Grand Army of the Republic

a patriotic organization. Its membership is open to honorably discharged soldiers and sailors of the Civil War. Local organizations are called posts. Conventions are called encampments. The first post was organized at Decatur, Illinois, April 6, 1866. The first national encampment pitched its tents at Indianapolis, November 20, 1866. It is a non-partisan association designed to keep alive comradeship and to aid needy survivors and their families. Among the results of its efforts may be mentioned the general adoption of Memorial Day, the erection of numerous monuments, and the preservation and care of battlefields. Influence has been brought to bear also in favor of the establishment of soldiers' homes and the extension of pensions to classes of old soldiers not included under preceding laws. At its height, the organization included 400,000 members. There are still over 5,000 posts and a membership of about 200,000. The death rate is now large, amounting to several thousand a year. The G. A. R. badge is a bronze star and a ribbon flag hung from a strap. A relief on the star represents a soldier and sailor clasping hands before the figure of liberty. Two freedmen are in the foreground. The United States flag is draped at the sides. The uniform is a dark blue fatigue suit with a black slouch hat. An increasing tendency is noticeable to hold union meetings with the veterans of the Confederate army. Auxilliary organizations are the Woman's Relief Corps and the Sons of Veterans.