Just 38 years ago our National Auxiliary was organized with Mary Goodman as president. For 21 years, she and her staff did an excellent job of bringing the organization together and keeping it moving forward. Our second national president was Bertha Richards, who continued Mary's excellent work. It was she and her staff who wrote our "By-laws" and our "Policies and Procedures" sections for our manual. Beverly McClellan, our third president, accomplished much with agendas and furthered organizational materials. Today, the exceptional staff of great women who are working with me have endeavored to refine our procedures and build up the reserves in our bank account.
We have accomplished many things: We have printed a cookbook (now in its second printing); with Carl Larson, I have put together the book, "Women of the Battalion," (now sold throughout America); our staff has maintained a booth at the Valley Fair Mall for our boutique, which has proven to be a good fund raiser. In addition to these projects, our annual dues and life memberships have helped to replenish our bank account. It takes money to operate an organization effectively!
Let me tell you what we do with our funds: We contributed to the refurbishing of the Mormon Battalion Monument on the State Capitol grounds; we have purchased the bronze plaques to memorialize the graves of the original Battalion women and wives; we have been able to update our instructional materials and supplies; we purchase supplies, and furnish postage to send THE VALIANT to all of our life members, our members-at-large, and those who live outside an organized company, especially outside of Utah; and we contribute to the printing of THE VALIANT, and to the monthly dues for our Internet site. So, you are getting your money's worth, Sisters!
We are striving to be a professional organization, one that our members will be proud to own. After so many years of hard work by our former leaders and members, we feel our accomplishments have been worthwhile, and, hopefully, beneficial to ALL members of the Auxiliary. Women, please continue to give us your loving support. We need each other! May I express my deepest thanks for all the good you are doing, and for the enviable example you are setting for prospective members. May God bless you!
This is a reminder that our Mormon Battalion Day will be held on Saturday, 12 September, at the Ensign Peak Chapel. You will receive a special FLYER with the details, but this notice is to alert you to PLAN TO BE THERE! We remind you that National Staff officers will be elected to a new 2-year term in both the Battalion and the Auxiliary. A slate of candidates is being prepared, and you will be notified of them. Remember, you must be a member of the national Battalion/Auxiliary 30-days previous to the election to be eligible to vote.
Many of those who served in the Mormon Battalion first took their place in history by doing just that--serving. They became famous for their achievements. But while a few may have been well-known to the public before the march, most of them achieved fame after the march. Among these latter ones, two have been recently honored on Memorial Day, although not by the Mormon Battalion:
1. Pvt. Lot Smith was honored by a service at his gravesite in Farmington, UT. Besides making the famous march, Lot Smith became Captain of the "Guard" sent by President Brigham Young to keep Johnston's Army out of the Territory of Deseret. They did so by burning the grass (forage) and the army's wagons. Lot was also in charge of the contingent sent to guard the Overland Stage route through Wyoming, and he was the leader of the Territory of Deseret's contingent in the Civil War.
2. Also, a monument was dedicated in Hyde Park, UT, honoring the pioneer heritage of this small community, named for Sgt. William Hyde, Co. "B," who later became the community's first bishop.
We commend those responsible for these memorials. The Battalion had previously placed our memorial marker at their gravesites.
Born into a family of seven, Annette was raised in Ogden, where she attended school at Lewis Elementary, Wahlquist Jr. High, and Weber High School. She was awarded a music scholarship to Weber State College as a graduation present from high school. Here she majored in Elementary Education when she wasn't dating a fellow whom she met on a "blind date"--Brent Bryner. They were married on 14 March 1975, and became the parents of two children, Tamsin and Ben. Then they moved to Logan, where they have been living for the last 21 years. In Logan, five more children joined the family--John, Clark, Samuel, Katie, and Thomas. Their oldest child is 22 (a returned missionary) and the youngest is 9. Two are in the mission field now. Obviously, most of her time has been spent with her family duties, but in Annette's "spare time" she says: "I enjoy reading, sewing, crafting, and playing my violin. I have played with the Cache Chamber Orchestra for 18 years. I am presently serving as a counselor in the stake Primary. Brent and I have been very involved in PTA through the years, as we have enjoyed being a part of our childrens' education. Brent and I have been associated with the Mormon Battalion for 20 years and have grown to love the people with whom we associate."
We welcome Annette Bryner as our Auxiliary President in Co. "D" Logan. Her husband, Brent, is on the National Staff as Trails Officer. During the Sesquicentennial year, all Scouts who filled the requirements for the Mormon Battalion received the new patch which Brent designed, and which will become a coveted keepsake.
With the move to St. George, President Shauna Bluemel leaves the presidency vacant. We are most pleased to have Fae Eldredge, who once served on the National Staff, assume the presidency.