An Open Letter To SCV Friends & Others
January 23, 2003
Gentlemen,
Because many of you have inquired about the status of my appeal to CIC Wilson’s decision to relieve me as Commander of the Army of Northern Virginia, I would like to re-cap the events and bring you up to date.
On November 16, 2002, I met with CIC Wilson in Burlington, North Carolina. At that time, he demanded I acknowledge having leaked information about what was said during a closed executive session of the September 21, 2002 General Executive Council meeting.
I assured him that since I had done no such thing, I could not and would not acknowledge such a breach. He then indicated that had I admitted to this error in judgment, as he had hoped I would, I would be forgiven and the matter ended.
However, he continued by saying that since I would not do this, he was relieving me from my elected position as ANV Commander. He then presented me with a letter which stated "I am suspending you for your breach of the confidentiality of the closed session at the September 21, 2002, General Executive Council meeting, in that you shared confidences learned in the closed session with 3rd parties, who were not members of the General Executive Council."
The letter further explained that under the SCV Constitution, I could appeal his decision to three judges whom he will appoint to hear my case. However, it provided no additional details of the purported acts, nor have I received any additional details since then.
On November 18, 2002, CIC Wilson mailed to me the registered copy of the above letter as required by the SCV Constitution.
On November 29, 2002, I responded by certified mail to the charges within the ten day limit imposed by CIC Wilson.
On January 6, 2003, I called CIC Wilson to inquire about the status of my appeal, but he was not in his office. When he immediately returned my telephone call, he indicated that he would put a letter in the mail to me at the end of the following week (January 17) or the first of the next week (January 20). He indicated that this letter would include the details of the charges against me including the names of the witnesses, and the names and addresses of the judges. He again informed me that I would have 30 days to respond and that the judges then would have 30 days to reach a decision.
On January 8, 2003, CIC Wilson left a message on my answering machine informing me that his letter would be mailed several days later because he had decided (as I had requested during our telephone call) to include all of the information that he was sending to the three judges. He again indicated that I would have 30 days to respond directly to the judges whose names and addresses he would provide at that time.
On January 21, 2003, I requested (by e-mail) both the Adjutant-in-Chief and the Executive Director provide me with a certified copy of the minutes of the General Executive Council Meeting of September 21, 2002. I provided CIC Wilson with a copy of both e-mail requests.
On January 21, 2003, Executive Director Sewell immediately replied "I emailed John Adams seeking a copy of the official minutes with any minor corrections that may have been made. He is out of state and apparently not accessing emails due to being in Virginia to bury his Mother and settle her affairs. He indicated last week that he would be out of pocket until early February. I spoke with Ron Wilson this afternoon, and he told me (he) had received and read your email. He assured me he would provide you a packet, including the minutes of everything you will need." I am saddened to learn of the death of John’s mother, however, I am puzzled as to why the minutes of such an important meeting had not been finalized four months after the meeting.
On January 22, 2003, CIC Wilson called me on my cell phone although he was not aware that I was out of town at the time of his call. He assured me that he would mail his letter and all necessary information on Friday, January 24, 2003, estimating that I should receive it on Monday, January 27, 2003. He again explained that I would have 30 days to respond as stated above.
He confirmed also that the official minutes of the September 2002 General Executive Council Meeting had not been completed. I must admit, I find it strange that CIC Wilson is unable to provide the only piece of documentation I have requested.
However, he said that the part about the "executive session which was all that I needed" would be in the packet. This surprises me as I remain under the distinct impression that I was relieved of command for allegedly providing information from that closed session; now it appears that information will be included in the official minutes.
When I receive the details of the charges against me, I will promptly respond in the required manner. However at this time, I do not plan to disclose either the details of CIC Wilson’s charges nor my response until after the hearing decision is announced. I make this decision not in an effort to be secretive but rather in the hopes of receiving a fair hearing without undue influence being exerted upon the judges by others. I hope that CIC Wilson will make this same decision.
I assure you that once I am notified of the judges’ decision, I will make the details of both the charges and my response to them available to you. I hope that you will understand why I cannot make the details available until then.
With highest regards, I remain
Honoring Our Veterans.
Nothing More. Never Less.
Charles Hawks