Nominating Dinner, 2025
Our 2025 Nominating Dinner for members and prospective members was held on May 2nd when we were addressed by General Neil Thurgood on the subject of "Tomorrow's Battlefield: Drones, Hypersonics, A.I. and Directed Energy". Fifteen new members were admitted to the troop and Gus Niewenhous was awarded the Ken Powers Memorial Cup for making the greatest contribution to the troop in 2024 by creating the Centennial Legion medal to be worn by all members.
Our 2025 Nominating Dinner for members and prospective members was held on May 2nd when we were addressed by General Neil Thurgood on the subject of "Tomorrow's Battlefield: Drones, Hypersonics, A.I. and Directed Energy". Fifteen new members were admitted to the troop and Gus Niewenhous was awarded the Ken Powers Memorial Cup for making the greatest contribution to the troop in 2024 by creating the Centennial Legion medal to be worn by all members.
PRESIDENT OF THE MESS, JOHN CONLIN, LEFT. VICE PRESIDENT OF THE MESS CHARLES "OX" GARA (MR VICE) RIGHT
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FROM THE LEFT, OX GARA, 'MR. VICE, FRANK SPANO III, FRANK SPANO JR., WILL FORBES
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PRIOR TO THE MESS 'MARCH ON', FROM THE LEFT: MESS PRESIDENT JOHN CONLIN, 2025 SPEAKER GEN. NEIL THURGOOD, BILL HARRIS
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SQUADRON A PRESIDENT, MICHAEL WITTER, ACCEPTING THE INTER-TEAM AWARD FOR THE SPRING, 2024, SHOOT FROM THE MESS PRESIDENT
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GUS NIEWENHOUS IS PRESENTED WITH THE KEN POWERS MEMORIAL TROPHY FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS IN 20024
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RUSSELL MOORE, LEFT, IS THE GUEST OF CHESTER BURLEY, HON. TREASURER
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DAVID PALLADINO- SINCLAIR (LEFT) IS PRESENTED WITH THE PIPER'S AWARD BY PIPE MAJOR TERENCE MCGOVERN (CENTER)
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GENERAL THURGOOD APPEARS DELIGHTED AT HIS DEMOTION FROM THREE STAR RANK TO 2/LT OF GOLD'S DRAGOONS
PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS STAND TO BE INDUCTED BY THE MESS PRESIDENT
PIPE MAJOR TERENCE MCGOVERN ACCEPTS THE QUAICH FROM THE MESS PRESIDENT AND SALUTES THE MESS
POSTPRANDIAL REFLECTIONS ON THE CLUB VERANDA
Nominating Dinner, 2024
Our 2024 Nominating Dinner for members and prospective members was held on May 3rd, when we were addressed by General Bryan "Doug" Brown, on the subject of "Special Operations". Twenty three new members were admitted to the troop and Barton Hyte was awarded the Ken Powers Memorial Cup for making the greatest contribution to the troop in 2023 by introducing the troop to The Centennial Legion. Michael Witter was awarded the Hudner Cup for top score at the 2023 Fall Shoot.
Our 2024 Nominating Dinner for members and prospective members was held on May 3rd, when we were addressed by General Bryan "Doug" Brown, on the subject of "Special Operations". Twenty three new members were admitted to the troop and Barton Hyte was awarded the Ken Powers Memorial Cup for making the greatest contribution to the troop in 2023 by introducing the troop to The Centennial Legion. Michael Witter was awarded the Hudner Cup for top score at the 2023 Fall Shoot.
