Projects & Preservation

The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Preamble reads –

We, the descendants of soldiers, sailors, or marines who served in the Army or Navy of the United States of America during the War of the Rebellion of 1861 to 1865, have formed this patriotic and fraternal Order, for the purpose and objects in this Constitution set forth; and in so doing pledge ourselves to commemorate our fathers’ deeds; to render loyal service to our Country, and to promote the maintenance of unqualified American citizenship with respect for and honor to the flag.

By honoring deserving cadets, we help promote the maintenance of unqualified American citizenship because it will be these young people who will eventually serve in our Nation’s military, under the flag our forefathers fought to preserve.

Our Purpose and Objects include –

… to cooperate in doing honor to all who have patriotically served our country in any war; to teach patriotism, and the duties of citizenship, the true history of our country, and the love and honor of our Flag; to oppose every tendency or movement that would weaken loyalty to, or make for the destruction or impairment of our constitutional Union; and to inculcate and broadly sustain the American principles of representative government, of equal rights, and of impartial justice for all.

 We believe it right to award those who have stepped forward to accept the challenge of leadership in defending our Nation’s flag, principles and freedoms. By honoring those who serve today, we show our respect for those who have served in all others war in the past.

Since 1910 the Boy Scouts of America has contributed to the moral and physical character of our communities by offering opportunities where young men, and now young women, can experience fun and adventure while learning the skills necessary for good citizenship and leadership.

One of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War many goals and purposes is to reward those who achieve the status of Eagle Scout with a special congratulatory letter and color Certificate of Commendation, suitable for framing. While we encourage any Scout searching for that special community service project to look to us for inspiration on projects relating to the Civil War, we offer this certificate with no “strings attached” other than they must be an Eagle Scout.

Every Eagle Scout Court of Honor observes a very proud tradition that our organization is pleased to recognize in memory of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR). Comprised of over 400,000 Union Veterans of the American Civil War of 1861-1865, the GAR was a living symbol of patriotism when the Boy Scouts of America was formed in 1910. Before the passing of their last member (on 2 August 1956) the GAR officially recognized the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) as their Legal Heir. As such, it is our honor to maintain the many traditions of the GAR. These include the promotion of good citizenship by teaching patriotism, civic duties, and the love and honor of our flag – concepts that are “near and dear” to the Boy Scouts of America.

When possible, every effort is made by a Camp (local chapter) or Department (state) member, often wearing the uniform of our Order or a reproduction Civil War uniform), to attend the Eagle Scout Court of Honor to personally present the certificate to the Scout at his Court of Honor, usually wearing the uniform of our Order or a replica Civil War uniform. Note: A personal presentation is not possible when ordering through the National Coordinator. Click here for a listing of Department Eagle Scout Certificate Coordinators, organized by state.

How to Order a Certificate

1. Download this certificate application (pdf), rename the file to make it unique for each Eagle Scout, and then save the file to your computer.
2. Reopen the file on your computer and fill in the require data. We recommend you save the completed form to your computer. NO handwritten forms, letters or cards will be accepted.
3. Email the application as an attachment to the appropriate Department Eagle Scout Coordinator.  If the Department does not list an Eagle Scout Certificate Coordinator or you don't know which Department you are in, email the application to the National Eagle Scout Certificate Coordinator at eaglescouts@suvcw.org.
4. A 45 day notice is required to have a presenter attend the Court of Honor.

Note: These guidelines must be followed in order to receive a certificate. If these guidelines are not followed a certificate may not be sent.

College Scholarships

The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War awards two $2,500 scholarships annually for tuition and books to high school seniors and college students (male or female) contingent upon their enrollment at an accredited four year college or university prior to December 31st of the year the scholarship is granted.

Applications are only accepted each year from January 1 to March 31. Click here for instructions and an application form. Winning scholarship recipients will be notified directly. Completed applications and references should be mailed to:

Don Martin
6025 State Route 772
Chillicothe, OH
scholarship@suvcw.org

 

Questions may be directed to Br. Martin at email listed above. Please place “SUVCW Scholarship” in the subject line.