John A. Logan Camp No. 1
Grand Rapids, Michigan

Correspondence:

Secretary: Bruce B. Butgereit

Officers:

About the General John A. Logan Camp No. 1

The General John A. Logan Camp No. 1 meets at 7:00 pm on the second Tuesday of EACH EVEN NUMBERED month, at the Grand Rapids Veterans Home, 3000 Monroe Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Champlin Corps No. 41, Woman's Relief Corps meets on the same night at the Veteran's Home in a different room. The Eva Gray Tent No. 2, Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War meets at the same time and same day but on every month of the year. We sometimes share joint meeting openings and refreshments. Inquiries about the activities of the Camp may be addressed to the Camp Headquarters above.

Our Camp, which is responsible for Kent and Ottawa Counties, is dedicated to keeping alive the memory of the Union soldier and this we accomplish through fulfilling the goals and purposes of the SUVCW, some of which include:

Civil War Memorials - Locating, assessing, and restoring or preserving Civil War memorials, plaques, markers, statues, and monuments.  Some of our accomplishments include:  Raising over $300,000 to restore the Kent County Civil War Monument and Fountain (dedicated in 1885); restoring monuments in Sand Lake, Cedar Springs, Rockford, two in Grand Rapids, one at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans and the Michigan Monument at Andersonville (Prison) National Historic Site.

For more on the Kent County Civil War Monument, click on:  www.civilwarmonument.org 

Boy Scouts – Working with Boy Scouts through educational programs and assisting young men in their quest to earn the rank of Eagle Scout.  Recent cooperative projects include the building and placement of three park benches in Monument Park near the Kent County Civil War Monument.  Eagles are recognized with a colorful certificate of commendation. 

Educational programs – Members of the Camp, along with reenactor volunteers and members of the other Allied Orders, share a living history look at life during the Civil War.  Programs are tailored for different grades and include the highly successful “service-learning” program titled, “Together, we CAN do it!”  Other programs include flag etiquette, patriotism, and more. 

Grave Registration – Locating, assessing, and replacing or preserving the headstones that mark the graves of Civil War soldiers buried in Michigan. 

Supporting other Veteran groups – We are dedicated to honoring Veterans of ALL wars.  We participate in various veterans-related committees and the Memorial Day services and Veterans Day parade in Grand Rapids and other communities.

We are proud to have a "true son" in our Camp, Brother Harold Becker (86), whose father, Conrad Becker, served in the 128th Indiana Vol. Inf., Co. H

Camp History

Perhaps Logan's greatest claim to greatness is the fact that this rebuff did not make him bitter. He continued on in the service and, upon discharge, did not forget the sacrifices of his fellow soldiers. Not only did he define Memorial Day, but - in his capacity as one of the earliest Commander-in-Chiefs of the Grand Army of the Republic and a United States senator - made great efforts to secure favorable pension benefits for the soldiers, their widows and children.

The text of General Logan's Memorial Day Order is on the Department of Michigan website under the Ceremonies and Rituals link.