The library is open on Saturday of this Memorial Day weekend, but closed on Sunday and Monday (you can see our hours here.) The picture here is a WPA poster from the 1930s. Note the elderly Union veteran; while the observance of Memorial Day seems to have arisen independently in many locations, the first organization officially recognizing and promoting it was the Union veteran's organization, the Grand Army of the Republic, in 1868.If you're curious about the GAR, try McConnell's Glorious Contentment: the Grand Army of the Republic, 1865-1900. (E462.1 .A7 M34) As an aside, although their heyday as a social and political force was in the late 1800s, the last GAR encampment was in 1949, with six members attending!
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As a Brockport Alumnae and a member of the Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War,the remaining Allied Orders (Sons and Daughters of Union Veterans and the Auxilliary) are still in existance. We held our Annual Encampment in Binghampton, NY On June 5-7, 2009. Although the DAR no longer has members, the Daughters and Sons of Union Veterans still have Real Daughters on the roster of our organization.
Thanks for honoring our dear departed veterans!
Samantha Dirk-Golden
Secretary, NY State Dept.
Daughters of Union Veterans of thwe Civil War
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