Iowa Rifles Monument Fund Project & SUVCW Recruiting

Members of Company A, 49th Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry held a fund raising event at the Dahl's store on 86th Street in Johnston, on Saturday, January 16th. Those present were Chaplain Dennis Sasse, Color Sergeants David Thompson and Danny Krock and Mrs. Tammy Krock. The public was given a showing of period items and weapons, and informed on the upcoming Sesquicentennial.


Submitted in F, C, & L,
Danny Krock
Color Sergeant
Co. A, 49th IA Volunteers

The table covers in the photos were donated by Brother Richard Grim, Camp Commander Power-Dunlavy, and his wife, Debbie.
The Iowa Rifles' adopted Sister, Debbie, created these jewels.
1st Sgt David Lamb issued this thank you:

January 15 Iowa Battle Flag Rotation

3rd Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regimental Flag

Members of Co. A, 49th Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry proudly participated in the January Flag Rotation at the State Capitol on Friday, January 15th. Those present were Color Sergeants David Thompson and Danny Krock, Corporals Mike Rowley and Louis Zenti (SUVCW Dodge Camp Brothers). They were also assisted by Department Chaplain Dennis Geesaman, Mitchell Camp. Following the rotation, a tour of the Battle Flag Restoration Room at the State Historical Building was presented by Conservator Sheila Hanke and Assistant Conservator Sarah Carlson. We were given to opportunity to view the flags in various stages or restoration.
Also, we saw the Palmetto Flag (South Carolina), "Big Red", as it is being prepared for display at the Citadel in Charleston, SC. It will be on loan to that institution during the Sesquicentennial observance of the American Civil War. The next rotation is scheduled for Thursday, April 15th.

Information about the Palmetto Flag from SHSI Conservator Sheila Hanka:

Flag, #41--red palmetto, is being loaned to the Citadel and displayed at the Alumni Building from March 16, 2010 to March 16, 2014 as part of their 150th Celebration of the Civil War. The loan paperwork was just signed allowing SHSI to make the formal announcement. The Citadel has met and exceeded our display requirements and participated in an on-site review of the physical building/security/environmental conditions.

The DCA Director has just requested that the flag be displayed at SHSI on Feb. 12 during President A. Lincoln's birthday celebration. The Red Palmetto will be shown to the public for the first time since 1919 from 11 to 1:00 that day. I am very excited to have achieved this opportunity for Iowans.

Photos: Miss Sheila Hanke

Submitted in Fraternity, Charity, & Loyalty,
Danny Krock
Color Sergeant
Co. A, 49th IA Volunteers

Dept. of Iowa, SUVCW
Sesquicentennial Committee Meeting

Designed by Danny Krock, General Grenville Dodge Camp #75

The Sesquicentennial Committee met in Des Moines on January 9th for its preliminary meeting. The meeting was called to order at the Country Kitchen restaurant, 5030 NE 14th St., Des Moines, by interim chairman Mike Carr at 11 AM.

Roll Call:
Mike Carr, Kinsman Camp #23..........Chairman...................Present
Jim Braden, Kinsman Camp #23...........................................Present
Don Gage, Anderson Camp #33...........................................Absent
Court Stahr, Abernethy Camp #48.......................................Absent
Dann Hayes, Bates Camp #64..........Publicity Chairman....Present
Tom Gaard, Dodge Camp #75...........Vice Chairman...........Present
Danny Krock, Dodge Camp #75............................................Present
Kevin Pearson, Huntley #114...............................................Absent

The first order of business was electing a chairman. Bro. Carr was elected. It was decided that a vice chairman was needed in case something prevented the chairman from attending the meeting. Bro. Gaard was nominated and elected. Bro. Hayes accepted the appointment as publicity chairman.

A logo was chosen. Bro. Krock had several and there was a unanimous decision on which one we wanted. A picture of the logo will be placed on the Dept. web page. The logo was chosen due to its relative simplicity and ease to reproduce. The vote was unanimous.

Publicity guidelines were discussed. Bro. Hayes suggested that news articles should be as generic as possible and use quotes from either a Department or local SUVCW spokesperson. Suggestions for publicity include local and statewide newspapers, radio and TV spots.

A suggestion was made that we tie fund-raisers to our publicity via the possible sale of items such as cups, etc. printed with our logo, generic or personalized Civil War bracelets or children’s toy kepis or forage caps. No decision was made regarding what types of merchandise that might be suitable. The committee will be looking into possible suppliers and costs for these items. We would concentrate on items that are free or of small cost. Funds raised would be used to support sesquicentennial efforts, to assist in refurbishing monuments or to fund events of interest to the SUVCW.

A suggestion was made by Bro. Krock to have an ‘Iowa in the Civil War’ pamphlet printed up detailing Iowa’s contribution to the War effort. The pamphlet would also feature 2-3 pictures from Iowa re-enactments or actual period photos as a visual stimulus to entice people to read it.

A further suggestion by Bro.’s Gaard and Hayes was to make a list of Iowa’s Civil War monuments and have them listed with their GPS co-ordinates. We would start with the more prominent monuments and work through those that are lesser known until the list is complete.

Bro.’s Braden, Hayes & Krock discussed acquiring a website for the Sesquicentennial Committee where events, dedications, etc. would be publicized along with a schedule of recruiting, fundraising or other events, including dedications and re-dedications. It was suggested that the name be kept short for convenience of entering it. The domain site would be entitled something like Iowa and the Civil War with the full SUVCW title being on the actual site. Said title has not yet been chosen pending the final decision to acquire a domain and provider.

Bro. Stahr’s emailed report containing his suggestions for Dept. Committee guidelines and focus was read and accepted as written. The mission statement for the Committee will be discussed and voted on at the next meeting when more of the Committee may be present. Our thanks to Bro. Stahr for a well thought out document. Bro. Stahr has volunteered to write weekly articles on the Civil War starting the first week of April, 2011. The Committee accepts Bro. Court’s kind offer.

Bro. Gaard further suggested that a series of Medal of Honor winner articles be written and distributed for publication on the date of the action resulting in the winning of the Medal.

Due to the absences of Bro’s Gage and Pearson, the financial parameters were discussed in general terms. It was the consensus that if the Committee is asked to undertake such things as sponsoring events, the need for funds to do this may arise. The Committee will present legislation at the 2010 Dept. Encampment asking for a specific amount of funds to use as seed money so that we may acquire the items we wish to sell, thus making the Committee self-sustaining throughout the duration of the Sesquicentennial. Any funds remaining to the Committee at the end of its mandate (2015) would revert to the Dept. treasury. The set amount requested would also eliminate the need for Dept. approval of each transaction the Committee would make throughout the course of the year(s). Donations would also be solicited from camps or possibly from corporate sponsors.

A suggestion was made to contact Sheila Hanke or Jerome Thompson at the SHSI and request a copy of the Battle Flag video from 2006 as part of the SUVCW promotional material.

A motion was made by Bro. Krock, seconded by Bro. Hayes to ask the Dept. of Iowa to approve the 2010 Cedar Rapids re-enactment as an official SUVCW-sanctioned event, but not as part of the Sesquicentennial. The vote was unanimous in favor. Any Committee-approved event must fall between April 12, 2011 and June 23, 2015. This dates from the firing on Fort Sumter to the surrender of the last Confederate forces.

Bro. Gaard was asked to come up with a plan to dedicate any, all, or some of Iowa’s Civil War monuments both within and without Iowa. Discussion was centered around the number of monuments, including historical sites, that deserve to be visited and honored. It was decided that in most cases, each county would be visited by the SUV/SVR and a dedication would be held at the most prominent or historically significant monument or site in the county. In some cases, such as Polk County, multiple events would need to be held to do justice to the history therein. This schedule will be developed between 2010 and 2011.

In regard to monuments outside Iowa, such as Wilson’s Creek, Shiloh, or Vicksburg, those would be visited on the sesquicentennial date of the actions causing them to be erected. Due to cost and time, out-of-state venues would need to be discussed further to choose those we can/want to visit. A suggestion was made by Bro. Krock to ask the various camps or SVR units to ‘deploy’ to a site such as Vicksburg and carry out any dedications decided upon. A suggestion was made by Bro. Braden to possibly have schools ‘adopt’ a monument needing refurbishing.

