MOUNT CARMEL - Four new members were accepted into the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War James A Garfield Camp 34 at a meeting May 8.
Brothers Lee, Robert and John Parker and their cousin, Patrick Kiley, all trace their lineage to their great-great-grandfather, Lambert Ruffing, who served as a private with Company B, 5th Pennsylvania Calvary. The Parkers can also trace their lineage to their great-great-uncle Lance Parker, who served in Company I, 48th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry.
In keeping General Order No. 11 issued by Gen. John A. Logan, commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, of May 5, 1868, the camp will decorate the graves of Civil War and Spanish-American War veterans Wednesday for the Memorial Day holiday. The camp will meet at Mount Carmel Cemetery at 6 p.m. to place American flags there, then move to Saint Mary, Oak Hill and Saint Joseph (Locust Gap) cemeteries.
The camp will also participate in the "Changing of the Colors" flag ceremony at 1 p.m. Sunday. The flag will be raised in honor and memory of Civil War veteran George P. Parry, who attained the rank of second lieutenant while serving in Companies E and C, 55th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry.
As part of Mount Carmel's observance on Memorial Day, the camp will have a service Monday, May 27, at the grave of Oscar H. Sillyman, who served as a sergeant with both Company B, 6th Regiment, Pennsylvania Militia of 1862, and Company B, 27th Regiment, Pennsylvania Militia of 1863.
In a report from Treasurer Hugh Jones, he said the camp is in sound financial order and the annual report was filed with the state department. Kevin Jones gave the opening and closing prayers and Commander David Berezovske led the camp in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The next meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11, at the Lithuanian Social Club.