SCV and SUVCW, Wondering

[crowley_greene]

This post may get moved to the Whine Cellar, but I'll start it here. It doesn't seem like it's pointless or complaining, and I expect there may be many reenactors who are also members of either the SCV or SUVCW.

I'm a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV). But I can also qualify to join the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW), through a different line of my ancestry. I have sometimes contemplated a membership in both organizations. Just as I am equally okay with putting on either blue or butternut for an event, depending on where I'm needed, I also like the idea of respectfully remembering the soldiers of both sides (Lee and Grant are both "heroes" of mine).

The point? I'm wondering if any of the reenactors in this forum happen to hold memberships in both the SUVCW and SCV?

Murray Therrell

[DonSmithnotTMD]

No but I thought about it. My problem would be proof. I was told by a crazy aunt that we have an ancestor who was in the 1st MD (CS) but can't prove it. Her story seems very logical when compared to the historical record which she wouldn't have known.

[jda3rd]

I qualify for membership in SCV, but have never joined, so I can't speak to this question as a member of either organization. However, if you are lucky enough to qualify for membership in both groups, I'd say go for it! If either group would exclude you because you are a member of the other, then that should tell you which one you don't want to belong to.
Frank Brower

[DonSmithnotTMD]

Oh yea I should have mentioned that there is probably a significant networking possibility by doing this. I'm joining everything I can just for that

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

I was a member of both, SCV through my mother's Virginia side and SUV through my father and mother's Indiana and Michigan side. Although I'm no longer active in either for various reasons, I was welcomed by both, since the commander of my SCV camp was also the commander of the SUV camp, due to his family having been on both sides as well. We thought it very unusual, but there were several members in both at the same time. We were all much more active with the Confederate Veterans, as we're in Florida and there was more to do and more to proactively work on. The Union camp was and is much less active.

[MickCole]

I am a member of both the SCV and the SUVCW. Two gg-grandfathers on the Union side and one on the Confederate. Also, more collaterals than I can keep track of on both sides. My mother's ancestors were in SW VA, which was a deeply divided area.
Mick Cole

[Joey12thga]

The War's over, I don't really see an issue.

[Radar]

I have belonged to both. Union on my father's side 12th WV Volunteer Infantry and CS on my mother's side 31st Virginia. Both families came from two adjoining countiesin today's West Virginia. I have not been active in either, since I am uneasy with some of the "politics".

[crowley_greene]

Yes I have even wished that the two national groups could even do some collaborative activities from time to time. Weren't there even some reunions of the old vets themselves, where men of both sides met after the war?

Murray Therrell

[jda3rd]

Yeah, sad to say, 'tis the political aspect that keeps me from joining the SCV, and there is even a camp named for my Great-great-grandfather. However, this is not the forum to discuss those issues.

My Grandmother enrolled me in the Society of the War of 1812, and the Children of the Confederacy. Is either group still in existence?

Frank Brower

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Yeah, sad to say, 'tis the political aspect that keeps me from joining the SCV, and there is even a camp named for my Great-great-grandfather. However, this is not the forum to discuss those issues.

My Grandmother enrolled me in the Society of the War of 1812, and the Children of the Confederacy. Is either group still in existence?

Frank Brower
I know the CofC is still alive and well down here, but I've heard nothing of the SW1812 folks in some time.

[musketbal]

I have had membership at the same time in both organizations. Sons of Confederate Veterans, Arnold Elzey camp, Maryland, andThe Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Garfield Camp, Baltimore, Md.
I was at one time more active with the SCV because I identified more with them because I always were drawn to the confederate side. I feel both are valid and honor the memories of those who marched before.

Brent Conner

[jurgitemvaletem]

I am currently a member of Camp #207 Ohio SUV and am considering joining a local SCV camp that has several members that are friends. Neither camp has a problem with me joining the other. The only thing holding me back at this point is the day on which the mothly meeting takes place for the SCV camp.

I believe it is important to note that neither the SUV or the SCV requires their members to be a direct descendant to join. I don't know the exact regs for the the SCV but for the SUV, the only membership requirement pertaining to direct lineage is that to hold a national office ( National Commander, Vice-Commanders, and so forth) you must be able to prove direct lineage. other than that, it is open to one and all. Luckily, I don't have to worry about either as I do have ancestors on both sides.

Anyway, if you are interested in being a member of both, by all means go for it! Broaden your horizons!

[Lee Ragan]

I've belonged to the SCV for going on 19 years now and have been a member of the SUVCW for nearly as long. There is no SUVCW camp closer than about 300 miles to me, so I've never attended a meeting, but have been very active in SCV all these years. I'm the only guy in my SCV camp that will even admit to having yankee ancestors, but that's OK too. I am our camps Color Sergeant and we have a mixed US/CS color guard for such things as 4th of July parades. I've often dressed federal and carried the US flag in this color guard. Most guys don't seem to have a problem with this and I sure don't. I say honor all those boys of '61-'65, no matter the color of the uniform. The bottom line is that they we're all AMERICANS and so are we.