National Organization

Maryland Department

Site Updated:
February 2009

History of the SUVCW

In 1866, Union Veterans of the Civil War organized into the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) and became a social and political force that would control the destiny of the nation for more than six decades. Membership in the veterans' organization was restricted to individuals who had served in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, or Revenue Cutter Service during the Civil War, thereby limiting the life span of the GAR. The GAR existed until 1956.

In 1881 the GAR formed the Sons of Veterans of the United States of America (SV) to carry on its traditions and memory long after the GAR had ceased to exist. Membership was open to any man who could prove ancestry to a member of the GAR or to a veteran eligible for membership in the GAR.

In later years, men who did not have the ancestry to qualify for hereditary membership, but who demonstrated a genuine interest in the Civil War and could subscribe to the purpose and objectives of the SUVCW, were admitted as Associates. This practice continues today.

Many GAR Posts sponsored Camps of the SV. In 1925 the SV name was changed to Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW), under which its federal charter was issued in 1954. The SUVCW is legally recognized as the heir to, and representative of, the GAR.

Today, the National Organization of the SUVCW, headed by an annually elected Commander-in-Chief, oversees the operation of 26 Departments, each consisting of one or more states, a Department-at-Large, a National Membership-at-Large, and over 200 community based Camps. More than 6,360 men enjoy the benefits of membership in the only male organization dedicated to the principles of the GAR - Fraternity, Charity, and Loyalty. It publishes "The BANNER" quarterly for its members. The SUVCW National Headquarters is located in the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

The SUVCW is one of five Allied Orders of the GAR. The other four Orders are: Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic, Woman's Relief Corps, Auxiliary to the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War.

Antietam Camp #3

Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW)

"Preserving the memory

of the Grand Army of the Republic

and our Ancestors who fought

to preserve the Union."

General Information

Antietam Camp #3 - Frederick, MD.
meets bi-monthly on the second Sunday of the month at 1:30 PM
at the Edo Japanese restaurant

(formerly Rick's Chinatown Restaurant)
190 Thomas Johnson Drive
Frederick, MD

For information, contact:

Camp Commander
Kevin Martin
Tel. 301-682-7336
E-Mail: martinkrt@comcast.net

Senior Vice Commander Karl Woodcock Tel. 301-663-5056 E-Mail: Woody@FrederickMD.com	Junior Vice Commander Gary P. McGinnis Tel. 410-781-6026 E-mail: Gary.McGinnis@dot.gov
Secretary/Historian Roger W. Johnson Tel. 301-662-3850 E-Mail: Rjohn3435@aol.com	Treasurer Richard Martin Tel. 301-663-6360 E-Mail: rlmaem@comcast.net
Chaplain/Councilor Joseph R. Foster Tel. 301-620-1678 E-Mail: jfoster33@juno.com	Councilor Frederick Bird Tel. 301-279-7928 E-Mail: fredbird@hotmail.com
PCC/Councilor Donald Cumberland, Jr. Tel. 304-263-4196 E-Mail: donaldcumberland@hotmail.com
Some of the Activities of Antietam Camp #3 in 2008 conducted a ceremony commemorating National Medal of Honor Day & the 100th Anniversary of the presentation of the Medal of Honor to Sgt. Buffington of Taneytown, MD - March 2008 Participation in the Monocacy National Military Park Day - April 2008 Joint participation in the Mount Olivet cemetery Confederate Decoration Day Ceremonies Delegates to the 2008 Departmental Encampment in Baltimore, MD - April 2008 Delegates to the National Encampment in Boston, Massachusetts - August 2008 Attend 2008 Gettysburg Rememberance Day Memorial to GAR & Rememberance Day Parade - November 2008 volunteer at setup of annual Memorial Illumination at Antietam National Battlefield – December 2008

Members of Antietam Camp #3 bundled up while helping set up 23,110 candles for the annual Antietam National Battlefield Memorial Illumination – December 1, 2007 to commorate the over 23,000 casualties of the Battle of Antietam.