At the 119th National Encampment in Lansing, Michigan on August 19, 2000, the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War elected Edward J. Krieser of Valparaiso, Indiana as their 114th Commander-in-Chief. He is the eighth Commander-in-Chief from the Department of Indiana.

Edward James Krieser was born February 4th 1948 to Edward H. and Shirley M. (Langnes) Krieser in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He grew up on Milwaukee's South Side where he was the eldest of nine children. Graduated from Boys' Trade And Technical High School in 1966 and entered the United States Marine Corps. After Boot Camp in San Diego, California and Infantry training at Camp Pendleton, Ed was sent to Viet Nam.

Upon arrival in Viet Nam, the shortage of infantry platoon and squad radio operators caused Ed's commanding officer to send him for a crash coarse in the subject. After being wounded on two separate occasions and receiving the Purple Heart Medal, Ed received an Honorable Discharge for medical reasons at the Philadelphia Naval Hospital.

After being discharged and getting back home to Milwaukee, Ed married his sweetheart since they were 11, Miss Linda L. Hagen. He then went back to school for an Industrial Electronic Technical Degree which got him employed as a Steelworker by Bethlehem Steel Corporation at Burns Harbor Indiana in October 1969 where he has been since.

Ed joined the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War in 1981. He also started Civil War reenacting with the 9th Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry at the same time. Ed's ancestral lineage to the Sons is from his Great Great Grandfather, August Bruss of Company A, in the 9th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment. Ed has served the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War on all levels; Camp, Department and National and currently serves as Commander-in-Chief.

Ed's other activities include a graphic arts business, is a Life Member of Disabled American Veterans and has co-produced two musical reviews to earn funds for the maintenance of the G.A.R. Memorial Opera House in Valparaiso, Indiana. He chaired the committee for the 1999 National Encampment in Indianapolis.

August 2000