Adjutant’s Call - Summer 2021
Circular Memorandum #527 - Summer 2021
We Are Returning to Big Spring!!!
Yes, after one of the strangest years any of us have experienced, we are on our way back to being at least semi-normal. Big Spring will once again serve as our host for our monthly meetings and yes, the buffet will be served! Fried chicken is back! Our first meeting will be Sunday, September 12 when Brian Steel Wills will return to speak on Nathan Bedford Forrest and Fort Pillow. What really happened there? Brian has done extensive research on this subject and has written a book on it. We are approaching the start of our 60th year and we have a slate of great speakers lined up for our meetings. Our first two meetings will be on Sundays. Joining us on October 10 will be one of our favorite speakers, famed historian William C. Davis who will speak on Jefferson Davis and Abraham Lincoln comparing the two leaders.
Also, we are looking with great anticipation to the return of the Bourbon and BBQ on September 4th which will be held once again at Art Boerner’s lovely home overlooking the Ohio River. This year’s event will feature Dr. James Fuller who will speak about a Civil War era serial killer in Louisville and Mike Veach will conduct a tasting of Indiana whiskeys.
Last year at this time, we were filled with uncertainty. We have now gone through a year and a half of covid, civil unrest, the taking down of monuments (not just Civil War monuments) and attempts to revise and rewrite American history. I can assure you that new President, Art Boerner and your Board of Directors are committed to bring you the very best in speakers and events and serving you is their chief concern.
With all the events that have taken place in the last year and a half, it is now more important than ever that those of us who value our history must continue to do so. As stated in our by-laws, “The purpose of the Louisville Civil War Round Table, Inc. is to study all aspects of the American Civil War and to promote the interchange of knowledge about it.” By studying, reading, and learning from great historians and speakers about this crucial time in our history, we insure that the sacrifices of those “who gave the last full measure” should not be forgotten or devalued and their memory forgotten. That is why I hope you will renew your membership and stay the course with us. We are back and will provide you with the very best in speakers, field trips, the Bourbon and BBQ, and yes, fried chicken! will return!
It is Time for Membership Renewals
**** Patron Memberships Are a Major Boost to the Round Table ****
The annual membership fees of the Round Table are now due and there is good news! Once again, we are not raising any of our membership fees. And even more good news, any amount you give above the basic or family membership fee is tax-deductible since the Round Table has tax-exempt status as a 501 (c) (3) organization! Following is a description of four membership options from which you can choose. Please read carefully the following explanations so that you will understand what your choices are. First, you may choose a single membership. Your membership dues will be $30 and this will allow you to attend all Round Table meetings and events. The second option is a family membership for $35. Under this option, you may choose to add a spouse, son or daughter as a member. For each family member, the cost will be an additional $5. For example, the cost for three family members would be $40. A family is defined as anyone living in the same household. Thus, two brothers who live in the same house can join on a family membership. By choosing this option, the spouse or family member will be recognized as a member of the Round Table, will be eligible to be elected to the Board of Directors, can serve on committees appointed by the President, and will receive a name tag to wear at the meetings. The third option is a special category of membership called Patron, which was introduced in 1998 and has been a big success. This option allows members who so desire to make a contribution with their membership dues to the Round Table above the usual cost of membership. This is for members who want to make a financial gift because they believe the Round Table is a worthy organization and they wish to show their appreciation and ensure its ongoing success. Patron memberships start at $55 and can include a family membership. Of course, you can contribute more if you wish. Patron memberships provide no additional benefits to members but simply give the individuals the satisfaction of supporting our Round Table with a financial gift. The additional funds raised through this option will allow the Round Table to take a more active role in the Preservation of Civil War battlefields and sites and also help pay the costs of bringing the very best Civil War speakers to our meetings. A fourth option is a Student membership for $10. If you are a student in middle school, high school, college, or graduate school, you qualify for a $10 student membership.
Robert W. Bortner Passes Away
Round Table member Robert W. Bortner, 86, passed away Thursday, April 29, 2021. Bob was a longtime member of the Round Table and served as President and Board member for several years. Bob and his wife Judy were frequent attendees at meetings and field trips. Bob passed away surrounded by his loving family, who came to be with him from CA, VA, and NC to share their grief at losing the best ever Daddy, Grandaddy, Brother and Husband in the whole world. Bob was born in Baltimore, MD to Robert Ordway Bortner and Margaret Bartkowski Bortner on September 8, 1934. His family settled in Richmond, VA and Bob, or "Butch" as he was known to his family and friends at Thomas Jefferson High School, enjoyed his time playing football at TJ with a band of brothers who continued to cherish their memories with phone calls and class reunions. Bob has two younger sisters, Cindi and Charlotte Bortner of Richmond, VA.
Bob distinguished himself in the sport of tennis, beginning with instructions by Mr. Sam Woods at Bird Park as one of "the park boys" as a young teen. The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill offered Bob a four-year tennis scholarship where he was a leading player with an outstanding team of young tennis aces. Bob was named 1958 Atlantic Coast Conference Champion in both Singles and Doubles. Bob and Marcia Sampson Bortner were the proud parents of Polly, Katie and Genny Branch who are extremely proud of their father and were here to join him in his final days, along with their Aunt Cindi Bortner. Following the passing of Marcia, in 1980 Bob continued in his two favorite occupations. One, the role of Daddy and the other as an FBI Special Agent for the Department of Justice. He treasured the friendships resulting following his retirement in the early 1990's. Tennis continued to play a part in Bob's life as he served the US Army during the President Kennedy years. As a member of the Army Tennis Team under Col. Wm. Shivar, Bob cherished the friendships that lived on and resulted in many couples' trips to the US Open Tennis matches in New York City with former team mates and their wives. In 1986 Bob increased his family to include four boys with his marriage to Judy Travis Greene, who had been widowed in 1982. Mark, Chris, Jeff and Bill Greene joined the three girls and even though they weren't little together, they will be supporting each other in their loss of Bob. Memorial service was held at St. Francis in the Fields Episcopal Church, 6710 Wolf Pen Branch Road on Saturday, May 8, 2021 Interment followed in the Church's Memorial Gardens.