The Sesquicentennial Committee was unanimous in choosing April 12, 2011 as the official “kickoff event” of the Sesquicentennial. Bro. Hayes suggested that we have several events as officially accepted on the SUVCW calendar. These would possibly include the Keokuk, Mason City, Marshalltown, Carson, and/or Lamoni re-enactment events, dedications that would include monument, GAR Hall and historical sites, including ceremonies on college campuses such as those at Hopkinton and Grinnell IA that contributed heavily from their student bodies. The calendar, other than the ceremony at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument and attendant events on April 12, 2011 has not been finalized. Input is welcome and needed from the general membership concerning this.

Bro. Braden presented his report on commemorating the mustering of all Iowa’s units. His suggestion, which was accepted by the committee, was to hold a commemoration ceremony at each place where regiments and batteries were mustered in during the sesquicentennial year where most activity in that place occurred. In places such as Davenport, the choice of year has many options, as it was one of a few sites that were active in mustering units throughout the War. The unit commemorations would possibly be tied to the countywide dedication ceremonies, where possible, in an effort to maximize our presence and reduce travel expenses.

Bro. Carr reported on the current schedule of known events that will take place during the period 2011-2015. This was only a preliminary document and contained lists of re-enactments, living history events and known dedications. This calendar will be under development well into the period it covers as many events are still in the planning stages, or are still being contemplated by communities.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:10. The next meeting will be held on Saturday, March 20, 2010 at the same time & location.

Submitted in Fraternity, Charity & Loyalty,
Mike Carr
Sesquicentennial Chairman

For a limited period of time (January 15th, 2010 through March 15th, 2010 inclusive) applications for enlistment into the ranks of Co. A, 49th Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment (Sons of Veterans Reserve), Department of Iowa Honor Guard, will be accepted for evaluation by the unit Commander.

In the short span of this unit's existence we have already gained considerable attention both within the state of Iowa and the nation; and have earned several awards and commendations for our activities, with further accolades forthcoming.

As a Regiment, we have already accomplished significant goals in the restoration of Civil War Monuments, which is our mission under the auspices of the Iowa Rifles Monument Restoration Project. Further projects await and shall be undertaken in turn by this on-going effort to repair/replace/restore the monuments to our ancestor's sacrifices in the causes of Union and Freedom for which our founding Order in the Grand Army of the Republic was established.

Within the short time-span of its formal existence, the 49th Iowa has grown from nothing to the largest, and most active Sons Veterans Reserve Unit in the State of Iowa and we have dozens of projects, appearances, and activities already slated for this year and beyond. It is anticipated that this most prestigious unit will be playing an ever-increasing role not only within the state of Iowa but also the Nation, and perhaps beyond our own borders, within the coming years of the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War.

You can become a part of this unit if you are willing to make the required commitment!

Potential enlistees are to understand that this unit is a participatory Regiment and that if accepted into the unit on a probationary basis you will be expected to take an active part in the activities and mission of the Regiment. Failure to do so will result in you not being considered for retention on the unit Muster Rolls once your initial one-year of probationary enlistment ends.

All potential enlistees shall be expected to familiarize themselves with the "Rules and Regulations of the 49th Iowa"; and, shall be asked to sign a statement acknowledging such before their applications for enlistment will be accepted for consideration.

Guardsmen of the 49th Iowa are expected to consistently set the highest standards of dress, equipage, deportment, as well as military bearing and courtesy when wearing the uniform of the Regiment or when taking part in any Regimental activities. No uniformed member of the Regiment shall take part in any activity that is not expressly sanctioned by the Commander in advance while wearing the uniform of the 49th Iowa.

We ask much of our Guardsmen. But, we give much in return.
Just ask one of us what it means to him to belong to this unit.

