Company news includes:
1) Sick call included several of Co. "B" troops. All have recovered which
means there was no "arsenic and calomel" in their prescriptions!
2) Thanks to Ltc. Don Shurtz and Terry Wirth for covering for Capt. Bitton while he was in
"harm's way"--a 5-way bypass.
3) We credit Shawna Bluemel and her Auxiliary helpers for the Trail Meal at our April
meeting: "venison stew," "dandelion greens" salad, trail (b.p.)
biscuits, and dried apple dessert--plus all the extras. Thanks, Ladies!
4) Miss Stacy Bess, a modern educator, had us misty-eyed as she described the hardships of
her homeless children (and their parents) in her 6th Viaduct "School with No
Name." Her positive goals translate to a hope for a positive future for them, and,
due to her "magic," it will become a reality.
5) We are making plans to participate in the grave markings for about 20 Battalion men and
women (mentioned elsewhere in The Valiant). Now, genealogy and temple work will complete
their proper memorializations.
We are looking forward to the "Parade Season." Alr.eady we are committed to the Magna (July 4) and maybe Centerville that day; also Bountiful's Handcart Days (July 23). In addition, we will supply three men (full Class "A" uniform) for Days of '47 Parade, to form part of the color guard. The long coat will be a must, with white gloves. Let me know if you are interested. We will select participants on the basis of your participation in Eagle Scout Courts of Honor and your possession of the required uniform--and if you can keep in step! Others of you may participate in the flag ceremony in the Tabernacle (6:30 a.m. July 24) for the Sunrise Service, where one of the General Authorities gives the pioneer address. We are doing an average of one Eagle Scout Court of Honor per week now (often with more than one Eagle being honored). We also need MORE ATTENDANCE at our Company meetings! These are outstanding meetings--the food is great, the program well planned and very inspirational. We had four new couples at our last meeting-; one is already a life member!
Mesa Company has been very active this Sesquicentennial year! On 14 December our .sponsored Explorer Post was invited to give a presentation at Tucson to 1700 Boy Scouts attending the "Exchange at the Presidio" Monument. Pres. Hinckley addressed this group. Christmas night saw the Battalion staff and wives spending the evening out on the Trail at the spot where the Battalion camped 150 years ago. With a full moon and stars ablaze, it was as if the original Battalion were there. On 2-4 Jan., four stakes from Gilbert and Mesa camped on the ground where the Battalion spent Christmas night, 1846. Elder Vaughan Featherstone was our special guest (thanks to his boyhood friend, Mel Stout, of Mesa Company.) We helped fulfill Brigham's prophecy by telling the Battalion story to over 1500 young people. In a re-enactment, we mustered in all the boys, held some close-order drill, and marched them away--leaving the young ladies to trek alone. What a moment for every one! In addition, Mesa Company has been making presentations out on the Trail to Scouts almost every weekend this last 3 months (No wonder we haven't heard from Mesa Company D. The earning of the Trail Award patch, and presentations of the neckerchief slide to several Eagle Scouts have afforded further opportunities to fulfill Brigham's prophecies.
Several items of interest to the Battalion are here recounted:
1 ) The historically-correct "Faith in Every Footstep" series by Ltc. Keith
Sears continues in THE SAN DIEGO SEAGULL. Col. Sears receives many accolades for his
studious presentations.
2) Our company warmly welcomed Grant and Barbara Furse as the new directors of the Mormon
Battalion Visitors' Center, replacing Elder& Sister Kearl.
3) Two parades have featured the Mormon Battalion so far this year--the Lemon Grove Old
Timers, and the Lakeside Parade. We were enthusiastically applauded by the crowds along
the parade route.
4) Old Town State Park is the venue for the Cinco de Mayo celebration, one of the most
important events in Mexican history and celebrated today with fervor and fanfare. It is
also one of the most lucrative events for company "B," as we hold our annual
"covered wagon bake sale" there. This is our primary source of revenue for our
year's activities.
5) We proudly announce two new members! --Reported by Candida Cange, for the Battalion.
(Co. "B" does not presently have a company commander; we hope to have one soon.)