July Meeting  Thursday the 15th at the Watts house on Hwy 221. Hot dogs and Chips at 6:30. The speaker will be Jim Dreyfuss, and he's going to bring his guitar, so everyone be sure to be there.

From Commander Simpson, Greetings to all McGowan Camp compatriots and friends.  Summer is upon us and many will be traveling and vacationing over the coming months.  I hope you will be able to schedule trips around our July 15th meeting and I hope to see many of you at the 2004 Annual Reunion in Dalton Georgia July 28 -31. The Reunion in Dalton will include post 4th of July fireworks since this is an election year, so be sure to be in attendance at the July 15th meeting for our discussion and decision on candidates and Amendments. Candidates for National Office -- 2004 Commander-in-Chief Walter C. Hilderman III J. Troy Massey Denne A. Sweeney Lt CiC Paul Grambling Jr. Dr. Anthony Hodges Christopher Sullivan ANV Commander Henry E. Kidd Roger W. McCredie ANV Councilman Randy Burbage Forrest Tucker

The McGowan Camp continues to supply some man-power to the Owings Gray Court historical Society Project – Atwood Cabin.  If you haven’t seen it lately, go by Owings and check it out.  The walls are up and it is coming along nicely.  Be prepared to join the group when we announce the next work day. Dianne Culbertson, Sarah Jane Armstong and a host of dedicated folks are doing a good work to restore a piece of local history and keep alive part of our Laurens County heritage.

Guardian Report David Tillman On June 19th, seven compatriots of the McGowan camp worked in four cemeteries in upper Laurens county. We placed two markers in one family cemetery, as well as clearing the weeds and small trees that were beginning to get out of hand at that location. We also positioned one marker each in three other cemeteries; one a church graveyard, the others private. In addition, two other monuments were taken by a member to be placed in a cemetery that he and his son are adopting as part of the Guardian program. Three Southern Crosses of Honor were set out that day also. The following men received acknowledgement for their Confederate service: Austin Cheek James Davis John J. Davis Mathew E. Davis Fountain Benjamin Martin H. P. Sharp Amos L. Sharp We are making progress in our efforts to preserve the memory of our Southern heroes, but much remains to be done. I wish to thank all those who participate in our cemetery workdays, and would like to encourage everyone in the camp to take part and contribute in this worthwhile endeavor. There will not be a camp cemetery workday in the month of July. Please make plans to join us on August 21st as we continue with our efforts