Commander’s Column

The annual meeting is over, and here is some information you need to know if you were not there. If you were in attendance, here it is in writing.

1. Dues have been set at $40.00, and are due by March 15^th. Make checks payable to F Company, and send them to:

PO Box 6583  Richmond, VA 23230

2. The slate of officers set forth to the membership was voted in. I was elected President/Captain, Mr. Turley is the Vice President/1^st Lt., Mr. Wilson is the Secretary/1^st Sgt., Mr. Alexander is the Treasurer, and Mr. Pearson is the Member at Large.
   
3. Signup Sheets are due April 1.
   

We are doing better and better at getting the company business completed. I will adjust the time for the meeting next year.

It seems we have put together a strong event schedule for everyone to select from. All we need now is the commitment from the membership to attend.

The next company event is the camp of instruction, from March 30th through April 1st. We had a meeting with the powers that be at Ft. A. P. Hill, and found that the previous administration has rotated on to other duties. It was good to meet the new administration, and let them meet us. We received a compliment from them: "Reenactment groups do not generally know how to deal with the Army or Range Control, but F Company does." Everything is ready to go with the Fort and the Range. We are looking to have a good camp of instruction. Remember, there will be a full kit inspection this year. I have attached a layout for you to go by. It is not the be-all-end-all of layouts, however it will expedite the inspection process. Contact your NEW Corporal to let them know if you are coming to the Camp of Instruction right away. We need to know how much food to purchase for the meals.

The camp of instruction is also a good place to bring people that are thinking of joining to see how the company works. If you know someone like this, please contact me and I will get you the needed paperwork for them to attend. We will try to outfit them as best we can so they can participate fully.

New recruiting materials are available from Mr. Pearson. Please contact him to coordinate getting these materials. As it was stated at the meeting, we are all recruiters, the best contacts come from friends and family. The members of the recruiting committee are there for the administrative support needed to bring someone into the Company. Mr. Turley will now do the major coordination for the committee, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Pearson, and Mr. Stafford are all remain committed to their regional areas.

We had 3 new members sign up at the annual meeting and one more potential.

Mr. Sineath, a prior F Company member, has rejoined after a few years’ hiatus. Mr. Sineath used to be the F Company Surgeon a bunch of years ago. He has returned, and is looking to pick back up in the hobby as an infantryman.

Mr. Eddy, also a prior member, has returned to the fold. The sea salt in his veins has been replenished for now, and is back to play with us again.

Mr. Perry, new to the hobby, and another son of our 1^st Corporal Perry. This Mr. Perry is the oldest son.

Welcome to all, and I look forward to this year with all.

We needed to make some changes to better reflect changing roles of some of the members. I have asked, and they have accepted the duties and responsibility of being a Corporal. The new Corporals are Mr. Pearson and Mr. Norman. New platoon assignments are in this newsletter. These assignments may change, depending on how many men re-up their membership to the company. Mr. Firth has agreed to continue as 2^nd Sgt. for the company.

As most of you know, Mr. Vice has stepped down as the 1^st Sgt. to pursue other opportunities prior to his retirement. Well, we could not let him go quietly. The planning started early last year, and came to its zenith at the annual meeting. We presented him with a gift, that he could really use and appreciate. Mr. Perry made a magnificent presentation box out of Tiger Maple. The presentation and surprise was complete. This was a rare moment when he was caught unaware. Thank you all for donating toward the gift and helping with the surprise. A special thanks to Mrs. Vice, without whom this would have not happened. I hope that Mr. Vice has many years of enjoyment with it.

Mr. and Mrs. Eastman are the proud parents of new baby boy. He was born February 2, 2001, 9 lbs. 2 oz., and 22 inches long. Both Mom and baby are doing fine. They also have a new home and address to go along with it. Please see the new roster for the address.

Mr. Eastman is also still looking for a pair of shoes, size 9 1/2.

Mr. Alexander made it known at the annual meeting that Fund Raising really interests him, and he would like to pursue it full time for the company. However, he is unable to function as both Fundraiser and Treasurer, so the company is looking for someone that will follow in Mr. Alexander's footsteps and become the Treasurer for next year. I know I would like to unleash him on fundraising full time, but there is only so much one man can do. So if you are interested, please let me know. Mr. Alexander has done a great job with the finances over these many years. He was the one that got the company incorporated, he also got the tax exempt 501(c)3 educational status for the group. He has created the renewable inventory funds and been a great steward for the general fund, ensuring that we all get the most for our money. F Company has never been in such a great financial state, and it is thanks, in the most part, to Mr. Alexander, and his vision for the company finances.

McDowell registration sheets are enclosed in this newsletter. The event organizers have decided that everyone has to register individually this year, however we can send them all in with one check. I have modified their form to fit our company. I feel that they do not need everyone's address and phone number - that is why I have supplied a contact in the requested fields. If you want to attend, fill it out and send it to 1^st Sgt. Wilson right away, so the company can get the best price for registration.

The decision was made at the annual meeting that F Company will continue to strive for the high quality unit impression we have and present a uniform look for the early war events. To achieve this uniform look we will be using the reproduction Battle Shirt that Mr. Vice provided at the meeting. Mr. Wilson's mother-in-law will make these for the company, $70.00 each, and this covers everything. 12 have been ordered right now. Call Mr. Wilson right away with your dress shirt measurement to get on the list and send your check to F Company at the same time. March 9^th is the cut off and we will send in the order for the cloth after that date. Should you already own an F Company, 1^st Virginia, Militia frock coat or shell jacket, you may wear that instead.

1^st Sergeant’s Report

To all members - it is very important that you fill out the events schedule as soon as you can, and send it to the P.O. Box. There are a couple of events that we need to sign up for immediately. If you want to attend any of the following events: Richmond Civil War Days, The Battle of McDowell, The Battle of South Mountain, or Gettysburg Anniversary Weekend (July 6-8), please call your Corporal or myself. We need to sign you up for these events now to get the best price.

If you want to order a Battle Shirt, please send your money immediately to the P.O. Box, and call me with your measurements.

Thanks to everyone that attended the Annual Meeting, now it is time to think about the upcoming year and getting out to the Camp of Instruction. I want to see everyone there, to get the cobwebs out and hone our skills.

First Sgt. Wilson

If you are not in good standing with the company as of March 25^th (dues and other debts fully paid), this will be your last newsletter - until dues or other debts are settled. One of the benefits of membership in F Co is the newsletter, and you have to be in good standing to be eligible for this benefit.