THE SMOKING LAMP IS LIT! PREDINNER SMOKES UNDER THE TREE
JOSEPH LIPP (LEFT) AND HON. TREASURER, CHESTER BURLEY
GLEN CAREY, JOHN HAWTHORN, JAY OBERDORF, DON CAREY, III
ROGER BYROM (LEFT) AND BILL BURGESS
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BILL HARRIS (LEFT) AND EVENNG SPEAKER, GENERAL DOUG BROWN
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FROM THE LEFT; JOE BENETE, JOHN CONLIN, GUS NIEWENHOUS, DAVID ROGERS
GARY DYCUS (LEFT) CHAPLAIN ROB GIFFIN
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BOARD MEMBER HUGH SCHOELZEL INTRODUCES HIS NOMINEE
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BARTON HYTE BEING PRESENTED WITH THE KEN POWERS TROPHY BY TROOP COMMANDER JOHN CONLIN
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FIRST CITY TROOP UNIFOMRED FRANK SPANO INTRODUCES HIS NOMINEE RYAN LEONARD
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JOSIAH DE LA MOTTE FACED A $2 FINE FOR WEARING A STRAW HAT WITH HIS MESS DRESS AT THE POLO MATCH LAST YEAR. HAVING STUDIED THE MESS RULES HE CLAIMED TO SING A SONG INSTEAD AND WAS EXCUSED THE FINE. AN EXCELLENT REDITION OF A FRENCH BALLAD THEN EARNED HIM A $2 FINE FOR CONVERSING IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE IN THE MESS
MR. VICE, OX GARA, EXPLAINS HIS LATEST PLAN TO SWELL COMPANY COFFERS WITH A CUNNING SCHEME
PAVILUCIKS, FATHER AND SON
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FRED PARKER (LEFT), BILL BURGESS
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TRISTAM PENISTON-BIRD (LEFT) AND JEFF WACKER
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CAPTAIN OF SHOOTING, JEFF WACKER (RIGHT) PRESENTS A PLAQUE TO SHOOT WINNER MICHAEL WITTER
PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS UPSTANDING TO BE INDUCTED INTO THE TROOP - 23 IN ALL
EVENING SPEAKER, FOUR STAR GENERAL DOUG BROWN, SEEMS PLEASED TO BE PROMOTED TO 2LT IN GOLD'S DRAGOONS
Nominating Dinner, 2023
Our 2023 Nominating Dinner for members and prospective members was held on May 5th, when we were addressed by Mr. Geoffrey Peck, retired CIA, on the subject of "The Russian Way of War". Twenty three new members were admitted to the troop and Col. Ron Barnes was awarded the Ken Powers Memorial Cup for making the greatest contribution to the troop in 2022 by introducing axe throwing as a new activity - particularly appropriate with an axe in our cap badge and the 1662 requirement for every tenth man in Gold's Dragoons to carry one, instead of a sword, in the war against the Dutch and the Pequots.
Our 2023 Nominating Dinner for members and prospective members was held on May 5th, when we were addressed by Mr. Geoffrey Peck, retired CIA, on the subject of "The Russian Way of War". Twenty three new members were admitted to the troop and Col. Ron Barnes was awarded the Ken Powers Memorial Cup for making the greatest contribution to the troop in 2022 by introducing axe throwing as a new activity - particularly appropriate with an axe in our cap badge and the 1662 requirement for every tenth man in Gold's Dragoons to carry one, instead of a sword, in the war against the Dutch and the Pequots.
PIPERS PARADE, TERENCE MCGOVERN, PIPE MAJOR, FOLLOWED BY MICK BURGESS DUTY PIPER. ON THE LEFT, THE HIGH TABLE, FROM LFT TO RT, BILL HARRIS, SPEAKER GEOFF PECK, MESS PRESIDENT JOHN CONLIN, HON. TREASURER, CHESTER BURLEY, CAPTAIN OF SHOOTING, JEFF WACKER, TROOP CHAPLAIN, BISHOP GIFFIN
THE FAIRFIELD HUNT CLUB DID US PROUD, AS THEY HAVE DONE FOR OVER 90 YEARS ON OUR ANNUAL DINNER IN THE SAME BUILDING
SPEAKER GEOFF PECK RECEIVES HIS COMMISSION AS A 2/Lt IN GOLD'S DRAGOONS FROM THE TROOP COMMANDER, JOHN CONLIN
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COL. RON BARNES RECEIVES THE KEN POWERS MEMORIAL CUP FROM THE MESS PRESIDENT, JOHN CONLIN
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MR. VICE, MESS VICE PRESIDENT OX GARA, OPINES ON THE PORT AS FIT FOR MEMBER'S CONSUMPTION
Nominating Dinner, 2022
Our 2022 Nominating Dinner for members and prospective members was held on May 6th, when we were addressed by Major General Jeff Schloesser, former commander of the 101st Airborne in Afghanistan and author of a recent book on the subject of military leadership, "Marathon War". The general addressed the mess on lessons from Afghanistan and the current Ukraine war. He kindly remained behind for book signing of those forty lucky members who won one in the lottery, from a generous gift of Bill Harris, long time mess member and our liaison with the Fairfield Hunt Club.
