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News and Events

LGAR Headquarters

I am happy to announce that the Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic have secured a permanent National Headquarters to house all Historian files that include property that has been turned in over the years as well as the Registrar files that contain the archives of our Order. Although the National Officers have discussed our options with the Ohio Veteran’s Home in Sandusky, OH for several years now, paperwork was signed and official approval granted, on April 4, 2013. Please read on...

After many attempts at obtaining a National Headquarters for at least 100 years now, we can now call the Military Museum on the campus of the Ohio Veteran’s Home our new “Headquarters.” The Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic has had a long and close association at this location. Well into the 1920’s the annual appointment of an “Entertainment Committee” was made to participate in all holidays and special events. At least one visit was made yearly by our Ohio Department President to present gifts of cash as well as donations of thousands of items. On June 2, 1922 the General M.F. Force Circle #86, LGAR was instituted at the home, and in April 1976 we instituted the Robert Burns Brown Circle #103, thus recognizing the two men most influential in establishing the Ohio Veteran’s Home. We were honored to include Commander Brown’s daughter, Margaret Brown Kearney, as a member of our organization. Over the years we have left visual evidence of our support in the form of such things as the 1930 pillar at the entrance gate, the bandstand, and a bronze plague presented on the occasion of the home’s 50th anniversary in 1938.

The LGAR Headquarters room will be set up to be patterned from a late 1880’s LGAR meeting room, which was/is based upon the original Grand Army of the Republic meeting rooms, with stations for the Altar, Senior Vice President, Junior Vice President, Chaplain, Patriotic Instructor and head table (desk) for the President, Secretary & Treasurer. The stations that will be on loan in the room are from an original G.A.R. Hall. Other furniture pieces in the room will include locking display cases and book shelves, file cabinets of archival material that consists of genealogy for all LGAR members detailing their Civil War Veteran that they joined under, and original chairs that came from the LGAR Swissvale, PA Veteran’s Home. Other items will include pictures from 1881 to present of LGAR Officers & members, a display of badges used through the decades, framed charters, photo albums and scrap books, a collection of proceedings from 1881 to present, original dyes & stamps and an original set of the “Bugle Call” our national newsletter, and much more. It is the intent of local members in Ohio to participate at the Museum when there are special events/weekends, to be present during their successful Civil War Living History weekend during summer, and to assist visitors with questions, genealogy assistance or education.

While this is a huge under taking, we ask that you email if you are able to assist in sending things that will need to be donated. The list includes the following at the moment: PRINTER FOR COPYING ETC IN FUTURE, NEW EMPTY SCRAPBOOKS, OLD FRAMES 8X10 AND LARGER, OLD WHITE COTTON SHEETS, 3 RING BINDER FOR INVENTORY TO STAY IN ROOM, GUEST BOOK FOR IN THE ROOM.

The Grand Opening of our LGAR Headquarters room will be August 24, 2013 during the home’s Civil War Living History Weekend. Invitations and details will be sent soon as well as notification in the Bugle Call and on the Facebook page. We hope that you will be able to join us for this historic day with the unveiling of our museum room and headquarters. The Military Museum is a lovely small museum housed in 2 floors of the “I.F. Mack Memorial Building.” Rooms represent different war eras, or organizations. The museum is open Wednesday-Sunday from 12-4 or by appointment for large bus groups etc. Our room is located on the second floor, across from a 2 room library and meeting room area. The museum is handicap accessible and does have an elevator. Guest rooms are available at $25 per night in an adjacent building, as nice as any hotel room. For more information or to reserve a guest room for the August 24th weekend, please email me soon as rooms are filling quickly. If you are able to assist with the set up or inventory of this room, please contact me for the “work schedule.”

This is a very exciting time for the LGAR and I hope many of you will be able to travel and join us on August 24th or at some point in the near future.
Elizabeth Rock, National Secretary, LGAR
Email: OctagonLR@aol.com

National Convention Information
127th National Encampment
August 8-11, 2013
Sheraton Milwaukee Brookfield Hotel
375 South Moorland Road, Brookfield, Wisconsin 53005
Phone: (262) 364-1100

On August 8-11, 2013 the National Encampment returns to Wisconsin!

