Who We Are

The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War is a patriotic and educational organization, similar to the Grand Army of the Republic. It was founded on November 12, 1881 and incorporated by Act of Congress August 20, 1954. The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War is the legal heir to and representative of the Grand Army of the Republic.

Who Can Join

Generally speaking, any male age 14 years or older can be eligible to join the SUVCW as either a Member (those with a Civil War ancestor), or as an Associate (those without a Civil War ancestor).
Junior Membership and Junior Associate levels are available for males from age 6-14.

Members

Members

  1. All male descendants, whether through lineal or collateral line of ages specified in Article VII of this Constitution who are blood relatives of soldiers, sailors, marines or members of the Revenue Cutter Service (or directly descended from a brother, sister, half-brother, or half-sister of such Soldier, etc.), who were regularly mustered and served honorably in, were honorably discharged from, or died in the service of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps or Revenue Cutter Service of the United States of America or such State regiments as were called into active service and were subject to orders of United States general officers, during the War of the Rebellion between April 12, 1861 and April 9, 1865;
  2. who have never been convicted of any infamous or heinous crime;
  3. and who have, or whose ancestors through whom membership is claimed have, never voluntarily borne arms against the Government of the United States of America shall have eligibility to membership.

Junior Members

Males less than fourteen (14) years of age who meet the qualifications stipulated for Members.

Associates

Associates

Men who do not have the ancestry to qualify for hereditary membership may become Associates if they:

  1. Demonstrate a genuine interest in the Civil War; and
  2. Can subscribe to the purpose and objects of the SUVCW

Although an Associate is not required to meet the lineage requirement of a Member, he is still subject to the second and third provisions of hereditary eligibility. An Associate may vote and hold any office except those of Commander-in-Chief, Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief, Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief, National Secretary, National Treasurer and Commanding Officer of the Sons of Veterans Reserve.

 

Junior Associates

Males less than fourteen (14) years of age who do not have the ancestry to qualify for hereditary membership may become Junior Associates

More information in Membership can be found on the National SUVCW website in the Constitution & Regulations.

  • Link to lists of camps, not as main page tho
  • Need a “Who can join” statement
  • Description of what a camp is
  • Link to national?
  • FAQ
  • Links to distinguished past members? (or put this in history)
  •  Links to Dept. History
  • Section on how to fill out an application