Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War

Overview

The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) is a nonprofit fraternal organization dedicated to preserving the history and legacy of the Union veterans who fought in the American Civil War. It was established in 1881 as the Sons of Veterans of the United States of America by the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) to carry on its traditions and memory[1][2][3].

History

In 1866, Union veterans of the Civil War organized into the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR). The GAR became a significant social and political force in the United States but, due to its membership restrictions, its lifespan was limited to veterans of the Civil War. The GAR existed until 1956[1][3].

In 1881, the GAR formed the Sons of Veterans of the United States of America (SV) to extend its legacy beyond the GAR's lifetime. Membership was initially open to men who could prove ancestry to GAR members or Civil War veterans. Over time, men without this ancestry could join as Associates if they supported the organization's objectives[2][3].

Name Change and Charter

In 1925, the SV was renamed the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW). The SUVCW received a federal charter in 1954 and is recognized as the legal heir and successor to the Grand Army of the Republic[1][2][3].

Structure and Activities

The SUVCW operates with a National Organization headed by a Commander-in-Chief. It is divided into departments, each covering one or more states, and includes over 200 community-based camps. The organization supports several ceremonial and historical activities through its uniformed division, the Sons of Veterans Reserve (SVR), which participates in re-enactments, parades, and living history programs[1][3].

Allied Orders

The SUVCW is one of five Allied Orders of the GAR, alongside organizations such as the Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic, Woman’s Relief Corps, Auxiliary to Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, and Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War[1].

Purpose

The primary goal of the SUVCW is to honor and preserve the memory of Union veterans, while promoting the principles of Fraternity, Charity, and Loyalty that defined the GAR. Through its activities and historical preservation efforts, the SUVCW continues the legacy of those who fought to preserve the Union during the Civil War[1][4].