1/SGT. David M. Lamb, Commanding
Regimental Color Sergeant Court Stahr
Color Sergeant Danny Krock
Color Sergeant David Thompson
Color Sergeant David Burkett
Sergeant (Adjutant) Michael Carr
Sergeant Ronald Rittel
Sergeant Henry Krecklow
Corporal James Braden
Corporal Andrew Braden
Corporal Michael Rowley
Corporal Richard "Jake" Grim
Corporal Dan Rittel
Corporal David Haverkamp
Corporal Quinn Haverkamp
Corporal Louis Zenti
Corporal John Nichols
Corporal Joe Xu (Liaison NCO to the People's Republic of China)
Lt. Dennis Sasse (Chaplain)



For further information on joining the finest SVR Unit in North America, please contact:

1/Sgt. David M. Lamb
Commanding
Company "A" 49th Regiment
Iowa Volunteer Infantry
1305 Locust Street, # 7
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
1-515-282-5900
-email-

In May 2009, Company A, 49th Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment (known colloquially as The Iowa Rifles) was formed and joined the ranks of the Sons Veteran Reserve of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War when it received it's unit charter in June 2009.

Formed for the specific purpose of becoming an Honor Guard unit for the Department of Iowa (SUVCW); and, patterned after Regular Army Regimental Color Guards per US Army Regulations, 1863, the Rifles began immediately to take part in patriotic events, memorial celebrations, educational programs, and funds-raising projects while doing "meet and greet" educational displays at public venues around the state of Iowa.

Establishing, as an on-going mission, the goal of repairing and restoring monuments erected to our Civil War ancestors, the Iowa Rifles Monument Restoration Project was established; and, the early focus of the project became the restoration of the monument to "Herron's Division" (including the 19th, 20th, 34th, and 38th Iowa V.I.R.'s) on land that was once part of the Vicksburg National Battlefield Park, Vicksburg, Mississippi.

This monument, along with others honoring Missouri and Indiana units sits on land that was transferred from National Park ownership to local political entities at some point in the 1970's. They were then vandalized by persons unknown who stole the bronze marker plaques from the monument and have sat derelict ever since. Efforts are now underway to remove these monuments from their present location back onto land that is under Park Service supervision and the time has come to restore them. No Federal monies are available for the restoration, so the Iowa Rifles vowed to undertake this costly restoration by funding the casting and re-setting of new plaques upon the monument once it is moved.

In the short period of only six months the financial goals for this project have been met and the 49th Iowa Regiment of Volunteer Infantry has provided the funding necessary to restore this monument. When the restoration is completed the Regiment will deploy to Vicksburg for the re-dedication ceremonies.

In honor of this very significant accomplishment, active members of the Regiment who took part in the funds-raising activities of the unit during the period between 25th May, 2009 and 31st December, 2009 will be awarded the medal, shown in the accompanying photograph, for their participation in this outstanding undertaking.

The Medal itself features a "drop" that is a stylized version of the National Colors, and is reminiscent of the original Grand Army of the Republic membership badges; the "V" device is, of course, for "Vicksburg"; the classic "star" pattern of the medal is the long-standing military design for a completed "campaign"; and, the "Shielded Eagle" on the star is the emblem of the United States Army, in whose service the four regiments of "Herron's Division" served at the time of the various battles that comprised the Siege of Vicksburg (1862-1863).

This medal becomes the first 'Campaign Medal' to be awarded to the unit for it's efforts in monument restoration. It will not be the last. There are literally dozens of others that are in dire need of repair, restoration, or replacement and we will get to them one at a time.

Respectfully Submitted in Fraternity, Charity, and Loyalty,



1/SGT David M. Lamb
Commanding
Co. A, 49th Regiment
Iowa Volunteer Infantry
The Iowa Rifles

Power-Dunlavy Camp Commander Richard Grim sent an e-mail to Brothers and Sisters of the SUVCW with a photo attached. The photo showed Brother Richard holding his grandson's hand at the Final Post of hisCamp's namesake, Albert Power.
With the photo he had a message: It is young people like your and my grandchildren that will one day hopefully champion the SUVCW and what it stands for. We all need to encourage these young people to remember their ancestry and what those ancestors gave to save this great nation as we strive to do the same.



Brother Grim's e-mail prompted Brother Mike Rowley of the Grenville Dodge Camp to e-mail a photo and message: ...You reminded us all that the SUVCW neither started with us nor will end with us. As evidence of that I thought some of you might enjoy this photo from about 1899 (of my grandfather).



Both messages are powerful reminders of who we are as an Order. It speaks about who came before us and who will follow. Their messages call us to our responsibilities and gently prod us to live our oath.

Thank you, Brothers!

