Roseland Rotary Meeting July 23, 2015
Posted by Ben Bendit, PHF
on Jul 23, 2015
Roseland Rotary Meeting July 23, 2015
It was nice to see a decent turnout for our Roseland Rotary weekly meeting. It wasn’t quite what we hoped for but it wasn’t bad. We should be averaging about 20 to 22 members per meeting. Today we had one guest, one visiting Rotarian, our speaker and 19 members in attendance. Thanks, Waterford for a very tasty lunch. An excellent speaker and a very good lunch and what more could you ask for.
President Brian Bernth started the meeting a little early to allow more time for our speaker. Our speaker gave the prayer and Bob Eberhart led us in signing of the Battle Hymn of the Republic. It was noted that we did an outstanding job on both verses of the song. That maybe a stretch but we really were not all that bad.
Our meeting was held in the stage area of the main dining room. There 
was no one in the room so it all worked out just fine. It was a lot of fun seeing everyone and our guests. Dave Keck collected happy dollars as usual. Lyman Samuel was happy to be anywhere as he decided to take a short tumble down a few stairs this morning. Lyman says his slippers were slippery which he has since discarded said mean and cruel slippers. Makes you wonder what he may have had to drink the night before, just saying! Ben was happy to see our speaker addressing one of his favorite subjects. Brian Bernth was happy to see a good attendance. Seems Brian was wondering if the poor attendance had anything to do with him. Not yet Brian!
was no one in the room so it all worked out just fine. It was a lot of fun seeing everyone and our guests. Dave Keck collected happy dollars as usual. Lyman Samuel was happy to be anywhere as he decided to take a short tumble down a few stairs this morning. Lyman says his slippers were slippery which he has since discarded said mean and cruel slippers. Makes you wonder what he may have had to drink the night before, just saying! Ben was happy to see our speaker addressing one of his favorite subjects. Brian Bernth was happy to see a good attendance. Seems Brian was wondering if the poor attendance had anything to do with him. Not yet Brian!Today’s speaker was Davie Trexel a Civil War Reenactor and collector of Civil War memorabilia. Dave was in the CW uniform of the 7th Wisconsin. The 7th was a part of the famous Iron Brigade. The Iron Brigade was
made up of the 2nd, 6th, 7th Wisconsin, the 19th Indiana and later the 24th Michigan. They were distinguished by their Hardee Hats and Flock Coats. These were usually worn by officers but by a twist of fate or some real good acquisitions’ they were acquired for the enlisted man in the brigade.
made up of the 2nd, 6th, 7th Wisconsin, the 19th Indiana and later the 24th Michigan. They were distinguished by their Hardee Hats and Flock Coats. These were usually worn by officers but by a twist of fate or some real good acquisitions’ they were acquired for the enlisted man in the brigade.The Iron Brigade was the first Western units to be sent to fight in the East. At first they were ridiculed for being Western Farmers and such. However no Eastern units had stood up to the South’s Jacksons Stonewall Brigades. Up until the battle of Brawner's Farm in August of 1862 no unit of the North had held the field in the face of the Stonewall Brigade. At Brawner's Farm the Black Hat Brigade got its baptism under fire and stood toe to toe with Jackson Brigade. The Western Brigade refused to run or back down as matter of pride. From that time on they were respected and took on the name of the Iron Brigade. Jacksons men would meet the Iron Brigade again in battle and would proclaim," here comes them dam black hats."
Mr. Trexel explained details about his uniform and much of the equipment he had on display. He 
demonstrated how a musket was loaded and fired. He gave a good history lesson in the short time he had to spend with us. Rotarians had many questions and a lot of our members stayed to talk with Mr. Trexel after the meeting.
demonstrated how a musket was loaded and fired. He gave a good history lesson in the short time he had to spend with us. Rotarians had many questions and a lot of our members stayed to talk with Mr. Trexel after the meeting.A large sum of cash was won by Bill Brennen of which I am sure he will use to purchase a new home.
Go forth Rotarians and have a stupendous week.