Terence McGovern, the troop pipe major, was presented with the Ken Powers Memorial Trophy and fifteen new members were inducted into the troop.
Chris de Pinho was awarded the Tom Hudner Cup for winning the fall 2021 shoot.
Mick Burgess was presented with the 2022 piping award for exemplary actions as Duty Piper
Dan Hooker was awarded his marksman badge on producing evidence of "expert" classification during infantry service in the United States Marine Corps.
The dinner concluded at ten pm, but continued in the bar areas until midnight
There was no "Huckleberry Tavern" until the wee hours because our long time Master of Horse has moved to the Mid West and brought his trailer with him.
Our 2022 Nominating Dinner for members and prospective members was held on May 6th, when we were addressed by Major General Jeff Schloesser, former commander of the 101st Airborne in Afghanistan and author of a recent book on the subject of military leadership, "Marathon War". The general addressed the mess on lessons from Afghanistan and the current Ukraine war. He kindly remained behind for book signing of those forty lucky members who won one in the lottery, from a generous gift of Bill Harris, long time mess member and our liaison with the Fairfield Hunt Club.
Terence McGovern, the troop pipe major, was presented with the Ken Powers Memorial Trophy and fifteen new members were inducted into the troop.
Chris de Pinho was awarded the Tom Hudner Cup for winning the fall 2021 shoot.
Mick Burgess was presented with the 2022 piping award for exemplary actions as Duty Piper
Dan Hooker was awarded his marksman badge on producing evidence of "expert" classification during infantry service in the United States Marine Corps.
The dinner concluded at ten pm, but continued in the bar areas until midnight
There was no "Huckleberry Tavern" until the wee hours because our long time Master of Horse has moved to the Mid West and brought his trailer with him.
FROM THE LEFT: GUS NIEWENHOUS, JUDGE ADVOCATE, JOHN HAYES, OX GARA, "MR. VICE", GARRETT BOWDEN, MICHAEL WITTER, PRES. SQUADRON A
FROM THE LEFT, CHRIS DE PINHO, STEPHEN RYAN, RORY CAPRA. NEXT, BRIEN HORAN, RETURNING AFTER A TWENTY YEAR ABSENCE
GEORGE JACKSON, OX GARA
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FRANK SPANO, LAISION WITH 1ST CITY TROOP, PHILA CAV. RYAN WEDDLE
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GEN. SCHLOESSER AS SPEAKER GETS HIS TIE AND COMMISSION, BACKDATED TO 2012 BY MESS PRESIDENT, JOHN CONLIN
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MESS PRES. PRESENTS THE KEN POWERS MEMORIAL TROPHY TO PIPE MAJOR TERENCE MCGOVERN
MESS PRES PRESENTS MICK BURGESS WITH THE 2022 PIPING AWARD
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MESS PRES. PRESENTS DAN HOOKER WITH HIS MARKSMAN BADGE
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MESS PRES. PRESENTS CHRIS DE PINHO WITH THE TOM HUDNER SHOOTING CUP FOR THE FALL SHOOT
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PIPE MAJOR TERENCE MCGOVERN TOASTS THE MESS WITH THE REGIMETNAL QUAICH
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THE PIPE MAJOR GIVES THE PIPER'S FAREWELL AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE DINNER
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Nominating Dinner, 2021
Our 2021 Nominating Dinner for members and prospective members was held on June 18th - Waterloo Day - when we were addressed by Brigadier General Rob Spalding, who delivered a riveting presentation entitled "The Rising Danger of China in the Pacific Region and in Cyber Warfare". The general kindly remained behind for a post-prandial drinks session allowing all members to meet him personally.
Hugh Schoelzel was presented with the Ken Powers of Memorial Trophy and fourteen new members were inducted into the troop.
Members and guests were entertained on arrival by the Pipe Major, Terence McGovern. At 6.30 pm the Gold's Master of Horse, David Loda, galloped up to the Club veranda in splendid Dragoon style, bearing the Gold's guidon and presented it to the mess president, John Conlin. He then drew his saber to salute the troop and briefly brandished the hatchet that all troopers were required to carry when the unit was formed in the 17th century.
In 2019 we were awarded a battle streamer for the Great Swamp Fight of 1675 by the Society of Colonial Wars and this was presented at the dinner on behalf of the Society by Chester Burley, affixing it to the guidon, which was then "trooped" around the dining room by Mr. Vice and the pipers.
