August was a very busy month with the Dutch-oven cook-out being the highlight. Nearly ninety people were well-fed and pleased to listen to Col. Madsen describe the success of the Council Bluffs trip and the Grand Encampment. We have also participated in many Eagle Scout Courts of Honor. We now have enough men in Class "A' uniforms to handle two Courts simultaneously, but we need more of you to get the uniform. If you don't have either the field or dress uniform, please call Capt. Teepies, who will help you get started. fin the past months we have memorialized four graves: Philip Garner and his wife, Mary Hedrick, and David Garner and his wife, Dolly Durfee. Congratulations, Lt. Wood, on these successes! We are looking forward to many more opportunities this coming year.
Company "B' memorialized three graves this past month: Lorenzo Clark, Edward Martin, and Joseph White. Lt. Don Schurtz is to be 'complimented on these achievements. Lt. Schurtz and his wife, Merle, Ladies Auxiliary Enlistment leader, attended the dedication of the Battalion monument at Albuquerque/Santa Fe. They were accompanied by Lt. Terry Wirth. We are proud of the devotion of these officers. Company "B' also had the unique pleasure of attending the meeting in Orem where the forming of Company "E' was achieved. The group there is small but will grow, we are confident. Lt. George Van De Water, will serve as Company Commander (he lives in Orem) and will "father" it along. This is a thrilling moment in Battalion history, and everyone is thrilled to see such expansion occur.
In place of any news received, the National Staff wishes to express our sorrow in the passing of Pres. Virginia Crum, Auxiliary president of San Diego. Our heart-felt gratitude goes to Lt. Col. Virgil Crum and to Virginia for their loyalty to the Battalion in the face of much opposition there. Virginia left with a serene smile on her face--reminiscent of that smile with which she decorated the Battalion dinner tables, conducted the monthly Auxiliary meetings, and directed the Cinco de Mayo bake sales in Old Town State Park. We pay tribute to this grand lady and express our love to Virgil and to "B " Company and the Auxiliary upon this tragic loss. May we all take renewed determination to succeed in our Battalion objectives because of the example of Pres. Virginia Crum, who was faithful to the end.
Col. Paul Madsen led a representative contingent of Battalion officers (including Lt. Col. Bascom, Majors Larson and Eastwood) to Kanab on 23 August to attend the funeral of Col. Fred Reese, our 1961-63 and 1969-77 National Commander. He always said that he was one of the first to start the Mormon Battalion, which was done at the suggestion of Pres. David O. McKay, a personal friend and fellow horseman. Fred did much to recruit many of us into this organization, and was a staunch advocate of its existence. He was 97, but still young at heart-he married at 96. Both he and his wife lived in a care center in St. Geroge. The Battalion honor guard was led by Lt. Col. Howard Roberts, Jr., with Capt. Dennis Judd and others participating. We pay tribute to Col. Reese and his accomplishments. May each of us do as well in being loyal to this special group which has a divine calling.