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TUESDAY April 12, 2004 Alan Loomis (Valparaiso, Indiana)wrote: "I would like to introduce you to the history behind the "Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Highway" designation that U S 6 carries. The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War was organized by members of the Grand Army of the Republic and designated the legal heir of and represents the Grand Army of the Republic. Since the GAR did not include veterans of any other war besides the Civil War, it was destined to become extinct when the last member died, which occurred in 1956. The SUVCW decided in the 1930s to have U. S. 6 designated the GAR Memorial Highway in honor of their ancestors who saved the Union. They took their cause to the U. S. Congress, which officially made the designation, followed by working with the 14 states, through which U. S. 6 passes, to pass resolutions also designating the highway within the individual states. The designation by the individual states took place in the late 1930s. As an example, Indiana passed the designation resolution in 1937. I assume that the financial problems of the depression and the need for war materials during WW II delayed the placing of the designation signs until after 1945. I observed the placement of the signs in Ottawa, Illinois, where I grew up, about 1948. The historical society museum here in Valparaiso, Indiana has a program from the dedication of the signs in Indiana in 1948 as well. The program includes the names of some of the Civil War veterans [who were] still living in Indiana as attending as well as Department (state) Officers of the SUVCW. I have also sent an e mail to Mr. Joseph Hurley, who is walking the length of U. S. 6, with the above information as well as some local sites related to the Civil War and the Grand Army of the Republic. I would also like to direct your attention to the SUVCW web site, www.suvcw.org, which has additional information about the GAR and the connection with the SUVCW. " |
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