Sons of Union Veterans, Department of Missouri

Department of Missouri Encampment 2009 is Coming Soon!

2009-06-09T08:01:00.000-07:00

The Department of Missouri is preparing for its annual Department Encampment which will be held in St. Louis, Missouri on 12-13 Jun 2009. That's only a few days away! We hope to see many members in attendance as Department Commander completes his first year at the helm. For more information, please visit www.suvcwmo.org. It is too late to complete the registration form, but you may still attend. An address and registration information can still be located on the registration form.

Department Calendar

2007-10-26T07:40:00.000-07:00

The department's calendar web page has been upgraded with a Google Calendar. The Google Calendar has been embedded into the web page. This upgrade provides members with a calendar that may be dynamically updated by several department and camp officers. If you have any upcoming re-enactments, dedications, meetings, or other events worthy of sharing with other department members or the public, please notify your camp commander.

In Fraternity, Charity, & Loyalty,

Brian Smarker, Signals Officer

Name Game #3

2006-12-30T19:14:00.000-08:00

This time it is going to be a little easier. Why? Because you get two pictures of the same person! Who is this man? Can you identify him before the next Department meeting on 24 Feb 2007 in Jefferson City, MO?

If you think you know who this is, click on "comment" below and submit your entry. Please explain how you found your answer too.

Scott House Receives Award

2006-10-08T13:01:00.000-07:00

Walt Busch, Senior Vice Commander of the Dept. of Missouri, presented Scott House with the "Show Me Spirit" Award. Scott was selected by the Dept. of Missouri for this award in June 2006 for his outstanding work interpreting Fort D in Cape Girardeau and spearheading a Civil War tour brochure for that town. The award was presented at Pilot Knob, MO during a living history.

Pictured: (L to R) Walt Busch, SVC; Scott House, Chris Warren, Commander Gen. McCormick Camp; Dave Hagler, Sherman Camp; and Randall Baehr, PCC Sherman Camp.

First Meeting of Gen. McCormick Camp #215

2006-10-08T12:51:00.000-07:00

The Gen. McCormick Camp #215 held an organizational meeting last night at the Farmington, MO library. The camp started the night with seven members and before the night was over had four more join.

Those present met and Walt Busch, Dept. of Missouri Senior Vice Commander, gave them a description of activities that the Sons of Union Veterans perform. After a lot of general discussion, the camp elected temporary officers. The new Camp Commander is Chris Warren, who had joined the US Grant Camp in St. Louis two years ago. Andy Warren is the Senior Vice Commander, Jeff Asbury is Junior Vice Commander, Dwayne Asbury is Treasurer, and Rod Price is Secretary. A chaplain and the council members were also approved.

The next meetings of the camp are October 19 and November 9. Both meetings will be at the Farmington Public Library and will begin at 7:00 P.M.

150th Anniversary of Manchester United Methodist Church

2006-08-27T20:49:00.000-07:00

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED
150th Anniversary
Manchester United Methodist Church
129 Woods Mill Road
Manchester, Missouri

September 30 & October 1, 2006

OF SPECIAL INTEREST TO THE
SONS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR,
ALLIED ORDERS
AND THE
CIVIL WAR REENACTING COMMUNITY:

September 30th

Saturday, 10:00 a.m.

Flag Ceremony

Everyone is encouraged, but not required, to wear Uniforms or Civil War era costumes

Dedication of Two Civil War Veterans Markers

Manchester United Methodist Cemetery (next to church)
Family members will be in attendance

Saturday, 11:00 a.m.

33rd Illinois Regimental Band in Concert
Family Activities and Tours All Day for Those Wishing to Participate

For further information, contact: John Avery at 636.227.2643

Grant Camp #68 Website Has New Home

2006-08-27T20:40:00.000-07:00

Grant Camp #68 has had its website moved to a new domain address. It can now be found at www.grantcamp.org, an URL that is much easier to type in. The layout and design is impressive and one that should be looked at for ideas. Please change your bookmarks to include Grant Camp's new web address, and please take some time to browse around.

First Meeting of Col. David Moore Camp #70

2006-08-20T12:55:00.000-07:00

History is being made in Missouri as new camps are being formed. Featured in this article is the formation of Col. David Moore Camp #70, the namesake of the commander of the 21st Missouri Infantry from January 1862 to February 1865. Col. Moore was wounded in the Battle of Shiloh.

