150th Anniversary of the Grand Army of the Republic to be Celebrated in New York

From the April 5, 2016, Albany (NY) Times-Union "Oakwood bell ceremony marks 150th anniversary of the GAR."

The Vanderheyden Memorial Bell at Oakwood Cemetery in Troy, New York, will be part of a statewide celebration Bells Across New York this Saturday.  It will be honoring the 150th anniversary of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR).

The commemoration will be put on by the Friends of Oakwood Cemetery and the Col. George L. Willard Camp, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW).  The Vanderheyden Bell will be rung for one minute at noon.

Members of the 125th New York Volunteer Infantry re-enactment group will present the flag, ring the bell and fire a musket.

The GAR was formed by Union veterans from the Army, Navy, Marines and Revenue Cutter Service to maintain communication and give veterans a political voice.  It was formed on April 6, 1866, on the principles of "Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty."

The legal heir to it isSUVCW.