Commander Theetge joined the SUVCW in 1997. Recruited by PCinC Danny Wheeler, and joining Sydney Camp 41 in Ithaca, he quickly rose to serve as Commander in 1999. In 1998 Dale, along with other Sydney Camp members, had helped to reform Schuyler F. Smith Camp in Halsey Valley, N.Y., accepting the Sr. Vice Commander position and serving latter as Smith Camp's Commander. He has worked to help restore and preserve this historic GAR Hall. He also was instrumental in saving the hall used by the Caywood Camp in Ovid, N.Y. (the Baby Bear) for use by the Sons, getting a new roof for the building with funds and labor coming from sources other than Caywood Camp.

Dale traces his ancestral membership to Pvt. Daniel Thettge, 147th NY Vol Infantry, Co. K. He is also a descendent of Pvt. Hiram Thetge 22nd N.Y. Cavalry, Co. I. Dale accepted the position of Department Patriotic Instructor in 2000 and was the first to issue the Patriotic Instructor Awards to Camps in the Department. 2000 - 2001 saw him rise to Department Jr. Vice Commander and 2002 - 2004 to Sr. Vice Commander. Brother Theetge was elected Department Commander for 2004 - 2005 serving through 2006.

As Commander, Dale was deeply involved with getting the GAR Highway, Rt. 6, through New York re-signed, getting cannons returned to Kendall and Groton, N.Y., and working with the Sons of Confederate Veterans in other states for battlefield dedication and preservation.

Dale has served as a Boy Scout leader from Asst. Scoutmaster to Scoutmaster to Commissioner to his present position as Intuitional Representative for Troop 78 in Ovid, sponsored by Ovid Federated Church. He is a third degree Mason and recipient of the Valley of Rochester Scottish Rite Bodies Symbolic Lodge Service to Masonry Award. His full plate includes an Executive Committee membership for the Friends of the Three Bears, a preservation group.

Dale is retired from the Prudential Insurance Company where he served as a manager for many years and earned his professional designation of LUTCF, Life Underwriters Training Council Fellow, from the American College in Washington, DC. He is a noted historian and published author on several topics including Black Military History. As time permits, he and his wife Diane travel, audit cemeteries, visit battlefields and spend time with their family, including their son Edwin, his wife Chandra and their two sons Robert (Eagle) and Nicholas and with son Douglas with his significant other Jessica Brown.