Col. David Moore Camp makes its home in the northeastern corner of Missouri in Canton, Lewis County on the westCol. David Moore, 21 MO Inf. bank of the Mississippi River between Quincy, Illinois and Keokuk, Iowa. The camp's first meeting was held 17 Aug 2006. Representing the Department of Missouri at this meeting were Walter Busch, SVC and Secretary/Treasurer Bob Petrovic, PDC. They were there to provide advice and to accept the application for the camp's charter.

Attending the first meeting for Col. David Moore Camp #70 were (seated l-r) Mark Liby, Sam Tillman, Tanner Schutte; (standing l-r) Charles Metternich, Dan Reed, Walter Busch, SVC (Grant Camp #68), Kenneth Krueger Jr., Father Richard Frank, Gary Glasgow, Bob Petrovic, PDC (Grant Camp #68), and Garrett Liby. Not pictured is Don Sykes.

We welcome the members from Col. David Moore Camp #70 and look forward to meeting them. In addition to this camp, there seems to be interest in forming a camp in Farmington, Missouri in St. Francois County south of St. Louis. If any member knows anyone who may be interested in a SUVCW membership in either of these camps, or possibly organizing another camp, please contact any Department of Missouri officer and they will be directed to the appropriate personnel.

Name Game #2

2006-08-18T19:42:00.000-07:00

It took nearly two months for someone to figure out who the mystery person was in Name Game #1. Can this one be solved quicker? Who is this mystery man?

If you believe you know who this whiskered gentleman is, please click "COMMENTS" below and submit your entry.

Report of the 2006 National Encampment

2006-08-18T19:17:00.000-07:00

Harrisburg, PA

Two members of Sherman Camp #65 and 4 members of US Grant Camp #68 attended the SUVCW National Encampment at Harrisburg PA on Aug 11 and 12, 2006. Included in the attendees were past department commanders Bob Petrovic, Don Palmer, and Charles Funck. The head of the Missouri committee was the current Senior Vice Commander Walt Busch.

The encampment started on Thursday with Walt attending the 50th Memorial Rededication of the GAR monument at Gettysburg National Battlefield.

On Friday, SUV business was conducted with several of our members attending the Campfire and Commander-In-Chief's party that evening.

On Saturday business continued and new officers for the national SUV were elected. Bob Petrovic was once again named national Eagle Scout coordinator and Don Palmer the national Chief of Staff.

That evening, all the Missouri delegation attended the banquet held at the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg. After the dinner, attendees were allowed to tour the museum which has some very good state of the art exhibits.

The Missouri delegation also raised several hundred dollars for the 2007 encampment which will be held at the Frontenac Hilton in St. Louis next August. Information will be on the state and US Grant websites shortly.

Respectfully,
In F., C. & L.

Walt Busch
Sr-Vice Commander
Department of Missouri

Name Game #1

2006-06-16T07:21:00.000-07:00

Who is this young man?

11th Annual Missouri Department Encampment

2006-06-15T12:48:00.000-07:00

The 11th annual Department Encampment for Missouri closed out the 2005-06 year on Saturday, 10 Jun 06 with an optional social on Friday, 9 Jun and banquet on the evening of 10 Jun. Commander-in-Chief Donald E. Darby was among the guests as were Ruth Funck, Past National President of the Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War (DUVCW).

The message brought to the Encampment by Commander-in-Chief Darby was one of preservation. We have been so focused on Union veterans and the G.A.R. that their heirs have been overlooked. It is time to begin preserving the history of earlier and present generations of SUVCW members and their works. For more information, refer to General Order No. 4 at http://suvcw.org/go/go04-05.htm.

Near the close of the meeting, officers of the 2005-06 year handed the torch to their successors. For 2006-07 the officers for the Department of Missouri are:

John Avery, Commander
Walter Busch, Sr. Vice Commander
Emmett Taylor, Jr. Vice Commander
Robert Petrovic, Secretary/Treasurer
Vern Stottlemyer, Council
John Boucher, Council
Brian Smarker, Council

Non-elected officers will be in place as soon as Commander Avery appoints them to their stations. Congratulations to all and may 2006-07 be a successful year for them.

Walter Busch (right), Commander of Grant Camp #68, accepts the James B. Eads Award on behalf of his camp. The award was presented by Commander John Martin (left) and Commander-in-Chief Donald Darby (center).

