The 117th Annual National Convention ribbon is a remembrance of the Grand Army of the Republic encampments held by Union Soldiers throughout the years after their service during the Civil War.

The St. Louis encampment pin represents the five heritage groups that are part of the Allied Orders of the GAR. DUVs spent an evening in shared celebration with Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, the Auxiliary of the SUVCW, along with members of Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic, and the Women’s Relief Corps.

George Grover Williams, age near 90, was saluted in a history given by his daughter, telling the family story of this Son who learned about the War Between the States from his father. This Real Son was then saluted by the crowd as he was welcomed as a new member of the Sons of Veterans of the Civil War.

The Daughters bring energy and purpose to all the events of the Convention. Talent was displayed during the States Night, with DUVs sharing fun skits.

Jemima Klingensmith from Pennsylvania shows her gift for teaching us through a “historical reminiscence” of George Washington seeking a flag, and the challenge to Betsy to find the perfect design. This lap quilt became part of an auction that supports the National Headquarters and Museum in Springfield, Illinois. The bids reached a significant point, and the DUV “winner” then donated the artful “lesson” for a display to be added to the museum’s patriotic collection.

The Daughters held a busy Convention of business meetings and special events. