Mission Statement (Paraphrased): The Purposes of National Sojourners shall be to organize Commissioned and Warrant Officers and Senior
non-commissioned Officers (past and present) of the uniformed forces of the US, and Honorary Members, all of whom
are Master Masons, into chapters, for the promotion of good fellowship among its members, for assisting such as
may be overtaken by adversity or affliction, for cultivating Masonic ideals, for supporting all patriotic aims
and activities in Masonry, for developing patriotism and Americanism throughout the nation, for bringing together
representatives of the uniformed forces of the US in a united effort to further military need or national defense,
and for opposing any influence whatsoever calculated to weaken the national security.
Lofty ideals, but that's Masonry.
History: National Sojourners began in 1901 in the Philippines when
Masons from a North Dakota Regiment formed a Masonic "Club". They named it the Sojourners Club, meaning
"travelers". That club initiated what later became the Grand Lodge of the Philippines. The Philippines
Sojourners Club grew and the membership spread around the world. In 1917 a club was formed in Chicago. During WWI
and afterward the clubs spread throughout US armed forces installations. The Ft. McPherson Chapter was formed in
1926. In 1931 the organization became National Sojourners, Incorporated, and the "club" label was dropped.
Relationship to Local Masonic Groups: Wherever regular Masonic Lodges
are present, Sojourners are encouraged to affiliate with and support the local activities. We do not aim to be
an "outside" Masonic group. The Sojourner Chapters, however, exist to carry on our support of Americanism
and Patriotism activities, and of course for Masonic/Military fellowship.
Heroes of '76: Each National Sojourner Chapter has an associated
"Heroes of '76 Camp". Ours at the Ft McPherson Chapter is the James Jackson Camp, named after the Revolutionary
War hero who was the second Grand Master of Masons in Georgia, a Governor of Georgia, as well as US Representative,
and US Senator. The theme of camp activity is the Revolutionary War, and the ladies are known as "camp followers".
The initiation for Heroes of '76 is, I think, very dramatic and secret, and the social activities always include
good food. Heroes of '76 uniforms include the tricornered hat you may have seen at Masonic patriotic functions.
Primary Local Activities: The primary activities of Fort McPherson
Chapter No. 60 include awarding of Sojourner Medals to exemplary high school JROTC and college ROTC students in
the Atlanta Area, supporting an annual essay contest conducted by our National Headquarters, presentation of a
"Building the Flag" program for school and civic groups, by sponsoring the Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge's Spirit of America Youth Programs.and other
patriotic functions as the occasions arise. Ft. McPherson Chapter No. 60 distributes some 45-50 ROTC awards to
Atlanta area schools yearly.
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Pictured below are some of the JROTC Cadets we sponsor, dressed for a flag presentation:
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National Headquarters: The Headquarters of National Sojourners,
Incorporated is located at the Collingwood Library and Museum on Americanism (CLMA), an 8.75-acre estate on the
banks of the Potomac River, midway between Alexandria and Mt. Vernon. Collingwood is named for the British Admiral,
Lord Cuthbert Collingwood, a hero of the battle of Trafalgar, and a friend of one of the heirs of George Washington.
The original building was a two-room structure built by Washington for a Sam Johnson an overseer of the river farm.
It was added to over the years and had a series of owners. Until 1974 it was operated as a restaurant serving the
Washington area and Mt. Vernon. In 1977 it was acquired by a non-profit organization formed for the dual purpose
of providing a library/museum and the headquarters of National Sojourners.
It is a stunningly beautiful piece of property, and the museum is will worth your time when you
are in the Mt. Vernon/Alexandria/Washington area.
For more information about the National Sojourners and our programs, please visit our National Headquarters Site.
For details about joining our chapter, please contact Lt. Rick Conn.
