Department of the Columbia (Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War)

JANICE HARDING

The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War solemnly recognizes the death of ASUVCW Past National President Janice Lee Harding, aged 84 years, on 2 July 2021 at Parkville, Maryland. PNP Harding was a Life Member of the James A. Garfield Auxiliary#1, Department of Chesapeake. She served as the Department of the Chesapeake (formerly Department of Maryland) President on several occasions and was the National President of the Auxiliary in 2009. PNP Harding’s energetic devotion, sincerity and love of the Allied Orders was evident to all who knew her and she took pride that she shared her birthday with that of President Lincoln. Her legacy of dedicated service is a credit to the Allied Orders of the Grand Army of the Republic.

CYNTHIA BROWN

The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War solemnly recognizes the death of ASUVCW Past National President Cynthia Brown, on 11 July 2021 at Methuen, MA, at the age of 84 years. PNP Brown was a Life Member of the Gilman E. Sleeper Auxiliary # 60, Department of New Hampshire. A three-term PDP from Massachusetts, she was elected National President of the Auxiliary in 2002 in Springfield, Illinois. She was also a member of the Woman's Relief Corps, Daughters of Union Veterans of Civil War 1861-1865, Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic and the American Legion Auxiliary and was commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel. PNP Brown’s integrity was evident to all who knew her. Her legacy of dedicated service is a credit to the Allied Orders of the Grand Army of the Republic.

Gov. Isaac Stevens Camp No. 1 of Olympia, WA

With a date of rank of June 10, 1995, this camp serves the 19 counties of Western Washington.

Learn More

Fort Walla Walla Camp No. 3 of Kennewick, WA

With a date of rank of March 30, 2015, this camp serves the 20 counties of Eastern Washington.

Learn More

Col. Edward D. Baker Camp No. 6

With a date of rank of November 20, 2004, this camp serves the state of Oregon.

Learn More

Gen. George Wright Camp No. 1865

With a date of rank of October 6, 2015, this camp serves the state of Alaska.

Learn More

Sons of Veterans Reserve

The Sons of Veterans Reserve (SVR) is the ceremonial uniformed military component of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW).

Learn More

Auxiliary to Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War

The Auxiliary to Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War is the female counterpart to the SUVCW.

Learn More

The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) is a fraternal organization dedicated to preserving the history and legacy of the heroes who fought and worked to save the Union during the American Civil War. Organized in 1881 and chartered by Congress in 1954, we are the legal successor to the Grand Army of the Republic. More historical information can be found here. Our Principles, Vision, Purpose, and Mission can be found here. The Department of the Columbia is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

The Department of the Columbia oversees camps and SUVCW members in the Pacific Northwest, covering Alaska, Oregon, and Washington. A roster of our current Department officers can be found here.

SUVCW members enjoy fellowship and engage in many projects to preserve the memory of those who served the Union. We also work to educate the next generation about the Civil War and its impact on our nation. Click here to find a Camp near you and join us!

Join us! Our main path to SUVCW membership is to be a male descendant of a Union veteran from the Civil War. (Females are invited to join the Auxiliary to Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, also listed here.) However, you can also join as an Associate if you are not descended from a Union Veteran. Details about hereditary vs. associate membership are available here.

Click here to find your camp and follow the instructions from your Camp page to join or just to learn more. If you are not sure which camp applies to you, or if you have other questions about joining, e-mail us at join@suvpnw.org and we will assist you.

Graves Registration, Protection, and Last Soldier Projects

We locate the final resting places of all Union Civil War Soldiers, Sailors and Marines, in our area and enter that into our authoritative database for researchers. We ascertain the condition of and bring to the attention of proper authorities the need for repair or replacement of grave markers of Civil War veterans. We also locate and appropriately mark the final resting place of the last Union Civil War Veteran buried in each county/borough and in each state.

Learn More

Monument Protection and Preservation

As legal heir to the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), preservation and protection of GAR monuments and memorials is one of the most important purposes of the SUVCW. The purpose of this program is to physically search out, inspect, and catalog each and every GAR and Civil War monument and memorial that can be found.

Our Union Ancestors

Department Brothers and Auxiliary Sisters honor Union Veterans of the Civil War by learning about them through research, discovering the facts of their military service, and understanding the times in which they lived. See our list of Union ancestors and learn more about their service.

Learn More

Recognizing Future Leaders

We are pleased to recognize the achievements of our next generation of leaders. The SUVCW recognizes Eagle Scouts and deserving ROTC and JROTC cadets and the ASUVCW recognizes Girl Scout Gold Award recipients.

Learn More

Fellowship and Fraternity

Members of the SUVCW refer to each other as "Brothers". We are part of a long tradition of service and camaraderie. We meet and work with our fellow Brothers at the Camp level, and there are opportunities to meet at the Department and National levels as well.