Happy Hanukkah, 12/12/2009.

On behalf of the Cuba Libre Camp #172, we wish all our Jewish member's, within our Camp and in the organization, a Happy Hanukkah !

New Son's of Spanish American War Veteran's, Cuba Libre #172, Radio Show Episode #2, 11/29/2009.

We did a new BlogTalkRadio Show episode tonight, you can click on the player on the right (under the GoodSearch Button) and listen to it. The show went over the limit and was cut short, but you will enjoy it.

2nd Alabama Infantry Regiment 1898, Death's from Illness and other Reason's, Companies C and D.

Harmon Cox - Private Company C
Charles McHugh - Private Company C
Martin Whatley - Private Company C

There were no death's listed for Company D.

Happy Thanksgiving Day and Weekend November 26th-29th, 2009 // Feliz Dia de Gracias

We wish all our member's and friend's a safe and Happy Thanksgiving Day and Weekend !!

Joseph F. Johnston, Governor of Alabama during the Spanish American War, 1898.

Joseph F. Johnston, of Jefferson County was elected Governor of Alabama in 1896 and served until 1900. He was the Governor of the State during the Spanish American War, in 1898. He was born in North Carolina and was a Democrat.

2nd Alabama Infantry Regiment 1898, Death's from Illness and other Reason's, Companies A and B.

Company A - Private Lennie Simmons
Company B - Private Edwin E. James, Private William J. Murphy, Private Anthony Samurcrier and Private Alonzo E. Wells

National President 2009-2010, Brother Tim Downey

This is a photo of our National President, Brother Tim Downey at a recent Spanish American War Event. He is holding an 1895 KRAG.

Chaplain, 2nd Alabama Infantry Regiment 1898.

Archibald C. Harte of Mobile, Alabama was the Chaplain of the 2nd Alabama Infantry, during the Spanish American War. He held the rank of Chaplain and Captain.

2nd Alabama Infantry Regiment, 1898.

The 2nd Alabama Infantry Regiment was mustered in, for the Spanish American War, on May 6th, 1898 and was mustered out on October 31st, 1898.

Washington County, Alabama Veteran's of the Spanish American War, 1898.

Samuel Gilbert - Private Company C, 2nd Alabama Infantry
Hudson Milel - Private Company C, 2nd Alabama Infantry
Noah Mims - Private Company K, 3rd Alabama Infantry
George Thomas - Corporal Company I, 1st Alabama Infantry
Victor Van - Private Company B, 2nd Alabama Infantry

Happy Veteran's Day, November 11th, 2009 // Feliz Dia De Los Veteranos.

We would like to thank all our Men and Women, in the Armed Forces, as well as those who have served, in every war to help keep America Free. Your Sacrifices and Service to our nation is appreciated and not forgotten. God Bless our Brave Troop's now, and those who in the past helped keep America, the nation of Liberty and a beacon of Liberty, to the world.

Chaplain, 1st Alabama Infantry Regiment, 1898.

Owen P. Fitzsimons, of Birmingham, Alabama was the Chaplain of the 1st Alabama Infantry, in 1898. He held the rank of Captain / Chaplain.

Fort Hood, Texas Shooting's, November 5th, 2009.

We the member's of Camp Cuba Libre #172, would like to offer our condolences to the families of all the men and women, who were brutally murdered, at Fort Hood, Texas. We also wish those wounded, a speedy and healthy recovery and to the families, of both killed and wounded, we will keep you in our thought's and prayer's. May GOD Bless our BRAVE Troop's, and all those suffering today, because of this horrific and senseless act, of violence. 

William A. LeBaron, Spanish Consul in Mobile, Alabama, 1898.

The Spanish Consulate, in Mobile Alabama was located at 11 South Royal Street, in 1898. Spain was represented by Mr. William A. LeBaron, who was it's Vice Consul (there was no Senior Consul, only a Vice). Mr. LeBaron resided at 400 Saint Francis Street and was from a family who had a long tradition serving as Consul's or Vice Consul's dating back to the War Between The States, for various nation's. Mr. William A. LeBaron was born on November 7th, 1827, the son of Charles LeBaron and Ann McVoy. William A. married Eliza J. Robb, of Mexico City, Mexico, in 1848 and he had served in both the Confederate Army and Navy.

1st Alabama Infantry Regiment 1898, Medical Staff.

