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My dearest Brothers and Sisters,
 
        I sat here this uncommon Thanksgiving Day reflecting on all I have to be thankful for with a full belly but a heavy heart.  An uncommon Thanksgiving that was unparalleled due to a pandemic that has rocked our world. A fullness of gratitude for the blessings God has bestowed upon my family and friends weathering the storm this past year as we look forward to the annihilation of the deadly Covid-19 virus.  A heavy heart for all our fellow brothers and sisters who have not been so fortunate as myself and whose health conditions this past year have taken a toll so heavy to bear.  Those like our esteemed Junior Past National Councilor, Charlie, as he prepares for dialysis.  Another Past National Councilor, Ed Kiefer, recently placed under hospice care as he battles for his life from his prolonged sickness. Our Brother National delegate, Ray Arnie, as he continues his long journey to recovery from his unfortunate accident.  So many more whose lives have been turned upside down by this insidious pandemic.
 
This holiday season I challenge each and every one of my Brothers and Sisters to take the time to reach out and embrace a member of our Order that we haven’t seen in a while or to someone you know who is alone or less fortunate than yourself.  Pray for our soldiers overseas far away from family and friends, that they may feel they are not forgotten.  May we soon return to normality in our meetings and resume our fraternal functions so that we may once again grow our ranks for generations to come.  Let your light shine through to brighten someone’s day, if only for a moment.  As Francis of Assisi avowed “For it is in giving that we receive”.  Give of your heart to others, that you may receive blessings a hundred fold.
 
As we prepare for this holiday season to commemorate the wondrous birth of our Lord and celebrate a safeguarded Christmas with family and friends, I appeal to my Brothers and Sisters to take the necessary precautions that we may weather this storm.  We must turn to our guiding principles of Virtue, Liberty and Patriotism as a beacon in the dark of night, for it is darkest before the dawn.  My Christmas wish this season is that after the glow of the Christmas tree has faded and the gifts unwrapped that we all emerge triumphant in the dawn of a new year filled with the promise of hope and prosperity for all.
Fraternally Yours, in V.L.P.
Rich Beppler            
National Councilor      

COVID-19 UPDATE FROM THE NATIONAL COUNCILOR
 
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
 
This year has been a challenge for everyone.  The COVID-19 virus is still out there, still spreading.  I am sure everyone is tired of hearing about it.....but, everyone is, or should be,  doing their best to stay safe and keep others safe.
 
Our economy has suffered from the need to shut businesses and stay home.  It was necessary.  But now businesses are trying to open back up and many of our small businesses are having a very hard time.  So, Please support your local owned small businesses, especially those owned by other Juniors.   
 
With businesses opening back up, people are out and about again....and cases of Covid-19 are on the rise again in many states. So we need to be extra careful as our councils start holding meetings again. 
 
As National Councilor  I do not wish  to make mandates for our members or our councils.  I simply wish to remind everyone to follow the mandates of your own state and the CDC.   Please continue to practice social distancing, wearing a mask and washing your hands or use hand sanitizer.  If possible, it would be nice if every council could provide hand sanitizer at their council meetings. 
 
I would also like to suggest that our councils hold off on any large gatherings, such as banquets; or fund raisers and membership drives where the public is invited.  We will get back to those things, but for now lets do all we can to keep each other safe. 
 
One suggestion for our states, if you need to hold a larger meeting, is to use an on line conference such as zoom which many schools are using. 
 
We are making plans for the 2021 National Session with the hope that we will get to meet together. 
 
As we all pray for an end to this pandemic, please stay safe and lets do all we can to keep our loved ones and every member of our councils safe from the spread of this virus.
 
It will not last forever and I look forward to the day when we can meet together again in person.
 
Richard Beppler
National Councilor
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 The following is a resolution presented to the National Council, approved and passed with the 2019 session. Our State 2020 session has been cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 issues.
Each member of Council #123 is encouraged to express to their State representatives, the Govenor, and Congressional Representatives the concerns and contents of the resolution Number 4 of the JR. O.U.A.M. National Council.
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Resolution No: 4 
Title: "The Destruction of American War Monuments and Historical Markers"
 
