander Bob ran the grill while Tracy Stevens and Tara Sheldon ran the concession stand. (Photo at right.)

After lunch we had the Carbine match with 5 teams, followed by the Smoothbore match, also with 5 teams. Between our two teams, the 4 th LA and 4th TN were able to provide timers and safeties for all teams, so that we were able to run all of matches in a single relay. (Photos below.)

Saturday night we had a free dinner for all comers. The main dishes were cooked up by Commander Bob – pulled pork and sauce piquant. Steve Sheldon provided a massive cooker full of jambalaya. And Bob also grilled up the left-over hamburgers from lunch.

There was also bread pudding and other goodies as well. Thanks to all who came out!

Sunday morning saw all the teams on the field for the Opening Ceremonies. At 93, after decades of skirmishing, Will Dickerson was presented a special Senior Skirmisher award trophy for his years of N-SSA shooting.

Then it was off to the Musket match (photo below right)! We had 5 teams on the line for Musket. During the pauses between courses of fire we held the drawings for the fundraiser raffle. Prizes included a revolver cleaning kit, some Troiani lead figures, and a free two-night campground stay at Brierfield, donated by Brierfield Ironworks Park.

After the Musket match, we had the presentation of the medals. Dave Nailling of the 4th TN, who ran the stats most, if not all of the skirmish, led up handing out the medals. The medals were a new design that Steve Sheldon made for this event. (Photo below - Results on next page.)

While the medals were being handed out, Bob and the rest of the work crew cleaned up the field, hauled the trash to the dumpster, loaded the target frames onto the trailer, and hauled the trailer back up the hill. Most of the hard work of breaking down the skirmish was done before we finished handing out the medals many hands make light work! And that wrapped up the skirmish! To see more photos from this and other events, visit http://4thla.weebly.com/.

Upcoming Events 14th MS

Brierfield, AL

March 31 - April 2, 2017

Spring Nationals

Winchester, VA

May 17 - 21, 2017

20th GA

Brierfield, AL

June 9 - 11, 2017

3rd GA

Brierfield, AL

Aug 25 - 27, 2017

Fall Nationals

Winchester, VA

October 4 - 8, 2017

Forrest Escort

Eva, TN

November 3 - 5, 2017

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Ken clearing a revolver shooter.

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Attention all Skirmishers Emergency Medical Information On the back of this page are Emergency Medical Information slips that you can cut out, fill in, and keep in whatever you use to carry and display your N-SSA Competitor ID Card.

Multiple slips are provided should you wish to keep extra copies in your wallet, trailer, shooting cart, etc.

The intent of these cards is to provide members with a free, and easy-to-use safeguard in the event of a medical emergency. This is especially important if you were to become incapable of communicating with team mates or medical/first responders (i.e. having a severe stroke, heart attack, and/or loss of consciousness).

This information is NOT solicited by, nor will it be maintained by the N-SSA. It is your personal information - you update and safeguard it. Hopefully you will have it ready and easily found (example in your ID card holder!) should an actual emergency arise.

If needed, additional Emergency Medical Information slips can be obtained at no cost in the National Secretary’s Office during National Skirmishes.

Please take a few moments to take action on something as simple as this, something which could spell the difference between life or death.

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A letter to the Editor, regarding the 25th Women’s Anniversary Match held at the 134th Fall National.

I was honored to be recognized as one of the original women members of the N-SSA. After having been relegated to only being allowed to watch the men compete for the first 25 years that I attended skirmishes, being able to actually participate for the next 25 years has been extremely satisfying and exciting, to say the least. I also have had the honor to be the first female recipient of not only the Distinguished Service Award, but also the prestigious Award of Merit. I’m already looking forward to receiving my 50 Year Award in 2042. I would like to thank Past Commander Phil Spaugy, the 2016 Board of Directors, and Melinda Shaw, Judy Stoneburner, and their assistants in making this all-women’s match a reality.

