January Meeting

Members of the 5th OVI held their first 2011 planning meeting on Thursday, January 27th. I want to thank everyone for coming out, including a new potential member in John Hamilton. Those in attendance were Hillegass, Hooverman, Eger, Herchek, Slattery, Simich, Wilde, and Smith.

I thought the meeting went well. Here are brief summaries of what was discussed.

1) Captain Kaminski's injury will keep him out for most if not all the year. The unit decided to follow the by laws and have Sergeant Slattery step up to Captain. Ray gladly took on the responsibility. The 1st Sergeant and Corporal positions will be filled by the current elections.

2) 2010 Treasury. We ended up with a balance of $250.37. This amount will be reduced by our 2010 Historic Preservation donation (below).

3) 2010 Historic Preservation Donation: We will decide our donation and amount at the February meeting. Ideas so far: Army of Ohio fundraiser for the 23rd Ohio flag restoration. 5th Ohio monument at Gettysburg (if they take individual monument donations),and wreaths at Arlington or Western Reserve Cemeteries.

4) Recruiting update: We placed an ad in a Medina County paper, and our investigating other local papers. We would like to do another day at a local bookstore, such as Barnes & Noble. If anyone can assist with that, please let someone know. Website upgrade. Chris Smith is putting the final touches on this. Thanks Chris!

5) 2011 Events. We picked the following events as our Maximum effort events for the year. At the February meeting we will be making a final decision on a couple of other opportunities, including the Cleveland International Tattoo at Nautica Stage and Remembrance Day.

April 16th: Birney's 2nd Division Drill day at Hale Farm.This will be held on a normal business day for Hale Farm, and in conjunction with their excellent Underground Railroad program. It was suggested that we set up a recruiting stand during the day. We will need everyone to help out manning the table. There is no registration fee, but I will need to know who is coming sometime in mid March.

May 28-29: Burton Civil War Encampment.We will be attending this event with Birney's 2nd Division. The registration fee is $8 per person, and will be due by May 1st. Walk on registration is $10.00.

May 30: Cuyahoga Falls Memorial Day Parade.

July 23-24: 150th Anniversary of Manassas.
This is the big one for the year. $20.00 per person fee. Registration closes on June 1st. Use this link to check out the registration information. http://www.visitpwc.com/reenactment/reenactors.html
It appears that individual registration is the way to go, so I won't be doing a unit registration. Please do however let me know once you've registered. We will be attending with the Army of Ohio for this event, so make sure and indicate both the 5th Ohio Co. H and the AoO. The Army of Ohio will be portraying the 1st Ohio at the event (and also Zoar). They are wanting (not requiring) everyone to try and dress similar. They are working on compiling a source list for purchasing the items if you don't have them. Listed is the suggested uniform.

4 Button Sack coat
Red flannel or battle shirt
Dark Blue Trousers
Hardee or other black hat
OVM buckle, cartridge box plate, and Ohio breast plate

August 13-14: Hale Farm & Village.We will be attending with Birney's 2nd Division. Registration is $10.00, due by July 15th.

September 17-18: Zoar.We will be attending with the Army of Ohio. Registration is $10.00, due by July 15th. Walk on fee is $15.00.


Submitted,
Ken Hillegass
Chairman