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DONATIONS may be made to the National Organization, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, and are fully tax deductible

(The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War is a 501(c)(3) organization and is approved by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service as an organization to whom tax deductible gifts can be made pursuant to Section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code.)

 

When you join the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, you enter a network of more than 6,000 men who form lifelong bonds, honor their heroic ancestors, and promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism in their communities. There are hereditary members, who trace their lineage to those who served honorably in the Civil War, and associate members, who do not have the requisite ancestry but wish to join the fraternity. Each is described in greater detail below.

Men and juniors interested in joining the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War should make every effort to connect with their local or nearest Camp or Department, as this will greatly accelerate the application process. Please visit our Department Camps page to find the one that is closest to you. We currently have 4 Camps, representing the whole of the Department of Texas and Louisiana. The Camp Junior Vice Commander will assist you with confirming your eligibillity and wht th application process.

Do you have an ancestor who fought for the Union Army? Do you wish to honor his memory? Are you interested in finding out more information about our organization? Watch the short video below about “Discovering Your Civil War Ancestors”.

Further questions regarding eligibility or the application can be directed to Deptartment of Texas and Louisiana Junior Vice Commander Richard W. Erder at rerder@verizon.net.

Hereditary Membership (Member & Junior)

Hereditary membership is available to a male descendant, 14 years of age (6 to 14 for Juniors), who meets the following requirements:

1. You must directly descend from a Soldier, Sailor, Marine or member of the Revenue Cutter Service (or directly descend from a brother, sister, half-brother, or half-sister of such Soldier, etc.) who was regularly mustered and served honorably in, was 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 in such state regiments called to active service and was subject to the orders of United States general officers, between April 12, 1861 and April 9, 1865.
2. You must never have been convicted of any infamous or heinous crime.
3. You, or the ancestor through whom membership is claimed, must never have voluntarily borne arms against the government of the United States.

The Sons of Veterans Reserve (SVR) is the ceremonial uniformed military element of the SUVCW. The SVR consists of a General Staff and several military districts across the nation. The SVR is overseen by the National Military Affairs Committee of the SUVCW. SVR elements participate in ceremonies, parades, living history programs, and re-enactments. All Members and Associates are welcome to join the SVR; however, SVR membership is contingent upon maintaining SUVCW membership.

Associate Membership

Associate membership is available to men who do not have the ancestry to qualify for hereditary membership. Associate membership is available to any man who demonstrates a genuine interest in the Civil War and 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. Associates may not exceed one-third of the total membership of the Camp at the time of election.