LCDR Edward Lea USN, Camp 2 – Houston, TX

2025 Department Encampment

31st Annual Department Encampment
May 9-10, 2025
Houston, TX

AGENDA

Friday, May 9

6:30 PM – Reception for Commander-in-Chief Kevin Martin and Rosemary Martin, National President, Auxiliary to Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.

Location – Summerwood in NE Houston

Saturday, May 10

8:00 AM – Setup at Holy Cross Church

11:00 AM – À la carte luncheon at Goode Company BBQ

  • 8911 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas 77024
  • CLICK HERE for a map

1:00 PM to 4:00 PM – Department Encampment

  • Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 7901 Westview Drive, Houston TX, 77055
  • CLICK HERE for a map

REGISTRATION & PAYMENT

This year members will have the opportunity to register and pay electronically.

REGISTRATION FORM

IMPORTANT INFORMATION !!

Greeting from Department Commander Timothy Phillips

The reception on Friday evening promises to be a lively event. All Encampment participants, guests and members of the Allied Orders are welcome.

Camp Commanders, bring your Camp flag and stand as well as your Camp Charter and display easel.

Questions should be directed to Dept. Secretary Don Gates or Dept. JVC John Vander Meulen

LODGING

Courtyard by Marriot, Houston Northeast at 120 N Redemption Square Rd, Houston, TX 77044 is 2 miles from the reception on Friday and 30 miles from the Encampment location.

If you prefer to stay closer to the events on Saturday a Google search shows both these hotels within 1 mile of Holy Cross Lutheran Church where the Encampment will be held.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Houston, located off Interstate 10 at 7625 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77024.

Crowne Plaza Houston Galleria, located off interstate 10 at 7611 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77024.

We look forward to seeing you in Houston!

FRATERNITY – CHARITY – LOYALTY

Conroe Founder’s Day 2025

Camp 2 was invited to participate in Conroe Founder’s Day on March 15 in Conroe, TX, an annual event held in memory of Union Civil War veteran and city founder Captain Isaac Conroe, 12th IL Cavalry.  City Council member Shana Arthur gave us a glowing introduction and read the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Day proclamation from Mayor Duke Coon.  PCC John Vander Meulen addressed the gathering and spoke about the importance of honoring our history.  As the ceremony drew to a close the Camp 2 Honor Guard fired an impeccable 3-round volley followed by the playing of taps.

The Organizing Committee presented Camp 2 with a letter and generous donation acknowledging our first-time participation, for which we are very grateful. Unfortunately our video cameras malfunctioned (everyone had AV problems) and we did not have a photographer, so all we have is the audio of Brother Vander Meulen’s remarks and this one picture to commemorate what a truly great event it was.

The Honor Guard was led by Captain Robert Riley and Drummer William Myers.  The firing party included CC Daniel Pourreau, PDC Michael Lance, Michael Rappe and JVC Jason Hoffman.

Brother Vander Meulen’s remarks
Camp 2 Honor Guard at Conroe Founder’s Day – Bros. Myers, Riley, Pourreau, Lance, Rappe & Hoffman

WHEN THE BOYS IN BLUE ARE GONE

Written by Civil War veteran John Hendricks

Narrated by DUVCW member Susan Barry

John Hendricks was the last surviving veteran of the Eighty-Ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment.  He wrote this poem long after the Civil War expressing his concern that future generations might forget what Union soldiers and members of the Grand Army of the Republic held most sacred: the Union, and the flag for which they fought.

Fraternity – Charity – Loyalty

Camp 2 Makes News in Galveston

Brothers of LCDR Edward Lea, Camp 2 were joined by Brothers from Gen. James Byrne, Camp 1 of Fort Worth and Col. Elmer Ellsworth, Camp 18 of Dallas for the 31st Annual Battle of Galveston Commemoration Ceremony on January 4, 2025. We were so pleased to have representatives from the Allied Orders and many friends, affiliates and guests join in as well, including the Sarah Emma Seelye Ladies Auxiliary #1; Sarah Emma Edmonds Detached Tent #4, DUVCW; Co. K, 1st U.S. Infantry, Sons of Veterans Reserve; Co. A, 13th Regiment, U.S. Infantry; The Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the U.S.; the Dames of the Loyal Legion of the U.S.; Harmony Lodge No. 6 A.F. & A.M; United Daughters of the Confederacy, and Kathleen Shanahan Maca of Tales from Texas.

Live music made its return this year as Department Commander Timothy Phillips played Taps and Camp 2 drummer Bill Myers led the opening procession and assisted the Honor Guard with fire by the drum. DC Phillips also performed the officer installation ceremony at the post-ceremony luncheon. Congratulations to CC Daniel Pourreau, SVC Herb Powers, JVC Jason Hoffman, Secretary/Treasurer PDC Stephen Schulze and all the appointed officers for 2025.

Photojournalist Stuart Villanueva from The Daily News in Galveston was on hand for the entire event. Click here to see some of his excellent photographs and read the front-page story in the January 7, 2025 issue of The Daily News. And keep scrolling to see our own pictures – there is a nice high-resolution group shot at the end.

Henry Henck, PCC Harold Henck, Jr & Dick Gray, Harmony Lodge No. 6
Rebecca Feaster (DUVCW), Katherine Gill (UDC) and Vali Reyes (ASUVCW)
Address from Dick Gray of Harmony Lodge No. 6 A.F. & A.M.
Greeting from Commander John Vander Meulen
PDC Schulze and Department Commander Phillips

Installation of Officers

Installation ceremony
Passing the gavel
CC Pourreau and PCC Vander Meulen

Group Picture

Steve Brock, Charity Zemzoum, Robert Riley, Janet Hicks, Brook Thomas, Becky Feaster, Bill Myers, Dick Gray, Jill Schneider, Vali Reyes, Dan Pourreau, Steve Schulze (PDC), Jana Marsh, John Schneider (PDC), Howard Rose, Herb Powers, Fran Matchett, Michael Lance (PDC), Sue Barry, Jason Hoffman, DC Tim Phillips, Michael Rappe, Michael Schneider (CC), Don Gates (PDC), Blair Rudy (PDC), (not pictured CC John Vander Meulen, John Schneider, Jr., Harold Henck, Jr. (PCC))

Remember our Veterans on November 11

Honoring a Civil War veteran who was lost to history

Curious about her family’s history, journalist Cheryl Wills began researching her ancestry, and found she was related to Sandy Wills, a former slave who served in the Civil War with the United States Colored Troops. Her search also led her to a distant relative, a former plantation, and ultimately to Private Wills’ remains, which have now been laid to rest – with full military honors – at a veterans cemetery in Memphis. CBS News’ Bill Whitaker reports.

CLICK HERE to watch the video on CBS News