However, since this match was held I’ve heard that there are some unhappy male skirmishers that resent the fact that the match was female only. I would like to remind these gentlemen that for the first 42 years that the N-SSA existed, women were not allowed to become members. Yet we women supported you in so many ways, not the least of which was by volunteering to work during National Skirmishes as non-members to help your units fulfill their member attendance requirements. I know of a few ladies who have joined the N-SSA just to support their units and the Association, although they choose not to compete. There are, and have been, women who not only serve on and chair National Committees, but who have also been Regional Skirmish Directors. This year, the 136 th Fall Nationals will, for the first time, be run by a female Skirmish Director. In addition, women have been elected not only to both Regional and National offices, but also to the N-SSA’s Executive Board of Directors.

As the N-SSA’s membership continues to decline, the 300+ female members are an important and much needed asset to ensure that the Association continues to exist and thrive. In short, we ladies have most definitely earned the recognition and appreciation shown by one special match being held in our honor.

In closing, I would again like to thank all of the folks who made the 25 th Women’s Anniversary Match a reality. And I would be remiss if I didn’t take this time to sincerely thank the many male members of the N-SSA who have enthusiastically supported the female members for the last 25 years.

Respectfully, Jacqueline A. Holland 44th NYVI, Deputy Commander, Competitor # 07930

Coverage of the Women’s 25th Anniversary Event was published in the Fall 2016 edition of the Skirmish Line.

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Skirmish Dates - 2017 Fort Shenandoah - Winchester, Virginia Skirmishes Approved by the Board of Directors August 6, 2016 Complete list was approved by the Board of Directors Saturday, February 4, 2017.

Date Jan. 13-15, 2017 Feb. 4, 2017 Feb.17-19, 2017 Mar. 3-4, 2017 Mar. 17-19 Mar. 24-26, 2017 Mar. 24-26, 2017 March 31-Apr. 2 April 7-9, 2017 April 7-9, 2017 April 7-9, 2017 Apr. 21-23, 2017 Apr. 21-23, 2017 Apr. 21-23, 2017 Apr. 21-23, 2017 April 22-23, 2017 April 29-30, 2017 May 5-7, 2017 May 5-7, 2017 May 5-7, 2017 May 17-21, 2017 June 2-4, 2017 June 2-4, 2017 June 9-11, 2017 June 9-11, 2017 June 9-11, 2017 June 9-11, 2017 June 10-11, 2017 June 16-18, 2017 June 17, 2017 June 23-25, 2017 June 23-25, 2017 June 23-25, 2017 June 23-25, 2017 June 24-25, 2017 July 7-9, 2017 July 7-9, 2017 July 7-9, 2017 July 8-9, 2017 July 14-16, 2017 July 15-16, 2017 July 21-23, 2017

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Event Snowball Board of Director’s Meeting 4th Louisiana Tigers/4th Tenn.

24th Georgia Palmetto Sharpshooters Early Bird Dismal Swamp Rangers 14th Mississippi Buncombe Rifles Chesapeake Spring Regional Southampton Greys 27th North Carolina 13th North Carolina Potomac Spring Regional Tucker’s Naval Brigade 114th Ill/2nd Wisconsin 10th Massachusetts Battery Central Virginia Regional 1st US Artillery K Battery Tidewater Regional – Rowan Artillery Spring Nationals Iredell Blues 149th Pennsylvania Vol. Inf. Cockade Skirmish 20th Georgia 4th Kentucky 8th New York Heavy Artillery 14th Virginia Cavalry 14th Tennessee Work Day at the Fort Mason Dixon Lancaster Fencibles 19th Indiana Battery H, 1st Ill Light Arty 42nd NYVI-Tammany Regt.