Surgeon / Major - William J. Kernachan (of Florence, Alabama)

Asst. Surgeon / 1st Lt. - Richard M. Fletcher Jr. (of Huntsville, Alabama)

Principal Hospital Steward - George W. Worth (of Anniston, Alabama)

Hospital Steward's - David W. Gass (of Birmingham, Alabama), Robert E. Hogan
(of Birmingham, Alabama), Paul D. Vann (of Anniston, Alabama)

Have a Safe and Happy Halloween !!

We wish our member's a safe and Happy Halloween !

1st Alabama Infantry Regiment 1898, Death's from Illness and Other Reason's.

Company A - Pvt. V. Walter Smith, Pvt. James M. Stewart, Pvt. Frank Maloney
Company B - Pvt. William M. Pride
Company C - Pvt. John W. Hannah
Company D - Cpl. Samuel Noble
Company E - Pvt. John F. Horton
Company F - Pvt. John F. Horton
Company G -Sgt. Philip N. Finch
Company H - None Listed
Company I - Pvt. Olin Olsen, Pvt. P. Nicholas Gaines, Pvt. Willie Thompson
There was no Company J, in the 1st Alabama infantry Regiment.
Company K - Pvt. Charles Schitz, Pvt. Fred Sizemore
Company L - Captain George F. Hart, Pvt. Robert J. McCullough
Company M - Pvt. Herman Brada, Pvt. William M. Franklin

1st Alabama Infantry Regiment, 1898.

The 1st Alabama Infantry Regiment was mustered, in for service, during the Spanish American War, on May 6th, 1898, in Mobile, Alabama. It never made it to Cuba or Puerto Rico, as the War was over before they were to arrive. The Regiment was mustered out on October 31st, 1898, at Birmingham, Alabama.

Fort Gaines, Dauphin Island, Alabama 1898.

Fort Gaines, on Dauphin Island, Alabama was still in use by the United States Government, in 1898. The Fort was modified, due to fear's, of a Spanish attack, with three 6-inch disappearing guns and three rapid fire 3-inch gun's. The gun's are long gone, but two of the building's used as Officer's Quarter's, during the war, are still standing outside the present Fort Gaines Historic Site and one is still in use.

The Sons of Spanish American War Veteran's, Cuba Libre Camp #172, FaceBook Group Set Up.

We set up a FaceBook Group, for our Camp. Please go to your FaceBook and sign up for our Group, we are getting alot of publicity via FaceBook, so tell all your friend's who are on it, to join it and also let them know about our Camp Blog. Gracias / Thank's.

The New U.S.S. New York, Sets Sail, but the name has part of it's root's, in The Spanish American War.

The U.S.S New York set sail from Avondale, Louisiana to New York, this week. She was built using steel recovered from The World Trade Center and will be commissioned, on November 7th, at the Intrepid Museum Pier. It will be home ported at Norfolk, Virginia.
There have been a total of 6 U.S.S New York's, with one (the 4th) which served in the Spanish American War. The Ship was an armoured cruiser and served as Rear Admiral William T. Sampson's  flagship, during the Battle of Santiago, Cuba and prior to that had served, at the bombardment of San Juan, Puerto Rico, on May 12th, 1898. It was finally decommissioned in 1933, in the Philippines and was scuttled, in December 1941, to prevent her capture, by the Japanese. 

Murdered and Forgotten Utah Deputy Game Warden and Spanish American War Veteran Finally Honored.

Deputy Utah Game Warden and Spanish American War Veteran, Ernest Berry was finally honored today, with a headstone and full Law Enforcement Burial Honor's. He was murdered in 1914, while attempting to enforce Utah hunting law's, near the Great Salt Lake, and his badly decomposed body was quickly interred, in Mount Olivet Cemetery, in Salt Lake City. His grave was never marked, and he is the only Utah Game Warden, ever to be killed, in the line of duty. The Utah Law Enforcement Memorial and The Utah Conservation Officer's Association worked together to make sure his grave was properly marked, culminating, in the erection, of a headstone, on Wednesday October the 14th.
Ernest Berry was born, in Switzerland and enlisted to help defend and protect his new nation, during the Spanish American War, only to be murdered, by a killer, so close to home. May He Rest In Peace.

The Spanish American War and Philippine Insurrection 1898-1902, Uniform's Book.

