June, 2024
Dear Friends,
I want to begin by saying how proud I am to have your trust in leading such a wonderful organization as the Friends of Stones River National Battlefield. The Board members and officers have done a great job in accomplishing so many important tasks during this past year.
Hopefully you have been following our primary source of information on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Friendsofthestonesrivernationalbattlefield In addition, we have worked hard to make our web site friendsofstonesriver.org an important resource for telling the story of the battlefield and the national cemetery. Each story we post to the News and Stories portion of the web site uncovers a new perspective to the history laying there in the fields and woods. Keep checking back for the latest posting.
The largest accomplishment made during this past year was the establishment of the Friends of Stones River National Battlefield Endowment Fund through the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. The Board approved creating the endowment using funds that accumulated when the Battlefield was closed due to COVID-19. This endowment fund provides a perpetual vehicle for earning investment income for the Friends and the Battlefield. It is a way to show our long-term commitment to the National Park Service as its partner for Stones River. It is also a significant option for your estate planning or as a part of your annual contributions to charity. For further information, please go to http://www.cfmt.org/giving-and-investing/become-a-donor/give-to-a-fund/friends-of-stones-river-national-battlefield-endowment-fund/.
For those accustomed to receiving our periodic newsletter, The Vidette, I apologize that it has been missing from your mailbox. The rising cost of postage is part of the reasons for not sending it out. We are trying to reduce administrative costs as much as possible while keeping our membership fees at their current levels. One way to reduce our costs would be sending items like The Vidette through email but we will need every member to provide a current email address when doing your membership application. We will not sell your email address. We also need to make sure that e-mails from [email protected] do not end up in your Spam folder. Just add us as a trusted source. If your info needs updating, please let us know.
We are also proud to support the efforts of the American Battlefield Trust in securing grants to purchase important pieces of the Stones River battlefield beyond the boundaries of the park. The Trust completed its purchase of the former GE/O’Reilly’s property on Broad Street which was then transferred to Murfreesboro for a passive park with deed restrictions. The Park Service is currently finalizing plans to tie the property into the trails at McFadden Farm to interpret this part of the battlefield. The Trust is also working to finalize the purchase of another significant portion of the battlefield nearer to the start of the fight. More details to come.
Enclosed with this letter is information on renewing your membership or becoming a member again. The due date your annual membership fee is shown next to your name on the envelope’s mailing label. If no date is shown, your dues are up-to-date. We need your continual support as a member. It is what keeps us operating in supporting the battlefield and all of its volunteers. Whether it is providing lunches to Confederate infantry or Union artillery, cookies and lemonade to hundreds of scouts placing flags on graves on Memorial Day weekend or sponsoring musical presentations, your membership is very important. Remember to show your membership card at the park’s bookstore to receive a discount on your purchases.
The easiest way to update your membership is on-line using a credit or debit card at https://www.friendsofstonesriver.org/become-a-member.html This secure method ensures your check doesn’t get lost in the mail. It is also fast and easy. We have also enclosed a return envelope if you want to renew by mail using the printed application. If your contact information has changed, please return the enclosed form with that info to update our records.
Finally, I am proud to announce the Board of Directors and Officers for Fiscal Year 2024-2025.
President – Thomas Zei
Vice-President – Chase Sinquefield
Treasurer – Elaine Winters
Secretary – Amanda Shields
Board Members – Karen Havill Bingham, Gary Burke, Gilbert Backlund
One thing you may notice missing from this mailing is a ballot. The By-laws state that an election for a position is not required when there is only one candidate. Since each position is unopposed, the Board has approved saving the cost and effort to hold the election this year. If you are interested in joining the Board or working on a committee, please contact us at https://www.friendsofstonesriver.org/contact-us.html We have so many needs for any type of services. Your time and effort will be appreciated.
Thank you again for supporting the Friends of Stones River National Battlefield.
Thomas Zei
President
Dear Friends,
I want to begin by saying how proud I am to have your trust in leading such a wonderful organization as the Friends of Stones River National Battlefield. The Board members and officers have done a great job in accomplishing so many important tasks during this past year.
Hopefully you have been following our primary source of information on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Friendsofthestonesrivernationalbattlefield In addition, we have worked hard to make our web site friendsofstonesriver.org an important resource for telling the story of the battlefield and the national cemetery. Each story we post to the News and Stories portion of the web site uncovers a new perspective to the history laying there in the fields and woods. Keep checking back for the latest posting.
The largest accomplishment made during this past year was the establishment of the Friends of Stones River National Battlefield Endowment Fund through the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. The Board approved creating the endowment using funds that accumulated when the Battlefield was closed due to COVID-19. This endowment fund provides a perpetual vehicle for earning investment income for the Friends and the Battlefield. It is a way to show our long-term commitment to the National Park Service as its partner for Stones River. It is also a significant option for your estate planning or as a part of your annual contributions to charity. For further information, please go to http://www.cfmt.org/giving-and-investing/become-a-donor/give-to-a-fund/friends-of-stones-river-national-battlefield-endowment-fund/.
For those accustomed to receiving our periodic newsletter, The Vidette, I apologize that it has been missing from your mailbox. The rising cost of postage is part of the reasons for not sending it out. We are trying to reduce administrative costs as much as possible while keeping our membership fees at their current levels. One way to reduce our costs would be sending items like The Vidette through email but we will need every member to provide a current email address when doing your membership application. We will not sell your email address. We also need to make sure that e-mails from [email protected] do not end up in your Spam folder. Just add us as a trusted source. If your info needs updating, please let us know.
We are also proud to support the efforts of the American Battlefield Trust in securing grants to purchase important pieces of the Stones River battlefield beyond the boundaries of the park. The Trust completed its purchase of the former GE/O’Reilly’s property on Broad Street which was then transferred to Murfreesboro for a passive park with deed restrictions. The Park Service is currently finalizing plans to tie the property into the trails at McFadden Farm to interpret this part of the battlefield. The Trust is also working to finalize the purchase of another significant portion of the battlefield nearer to the start of the fight. More details to come.
Enclosed with this letter is information on renewing your membership or becoming a member again. The due date your annual membership fee is shown next to your name on the envelope’s mailing label. If no date is shown, your dues are up-to-date. We need your continual support as a member. It is what keeps us operating in supporting the battlefield and all of its volunteers. Whether it is providing lunches to Confederate infantry or Union artillery, cookies and lemonade to hundreds of scouts placing flags on graves on Memorial Day weekend or sponsoring musical presentations, your membership is very important. Remember to show your membership card at the park’s bookstore to receive a discount on your purchases.
The easiest way to update your membership is on-line using a credit or debit card at https://www.friendsofstonesriver.org/become-a-member.html This secure method ensures your check doesn’t get lost in the mail. It is also fast and easy. We have also enclosed a return envelope if you want to renew by mail using the printed application. If your contact information has changed, please return the enclosed form with that info to update our records.
Finally, I am proud to announce the Board of Directors and Officers for Fiscal Year 2024-2025.
President – Thomas Zei
Vice-President – Chase Sinquefield
Treasurer – Elaine Winters
Secretary – Amanda Shields
Board Members – Karen Havill Bingham, Gary Burke, Gilbert Backlund
One thing you may notice missing from this mailing is a ballot. The By-laws state that an election for a position is not required when there is only one candidate. Since each position is unopposed, the Board has approved saving the cost and effort to hold the election this year. If you are interested in joining the Board or working on a committee, please contact us at https://www.friendsofstonesriver.org/contact-us.html We have so many needs for any type of services. Your time and effort will be appreciated.
Thank you again for supporting the Friends of Stones River National Battlefield.
Thomas Zei
President