Remembering Our Heroes: Celebrating the 143rd Encampment of the Sons of Union Veterans (SUVCW) Department of Illinois

Pictured above are all of the attendees of the 143rd annual encampment for the Department of Illinois, outside of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Hall in Aurora, Illinois. The author is on the far right.

On Saturday, May 2nd, 2026, I had the privilege of representing U.S. Grant Camp 1863 at the 143rd Annual Encampment of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Department of Illinois. Eleven months ago, I knew little about the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. I first came across the Sons through a favorable mention by author Clint Smith in his 2021 book, "How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America." Since June 2025, I've learned that the Sons are dedicated to honoring and preserving the legacy of Civil War veterans, promoting patriotism, and educating the broader public about the sacrifices made to preserve the Union and end slavery. Over the past year, I've attended several events focused on "keeping green the memory of the boys in blue," guided by principles of fraternity, charity, and loyalty (FCL). As a history teacher, I feel right at home as a member of the SUVCW. I love the Sons!

Applicants may join the Sons as an associate member or as a hereditary member. All are welcome. I joined as a hereditary member. I recently learned that I have three Civil War grandfathers who fought for the Union. Pictured below is my great great grandfather Corporal John Whitfield Newton Doak (1838-1865) of the "Western Sharpshooters"/66th Illinois. Yes, the Western Sharpshooters wore weird hats and I am wearing a replica of his hat in the photo below. The Western Sharpshooters wore these hats in 1861 and 1862. The hats were supposed to resemble the hats worn by Western frontiersmen of the antebellum era. (Yes the hats were gray, but he was NOT a rebel!)

Our meeting place, the Grand Army of the Republic Hall in Aurora, is a remarkable stone building built in 1877. The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) was a social and political organization of Union veterans, similar to the American Legion and VFW. The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War began as a GAR offshoot in 1881. On August 20th, 1954, the U.S. Congress officially charted the SUVCW as the legal successor of the GAR, after the last GAR member died. Local organizations of the SUVCW are called "camps," and I am a member of the U.S. Grant Camp 1863 (Schaumburg/Palatine). The state organization is called the Department of Illinois, under the National SUVCW.

The National Junior Vice Commander in Chief, Robert Payne--pictured below in the red bow tie surrounded by photos of Abraham Lincoln (the GAR Hall is also a museum) and Illinois Sons--honored us by joining our Department Encampment. He assisted our meeting by relaying a special message from the National Commander in Chief, Kevin Tucker, and with the installation of our Department officers.

After the recognition of guests, a financial audit, and the treasurer's report, I was happy to hear the Department of Illinois Commander in Chief Michael Zafran compliment our U.S. Grant Camp 1863 Commander Nick Sauer: "Nick Sauer is doing a great job with his camp, they are very active, he is an excellent brother and an excellent camp Commander."

Each camp then took turns giving updates on their activities, with many simply saying "pass." I thought I would do the same. Then Nick Kaup, a legendary SUVCW leader in Illinois and a member of two camps including U. S. Grant Camp 1863, handed me two flyers and whispered: "Talk about these!"

I was a little taken aback, I hadn't prepared anything! But I figured I could handle it. After all, I am a teacher. I talk for a living. This should be no problem. And I did okay describing our May 28th event, a history talk and book signing, the flyer for which is posted below:

Then I started describing the second event and I lost my train of thought. "Our second event is on Flag Day and it is, uh, . . . a special . . .uh . . um" I went blank! I couldn't find the words. Seconds went by. A few dozen brothers stared back at me. I remained silent. Was it a dedication? A ceremony? A memorial, no. . . . What the hell? Why can't I think of the word? I recovered when I realized I could just read the flyer: "It is a simple FLAG DAY CELEBRATION. It is on June 13th at 9:30 a.m. at Clayson House Museum in Palatine."