Our 2021 Nominating Dinner for members and prospective members was held on June 18th - Waterloo Day - when we were addressed by Brigadier General Rob Spalding, who delivered a riveting presentation entitled "The Rising Danger of China in the Pacific Region and in Cyber Warfare". The general kindly remained behind for a post-prandial drinks session allowing all members to meet him personally.
Hugh Schoelzel was presented with the Ken Powers of Memorial Trophy and fourteen new members were inducted into the troop.
Members and guests were entertained on arrival by the Pipe Major, Terence McGovern. At 6.30 pm the Gold's Master of Horse, David Loda, galloped up to the Club veranda in splendid Dragoon style, bearing the Gold's guidon and presented it to the mess president, John Conlin. He then drew his saber to salute the troop and briefly brandished the hatchet that all troopers were required to carry when the unit was formed in the 17th century.
In 2019 we were awarded a battle streamer for the Great Swamp Fight of 1675 by the Society of Colonial Wars and this was presented at the dinner on behalf of the Society by Chester Burley, affixing it to the guidon, which was then "trooped" around the dining room by Mr. Vice and the pipers.
TROOP COMMANDER, JOHN CONLIN, RECEIVES THE GUIDON AND GIVES IT TO MR. VICE, OX GARA, FOR SAFE KEEPING PRIOR TO THE MARCH ON OF THE HIGH TABLE OF THE DINNER. DAVID LODA RIDES OFF TO GIVE HIS MOUNT, HUCKLEBERRY, A WELL EARNED REST IN THE STABLES
LFT. TO RT., JOHN CONLIN, TROOP COMMANDER AND MESS PRESIDENT, BRIG. GENERAL ROBERT SPALDING, 2021 SPEAKER, CHESTER BURLEY, HON. TREASURER. BOTH JOHN AND CHETER WEAR THE GORGETS THAT ARE A BADGE OF OFFICE OF BOARD MEMBERS
GENERAL VIEW OF THE DINNER. RIGHT FOREGROUND OX GARA, "MR. VICE" SHOWING HIS AXE BADGE OF OFFICE. LEFT FOREGROUND, RON BARNES, MASTER AT ARMS FOR THE TROOP AND LIAISON OFFICER FOR THE PAWTUXET RANGERS
TROOP GUIDON WITH BATTLE STREAMER ATTACHED BY CHESTER BURLEY (RT), HON. TREASURER AND SOCIETY OF COLONIAL WARS LIAISON OFFICER. OTHERS, LEFT TO RIGHT, ADAM HESS, QM AND TROOP HISTORIAN, RYAN WEDDLE, TROOP CHAPLAIN AND ANGLICAN BISHOP, ROBERT GIFFIN, AND PETER BRUEMMER
Ox Gara was in fine form as Vice President of the Mess (referred to as "Mr. Vice" in the military tradition) and was on the prowl for minor infractions of the mess rules that can attract fines of up to $2 (we have not increased mess fines for 350 years and this did represent a considerable sum back in 1660). Financing was available but none was needed.
The pipe major presented a magnificent piper banner to the troop with one side being the badge of the troop and the other bearing the personal cypher of King Charles II, our founding patron. The Royal cypher is shown on our history page.
Captain Al Mundo was belatedly presented with his Ken Powers award from 2018, as was Paul Jagger for his shooting award, also from 2018. Better late than never.
The evening concluded with the president bringing the gavel down shortly after 10 pm, after ordering all members to assemble for duty at the next Nominating Dinner, scheduled for 6 pm on Friday, May 6th, 2022.
Drinks continued until the Club bar closed, at which time - led by the piper - all surviving members repaired the Huckelberry Tavern, where the master of Horse dispensed midwest beers of excellent quality. Those who need more punishment then moved to the home of the Troop Quartermaster and continued to discuss worldly events around the splendid fire pit until our newly appointed troop chaplain - radio call sign "bishop" - retired to bed at 2.30 am. This did not bode well for the clay pigeon shooters on the morrow.
The pipe major presented a magnificent piper banner to the troop with one side being the badge of the troop and the other bearing the personal cypher of King Charles II, our founding patron. The Royal cypher is shown on our history page.
Captain Al Mundo was belatedly presented with his Ken Powers award from 2018, as was Paul Jagger for his shooting award, also from 2018. Better late than never.
