Commanders Corner
Gentlemen,
If you missed participating in 2004, you missed a great year. If you didn't, 2005 is looking like it may top it. Over the past few years, our schedule has been light, a reflection of the general loss of interest in the hobby. This year, however, we have a lot planned. Two major battles , two locale battles, and a score of locale events, drills and other gatherings. We start off big by going back to Bentonville, where we haven't gone since '95. In fact, we haven't been to the Carolinas at all for quite awhile. From those that have been there Bentonville is a blast. We end with a trip to Corinth, Mississippi, which, from the sounds of things, is panning out to be a great event. We have Newark (or Grandville, which ever you care to call it.) and the return of everyone's favorite: Buffington Island! Gale Martin-Hansgen, the new director of the Marion County Historical Society, is planning to do a time-line this year as well as turn the Log Cabin back into what a cabin of the time actually looked like. those are just the highlights.
Our big mission this year, however, will be recruiting. Our numbers have been down because we have lost a good portion of our company due to retirements and silent departures, and it's the locale events that we pick up recruits. And of course, if any of you have any suggestions feel free to share them.
One of my personal missions this year will be to share more of the Regiment's history out to all of you. I remember when I first joined the unit, I received a basic history in the recruitment package. I'm hoping to further expand on it.
Now, I would like to take the time to congratulate all those who have been elected to offices this year. Jared Reagh and Whitney Rose are our new Corporals and Dan Merchant returned to the rank of Second Sergeant. Phil Walker has returned from Brigade assignment to be our Quarter Master Sergeant once again. Hopefully, this will mean the return of Phil's famous French toast and Walker's Wholloping Chile, and if all else fails, he will be responsible for organizing the Cracker Barrel Line. And leading us there will be our new First Sergeant, Jeff Craig. I can't think of a better replacement for Joe. I am sorry to say that Mick Szabo was not elected as our commanding officer but has stayed on as our second-in-command. And, after his three year term as commander of the Army of the Ohio, Mark Melroy has returned to the company and is now holding the working post of Executive Officer. I'm sure we're all glad that Mark's back.
I must now, for the first time in three years, address you not as the Executive Officer of the company. I have received what is probably the greatest honor I have ever gotten in being elected as your Commanding Officer. To describe the pride I feel in this appointment is as hard to describe as the shock I was in when appointed. Ten and a half years ago, I came into the unit as a drummer boy who honestly could not play the drums. My only ambition was to become a Private, and after a few drum cadences, most likely everyone else's wish too. I must say I never pictured myself in this position, but I am truly honored and hope to live up to the examples of my predecessors.
There is one final point I would like to address. With the slump in the hobby over the past couple of years, many people have cared to remind me this is a hobby, something we do when we can, taking a back door to family and work. And this is true. But a hobby is also something you love to do, something you make time to do. I know this is an unusual hobby, not something you can take a few hours in the evening to add a bit more glue to; it needs a day, a weekend. You have been an excellent group of guys to work with, something, 1st SGT. Craig said, you do not appreciate until you have fought with other groups. So, this year, I hope that you look inside that closet, dust off that uniform, wipe the rust off the barrel, strap on that gear and come to the event. Remind yourself why you joined in the first place. See what a great unit you are apart of, and have a good time. This is something you enjoy doing; all it takes is you to make a decision to come out and enjoy it.
I am, respectfully,
Jared D. Haudenschield
Captain Commanding
Company H, 121st Regiment
Ohio Volunteer Infantry
Victory Belongs to the Brave!