I bought a copy of this wonderful book by Alejandro De Quesada (illustrated by Stephen Walsh) and highly recommend it to anyone who want's to see the actual uniform's worn not only by U.S. Troop's, but also member's of the Cuban Liberation Army, the Spanish Army and Filipino's. The book is available on http://www.amazon.com/ and is part of Osprey Publication's series Men-At-Arms. If you are interested in the Spanish American War, this is a must have, for your personal library. It also makes a great gift, for anyone who had ancestor's who served, in the war.

President Barack Hussein Obama Awarded Nobel Peace Prize For 2009 // El Presidente Barack Hussein Obama Gane El Premio Nobel Para 2009.

Barack Hussein Obama, the 44th President of The United States of America has been Awarded The Nobel Peace Prize, for 2009. He is the third sitting U.S President to win the Award, the first being Thomas Woodrow Wilson, in 1919. Spanish American War Hero and former President Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt, was the first United States President to win the Award, in 1906, for his work, in helping negotiate an end to the Russo-Japanese, which lasted from February 10th, 1904-September 5th, 1905. The Treaty ending the Russo-Japanese War was signed at the U.S. Naval Station, at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, on September 5th, 1905.

Cuban Liberation Army // Ejercito Libertador Cubano

The Cuban Liberation Army existed from 1895-1898. It was divided into Corps and Division's. I will be posting more information, on the Cuban Liberation Army, in future post's.

Happy Columbus Day (Oct. 12th) // Feliz Dia de la Raza (12 de Oct.).

The Camp wishes all our member's and friend's a Happy Columbus Day.

New Issue of "The National Son", is available.

The new issue of the Sons of Spanish American War Veteran's Official Publication, "The National Son" is now available. If there are any member's who have not recieved it, feel free to email me at SonsSpanAmWar@Hotmail.com and I will be happy to forward a copy to you.

Clara Louise Maass (June 28th, 1876-August 24,1901).

Clara Louise Maass volunteered as a contract Nurse, with the United States Army. She served with the 7th U.S. Army Corps, in Jacksonville, Florida, Savannah, Georgia and Santiago De Cuba, from October 1st, 1898-February 5th, 1899. She was discharged and volunteered again to serve in the Philippines, with the 8th Army Corps, from November 1899 to 1900, where she contracted Dengue Fever, in Manila and was again discharged. She once again returned to Cuba, to work with William Gorgas and the U.S Army's Yellow Fever Commission, at the Las Animas Hospital, Cuba. She volunteered, to be bitten by Yellow Fever carrying Mosquitoes and on the second experiment came down, with the disease and died. She was buried at Colon Cemetery, in Havana, Cuba, with full military honor's and her body was later removed to Fairmount Cemetery, Newark, New Jersey (Section L, Lot 81, Grave #2), on February 20th, 1902. She was honored, by the United States Postal Service, with a stamp, on the centennial, of her birth. The Cuban Government issued a stamp honoring her sacrifice, on the 50th Anniversary, of her death, in 1951. // This wonderful woman, a TRUE American Heroine, gave her life, so other's could live, she is an example, of sacrifice, heroism, patriotism and humility. May She Rest In Peace.

Happy Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur !

On Behalf of the Camp, I wish all our Jewish Brother's, in our Camp and in the Organization, a Happy Rosh Hashanah (9/19) and Yom Kippur (9/28).

Mobile, Alabama Spanish American War Military Roster's

I will soon begin posting the names of Soldier's, who served in the Spanish American War, from the Mobile, Alabama area. I hope this help's those hoping to join the organization, from our local area.

S.S.A.W.V. Past National President Raymond LeMay, holding Cuba Libre Camp #172 Charter.

This is a photo of Past National President Brother Raymond LeMay holding the Cuba Libre Camp #172 Charter. The photo was taken at the 2009 National Convention. This photo was already published here on the Blog, in August, but we have finally (!!) framed our new Charter and thought we would repost it, so the member's who haven't seen it could get a glimpse of it.

September 11th, 2001 // El 11 de Septiembre, 2001.

We dedicate this Blog today, to the Memory, of the September 11th victim's. May They Rest In Peace.

Mobile, Alabama History Blog // Nuevo Blog de la Historia de Mobile, Alabama.

