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 image
Past Department of Ohio Commander James H. “Jim” Houston, Jr.

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.

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.

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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.

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Gen. 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.

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Col. Edward D. Baker Camp No. 6

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

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Gen. George Wright Camp No. 1865

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

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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).

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Gov. 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.

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Mary 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.

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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!
About Us image
Join the SUVCW image
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 Union Veteran Projects

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

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

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

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

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

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.

  •  11/16/2024 11:00 AM
  •   500 S Everest Rd, Newberg, OR 97132

GAR Cemetery, Newberg, Oregon

  •  6/7/2025 12:00 AM

Tentatively to be held at the Veterans Memorial Museum in Chehalis, WA. To be confirmed in early 2025.

  •  8/7/2025 12:00 AM - 8/10/2025 12:00 AM
  •   Houston, TX, USA

For more information, see https://suvcw.org/national-encampment

  •  8/1/2024 12:00 AM
  •   1375 South Broadway, Lexington, KY 40504

For more information, see https://suvcw.org/national-encampment

  •  6/1/2024 01:00 PM
  •   15300 Minuteman Way, Clackamas, OR, USA

To be held at the Oregon Military Museum. Event start time TBD.

  •  6/1/2024 10:00 AM
  •   11800 SE Mt Scott Blvd, Portland, OR, USA

To be held in the Cemetery Amphitheater at Willamette National Cemetery.

  •  5/27/2024 11:00 AM
  •   1001 E 18th Ave, Eugene, OR 97403, USA

Hosted by Col. Edward D. Baker Camp No. 6. Ceremony to be held at Eugene Pioneer Cemetery.

  •  10/21/2023 11:00 AM
  •   400 N Market Blvd, Chehalis, WA, USA

The Special Department Encampment will be hybrid, both in person at the Chehalis Timberland Library and via Zoom.

  •  8/3/2023 12:00 AM - 8/6/2023 11:59 PM
  •   2200 Southwood Dr, Nashua, NH 03063, USA
  •  5/20/2023 12:00 AM
  •   3601 N 20th Ave, Pasco, WA 99301, USA

Exact start time TBD. Will be in a conference room at the Tri-Cities airport.

  •  8/11/2022 12:00 AM - 8/14/2022 12:00 AM
  •   DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Grand Rapids, MI, USA

SAVE THE DATE!

  •  5/21/2022 10:00 AM
  •   100 Southwest Veterans Way, Chehalis, WA 98532, USA

To be held in hybrid format at the Veterans Memorial Museum in Chehalis, WA.

  •  11/20/2021 11:00 AM
  •   500 South Everest Road, Newberg, OR, USA

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.

2024 Recipient



2021 & 2022 Recipient