Department of the Columbia
Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War
Preserving the lessons of the Civil War for the next generation
In Memoriam
The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War solemnly recognizes the passing of Past Department Commander James H. “Jim” Houston on Saturday, October 19, 2024. Also known by many as “Tex,” PDC Houston served the National Organization of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and the Department of Ohio with distinction, notably serving as Commander of our Ohio Brothers in 2002.
Brother Houston’s deep love for and commitment to the Order was reflected on multiple levels. Brother Jim served as Chair of the National Encampment Site Committee for eleven years from 2001 until 2012. A reliable fixture at many National Encampments, Brother Jim’s deep obligation to the Order was mirrored in his having held numerous offices in the General Lytle Camp 10 and his dual membership in the Richard Enderlin Camp 73 of Chillicothe, Ohio. Of particular note at the time of his passing, Brother Jim was the Secretary – Treasurer of the SUVCW Charitable Foundation.
Find Your Camp
Gov. Isaac Stevens Camp No. 1 of Mount Vernon, WA
With a date of rank of June 10, 1995, this camp serves the nine counties of Northwestern Washington.
Learn MoreFort 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 MoreGen. John W. Sprague Camp No. 4 of Tacoma, WA
With a date of rank of January 7, 2024, this camp serves the 10 counties of Southwestern Washington.
Learn MoreCol. Edward D. Baker Camp No. 6
With a date of rank of November 20, 2004, this camp serves the state of Oregon.
Learn MoreGen. George Wright Camp No. 1865
With a date of rank of October 6, 2015, this camp serves the state of Alaska.
Learn MoreSons 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 MoreGov. Isaac Stevens Auxiliary No. 1
Serving Washington and Alaska. The Auxiliary to Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War is the female counterpart to the SUVCW.
Learn MoreMary Ann Lee Baker Auxiliary No. 6
Serving Oregon. The Auxiliary to Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War is the female counterpart to the SUVCW.
Learn MoreAbout Us
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 the SUVCW
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.
What We Do
Graves Registration, Protection, and Last Union Veteran 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.
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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.
Remembering the Grand Army of the Republic
The SUVCW is the legal heir and successor to the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), and in accordance with our Congressional Charter and the Deed of Conveyance between the GAR and the SUVCW, we are directed "to assist in every practicable way in preserving, and making available for research, documents and records pertaining to the Grand Army of the Republic and its members."
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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.
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Recognizing Future Leaders
We are pleased to recognize the achievements of our next generation of leaders. The SUVCW recognizes Eagle Scouts and deserving cadets in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC), National Defense Cadet Corps (NDCC), United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps (USNSCC), Civil Air Patrol (CAP), and Young Marines. The ASUVCW recognizes Girl Scout Gold Award recipients.
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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.
SUVCW-Sponsored Events
Tentatively to be held at the Veterans Memorial Museum in Chehalis, WA. To be confirmed in early 2025.
For more information, see https://suvcw.org/national-encampment
GAR Cemetery, Newberg, Oregon
For more information, see https://suvcw.org/national-encampment
To be held at the Oregon Military Museum. Event start time TBD.
To be held in the Cemetery Amphitheater at Willamette National Cemetery.
Hosted by Col. Edward D. Baker Camp No. 6. Ceremony to be held at Eugene Pioneer Cemetery.
The Special Department Encampment will be hybrid, both in person at the Chehalis Timberland Library and via Zoom.
Exact start time TBD. Will be in a conference room at the Tri-Cities airport.
SAVE THE DATE!
To be held in hybrid format at the Veterans Memorial Museum in Chehalis, WA.
Remembrance Day for the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War has been set for Saturday, November 20, 2021. Col. Edward D. Baker Camp No. 6 will host this annual observance in the GAR Cemetery in Newberg at 11:00. A special highlight will be the dedication of the restored GAR monument. Some of you haven’t yet seen the monument in its pristine glory. The boys outdid themselves on this one.
National Awards
2024 Recipient
2021 & 2022 Recipient