Yours in Fraternity, Charity, & Loyalty,
Court Stahr
Department Commander

All Photos: David Lamb

Borrowing from the idea of the Wreaths Across America Project, Guardsmen of the 49th Regiment of Iowa Volunteer Infantry (SVR Honor Guard for the Department of Iowa) have manufactured and placed Christmas Wreaths at the G.A.R. sections of Des Moines' Woodland and Glendale Cemeteries as well as at the gravesite of Sarah Palmer Young, and at the Iowa Veterans' Cemetery in Van Meter, Iowa.

"Plans are in the works for this remembrance gesture to be broadened in coming years to include other Grand Army sections in cemeteries across the state of Iowa, as this becomes yet another 'tradition of the Regiment' in honoring our nations' veterans", according to 1/Sgt Lamb, the unit's commander.

Respectively Submitted in F, C, & L,
1/Sgt David M. Lamb
The Iowa Rifles

49th Iowa Supports the Marine Corps' "Toys for Tots" Campaign

The Senior NCO's of the Regiment voted unanimously to contribute this year to the United States Marine Corps' annual "Toys for Tots" campaign in the closing days of their efforts for the 2009 Christmas Season.

Once the amount of the contribution had been agreed upon, the individual Guardsmen of the Departmental Honor Guard of Company "A" 49th Regiment of Volunteer Infantry then dug a little deeper into their own pockets to triple the amount from the Regimental coffers.

Shown here, dressed in the uniform of 1860 Marines of the 49th's "Raccoon River Marine Landing Force" (a just-forming sub-unit of the 49th Iowa) are Orderly Sergeant Lamb, and Sergeant Krock presenting checks to Major Knutson, USMCR, at a ceremony on Friday, December 18th, 2009.

(Left to Right) Maj. Knutson, CS Thompson, CS Krock, 1st Sgt. Lamb, 1/SGT Brandon Eckhardt. Maj Knutson and 1SGT Eckhardt are I&I (Inspections and Instruction) Staff, Echo Company (-), 2nd BN, 24th Marines and stationed at the US Naval and Marine Reserve Training Center, Fort Des Moines, Iowa.

G.A.R. Memorial Highway Bridge Project

Progress Report

The naming of twelve bridges after Iowa Civil War generals on U.S. Highway 6 began during PDC Kevin Pearson’s administration.
This project is coming to fruition under the current Department Commander and the continued work of Department Highway Officer James Johnston.
The G.A.R. Memorial Highway Bridge Project has come to a point where we are ready to place an order for the manufacture and distribution of signage to their various locations for spring of 20l0 installation.

Of the original twelve locations decided by the committee, there are nine locations, which will receive an Iowa general’s name.
The locations, which were lost, are one in Scott County, and two in Jasper County. Only the Iowa 'side' of the General Grenville Dodge Bridge in Council Bluffs may be honored because of Nebraska Department of Transportation rules. Bridges in Nebraska may not be named.

The signs are 24" x 30" in size and will be purchased from Prison Industries, Anamosa.

The following is the current list of generals to be honored, the county where the bridge is located, and the Sons' Camp sponsoring the bridge.





End of Report

James Johnston
G.A.R. Highway Officer
Department of Iowa

Wreaths Across America
Eldon, IA
Power-Dunlavy Camp #3

I attended the Wreath's Across America ceremony held in Eldon, Iowa on 12/12/09. It was very cold but was a very nice ceremony just the same. The wreaths had been placed earlier in the morning by some local veterans. One of the local sponsors opened the ceremony by giving a speech on the Wreaths Program and how it honors all veterans. After the playing of the National Anthem those in attendance then recited the Pledge of Allegiance. There was a short speech given by Marietta Miller-Meeks followed by the playing of Taps. Various guests including myself were asked to address those present with our thoughts and feelings on the importance of the remembrance of all veterans of all wars.
My wife was unable to attend the ceremony thus I have no pictures of the ceremony itself, however one of the local veterans presented me with two of the wreaths to take home. Upon arriving at home we took the wreaths and placed one on her fathers grave and one on my fathers grave, both being veterans. The pictures submitted are my wife and myself placing the wreaths.





Respectfully Submitted in F, C, & L
Cpl. Richard D.Grim
Co A 49th Iowa Rifles