[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 16958]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       125TH NATIONAL ENCAMPMENT

 Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, today I commemorate the Sons of 
Union Veterans of the Civil War on the occasion of its 125th National 
Encampment being held August 10 through the 14 in Harrisburg, PA. The 
event honors the brave men who fought to preserve our Nation during the 
Civil War.
  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. In 1881, the GAR formed the Sons of 
Veterans of the United States of America to carry on its traditions and 
memory. On August 20, 1954, the U.S. Congress, under the leadership of 
GEN Douglas MacArthur and GEN Ulyssess S. Grant, III, formally 
chartered the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.
  Today, more than 6,500 members represent the Union Veterans of the 
Civil War throughout the United States. Their members devote a great 
deal of time, energy, and resources to preserve the history of the 
civil war in schools throughout the United States. They study the 
American Civil War from all perspectives in order to facilitate a 
deeper understanding of one of the most important events in our 
Nation's history.
  In closing, I would like to again praise the Sons of Union Veterans 
of the Civil War on the occasion of its anniversary for its work to 
perpetuate and honor the brave men who fought for us to preserve our 
Nation. As a veteran myself, I understand the importance of honoring 
our veterans and preserving our history, especially that of the Civil 
War. I hope my colleagues in the Senate join me in honoring the work of 
the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.

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