• Home
• We are the sons . . .
• Ancestors List
• Articles
• Photos
• Links

• On this page . . .
• » Membership
• » Bradbury Camp
• » Camp Officers
• » SVR
• » Auxiliary
• » Camp Events

Some of our Camp and Auxiliary members at Gettysburg in 2008

 Camp News: 

SUVCW

The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) is a patriotic and educational organization dedicated to honoring the soldiers who fought to preserve the Union. We also proudly honor all those who have patriotically served our country in any war.

Membership

Despite the organization's name, most of us are actually great, ... , great grandsons of Civil War soldiers. However, men who do not have the ancestry to qualify for hereditary membership may become associate members. For more information, contact one of the Bradbury Camp Officers listed below. Details are also available on the Membership Eligibility and Application page of the National SUVCW web site.

Bradbury Camp

Bradbury Camp #149 primarily serves both Chester and Delaware Counties in Pennsylvania. However, there are no geographical restrictions and membership is open to individuals residing in other counties and states. We meet on the third Wednesday of each month, September through June, at 7:00 PM at the West Chester Municipal Building, 401 E. Gay St., West Chester, PA. A typical meeting consists of a business session during which we discuss and prepare for upcoming events and ceremonies. For a list of scheduled events, scroll down to the bottom of this page. Following the business session, we often have a speaker give a presentation on a topic related to the Civil War.

Our Camp is named for Sergeant Jones Bradbury. Sgt. Bradbury was a resident of Delaware County when he enlisted in the 26th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry (PVI). He was wounded in 1863, but recovered and returned to active duty. His enlistment was completed in May 1864, but he re-enlisted for the duration of the war in the 99th PVI. He was subsequently captured and imprisoned at Andersonville, but was later paroled and again returned to his unit. He was mortally wounded on April 6, 1865, just 3 days before the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia surrendered at Appomattox. To read a more complete overview of his story, see the Life of Jones Bradbury page.

Some of the Camp's members wear re-enactor's uniforms, but many do not. Optionally, members may join a ceremonial, uniformed, military component of the SUVCW, known as the Sons of Veterans Reserve (SVR). More details on the SVR are given below.

Additionally, there is an associate organization for women known as the Sgt. Jones Bradbury Auxiliary #149 to the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. More details on the Bradbury Auxiliary are given below.

Camp Officers

Commander:		G. Reed Howard   ( reedhoward@verizon.net )
Senior Vice Commander:		John O'Neal, PCC   ( jaoarm@aol.com )
Junior Vice Commander:		Jim Lawler   ( dtownjim@comcast.net )
Secretary:		William Ogden   ( wogden1942@verizon.net )
Treasurer:		George Roccas   ( george.roccas@verizon.net )
Council:		William Clinton, John Whiteside, Donald Stow
Chaplain:		Joseph Boyce
Guide:		Walt Lawson
Color Bearer:		Dan Cashin
Guards:		Christopher L. Hersh and C. Aaron Shelton
Patriotic Instructor:		Robert McGonigle
Graves Registration:		William Ogden   ( wogden1942@verizon.net )
Historian:		Clyde Tinklepaugh, PCC
Civil War Memorials:		Andy Lefko, PCC   ( lefko94@verizon.net )

SVR

The Sons of Veterans Reserve component of Bradbury Camp #149 is known as Co. B, 26th PVI and is led by Captain Andy Lefko. The unit was created to provide a color guard for all ceremonies, parades and living history programs that the Bradbury Camp organizes or participates in. The unit is not a re-enactment organization, although some our members participate in such events.

If you are interested in becoming a member or wish to request that our unit particpates in an upcoming event, please contact Andy Lefko at lefko94@verizon.net

Auxiliary

An Auxiliary unit strives to assist the Sons of Union Veterans in keeping alive the memories of our ancestors and their sacrifices for the maintenance of the Union. The Bradbury Auxiliary is led by President Flo Williams. If you would like more information, please contact Flo at flokhwms@verizon.net

2009 Events