National Chaplains Page
CHAPLAIN DOUGLAS JONES 2024-2025
At the beginning of August, I assumed the role of Chaplain for the Sons of Union Veteran of the Civil War. In doing so, I was excited, honored and more than a bit terrified. I follow in the footsteps of a dedicated pastor, Jerry Kowalski, who served faithfully in this role for many years. I pray that I may prove worthy of the trust placed in me.
I am a Lutheran pastor. I have served congregations in Maryland, Washington DC and Virginia. Over the past 2 ½ years, I have been working with a joint Lutheran/Episcopalian mission start in Urbana MD. That congregation reflects the changing nature of our faith and the need to work in fellowship across denominational lines.
I also started serving as a police chaplain some 22 years ago. That work has given me the opportunity to reflect on the many ways the role of chaplain has changed from the days of the Civil War until the current time. A chaplain during the Civil War would have encountered few who were not Christian. But today, a chaplain must be prepared to serve people from many different denominations and faiths. Few had traveled outside their home communities in the mid-1800’s while today many have traveled extensively. Communication was slow in those days. Today it is instantaneous. Today, we are more educated. One must now be conversant with multiple languages.
Yet the primary service remains the same. We love and care for people in times of crisis and need. The touch of God’s presence remains critical. We bring calm in times of chaos. We bring comfort in times of sorrow. We bring hope in the face of adversity and illness. We bring peace in the midst of fear.
I look forward to walking beside you in the coming days. My prayers will always be with you. Please keep me in yours as we begin this journey together.
In Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty.
Chaplain Doug Jones
PRAYER CONCERNS
4/19/2025 - A fellow Brother of the Order.....Brother Robert D. Boyd II, PDC of Kansas and member of Humboldt Camp #9 has been battling stomach cancer for several months and his health has been declining. According to his recent prognosis he only has a few months. He is also battling this alone at home. He would appreciate cards and letters from his brothers.
Here is his address 412 N. Washington Ave. Chanute, KS 66720
RECENT DEATHS
05/02/2025 - John A Boyer, Department of Pennsylvania - Capt Edgar M Ruhl Camp - York #33
12/06/2024 - John T Dietz, Department of Kentucky - Nelson-Garfield Camp #3 (Reported 05/07/2025)
06/03/2024 - Lew M Thomas, Department of Indiana - Orlando A Somers Camp #1 (Reported 05/06/2025)
04/28/2025 - Donald (Darrel) Gilliland, Department of Kansas - Old Abe Camp #16
04/25/2025 - Jared D Richhart, Department of Colorado & WY - ID MT UT - BG Thomas L Kane [Utah] Camp CO #15
04/25/2025 - Robert D Boyd II, Department of Kansas - Humboldt Camp #9
04/19/2025 - Peter A Braell, Department of New York - Sgt Judson A Hicks Camp #111
03/17/2025 - Richard L Rice, Department of the Southwest - AZ NM - Gen U S Grant Camp #3
03/10/2025 - Philip L Beckerich III, Department of Colorado & WY - ID MT UT - Pvt John Davis Camp CO #10
03/08/2025 - John C Rutherford, Department of Missouri - Phelps Camp #66
02/24/2025 - Michael E Urell, Department of Florida - Lucius L Mitchell Camp #4
02/07/2025 - Curtis G Johnson, Department of Columbia - Col Edward D Baker CL6
02/05/2025 - Carl E Lamphere, Department of Michigan - Gov Henry Crapo Camp #145 & Gen Orlando Poe Camp #444