McNeill’s Rangers 72nd New York Vol. Infantry 111th Ohio Vol. Inf. 120th New York Vol. Inf Veteran’s Skirmish 29th Wisc. & 56th Virginia 19th Indiana –MW Regional

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Region PT Non Shooting DS CR CR AL TW DS CR CH TW CR MA PT TW WR EN CV NE TW CR MA CV DS MW NE EN NW Non Shooting CH MA MW WR EN CH NE NW EN WR MW

Location Ft. Shenandoah Virginia Brierfield, GA Denhamville, GA Statesville, NC Ft. Shenandoah Capron, VA Brierfield, GA Statesville, NC Ft. Shenandoah Capron, VA Statesville, NC Springtown, PA Ft. Shenandoah Capron, VA Loami, IL Hopkinton, MA Ft. Shenandoah Franklinville, NY Capron, VA Ft. Shenandoah Statesville, NC Springtown, PA Ft. Shenandoah Brierfield, GA Centerburg, OH Erie, PA Saratoga, NY Laingsburg, MI Ft. Shenandoah Ft. Shenandoah Lancaster, PA Batesville, IN Streator, IL Glastonbury, CT Ft. Shenandoah Dansville, NY Defiance, OH Saratoga, NY Ft. Shenandoah Bristol, WI Batesville, IN

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Date July 21-23, 2017 July 28-30, 2017 July 28-30, 2017 July 29-30, 2017 Aug. 5, 2017 Aug. 11-13, 2017 Aug. 11-13, 2017 Aug. 17-19, 2017 Aug. 18-20, 2017 Aug. 18-20, 2017 Aug. 18-20, 2017 Aug. 25-27, 2017 Aug. 25-27, 2017 Aug. 25-27, 2017 Aug. 26-27, 2017 Sept. 8-10, 2017 Sept. 8-10, 2017 Sept. 8-10, 2017 Sept. 8-10, 2017 Sept. 8-10, 2017 Sept. 15-17, 2017 Sept. 16-17, 2017 Sept. 16-17, 2017 Sept. 22-24, 2017 Sept. 22-24, 2017 Sept. 22-24, 2017 Oct. 4-8, 2017 Oct. 20-22, 2017 Oct. 20-22, 2017 Oct. 21-22, 2017 Oct. 27-29, 2017 Oct. 27-29, 2017 Nov. 3-5, 2017 Nov. 3-5, 2017 Nov. 10-12, 2017

Event Terry’s Texas Rangers 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry 4th Michigan 14th Connecticut Vol. Infantry Board of Director’s Meeting Allegheny Regional 110th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Wainwright Skirmish 9th New York Cavalry 21st Michigan/7th Michigan 46th Illinois Vol Infantry Gator Skirmish 1st Florida Cavalry 3rd Georgia/44th Georgia Union Guards 4th Virginia 1st Pennsylvania Cav Co. B 149th New York Vol Inf Battery C Potomac Fall Regional Old Dominion Dragoons Palmetto Guard 15th Wisconsin & 114th Illinois 34th Virginia 2nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry Stonewall Brigade Tidewater Regional – Norfolk Light Fall Nationals Dulany Troop Cancer Skirmish-Tidewater Commander’s Skirmish/Meeting 23rd North Carolina Halloween Skirmish FEC Last Chance Skirmish Homecoming

Region NE MA NW EN Non Shooting AL MW

NE NW WR CV DS MW EN MA NE NW PT TW CR WR EN MW PT TW PT TW EN CR PT DS TW CR

Location Fulton, NY Lancaster, PA Laingsburg, MI Glastonbury, CT Winchester, VA Ft. Shenandoah Pleasant Hill, OH Ft. Shenandoah Erie, PA Maybee, MI Streator, IL Ft. Shenandoah Brierfield, GA Pleasant Hill, OH Hopkinton, MA Springtown, PA Dansville, NY Columbiaville, MI Ft. Shenandoah Capron, VA Statesville, NC Bristol, WI Reading, MA Centerburg, OH Ft. Shenandoah Capron, VA Ft. Shenandoah Ft. Shenandoah Capron, VA Saratoga, NY Jacksonville, NC Ft. Shenandoah NBF State Park, TN Capron, VA Statesville, NC

Legend: AL = Allegheny Region CR = Carolina Region CV = Central Virginia Region CH = Chesapeake Region DS = Deep South Region

MA = Mid-Atlantic Region MW = Mid-West Region EN = New England Region NE = Northeast Region NW = Northwest Region

PT = Potomac Region TW = Tidewater Region WR = Western Region

Revised: February 6, 2017

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