A RESOLUTION OF THE JUNIOR ORDER UNITED AMERICAN MECHANICS, AGAINST THE DESECRATION AND DESTRUCTION OF AMERICAN WAR MONUMENTS IN THIS COUNTRY.
WHEREAS, the men and woman of this Country have fought and won many battles on the soils of this country and overseas.  Many have earned the honor and distinction of a hero, and who have a monument named and erected for them; that monument should be protected by this land and its Government,  and
WHEREAS, teaching and educating the people of this country “right” from “wrong” and holding them accountable for the destruction of said monuments, we must demand a higher level of respect for our forefathers, and
WHEREAS, the Jr. Order itself had a Council named after an American hero, Worth Bagley, from # 60 in Raleigh NC, and
WHEREAS, Worth was the first American officer and only line officer of the Navy who fell in the Spanish-American War. He was killed on board the US torpedo boat Winslow during the bombardment at Cardenas, Cuba, May 11, 1898, and had a monument erected for him in Wake County, NC, and
WHEREAS, the Jr. Order feels there should be penalties and restitution be made for the destruction of said monuments, and
WHEREAS,  the Junior Order United American Mechanics, should help set a national standard for such destruction, and
WHEREAS, future generations would be deprived of the History of brave acts that were fought for a cause, and good or bad is in fact our country’s true history. As a stern reminder to all of us; if things need to be changed, then let them be changed in our hearts and not in the form of needless, insulting destruction, now
THEREFORE, be it resolved by the National Council Junior Order United American Mechanics, assembled in Session, this 18th  day of June, 2019, that we heartily support that the historical roots of  American history be preserved for future generations,  in our public school systems and on all the grounds on which they now stand, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the National Council Jr. Order United American Mechanics support that a stiff punishment be rendered to all who participate in the willful desecration of any and all historical markers, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the National Council Junior Order United American Mechanics assembled in this session request that a copy be sent to the President of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, and that we distribute this resolution to each state council in the Junior Order, asking they present it at their next state meeting (except for North Carolina who presented this resolution to us)  and if passed that they send it to their state Governors and State Representatives.
Respectfully submitted:   
North Carolina Jr.O.U.A.M., PO Box 1552, Lexington, NC 27292
 
 Charles Riehs, National Councilor, NC
 
Jim Wolfe, PNC, NC__________________
 
Byron Hinson, DNC, NC_____________
 
Good of the Order Committee:
_X__Approved         ____Disapproved
Greg Frye, WV, Chair_____________
Joseph Pietrafase, NY_____________
Charles Petro, WV _________________
William G. Potter, TN_____________
 
Brother David Kendig, WV, made the motion to concur with the Good of the Order Committee and Approve Resolution #4, seconded by Ray Arnie, MD, vote taken and carried.

Council #123 has resumed the regular meeting schedule. 2nd and 4th Thursday at 7:00 PM.

All members are encouraged to attend.

On another note: WV State Councilor David Kindig has cancelled the West Virginia State Session scheduled for July 2020. The next State Session is planned for July 15, 16 and 17, 2021 at Flatwoods, West Virginia.

Women of Council 187 and Council 123 gathered (with social distancing) to make masks for Dr. Claudia Duncan and Med Express of Cross Lanes. Many thanks to Breneda Vance, Vanessa Adkins and Brenda Holley for your volunteer hours.

Greetings to all members of the Jr. Order United American Mechanics
     In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic which has gripped our nation, I as your National Councilor, am hereby suspending all meetings and functions of all Jr. Order Lodges throughout our order. Effective immediately all regular Council meetings will be suspended through April 30th, 2020.  Also any and all planned functions such as dinners, banquets, State Sessions or Conventions are suspended for the same period.  We will continue to monitor the national policies put into play regarding the restrictions on gatherings and inform all members of any further restrictions in the future.
     It is with great sadness I find these steps necessary to help curtail the spread of this terrible virus and insure the well-being of our membership of whom many are in the age bracket most vulnerable to the dire effects if contracting the virus.  I ask all to join me in prayer for any we may know who has been afflicted with this virus.
     I welcome any contact or correspondence from any of our members seeking further information on this or any issues.  My contact address, phone and email are listed above.
                                                                                                            In loving service;​

                                                                                                            Richard A. Beppler
                                                                                                            National Councilor

Brother Charles Riffle, aged 94,  peacefully went to the Lord on January 28, 2020.

Brother Charles had been a Junior since May 7, 1964
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Per his step son, Jim Hardy, Brother Charles had been residing in Veterans Victory House for his last 15 months.
A small graveside service will take place on Feb. 4, 2020 in Shallotte, NC.
Service is being handled by Brunswick Funeral Services of 5229 Ocean Hwy, W , Shallotte, NC 28459