With the 2012 National Encampment in Long Beach, California, and the 2014 convention anticipated in Marietta, Georgia,
Wisconsin is in a unique position to serve our members living in the central United States in 2013.

The 2013 National Encampment site is in Brookfield, Wis., a suburb of Milwaukee, at the Sheraton Milwaukee Brookfield Hotel.
The Sheraton offers complementary shuttle service from Gen. Mitchell International Airport between 7am and 10pm.
The hotel is close to shops, restaurants & the freeway. Reserve your room now by calling (262) 364-1100 or online at https://www.starwoodmeeting.com/Book/alliedordersofthegar.
Be sure to specify that you are with the “Allied Orders of the GAR” to receive the group rate of $99 for single/double plus tax. This rate is good for August 4th-14th.

Other Interesting Places to Visit:

War Memorial in Milwaukee Forest Home Cemetery in Milwaukee

Callatrava Art Museum in Milwaukee Midwest Civil War Museum in Kenosha

Wisconsin State Fair in West Allis Potowatami Bingo & Casino

Theater in Milwaukee Wisconsin Veterans Museum in Madison

Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee Wisconsin Dells

Click here for Registration Forms and other Tour events available

2013 National Encampment Tentative Schedule for LGAR

Thursday, August 8, 2013
6-7:00              Registration open, location - Headquarters.
6:00                 Council of Administration Officers please report to Headquarters.
6:00                 Budget Committee members please report to Headquarters.
7:00                 Advisory Council Meeting will begin in Headquarters. All PNP’s, Department Presidents, all Elected National Officers & all pro-tem National Officers, please be sure to be present.

Friday, August 9, 2013
TBA                Joint Memorial Service
9-11:30            Business Session
11:30-1:00       Lunch on your own, PNP’s Luncheon
1-4:30              Business Session
7:00                 Campfire Program

Saturday, August 10, 2013
9-11:30            Business Session
11:30-1:00       Lunch on your own, Friendship Luncheon
1-3:00              Business Session
3-4:30              Advisory Council Meeting
TBA                Banquet

Sunday, August 11, 2013
TBA                Church Service

or visit the www.SUVCW.org website for more information

Meet the National President

Judy Rock

I am honored to be serving as the National President of the LGAR. I will do my best to continue to make this organization grow and prosper. If we all work together this will be an easy task.

I have been a member of the LGAR since the National Convention in Buffalo, N.Y. in 1987. I was initiated by PNP sister Lynne Bury during her first term as President and was honored to have her install me as the National President 24 years later. I joined the organization under my great uncle Alonzo A. Aldrich who was a private in the 22nd MI Volunteer Infantry. I have since discovered several ancestors that served including my great grandfather John W. Minnie, who served as a corporal in the 5th MI Volunteer Infantry and another great uncle that served with the 7th MI Volunteer Infantry at the angle in Gettysburg during Picket’s charge.

My husband, Ervin and I have been married for 44 years. We have 3 sons, who married wonderful young women, 2 grandsons and 2 granddaughters. Our family has been active in Civil War reenacting for almost 30 years and attended the 125th anniversary battles and plan to attend a few of the 150th anniversary battles.

History has been a passion of mine since I was in grade school, so I guess this is a perfect place for me.

I look forward to working with you and visiting as many Departments as possible, Please send me your annual meeting schedules as soon as possible so I can create a schedule for myself.

What’s New?

Preview and print the new 2011-2012 National Brochure. Be sure to your contact information in the area provided on the back.

Need a quick copy of a Membership Application? Preview and Print the application or send one to prospective members.

SUPPLIES

Supplies can be ordered from the National Treasurer Carolyn Agosto by mailing requests to 4710 Eby St., Merriam, KS 66203 or by email at bellanurs@abcglobal.net

Checks should be made payable to "National Organization, L.G.A.R."

Forms and Report Blanks

Below you will find several links for the Report Blanks that are necessary for the organization as a whole. If there are any questions or concerns please contact the National Secretary.

Chaplain │ Circle Election │ Credentials │ Department Election │ Historian │ Patriotic Instructor │ Per Capita Tax │ Registrar │ Veteran Service │ Inventory