Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War

Anna M. Ross, Camp #1
4278 Griscom Street Philadelphia, PA. 19124

(215) 289-6484

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SUVCW Auxiliary
28th PA Vol Inf
28th PA Brass Band
GAR Museum

BROTHERS DAY 2005 CEREMONIES

On Sunday, November 6, 2005, 15 members of the Anna Marie Camp #1, Company C, 28th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and the 28th Pennsylvania Brass Band gathered to continue our camp’s fine tradition of Brother’s Day. Each year, we come together on this day to commemorate the service of our civil war ancestors and our departed camp brothers with grave side military ceremonies, prayer, shared memories, honor volleys, and the playing of taps. This day offers a unique opportunity to grow in fraternity with each other while upholding the principles we hold so dear to our hearts.

The day began as we gathered at Leverington Cemetery in Roxborough at 1:00 p.m. to honor Alexander Wallace Givin, a veteran of the 114th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry (Collis’ Zouaves) and a Civil war connection to Brother John Green. While at Leverington, we discovered the final resting place of Henry Koch, the last captain of Company C, 28th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War. We paused by his grave to remember his service and pose for a group photograph. Lastly, many brothers also took the opportunity to pay their respects by the grave of famed Civil War nurse Heddy Jones, who is also interred there.

Shortly, we moved in to our cars and on to Hillside Cemetery in Roslyn and dedicated an SUVCW grave marker to our dearly departed brother, John Roney. Many of our comrades shared fond memories of the times they spent with John during this poignant and very moving ceremony which was capped off by Musician Jack Thomas of the 28th Pennsylvania Brass Band who played The Minstrel Boy and Taps. Though John is no longer with us, he occupied an unseen place in the ranks that day, and his memory will always live on in our hearts.

The final ceremony for the day took place at Lawnview Cemetery in Rockledge. Our camp honored the Civil War service of G.A.R. Post #2 Comrade Jeremiah Lyford, a veteran of both the 11th and 14th New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry Regiments, and an ancestor of past camp Senior Vice Commader, Brother Bill Burkhimer. We are all most grateful to Brother Burkhimer for the well-researched and informative presentation he gave regarding his ancestor’s service.

To end this fine day of fraternity and remembrance, many of our brothers gathered at Breen’s Tavern for fellowship, food, and refreshment. The camp is most grateful to all those who participated in this unique event, and we look forward to an even larger turnout next year.

ANNA MARIE ROSS CAMP #1 CO-SPONSORS MEDAL OF HONOR CEREMONIES AT ROSEDALE CEMETERY ON NOVEMBER 5, 2005 IN BENSALEM, PA

Members of Camp #1 & the 28th PA Vol Infantry of the Sons of Veterans Reserve joined with the 98th PA Vol Infantry under the command of Camp #1 Brother Capt. George Wright, along with the Bensalem Memorial VFW Post #9765 (Mr. Jim LONG, Post Commander), the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 170 of Willow Grove, PA, the General Meade Society & the GAR Civil War Museum & Library to honor 2 Civil War Naval recipients of the Medal of Honor on Saturday November 5, 2005 at Rosedale Cemetery in Bensalem, PA.

Over 60 years ago, some 40,000 bodies were removed from the old Lafayette Cemetery (then located on Federal St. between 9th & 10th Sts. in Philadelphia) & were re-interred in Evergreen Cemetery near the current day Neshaminy Mall. Many of those mortal remains were buried in trenches & unmarked. Camp #1 SVC Brother Harry Lamb helped a gentleman from the VFW Post confirm that Edward B. Young of the USS Galena & Matthew McClelland of the USS Richmond, who both received the Medal of Honor for their actions during the Civil War, are in fact buried in what is now called Rosedale Cemetery. The ceremonies were held to dedicate 2 bronze plaques to honor Edward Young & Matthew McClelland, as well as, ALL American Veterans on the remembrance of Veteran's Day. We also paid tribute to Brutus de Villeroi, the designer of the United States Navy submarine, the USS Alligator, who was also buried somewhere in the Rosedale plot. The story of the USS Alligator was related by GAR Museum member & historian, Dan Cushin.

The 28th PA Regimental Brass Band provided musical interludes & Camp #1 Guide, PCC Brother Jeff Heagy, played Taps & placed flags for the ceremony.
The events were also attended by SUVCW Department of PA Commander Brother Eric Schmincke & PCC Brother Andy Waskie was the Master of Ceremonies. A wreath was presented & placed by 28th PA Civilian representative, Ms. Maria Kluge. Other sponsoring organizations & donations were made by Mr. Fred Hems, the Robert W. Bracken Post #382, Hugh B. Eastburn 3rd Detachment, Marine Corps League, as well as, a 'bagpipe dirge' by Mr. Andrew Rosen, Superintendent of Rosedale. Following the services, there were refreshments at the Bensalem Memorial VFW Post 9765, which was enjoyed by all.

Faithfully submitted & yours with Fraternity, Charity & Loyalty,
Andrew CARR
Commander, Camp #1

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