At the close of the Civil War the veterans of the Union Army, who had preserved the United States of America, formed an organization known as the Grand Army of The Republic. This organization initially stood in the form of an unofficial Militia for the United States Government, similar to a National Guard. Later it was chartered by Congress to act as such in times of need.

By the late 1880's, the veterans of the Civil War were of an age to be less than combat ready. Although the Government had supplied many G.A.R. posts with weapons, left from their war. The Sons of Veterans as it was known at first was formed to stand stead of their fathers. It too was federally recognized and chartered. Since the formation of true National Guard Units throughout all the states and territories. there has never been an occasion when the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War has been called up to active duty. The Sons of Veterans Reserve, SVR, is the re-enactment group of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and portrays those noble veterans throughout the country at various functions and re-enactments.

The Sons of Union Veterans Camp is a Lineal Organization formed of males who are direct or co-lateral descendants of Civil War Veterans. Their goals vary some from camp to camp but essentially they are devoted to the preservation of the memory and monuments of the Union Civil War Veteran. Memorial Day is a special day to the SUVCW and is usually commemorated with some type of function by every camp. It is a day originally set aside to memorialize those who served in the great conflict of the Civil War. In more recent times it is a day to honor those who gave their lives in all the wars of our nations. Some have distorted the meaning to call it decoration day and honor all the dead which is an honorable thing to do but not appropriate to the day. Veterans Day exists to honor all veterans, living and dead, who have or are serving our great nation. Memorial day is to honor those deceased veterans who served, and in particular those who gave their lives in the service of our nation.

In Spencer, West Virginia we have been fortunate enough to have been able to form a new camp of the SUVCW. The Captain John White Spencer Camp #9, Department of Maryland. This camp was named in honor of Captain John White Spencer, the ranking man in the County in the Union Service and commander of the Company which contained the most Roane County Union men. Seven of Captain Spencer's descendents are members of the Camp. The camp invites anyone interested in joining with us to contact me for the particulars at:

Commander T. R. Cummings
P.O. Box 351
Spencer, WV 25276

E-mail: tcumming@wirefire.com

Submitted by T.R. Cummings