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From: "Ernest Everett Blevins" <>
Subject: [SUVCW] National Historian "GAR Death Badge"
Date: Fri, 25 May 2007 19:39:02 -0400


Found on the national SUVCW Historian page.

Ernie
SUVCW List Adminstrator


*Reference: GAR Death Badge Fantasy *

To Whom It May Concern:

The Officers of the National Organization, Sons of Union Veterans of the
Civil War have noticed with growing alarm the sale of so called Grand Army
of the Republic Death Badges through internet sales and antique stores.

There is no such thing. As the National Historian, I have been charged to
read every national proceeding of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Sons
of Veterans, USA and Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. There are no
references anywhere to the existence of a " GAR Death Badge or Widow's
Badge".

The comrades of the GAR honored their dead by wearing a black silk or satin
ribbon with the name of their Post imprinted on it.

The so called Death Badge is, in fact, the official membership badge of the
Masonic Order called the Knights Templar. The wide spread joint membership
by Union veterans in both the GAR and the Knights Templar caused these
membership badges to be found together by later heirs and dealers. There is
no other connection. No Maltese cross badge marked with GAR identification
has ever been found. There have been no printed records located regionally,
departmentally or nationally that would indicate the GAR ever used such a
badge. For dealers or sellers to offer such a badge is an accidental or
intentional fraud.



Fraternally yours in F, C & L,

*Robert J. Wolz, National Historian *
Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War
Past Ohio Department Commander 1968 & 1972
Past Senior Vice Commander in Chief 1974-1976
Past Junior Vice Commander in Chief 1972-1974
Past National Patriotic Instructor





--
Ernest Everett Blevins, MFA
Blevins Historical Research
110 Evergreen Way
Villa Rica, Georgia 30180
770-456-1876

Save the Old Villa Rica Library! Write the mayor at
and City officials listed on
http://villarica.org/council_members.php. Tell them the benefits of keeping
National Register Eligible Properties.

Historic Preservation Consultant -- Historical and Architectural Research --
Genealogical (Family) Research -- Preservation Planning and Documentation --
House History

Member: American Planning Association, Ambassador of the New England
Historic Genealogical Society, Historian: Casimir Pulaski SAR, Registrar:
Georgia Society of Founders & Patriots, and member of numerous other
lineage and heritage societies.

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