The Department of Kansas

Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War

Honoring our Ancestors

Memorial Day gathering of GAR Post 147 (Beloit) May 30, 1908

(Photo courtesy of the Mitchell County Historical Society and Museum)

"Not only are they commemorated by columns and inscriptions,

but there dwells also an unwritten memorial of them,

graven not on stone but in the hearts of men!"

(Pericles)

Welcome to our website!  

The Department of Kansas has a unique distinction of being one of the oldest, yet at the same time, one of the youngest Departments of the SUVCW.  Originally chartered in 1883 and re-chartered in July of 1996, the Department now consists of several Camps throughout the state.

Our mission consists of several things.  The main ones being:

1.  Perpetuating the memory of the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) and the men who saved the Union in 1861-1865.

2.  Assisting in every practicable way in the preservation and making available for research of documents and records pertaining to the G.A.R. and its members.

3.  Honoring all who have served our country patriotically in any war.

4.  Teaching patriotism, and the duties of citizenship, the true history of our country and the love and honor of our Flag.

Honoring Veterans

There are many ways to honor Veterans.  One of the ways that the Department of Kansas does so is through our statewide program of locating, marking and, when necessary, cleaning the markers of the men and women who served our country.  Please follow the "Projects" link to the left for information on how you too can help us in our quest to locate all Veteran's gravesites in Kansas! 

Remembering the G.A.R.

Post 147 G.A.R. in the 1884 Memorial Day Parade - Beloit, Kansas

(Photo courtesy of the Mitchell County Historical Society & Museum)

The SUVCW was created in 1881 by the Grand Army of the Republic to perpetuate their memory and to carry on their traditions.  One way in which we perpetuate their memory is by helping preserve the Post, Department and National records of the G.A.R. to make them available for research by future generations.  Follow the "GAR" link to the left for more information on the G.A.R. in Kansas.

Ceremonies

General Order Number 11 of then Commander-in-Chief of the G.A.R., General John A. Logan, created what we now know as Memorial Day in 1868.  Originally called "Decoration Day" and held on May 30th each year (now on the last Monday in May), Memorial Day is one of the many ceremonies that the Department of Kansas participates in along with other patriotic organizations.  We remember and honor the deeds of the men and women who serve our country!  Follow the "Ceremonies" link to the left for more information on our ceremonies.

Monument Restoration Projects

Members of the Department of Kansas are actively involved in the restoration efforts to several monuments honoring Soldiers, Sailors and Marines across Kansas.  During the latter part of the 19th and early part of the 20th century there were numerous monuments to honor the Civil War Soldier, Sailor and Marine constructed in Kansas.  

"Soldier's Square", located at Elmwood Cemetery in Beloit (pictured above following restoration in 1998) is just one example of these projects.  Our members' involvements in such projects range from assisting with fundraising to actually performing the work themselves.  

While we don't actually do the "restoration" work to the monument ourselves, we have been known to assist in landscaping and cleaning efforts along with providing guest speakers at fundraising and dedication events.  Follow the "Projects" link to the left for more information on these projects statewide.

Once again, welcome to our Website, take some time and browse around.  We hope you enjoy your visit with us!

Visit our National Headquarters by clicking the link below.  

WE WANT YOU!

To join the SUVCW right now!

(Click on Uncle Sam to Join)

E-mail us at the link below:

Site by Deano

(Visitors since January 28, 2002)

This site updated Sunday, September 21, 2003 07:14 PM

© 1999-2003, Department of Kansas, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.  This Web Site is copyrighted.  It is intended to provide information regarding the Department of Kansas, the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, the Grand Army of the Republic, and the Civil War.  Copies of pages and information may be made for personal use but commercial use of these pages shall not be allowed without the expressed, written consent of the Department of Kansas, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.        

*** Hear Ye... Hear Ye... This site has been presented with the "Great Historical Site Award"! It has preserved history for all through the documentation and links contained herein. *** This site is a member of WebRing. To browse visit here.

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