Whew. Just a little embarrassing. In any case, ALL are welcome at this wonderful event, an event largely organized by Senior Vice Commander Michael Gregory of U. S. Grant Camp 1863:

After my awkward little speech about the Flag Day Celebration, Department Signals Officer Bobby Welch led a discussion on proposed changes to the SUVCW bylaws. Brother Bobby, a dedicated, devoted, and very active leader in the SUVCW Department of Illinois, is also an expert on the SUVCW bylaws. He led us through several pages of proposed language revisions. After several minutes of reading and explaining the changes, Bobby paused and concluded: "That's all I've got." Someone in the room offered "Thank God!" breaking up the serious discussion with a little humor.

One of the highlights of the afternoon was when Department of Illinois Commander Michael Zafran gave merit awards to three truly outstanding brothers. Below, he honors Brother Nick Kaup (yes, this is the same Nick Kaup mentioned above who made me give a little speech.) Nick Kaup encouraged me to join last year and has been a member, leader, and organizer for the SUVCW Department of Illinois for over three decades! His sons Jeff Kaup and Dan Kaup are also members of the SUVCW, with Jeff continuing as the Junior Vice Commander for the Department of Illinois 2026-2027. Nick Kaup is another leader whose dedication to the Sons is truly exemplary. He is also a published historian. I look forward to reading his new book An Immigrant in America's Civil War: 51st Illinois Regiment (2026).

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Timothy Marcus, pictured below, also received a well-deserved merit award. I met Tim last fall at the mid-year encampment and I have come to know him as a hardworking business owner and a devoted father and husband. And Tim loves the Sons of Union Veterans. His dedication to the SUVCW is admirable. He is a Civil War and Union enthusiast to his core. At the encampment he was elected as the Department Secretary for 2026-2027. As Camp Secretary I will be working with him regularly in the coming year. Congratulations, Tim! (Brother Bobby Welch is standing to Tim's left.)

Brian Conroy won the final merit award for his work in Philip H. Sheridan Camp No. 2. I met Brian last month in a rural cemetery in Cambridge, IL. We were dedicating a new gravestone for a Union veteran, Frank Smith, who died in 1918. We both carried flags in the ceremony. Brian, standing, is pictured below after receiving his award from Department Commander Zafran.

The 2026 Brother of the Year Award went to Harlan Hawkins of E. F. Dutton Camp 49 of Sycamore, IL. I first heard about the great work of Camp 49 last fall at the mid-year encampment in Bloomington. They have connected with local schools and given many educational presentations to dozens of elementary and middle school students on the Civil War and the legacy of the Union soldiers. Brother Harlan was truly surprised and honored to win the award. I know this because I was sitting right next to him!

Harlan Hawkins receives the 2026 Brother of the Year Award.

Displaying the framed certificate. Congratulations Harlan!

I got to know Harlan a little bit during lunch. I consider him a friend and a brother. The large medal I am wearing is in the official SUVCW medal honoring the nation's 250th birthday. I gave it to my Dad, Samuel Doak for Christmas. He wanted very much to join the Sons of Union Veterans but we ran out of time. He passed away January 9th, 2026 at the age of 90. I will wear the medal in his honor and in his memory.

A couple of the last items on the agenda were the nomination and installation of the officers. Congratulations to all those elected to Department of Illinois leadership positions. National Junior Vice Commander in Chief Robert Payne once again assisted our meeting by installing our officers.

Department officers are installed for 2026-2027.

U.S. Grant Camp 1863 was well represented in the installation ceremony with Nick Kaup, Bob Kurek and Steve Westlake. Bob is at the far left of the photo, and Steve is to his left. Bob and Steve have been mentors for me, I consider them both to be good friends and brothers. Bob has assisted and mentored me as the U.S. Grant Camp Secretary for 2026. I thank him for his patience and expertise. Steve stood by my side when I was sworn in last September. And better still, Steve is a White Sox fan! I first met both of them in June of 2025 at the Flag Day Celebration in Palatine.

In his closing remarks, Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief Payne once again reminded the Department of Illinois that this summer marks our nation's 250th birthday. He encouraged department and camp commanders to do all they can to reach out to our communities and highlight the sacrifices of those who fought for freedom. He also urged us to make clear--in our events, communications, and on social media--the patriotic connections between the Revolutionary War soldiers and Union soldiers. He concluded: "We must never forget the price paid to preserve our Union and end slavery."

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Owen C. Doak

Crystal Lake, IL

May 3rd, 2026