The evening concluded with the president bringing the gavel down shortly after 10 pm, after ordering all members to assemble for duty at the next Nominating Dinner, scheduled for 6 pm on Friday, May 6th, 2022.
Drinks continued until the Club bar closed, at which time - led by the piper - all surviving members repaired the Huckelberry Tavern, where the master of Horse dispensed midwest beers of excellent quality. Those who need more punishment then moved to the home of the Troop Quartermaster and continued to discuss worldly events around the splendid fire pit until our newly appointed troop chaplain - radio call sign "bishop" - retired to bed at 2.30 am. This did not bode well for the clay pigeon shooters on the morrow.
 TROOP COMMANDER JOHN CONLIN PRESENTS SPEAKER, GENERAL SPALDING, WITH HIS COMMISSION AS A 2/LT IN GOLD'S DRAGOONS
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MESS PRESIDENT JOHN CONLIN PRESENTS HUGH SCHOELZEL WITH THE 2021 KEN POWERS MEMORIAL AWARD
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CAPT. AL MUNDO RECEVING THE 2018 KEN POWERS AWARD FOR SERVICES TO THE TROOP
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PAUL JAGGER RECEIVING THE 2018 SHOOTING CUP FROM CAPTAIN JEFFERY WACKER
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CHRIS DE PINHO IS PRESENTED WITH THE TOM HUDNER CUP FOR TOP SCORER IN THE FALL, 2020 SHOOT BY SHOOTING CAPTAIN JEFFERY WACKER, WHO ALSO AWARDED CHRIS HIS MARKSMAN BADGE
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GUEST AL D'ISERNA WON THE GOLD'S DRAGOONS SHOOTING PLATE IN THE FALL 2020 SHOOT FOR NON-MEMBERS AND WAS INVITED TO JOIN THE TROOP BY SHOOTING CAPTAIN JEFFERY WACKER
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PIPE MAJOR TERENCE MCGOVERN SHOWN WITH THE MAGNIFICENT PIPE BANNER HE PRESENTED TO THE TROOP. PHOTO SHOWS THE KING CHARLES CYPHER AND THE BATTLE HONORS FOR TWO WARS IN THE 17TH CENTURY THAT GOLD'S DRAGOONS FOUGHT, UNDER NATHAN GOLD
NEW MEMBERS STAND TO BE INDUCTED IN THE TROOP, PRESIDENT JOHN CONLIN OFFICIATING
PHOTOS FROM THE 2019 DINNER ARE SHOWN BELOW
THE MASTER OF HORSE DELIVERS THE TROOP GUIDON TO THE TROOP COMMANDER, JOHN CONLIN. MR. VICE, RIGHT, IS READY TO RECEIVE IT TO LEAD IN THE OFFICERS AND GUESTS OF THE HIGH TABLE
COL. ANDREW WALLIS, MBE, OL, DL, LEFT, SPEAKER FOR THE EVENING. MASTER OF HORSE, DAVID LODA, RIGHT
IN WHAT MAY APPEAR TO BE A COVERT PHOTO, MESS PRESIDENT JOHN CONLIN, ON THE LEFT, COULD BE SUGGESTING EVEN MORE ARCANE MESS RULES TO CAPTURE ADDITIONAL $2 FINES. MR. VICE, OX GARA, CENTER, APPEARS TO BE COMPILING A LIST OF HIS POTENTIAL VICTIMS, WHILE HON. TREASURER, HUGH SCHOELZEL, RIGHT, SEEMS TO RELISH THE PROSPECT OF FURTHER ADDITIONS TO TROOP FUNDS.
ALL ARE WEARING THE GOLD GORGET AS MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THERE ARE NO BADGES OF RANK ON GOLD'S DRAGOON'S MESS DRESS AND ALL UNIFORMS ARE IDENTICAL.
DAVID LODA BEING PRESENTED WITH THE KEN POWERS MEMORIAL CUP, GIVEN ANNUALLY TO THE MEMBER WHO HAS MADE THE GREATEST CONTRIBUTION TO THE TROOP IN THE PRIOR YEAR, IN THE OPINION OF THE OFFICERS
ISSUE OF RATIONS TO THE NEWLY COMMISSIONED GENTLEMEN OF THE TROOP
PIPER MICK BURGESS EMERGES FROM THE MAN CAVE. THE PRESIDENT, RIGHT, DISCUSSES THE VIRTUES OF GUINNESS VERSUS HARD CIDER