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Michael T. Bates, Commander-In-Chief

On April 13 the Commandery-in-Chief, in partnership with the Sons of Union Veterans, continued its tradition of commemorating President Abraham Lincoln at the 68th Lincoln Tomb Observance at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield,Illinois. Companion Kevin Martin (DC) served as Master of Ceremonies. Reflections were offered by Companion Peter Hritsko Jr. (MI) and me. Peter and Kevin were present primarily in their capacities as the top two officers of the SUV. SVCinC Paul Davis (MI) and Chancellor-in-Chief Linn Malaznik (CA) were members of the SVR processional Color Guard. I had the privilege to lay a wreath jointly with DOLLUS National President Jan Davis. The Missouri Commandery also laid a wreath. Other MOLLUS and DOLLUS members were in attendance including past CinC James Simmons. 

Last year CinC Robert Pollock renewed our ongoing commitment to cohost this event with the SUV via an updated Memorandum of Understanding. Thus, it is important that as many companions as possible support it with their attendance. The tomb observance is held annually on the Saturday closest to April 15, the date of Abraham Lincoln’s death in 1865. It is followed by a luncheon with a speaker. This year’s speaker was author Gene E. Salecker, a leading authority on the Sultana Disaster of 1865. I can appreciate that Springfield is a great distance from many, but you will be well rewarded for your visit, especially if attending for the first time. 

As we turned the calendar from April to May, some may not be aware that in 1958 a joint resolution of Congress designated May 1st as Loyalty Day, requesting the President to issue a proclamation annually on this date inviting the American people to reaffirm their loyalty to the country. Each proclamation is different in tone. The 1970 proclamation in particular bears sharing with you. It reads:

The full meaning of ordinary words is often discovered only when we know their origin. The word “loyal” has its origins in the Latin word for “legal.” Ultimately, to be loyal means not only to be faithful to a person or a cause or a nation, but to be lawful as well. We demonstrate loyalty to our nation, then, not only when we show our love for its ideals, but when we also show respect for its laws. Without those laws, our ideals cannot be reached; without those ideals, our laws are mechanical and lifeless. True loyalty to our country means working together toward justice under the law.

Respect for the rule of law was so important to the Original Companions that it is enshrined in the Order’s principles and motto. Without it our free institutions cannot survive. In accepting the offer of membership, all companions have chosen to assist in carrying out the objects of the Order, including enforcing unqualified allegiance to our government (laws) while simultaneously protecting the rights and liberties of American citizenship (ideals). This starts by being ready and able to explain how loyalty saved the Union when it was on the verge of collapse and how loyalty continues to guarantee the future liberty and prosperity of our nation. As individuals and commanderies let us consider ways in which we can expand our message of true loyalty to a nation that needs our voice now perhaps more than ever before.

Loyally,
Michael T. Bates
Commander-in-Chief