The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR)

The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) was a fraternal organization that was made up of the Union veterans of the American Civil War. My great-great-grandfather Alexander was a member of this organization. No doubt other ancestor were as well, but he is the only one I have proof of his membership. Here is a photograph of his GAR Medal.


According to a Wikipedia article the organization was founded in Decatur, Ill. on April 6, 1866. The main purpose of the GAR at the time of its foundation was to allow the veterans to keep in contact with each other. Their motto was “Fraternity, Charity, and Loyalty.” During the organization’s initial years, political infighting among the departments almost resulted in the organizations collapse. The organization almost collapsed in the early 1870s; however, by the 1880s the organization had been reinvigorated and continued to thrive until the 1940s. Annual encampments of veterans were held from 1866 until 1949. The last Union veteran, Albert Woolson, died in 1956. The GAR was disbanded at this time, but their legacy lived on.

Several organizations sought to become the legitimate heir of the GAR, with the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) selected as the organization that would continue with the traditions and pledges established by the GAR. Any male descendant of a Union Civil War veteran can claim membership by proving his ancestry. This is fairly simple given the wide availability of genealogical and military records. If any of my kin would like information on how to join, please contact me and I’ll be glad to help you out.

I think it is more important than ever to protect our heritage and history. Too many people ignore their heritage and dismiss what our ancestors achieved. There is too much revisionism that occurs that does not seek the truth, only a specific political agenda. Our ancestors, not only the war veterans but every ancestor, endured many privations that we can only imagine. They did amazing things and they did horrible things. We owe these people and to our descendants to remember so mistakes of the past will not be repeated.