The Camp is sponsoring a new Blog, which highlight's Mobile, Alabama History. The Blog will cover the History, Genealogy, Military History, People, Event's ect., of Mobile and the surrounding area. Our Camp is proud to be located, at Mobile, Alabama and we want to support our City and County (Which by the way, is full of Spanish American War History). We also hope to "get our name out" and use it as a recruiting tool and a resource, for those interested, in our City and it's History. Please visit http://www.mobileala.getpaidfrom.us/ we hope you enjoy it. (Above you can see the Flag of The City of Mobile).

Happy Labor Day

I hope you all had a great Labor Day Weekend.

William Lambert, Fireman 2nd Class, U.S.S. Maine.

This is one of the few existing photo's of African American Crew Man, William Lambert (of Hampton, Virginia), Fireman 2nd Class and lead pitcher, of the U.S.S. Maine's Baseball Team. He is pictured, in the uniform of the Maine's Baseball Team and is holding a baseball (left handed pitcher). He died, in the explosion, of the ship, on February 15th, 1898, along with every member, of the Baseball Team, with the exception, of John H. Bloomer (who held the rank of Landsman, on the Ship). William Lambert led the U.S.S. Maine's team, to the Navy Championship, in December, of 1897, after the team defeated the crew of the U.S.S. Marblehead. William Lambert was one of 23 African American's, on the U.S.S. Maine. May He and all his Navy Comrades, on the U.S.S. Maine, who lost their lives, on February 15th, 1898, Rest In Peace.

Message To Garcia // Mensaje A Garcia

A Plaque commemorating the famous "Message To Garcia", from President William McKinley Jr. (b. January 29th, 1843, d. September 14th, 1901) to General Calixto Garcia y Iniguez (b. August 4th, 1839, d. December 11th, 1898), via Lt. Andrew Summers Rowan, was dedicated, in Bayamo, Oriente, Cuba, in 1942. (pictured are General William Ludlow - center and General Calixto Garcia y Iniguez- far right, during the Spanish American War).

American Legion Post # 1, Havana, Cuba

The American Legion Post #1, in Havana, Cuba was founded initially, by many Spanish American War Veteran's. The Post dedicated a Mausoleum, in Colon Cemetery, in Havana, Cuba, in 1926. This Mausoleum still stands, in Havana and holds the remain's of many Spanish American War Veteran's, World War One Veteran's, Confederate Veteran's and Union Veteran's. The last Commander of The American Legion Post, was Howard Anderson (age 41 and a World War Two Veteran), who was brutally tortured and finally excecuted, by the Castro Regime, on April 19th, 1961, after a "show trial". The old American Legion Mausoleum, is still in decent condition, even after 50 years, of neglect. It was recently videotaped, by a Canadian tourist and one can still clearly see the United Confederate Veteran's, United Spanish American War Veteran's and The Grand Army of The Republic emblem's, on the Mausoleum wall's. It is my hope to somehow get the name's, rank's, unit's, of all Veteran's buried there, I will be working on this project and will keep you informed. /// There are many Spanish American War Veteran's, Boxer Rebellion and Philippine's Insurrection Veteran's buried in many foreign nation's, if any reader's of this Blog overseas, know of any Veteran's, buried, in their Country, please send me an Email and I will add them to our Camp's historical record's.

Melvin Richard Benisch, 1st National President S.S.A.W.V. 1937 // Primer Presidente Nacional, 1937

Here is a photo of our 1st National President Brother Melvin Richard Benisch, 1937. I am looking for his birth date and death date, for our Camp Historical Record's, if you have them please leave me a message or send me an email. // Aqui vemos una photo de nuestro primer Presidente Nacional, El Hermano Melvin Richard Benisch, en 1937. Estamos buscando las fechas de nacimiento y de muerte, para los documentos historicos de nustro campamento, si usted los tiene dejenos un mensaje por correo electronico.

"Remember The Maine" Stamp 1998

This stamp was put out by the U.S. Postal Service, in 1998, in honor of the Spanish American War Centennial. The Stamp was issued on February 15, 1998, to coincide with the sinking, of the U.S.S Maine, in 1898.

Les Paul, American Music Icon Passes Away (1915-2009)

Lester William Polsfuss, better known as Les Paul, a pioneer of the electric guitar and multitrack recording, who revolutionized music, passed away yesterday, at age 94. May He Rest In Peace.

This Day In Spanish American War History

August 12th, 1898 - The United States and Spain ended hostilities. The actual peace treaty was not signed, until December 10th, 1898 (Treaty of Paris) and was not ratified, by the United States, until February 6th, 1899.

