Each April 15th, SUVCW members and those of the Allied Orders,
gather at the tomb of Abraham Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois to honor
the late president. This ritual has been in place since 1956. This year,
Steve Leicht, Bryan Leicht, Don Palmer and John Avery of the U.S. Grant
Camp traveled to Springfield along with John Pillers and Steve Pledger
of the Richard J. Oglesby Camp (Cape Girardeau, Missouri) to participate
in the ceremonies. The weather did not cooperate, so the ceremonies were
held indoors. Steve Leicht placed the wreath for the Department of Missouri
and Don Palmer placed the wreath for the U.S Grant Camp. After the ceremonies,
the group toured the Lincoln Historic sites and visited a GAR museum established
by the Women’s Relief Corps. The day concluded with a stop at a cemetery
just outside of Springfield to visit the grave of Richard J. Oglesby.
All ceremonial participants gather at the statue of Abraham Lincoln
after the ceremonies for a group photo. SUVCW Commander-in-Chief Andrew
Johnson is located front and center.