Eugene E. Russell was elected Commander-in-Chief of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War at the 103rd National Encampment held in Akron, Ohio, August 12 - 16, 1984. Brother Russell claims membership from his grandfather, Sgt. David H. Cheever, who served in the 17th Massachusetts, which was stationed in Newbern, North Carolina as one of the support groups for the Union Coastal during the Civil War.

Brother Russell has served his local Camps in various positions in Wakefield and Saugus, Massachusetts; was twice Massachusetts Department Commander; Secretary of the New England Regional Association; Assistant Curator of the Memorial Shrine and Museum of the Grand Army of the Republic Allied Orders of the Massachusetts Department, and in the State House at Boston. On the national level, he was appointed three times as chairman of the Fraternal Relations Committee and proceeded through the chairs of Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief and Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief

Brother Russell has been active in various local community affairs, including, a past District Chairman of the Boy Scouts, active in community fund raising projects, present Chairman of the Malden Republican City Committee, and a long-standing member of the Centre United Methodist Church, having served in numerous official positions there. Brother Russell was educated at Malden High School and Harvard College. For 40 years, he has operated his interior decorating contracting business. His hobbies include 3-D (stereo) photography and candlepin bowling.

August 1984