More Convention Photo's / Mas Fotos de la Convencion Nacional

This photo show Brother Raymond LeMay, Past National President 2008-2009, with the new National Secretary Brother Bernie O'Bryan (right).

National Convention Photo's / Fotos de la Convencion Nacional

This photo is courtesy of Brother Raymond

LeMay (left), as he hands over the National Presidential Gavel to our new President, Brother Tim Downey (right), at this year's Convention. The Cuba Libre Camp #172, welcomes our new National President, Brother Tim Downey.

New Camp Chaplain

The Cuba Libre Camp is proud to introduce, to our member's, our new Camp Chaplain, Mr. Russell Kirkland. Russell is one of the newest member's of the Camp and is active in many religious activities. He will be an asset to our Camp and our member's. We welcome Brother Russell, as one of our Camp Officer's.

Spanish American War Commemoration, by Fort Clinch Historic Site 9/19-9/20, 2009

There is a Spanish American War Commemoration being sponsored by the Fort Clinch Historic Site, Amelia Island, Florida. The cost is $2.00 a person (Fort Admission), you can contact 904-277-7274, for more information.

Raymond LeMay, National President S.S.A.W.V. 2008-2009 // Sr. Raymond LeMay, Presidente Nacional 2008-2009

This is a photo of Mr. Raymond LeMay, President of The Sons of Spanish American War Veterans 2008-2009, holding the Charter of The Cuba Libre Camp, at the National Convention this past weekend. We at The Cuba Libre Camp #172, would like to thank Mr. LeMay for his assistance in helping form Cuba Libre Camp #172, during his term in office. We would also like to congratulate our new National President, Mr. Tim Downey, on his election and we look forward to working closely with him, during his administration. // Esta foto fue tomada en la Convencion Nacional, este fin de semana. En la foto vemos al Sr. Raymond LeMay, Presidente Nacional de Los Hijos de Veteranos de la Guerra Hispana-Americana, sujetando en sus manos el fuero oficial del Campamento Cuba Libre #172. Nos gustaria darle las gracias al Sr. Raymond LeMay por su asistencia en la formacion del Campamento Cuba Libre #172, y nos alegra ver la eleccion del nuevo Presidente Nacional de la organizacion, el Sr. Tim Downey, esperamos ser de asistencia durante su administracion.

Congrat's To All Our New National Officer's // Felicitamos a los nuevos Oficiales elejidos en la Convencion Nacional

The Cuba Libre Camp would like to extend our congratulation's to all the new National Officer's who were elected today, at the National Convention, for the 2009-2010 term. We would also like to thank everyone who assisted, in helping the Cuba Libre Camp #172, come into existence, this year, as well as thanking, all the out going National Officer's. We appreciate all the help and assistance all the Brother's have given us, in our formation. Thank You all once again.

Corazon Aquino, 1st Female President of The Philippines Passes Away // Muere La Ex-Presidenta de la Filipinas, la Sra. Corazon Aquino

Maria Corazon Cojuangco Aquino, known as "Corazon Aquino" (born January 25th, 1933) the 1st Female President of The Philippines and the 1st Female President of any Asian Nation, passed away. She was the 11th President of The Philippines and served, from 1986 to 1992. May She Rest In Peace.

Cuba Libre Camp #172 Radio Show, on BlogTalkRadio // Programa Radial del Campamento Cuba Libre #172, en BlogTalkRadio.

Today I did a test show on BlogTalkRadio, for our Camp Radio Show. It is a "test" show, but I think it went well and will help get our name out and that of the organization in general. You can click on the right hand side widget, under the GoodSearch Badge and listen to the show, at your convenience. I plan on doing a show at a bare minimum, of once a month and I hope you enjoy them. I am going to cover all aspect's, of the War Period 1898-1902, as well as the personalities, period history, History of The United Spanish War Veteran's, The Sons of Spanish Americian War Veteran's, The Cuban Liberation Army (Ejercito Libertador Cubano) ect. ect. Check it out, you will enjoy it !!

Can Anyone Identify This Young Lady? / Quien es esta Senorita, en la foto?

This young lady appeared, on a post card sometime between 1898 and 1910? Does anyone know her name or when the post card was made exactly? The post card was done in honor of the U.S.S MAINE, feel free to leave a message on this post, or email me at SonsSpanAmWar@Hotmail.com