The annual awards were presented near the end of the banquet. Receiving the Show-Me Spirit award were two recipients (neither were present), Lindsay Misegades and Scott House. The recipient of the Francis P. Blair award was Walter Busch for his many contributions to preserving and perpetuating the history of Union soldiers, the G.A.R., and the SUVCW. Brother Busch is also Camp Commander of Ulysses S. Grant Camp #68 who were the recipients of the James B. Eads award.

Apr 06 Dept Meeting in Jefferson City, MO

2006-05-08T04:29:00.000-07:00

Another successful meeting took place on 22 Apr 2006. Among the topics of discussion were the upcoming Department of Missouri Encampment in Jun 06 and the National Encampment scheduled for 2007 in St. Louis. For the 2006 Department Encampment, you will find information and a registration form posted on the website at http://www.suvcwmo.org/forms.php.

At the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City are (1st row from left to right) Charles Funck, PDC (Sherman), Brian Smarker, Signals Officer (Westport), (2nd row from left to right) Donald Bell (Sherman), Vern Stottlemyer (McNeil), Emmett Taylor (Asboth), Commander John Martin (Westport), SVC John Avery (Grant), (3rd row left to right) JVC Walt Busch (Grant), Don Palmer (Grant), PDC, and Bob Petrovic, PDC (Grant).

Other forms have been posted on the same page. They include forms for nominating individuals for various department awards such as the Francis P. Blair, Jr. Award for the most outstanding member from the Department of Missouri, Meritorious Service Award for a long-term outstanding member from the Department of Missouri, Grand Army of the Republic Award for an outstanding Allied Order member of the Department of Missouri, and the Show-Me Spirit Award for outstanding support from a non-member. If you know someone who is worthy of any of these awards, please print off a form and get it sent in before the next encampment.

To get a better description of the various awards bestowed by the Department of Missouri and to see a list of prior recipients, please visit the awards page at http://www.suvcwmo.org/awards.php. Reading the descriptions may help you think of someone to nominate.

Finally, John Martin, Commander of the Department of Missouri was the only member present who didn't wear his badge. Everyone else made him pay!

Membership Badge

2006-04-20T19:00:00.000-07:00

This post is for anyone who ever plans on attending a Department of Missouri meeting. You will be let in on a little secret just by reading this post. Wear your membership badges or suffer whatever consequences the Commander bestows upon you!

If you are not the proud owner of a member badge, they can be ordered from the National Organization, SUVCW. Check inside the mailing pages of The Banner for an order form. Order your member badge today and wear it proudly to department meetings! You'll be glad you did.

James B. Eads Award

2006-04-10T20:18:00.000-07:00

The James B. Eads Award is awarded to the Missouri camp accumulating the most points during a year. Points can be gained or lost for many different items or events. Most members may not be aware of those items or events or how many points are awarded for each. Now you can know. Not only are the point values listed here, but they have also been added to the department website at http://www.suvcwmo.org/eads.php.

Points Awarded (revised 4/06)

50 - Form 22 on-time submittal
50 - Form 27 on-time submittal
50 - Camp Quarterly Activity Report on-time submittal
50 - Plan and/or participate in community function
25 - Plan and/or participate in traditional observance
25 - GAR Post recorded
25 - New member
20 - Representation at department meetings (per meeting per camp)
20 - Camp newsletter published
20 - Contribution to Banner
15 - GAR/Civil War memorial recorded
10 - Contribution to Missouri Unionist
10 - Camp meetings held (per year)
10 - Eagle Scout certificate presented
5 - Member transferring into department
1 - Grave registered
1 - Camp meeting attendance (per member attending)
1 - Fundraising/Donations obtained (per $1.00)
-50 - Form 22 late submittal
-50 - Form 27 late submittal
-50 - Camp Quarterly Activity Report late submittal

Good luck to all department members helping their camp to earn the Eads Award for best camp!

In F., C., & L.,

Brian Smarker, Signals Officer

Department Meeting at Jefferson City, Missouri

2006-01-15T15:51:00.000-08:00

At the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City are (from left to right) Charles Funck, PDC (Sherman), Chris Warren (Grant), Commander John Martin (Westport), Bob Petrovic, PDC (Grant), JVC Walt Busch (Grant), Don Palmer (Grant), PDC, SVC John Avery (Grant), and Brian Smarker, Signals Officer (Westport). Meeting participants not pictured are Vern Stottlemyer (McNeil), Emmett Taylor (Asboth), and Greg Decker (Asboth).

