2021 Second Virtual National Congress
“Always Faithful and Holding Fast”
22 – 23 October 2021
Fellow Companions,
Thank you all, again, for attending our first virtual Congress. We will now try our second virtual Congress sponsored by our Continental Commandery. CAPT Aaron Bresnahan will be the chair of the committee that will lead our efforts to make the Congress happen. A virtual Congress is now a tool that we can use regardless of the weather or the restrictions from a virus. Let us take advantage of this opportunity to have our Continental Commandery host this event for the first time. The 2021 Congress is scheduled for Friday and Saturday 22-23 October 2021.
Many of our Companions make up the most “at-risk” population with respect to the COVID-19 virus. We can remove the virus and our response to the virus from consideration by having a second virtual Congress in 2021. Once we all have our vaccines and the pandemic is behind us, we can look forward to meeting in person again in 2022.
Nothing takes the place of a face-to-face Congress. There is much to be gained in meeting people around the Country and socializing with them. Let us see what we can do for 2022. The Site Committee and our Commander General Elect will have more to say on this topic.
There is something good happening to the Naval Order. As we become more aware of what is now possible with the new technology, we can change the way we do things. We are not strangers to new technologies. The history of the maritime services is full of examples. Look at the changes in the list of military occupational specialties. Most Companions should remember the mimeograph machine. We all understand the phrase “Death by PowerPoint”.
We now take advantage of well-credentialed speakers that can reach more than one commandery. Our individual Companions have listened to speakers from across the Country. We have toured local museums using the new technology. Let us continue to explore the new technologies and find out what we can do and cannot do. We are only limited by our imaginations.
Sincerely,
Allan Cruz, Col, USMC (Ret)
Commander General, Naval Order of the United States.
BONUS MATERIAL: Read the 2020 Congress Summary!
2021 Congress is hosted by the Continental Commandery, the Naval Order’s virtual, national Commandery, using collaboration software easily downloaded from the Internet. Training /practice sessions will be provided in the preceding months to familiarize Companions with the use of the collaboration software.
The events leading up to our 2021 CONGRESS are important for all companions. They involve our various committee meetings and essential business of the Order. A timeline is provided for Pre-CONGRESS activities; inputs and comments are still welcome.
Welcome to the 2021 Naval Order Virtual CONGRESS
“Always Faithful and Holding Fast”
Our Congress this year will again be held in a Virtual Environment. The CONGRESS endeavors to deliver the same level of information on the business of the Order and Educational opportunities as professional and rich as at past Congresses. The key to success is YOU. Your participation in our advance training in mid-September and other test opportunities to make sure your equipment works prior to the Congress is critical. Please sign up! We will have a sign up (Registration) page, and those registering up will receive a very nice 2021 Congress challenge coin (for the nominal fee); but your commitment to your Commandery as soon as possible ensures that the Virtual Environment is sized, planned and readied for the Congress.
Reading the Business Reports which will be posted prior to CONGRESS 2021, and forwarding any comments or questions to the Chairperson or to nouscongress@outlook.com so that your questions can be addressed in advance, is most helpful. Those reports will remain posted for 2 months after CONGRESS in the same Dropbox folder. There will be some time to address questions during the CONGRESS. However, when questions do arise, they will be forwarded to the EmCEE via CHAT on the Zoom conference collaboration software. Questions will be answered as best as possible, and, if needed, can be addressed at the next General Council meeting.
The Meeting URL for the Survey for the Congress 2021 will be sent via email to registered attendees. If you do not have internet or computer access, please contact us at nouscongress@outlook.com or contact your Commandery Commander, and we will do our best to accommodate your needs. A Kindle device with all reports and briefs can be provided to Companions (on a limited basis). The Zoom event can be accessed from a computer or a Smartphone.
Pre-CONGRESS presentation and preps
Wednesday - 22 SEP 2021 Presentation 20:00 EDT: Naval History Night - “From Belleau Wood to Guadalcanal: Thomas Holcomb and the Making of the Modern Marine Corps” Speaker: D. Ulbrich
Thursday - 21 OCT 2021 (SPEAKERS ONLY) Gathering and Equipment Checks
2021 CONGRESS Theme: “Always Faithful and Holding Fast”
Friday - 22 OCT 2021 “Business Day” 1400 – 1900 Eastern Daylight Time
14:30-15:00 – Gathering and Equipment Checks. Please check in to see that your equipment is up and running.
15:00 – Strike Six Bells
- Call to Order — CAPT Aaron Bresnahan
- National Anthem
- Pledge of Allegiance — CAPT Aaron Bresnahan
- Invocation — (Chaplain) “Father Mike” CDR Michael P. Zuffoletto, CHC, USN (Ret.)
- Tolling of the Bell in Honor of Deceased Companions — Mr. Mark Wixom
15:15 - Commander General’s Welcome and State of the Order
Note: for the following Committee / Officer presentations, the reports will have been previously provided. If you intend to ask questions, please have the courtesy to have read the report prior to the Business Meeting. Link to the Dropbox folder will be sent following registration.
These reports will be 10 minutes long (maximum 4 slides) including questions and answers.
15:30 – Credentials Committee
15:40 – Financial Review and Audit Committee
15:50 – Investment Committee
16:00 – Nominations Committee
16:10 – National Awards Committee
16:20 – Site Committee
16:30 – Foundation Status and Financial Report
16:40 – Recorder General – Confirmation of Actions by the General Council since last CONGRESS (Requires Vote of the CONGRESS by delegates - process for voting will be forwarded to designated delegates prior to Congress)
16:50 – Commandery Support Committee
17:00 – Membership / Registrar & Retention
17:10 – Historian General / Archiving
17:20 – Break
17:30 – Presentation of the CAPT Jan V. Armstrong Award
17:45 – History Presentation: ”Harrison and McCool; the ‘Double Dose of Bad Luck Twins’ of the Marine Corps” Speaker: D. Kent
18:30 – Q&A
18:45 – Presentation of the Distinguished Sea Service Award - Senior Enlisted
18:55 – Suspend for the Day
19:00 – Optional Social Hour – no-host Local Happy Hour (if desired).
Saturday - 23 OCT 2021 “History Day & Change of Command” 1430 – 1930 Eastern Daylight Time
14:30 – Pre-meeting Check-in and equipment sound checks
15:00 – Call to Order / Reconvene
- Admin Remarks
15:15 – History Presentation: “Cold War in the Tropics; the Cuban Missile Crisis” Speaker: A. Atwood
16:00 – Q&A
16:15 – History Presentation: “The Battle of Midway: How America Won the Pacific War” Speaker: S. M. Andres
17:00 – Q&A
17:15 – Presentation of the Distinguished Sea Service Award
17:25 – Break
17:30 – History Presentation: “Medium Tank Operations During the 1943 Battle of Tarawa” Speaker: D. Vickers
18:15 – Q&A
18:20 – Presentation of the LCDR Lee Douglas Award
- Commander General Awards and Medal Presentations
18:35 – Change of Command
18:55 – Official Adjournment – Close CONGRESS (adjourn until Oct 2022 in Washington DC)
- Brief Comments from National Capital Commandery
19:00 – Optional Social Hour – no-host Happy Hour (at local sites).
All challenge coins will be shipped to Participants.
