Cumberland Road Order No. 122

Indianapolis, Indiana

Dedicated to the “Sons of Liberty”

March 29, 2008

Our First H.G.C.C.

Richard D. Purcell, receiving our charter from M.H.G.C.C., Walter W. Doyle.

 

Our Humble Beginnings...

Richard D. Purcell, P.H.G.C.C.

Most Honorable Grand Chaplain

1013 Treyburn Green Drive

Indianapolis, IN  46239

Phone: 317-890-0955

Cell:  317-691-6355

E-mail: rpurcell01@comcast.net

During the Fall of 2006, Richard D. “Rick” Purcell and Edward S. “Ed” Christy, Jr. met and instantly became friends.  Ed had recently moved his family to the Indianapolis area from Evansville and was in search of a Lodge to call home.  After receiving an invitation from Rick, Ed visited Pleasant Lodge No. 134 in Acton, IN and ultimately affiliated with the Lodge. 

During one of their many conversations, the subject of the Sword of Bunker Hill came up.  Rick being the inquisitive one, immediately began searching the internet to learn what he could about the Order.  As chance would have it, the Grand Order had recently published a website.  After reading all the information available on the site, Rick contacted Ed and said, “We need to start a new Order in Indianapolis.”  The feeling was mutual as Ed was originally from southern Illinois where his father and several other relatives  were members of the Order.

Phone calls and E-mails were exchanged with Bob L. Bonds, then M.H.G.C.C. as well as Secretary/Treasurer of Pocket City, No. 82 located in Evansville, IN.  After learning of dormant, Fall Creek Order No. 60 which met at Millersville Lodge No. 126 in Indianapolis, the decision was made to create a new Order with its own identity.  By this time, Rick and Ed had recruited the assistance of Michael J. “Mike” Smith and Jerald L. “Jerry” Miller.  Meetings were held, and after careful consideration, the name “Cumberland Road” was selected.

Now they had to begin the task of recruiting members!  In order to create a new Order, there must be 25 members in a community who belong to an Order.  Between the four of them, they  knew exactly none.  It was then decided to find out how to join.  After all, it would be easier to get new members if they were themselves members of the Order  They learned Pocket City Order in Evansville had an initiation ceremony planned for Thursday, February 15, 2007.  Of course, a road trip was immediately planned.  The only thing that stood in the way was the unpredictable Indiana winter weather.  A storm did blow across the state early in the week but come Thursday everything was fine so the four of them loaded up the car and headed for Evansville.

Between February 15 and March 31, 2007 a great deal of planning and recruiting was done.  An invitation was extended to the Officers of Pocket City Order to come to Indianapolis to initiate a class of new Sword members who would then begin work as Cumberland Road Order, UD.  The invitation was accepted and on March 31, 2007, 47 new members were initiated.  The Charter Officers were Installed and Dispensation issued by Bart Burke, Chief of Staff of the Grand Order.  Unfortunately, Bob L. Bonds, M.H.G.C.C. had fallen ill the week before the ceremony and was unable to attend.  He passed away on April 3, 2007.

During the next year, Cumberland Road  Order continued to work and on March 29, 2008 Walter W. Doyle, M.H.G.C.C. presented them with their Charter.

Cumberland Road Order No. 122, would not be in existence today without the hard work and dedication of Brother Bob L. Bonds, P.M.H.G.C.C., and to him are eternally grateful.

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