Grand Army of Republic: Their Memories Live On

The next County Line Historical Society of Wayne/Holmes program will be held October 17 at 1:00 p.m. at the historical Shreve Presbyterian Church.

The program, "Grand Army of Republic (GAR): Their Memories Live On", will be presented by Jeff Schrock, of Sugarcreek of Ohio. Schrock has a keen interest in the Civil War veterans' post-war adjustment and the fraternal aspects of the GAR. He has collected and researched the GAR fo 50+ years. He will be sharing information and even some local aspects of the GAR in our communities. He has been involved in getting VA headstones for those veterans needing to have their graves marked. Jeff is a US Air Force veteran and also served in the Ohio Air National Guard. He is a life member of the DAV, the VVA and Amvets and a 53 year member of the American Legion. Schrock is in his 17th year representing the American Legion on the Tuscarawas County Veterans Service Commission. Jeff is a member of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. His great great grandfather, Aaron Stevenson, served in 152nd OVI during the Civil War.

The Civil War brought about numerous soldier and sailor organizations following the Civil War. The GAR was the largest. Begun in Decatur, Illinois on april 6, 1866 by Dr. Benjamin F. Stephenson and his comrades. At its peak the GAR had more than over 400,000 members. Ohio has 763 posts with 48,000 members. Many towns, large and small, had GAR posts. Shreve, Big Prairie and Nashville were among them. The members were active in their communities supporting departed veterans families, educating school children on patriotism and remembering their departed comrades.

Schrock will share information and replicas from the GAR.

The historical Shreve Presbyterian Church is located at 343 N. Market St., Shreve, Ohio. There is parking across the street from the church.

The program is free and open to the public. The standard presentations are about 45-55 minutes.

The County Line Historical Society of Wayne/Holmes' mission is to support and provide educational programs of historical significance, serving Shreve, Nashville, Big Prairie and Lakeville communities. This is the last one of the year.