02/02/2025 - Larry Walthour, Department if the Chesapeake - Harris Camp #38
01/30/2025 - Francis E. Rogler, Department of New York - Col George L. Willard Camp #154
01/08/2025 - Arthur F Young Jr, Department of New York - Col George L. Willard Camp #154
01/03/2025 - Kurtis K Kirk, Department of Wisconsin & Minnesota - Old Abe Camp #8
01/03/2025 - Henry Robinson, Department of Georgia & South Carolina - Edward Wallace Camp #21
01/02/2025 - Steve Bauermeister, Department of Nebraska & Dakotas - Victor Vifquain Camp No. 1
01/01/2025 - John Robert Shumway, Department of Michigan - Curtenius Guard Camp #17
/12/29/2024 - Richard W Chappell, Department of the Chesapeake - Appomattox Camp #2
12/26/2024 - Jack C Meadows Jr, Department of Georgia & South Carolina - Charles Deven Jr Camp #10
12/20/2024 - Dickson H Spencer, Department of the Chesapeake - Harper's Ferry Camp #6
12/08/2024 - James (Jim) H Friedline, Department of the Chesapeake - James A Garfield Camp
12/08/2024 - James H Friedline, Department of the Chesapeake - Lincoln-Cushing Washington DC Camp #2
11/28/2024 - Robert M Petrovic, Department of Missouri - Ulysses S Grant Camp #68
11/24/2024 - Robert (Bob) A Kennedy, Department of Iowa - Trombly Camp
11/20/2024 - Robert C Strangfeld, Department of Pennsylvania - Gettysburg Camp #112
11/07/2024 - Frederick E Clark, Department of Pennsylvania - Gettysburg Camp #112
10/29/2024 - Alvin F Kline, Department of Pennsylvania - Gen J P S Gobin Camp #503
10/24/2024 - Clayton Longver, Department of New Hampshire - J.S. Durgin Camp #7
10/22/2024 - John (Jack) Francis Battick, Department of Maine - Col C S Douty Camp #11
10/21/2024 - Ricky L Deutscher, Department of Indiana - John Auten Camp #8
10/19/2024 - James H (Jim/Tex) Houston Jr, Department of Ohio - Gen Lytle Camp #10 & Richard Enderlin Camp #73
10/17/2024 - Don G Amrine, Department of Ohio - William McKinley Camp #21
10/15/2024 - Bennett C Gardiner, Department of New York - Col David Ireland Camp #137
10/10/2024 - Craig W Searight, Department of Michigan - Gov Henry Crapo Camp #145
10/10/2024 - Richard L Scott, Department of Michigan - Henry E Plant Camp #3
09/30/2024 - Gary F Chapin, Department of New York - Phineas Catlin Camp #341
09/26/2024 - Roderick (Rick) A Hathaway, Department of Kansas - Pvt John N Eckes Camp #10
09/14/2024 - Robert H Roser Jr., Department of the Chesapeake - Irish Brigade in Virginia #4
09/07/2024 - Howard B Lloyd, Department of Michigan - Austin Blair Camp #7
09/05/2024 - Thomas E Griffin, Department of New York - Moses A Baldwin Camp #544
08/26/2024 - Richard G Lillie, Department of the Chesapeake - Gen John W Sprague Camp #4
08/22/2024 - Lonny J Pacana, Department of Pennsylvania - John Bradbury Camp, Media W #149
08/21/2024 - Salvatore Carmosino, Department of Connecticut - Alden Skinner Camp #45
08/17/2024 - John E Spencer, Department of the Southwest - General U.S. Grant Camp #3
07/25/2024 - John "Steve" Dow, Department of New Hampshire - Charles W Canney Camp #5
05/20/2024 - W David McLaughlin, Department of Columbia - Gen George Wright MAL Camp
05/20/2024 - David H Spencer, Department of Ohio - Brooks-Grant Camp #7
05/05/2024 - Joseph A Shrader, Department of Pennsylvania - Gettysburg Camp #112
03/26/2024 - John A Islin, Department of Florida - Gen Thomas J McKean Camp #3
03/18/2024 - John J Kryger, Department of New York - Col Augustus Van Horne Ellis Camp #124
12/14/2023 - Douglas G Smith, Department of Kansas - Corp P Coyne Camp #1
09/26/2022 - Donald E Gradeless, Department of Indiana - Champion Hill Camp #17