Members met in the state capitol building on 14 Jan 06 to discuss business. On the agenda were several items including:

Department's bylaws
Annual encampment planning manual
Last Soldier Project
The Missouri Unionist newsletter
2007 National Encampment
2006 Department Encampment
Archiving department and camp records
Department website
GAR Highway project
Budget
Projects (GAR posts, monuments and memorials, graves registration)
Department annual awards
Past Commanders fund
Department fundraising
Recruiting

Do You Prefer Paper or Pixels?
One of the major changes in store for members is with the department newsletter. The Missouri Unionist will be posted in digital format on the department website at http://www.suvcmo.org/newsletter.php. At the time of this post, the page is still under construction, although it should be complete in fairly short order. The newsletter publications will be posted as soon as they are received by the Signals Officer.

In addition to uploading the newsletter to the website, it will also be emailed to ALL members. If you don't have an email address and are wondering how you will get it, see the next section entitled "What is Your Email Address?" below.

Finally, a few copies of the newsletter will be printed for those requiring something other than the digital format.

Instructions for viewing the digital newsletter can be found on the webpage mentioned above. Note that it may also be printed at your leisure.

If you haven't heard about the department survey regarding the newsletter, here are the questions:

Do you own a computer?
If yes to #1, do you have Internet access?
Do you prefer paper or pixels (digital format)?

Please give your answers to your camp commander. They will be forwarding the results to the department officers by 1 Mar 06.

What is Your Email Address?
To improve communication within the department, all current members and all new recruits will receive a unique email address. As soon as the email addresses are created, every member will have one ending in @suvcwmo.org. The part before the @ will typically be the member's first initial followed by his last name. In some cases, middle initials will be required to prevent duplicate addresses. If there are still duplicates, a number will be appended to the name.

In addition to email addresses for each member, there will be officer email addresses for those holding department offices. Whenever new members are elected or appointed into an office, the email will be forwarded to the new officer following some changes behind the scenes.

Of course, all email address will have to be tested for accuracy. Watch for an email and please inform your camp commander that it was received. Camp commanders should be asking members if an email was received, too. Those without computers or Internet connections will have to visit a library with Internet access or an Internet cafe in order to check SUVCW email.

There are a few different options to handle email. One method is to have email sent to your suvcwmo.org address subsequently forwarded to your normal email address. If your normal email address changes, the Signals Officer would have to be notified immediately. If you have an email address on file with the Signals Officer, this will be the default method used.

Another method requires logging on through the department website in order to check your webmail. This webmail option will be used if you do not have an email address listed with the Signals Officer at this time.

If you'd prefer to use your new email address as your main email (not forwarded to your normal address), you will have to properly setup your email program whether it is Outlook, Outlook Express, Eudora, Thunderbird, or some other email application. Complete instructions will be available in the near future at the department website if this is a method you choose to use.

Passwords will be required to access your SUVCW email. Since passwords are sensitive and because your favorite password is not known by the Signals Officer, it will be necessary for you to change your password immediately after logging in the first time. In the webmail option, after logging in, click the Options tab and then the Change Password option. The default password, until it is changed, is suvcwmo## where ## equals your camp number. If you are a member-at-large, ## will be 99.

Website Updates
Besides this blog, there will be additional updates to the department website. Watch for links in the left margin which will take you to this blog, the newsletter page, webmail, and forms. The blog has an entry which speaks for itself. It is titled, "Welcome!" The newsletter and email items are discussed above. The forms link and page are the only new additions not mentioned. So here goes...

Many of the forms will be in interactive PDF format. This means you will be able to fill them out and save them as any name you would like. They may be printed with your entries anytime. They can be attached to an email after you've filled them out. This should improve efficiency of paperwork, that is if you're a faster typist than you are a pencil pusher.

If you don't see a form that you use often, please notify the Signals Officer so he knows of your interest to have it posted.

Other updates will be the addition of the latest list of Missouri G.A.R. Posts and the Last Soldiers of each county in the state. If you have anything to add, edit, or remove, please notify the Signals Officer so they can be administered.

Thank you,

Brian Smarker, Signals Officer

Welcome!

2006-01-14T22:19:00.000-08:00

To complement our website at www.suvcwmo.org, this blog has been created to post information in relation to the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Department of Missouri. This site will be used to record the history of the SUVCW, its camps, members, activities, and more. It will also be used to provide information about upcoming events and election results, as well as a springboard to related websites.

Feel free to comment on any of the blogs at this site. Thank you for visiting and please come back soon.

In Fraternity, Charity, & Loyalty,

Brian Smarker, Signals Officer