Missionary Ridge Camp #63 SUVCW

06/04/2026

06/01/2026

05/31/2026

Huzzah! Today, in observance of Memorial Day, at the Union Soldiers Monument in Knoxville National Cemetery, wreaths were placed in honor of the loyal boys in blue who fought to preserve the Union by Brother Rich Holmes and Brother Braiden Holmes from Missionary Ridge Camp No. 63 SUVCW, Sister Kelly Holmes and Sister Valerie Holmes of the Mary Logan Woman’s Relief Corps No. 11, the Veterans Heritage Site Foundation and the Volunteer State Honor Guard. It is always a pleasure to honor those who have gone before us who fought to preserve the freedom and unity of our great nation.

05/30/2026

Huzzah! Today, Brothers of Missionary Ridge Camp No. 63 Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War held our Memorial Day observance at the Grand Army of The Republic (G.A.R) monument at Fort Hill Cemetery in Cleveland, Tennessee. Several brothers of the order were present, also in attendance were members of the Joseph H Rider No. 62 Auxiliary SUVCW and the Mary A Logan No. 11 Women’s Relief Corps. It was a great honor to come together and remember not only our boys in blue, but all those who have passed on before us who served in defense of the cause of liberty and justice for all.

05/26/2026

Yesterday in honor of Memorial Day, Camp Commander Dave McMahon and Junior Vice Commander Hunter McLain placed wreaths at the Andrews Raiders Memorial in the Chattanooga National Cemetery. Of the 24 raiders, six soldiers and two civilians were hanged for their heroic actions in the defense of the Union and are buried behind the monument, some of whom are the first recipients of the Medal of Honor in our nation's history. Commander Dave placed a wreath on behalf of Missionary Ridge Camp #63, and Jr. Vice Commander McLain, and his family, placed a wreath as Presidential Liaison on behalf of Logan's Brigade and The Women's Relief Corp. Auxiliary Members Robin McMahon and Ashley McLain were in attendance. We were honored to be able to present these wreaths in remembrance of the sacrifices of not only Andrew's Raider, but all those who have fought to maintain our freedoms in our great nation!

A short write up from the Coolidge Medal of Honor Museum on Andrew's Raiders:

"On April 12, 1862, 24 volunteers from the Union Army, led by civilian scout James Andrews, commandeered a Confederate locomotive named “The General” outside of Big Shanty, Georgia (now Kennesaw) and took it northward toward Chattanooga, Tennessee – doing as much damage as possible to the vital Western and Atlantic Railroad line as they went. Out of fuel, Andrews and his men abandoned the locomotive and scattered into the woods before being captured by Confederate troops. All were put on trial and convicted for “acts of unlawful belligerency” or being unlawful combatants and spies. Shortly thereafter, Andrews and seven of the Raiders were executed by hanging with the remaining held as prisoners of war. For their acts of valor in “The Great Locomotive Chase,” six members of Andrews’ Raiders were awarded the first Medals of Honor in our country’s history on March 25, 1863. Ultimately, 19 of the 24 members of Andrews’ Raiders would receive the Medal of Honor for their incredible acts of valor on that day.

These First Medals are why Chattanooga is recognized and known as the birthplace of the Medal of Honor."

05/09/2026

Huzzah! Today, Brothers Rich Holmes and Cameron Brown installed a new marker for Caleb McDermott of the 1st United States Colored Heavy Artillery at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Athens, Tennessee. It’s always a honor for us to help install these markers and keep green the memory of the Boys in Blue!

05/07/2026

05/04/2026

Huzzah 🇺🇲 After our meeting on Saturday, several Brothers of Missionary Ridge Camp #63 SUVCW traveled to Harrison Cemetery in Hamilton County, Tenn. We had the honor to replace the worn and faded marker of 1st Lt. Thomas W Denney, who fought to preserve the Union in the 5th Tennessee Infantry during the Civil War. We also had the honor to mark the grave of Susan Temples, the wife of George W Flinn, Battery D 1st Battalion Tennessee Light Artillery. We had marked Mr Flynn's grave several weeks back. We offer a special thank you to White’s Marble Works of Madisonville, Tenn - Monument Division. We count it as a great honor every time we get to place these tombstones to keep their names alive in great remembrance of their many sacrifices to preserve the unity of our great nation!