The Blurb

 

 

The Newsletter of the Grenadier Company

Royal Welch Fusiliers in America

 

 

Vol. XXXI, Nos. 1 & 2

January & February 2006

 

ABOUT THIS BLURB

 

This 225^th year has a number of important events that reflect on the great history of our Regiment during the American War for Independence.  Guilford Court House, Greenspring, and Yorktown are all on our schedule this year, and I urge all of you to do your best to attend these, starting with Guilford next month.  Our Saint David’s Day dinner is being held in conjunction with the Guilford Court House event, and I hope that we have a good attendance at both.  By the way, if you do plan to participate in any of these events, it would be a good idea to send in your dues, as that pays your insurance coverage, as well as other Regimental and Company expenses.  Dues for regular active members are $32.00, while associates and pensioners pay $25.00.  Send your check or money order (no cash please – that gets lost too easily) to our Company Clerk, Dave Wilkins, right away.  Dave’s address is 6605 Sutton Drive, North Olmstead, OH  44070.  If you want to join the B.A.R., add $25.00 more, which is important this year as the  for the B.A.R.).  Looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible in the field this year.  And Saint David!

 

PERSONNEL UPDATE

 

Promotion.  It gives me great pleasure to announce the selection of Tom Doyle as Lance Sergeant of the Grenadier Company, with an effective date of February 1, 2006.  Tom has distinguished himself over the years by his steadiness in the ranks, knowledge of the drill, soldierly demeanor, and love of this Regiment.  I have every confidence that Tom will soon be losing the “lance” and becoming a full Sergeant of the Grenadier Company, and I know that each and every one of you will give him your full support.

 

Birthdays.  Two months always makes this section much larger, but the sentiments always remain the same – best wishes to all of our birthday boys on their special day.  These sentiments go out to Tom and Ted Volpe for January, and to Peter Ford, Justin Parker, and Bert Reinhart in February.

 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

Important Notice - Fort Ward Park, Alexandria, VA – Sunday, February 19, 2006.  Due to scheduling conflicts, a number of Grenadiers who usually could be counted on to attend will not be able to do so this year.  That includes me.  Because our projected numbers would have been too small to be effective or make for a fun event, I have contacted the organizers of this event (1^st Virginia) and advised them that the 23^rd Regiment of Foot will not be attending Fort Ward Park this year. 

 

March 18-19, 2006 – Guilford Courthouse, Greensboro, NC.  REGIMENTAL EVENT.  I urge each and every one of you to make your plans now to support the Regiment at this event.  If you haven’t made reservations yet, you need to.  The 23^rd played a major part in this battle, and we are going to do the same, so it is important that as many of us turn out as possible.  We will be fielding our colors.  The event site is Price Park, on Hobbs Road, 5 miles from Greensboro Airport and about 2 miles south of National Battlefield Park.  The website for this event is www.march1781.org It has a very good map, along with the event schedule and lots of other useful information.  Check The Fusilier for complete details concerning our participation.  And don’t forget, the Officers’ Meeting will be held on Sunday morning, March 19^th, at 7:30 in the Holiday Inn. 

 

March 18, 2006 – Saint David’s Day Dinner.  Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m., after the first day’s events.  The location is the Holiday Inn at Greensboro Airport, 6426 Burnt Poplar Road, Greensboro, NC  27409.  Telephone (336) 668-0421.  There is lots of parking, and the hotel is 6½ miles from the event site.  The cost is $32.00 per adult, $15.00 per child under 13.  Please send your checks for the dinner made payable to “RWFA” to me by March 1, 2006.  My address is 4 Saint George Court, Brookeville, MD  20833.  The menu will be garden salad; choice of either sirloin steak or chicken marsala, potatoes, southern-style green beans, dessert, and coffee or tea.  Wine will be provided with the entrée.  There will be a cash bar before and during meal.  There is NO charge for soft drinks.  The choice of entrée must be made at the time of reservation, so please include your selection with your check.  Thanks.

 

          Lodging:  For area motels within 6 or 7 miles of the event site, unless you plan on staying at the Holiday Inn, use Google to search for them.  Simply type in Hotels, Greensboro, North Carolina.  When list comes up, click on “Local Results for Hotels near Greensboro, NC”.  A map with locations, names of hotels, and phone numbers will come up.  The Holiday Inn is on there as well as many others.

 

June 17-18, 2006 – Southbury, CT.  British Brigade Event and likely to be very good.  Per Major Siegel, this is going to be an Eastern company Regimental event, meaning that all Grenadiers who can possibly attend should do so.  More details to follow.

 

July 15-16, 2006 – Greenspring, VA, and July 22-23, 2006 – Pound Ridge, NY.  These two events are put together because they are so close in time to each other and, realistically, most of us will not be able to make both events.  However, I would urge you, if you are undecided or have a choice, to attend the Greenspring reenactment, because it is a 225^th event and will be run by Mike Grenier of the 64^th, who has always done well setting up events. 

 

September 2-3, 2006 – Fort Griswold, New London, CT.  We’ve been there before, and we’ve had fun.  However, it is unclear at this point how good an event this is going to be, and Major Siegel is looking into whether this is an appropriate event for us. 

 

October 20-22, 2006 – Yorktown, VA.  REGIMENTAL EVENT.  Brigadier Vivian will be at this one, and we will again be fielding our colors.  Once again, the exact details are unclear depending on the attitude of the National Park Service.  Regardless of what they decide about how and when we can access NPS property, we will be having battles at Endview Plantation.  We will be defending a redoubt so we can actually fight against the Frogs as the 23^rd actually did.  The main fighting will occur on Saturday, with the surrender taking place on Sunday.  The surrender ceremony this time, unlike in 1981, will be on the actual surrender field.  Once again, because of the importance of this event and the significant role played by the 23^rd, I would urge all of you to attend this 225^th event.

 

NOTES AND REMINDERS

 

Dues.  They need to be paid if you want to play.  Although it is repetitious, it bears repeating.  Send $32.00 if you are an active member or $25.00 if a pensioner or associate to Dave Wilkens.  B.A.R. dues are $25.00 additional.  Dave’s address is 6605 Sutton Drive, North Olmstead, OH  44070.  Please get them to Dave by March 1, 2006.  Thanks.

 

Regimental Website.  Grenadier Mike Davies has been charged by Major Siegel with maintaining the Regimental Website, and he has been doing a great job!  Congratulations, Mike!!  You can see his work at www.rwfia.org.

 

Uniform and Appearance.  It’s simple really.  Make sure your blacks are black, your whites are white, and your brass sparkles.  Make sure your uniform fits and you have all your equipment.  Know the drill.  Take pride in yourself, and your unit, and show it.

 

Ich Dien,

 

Paul Thomson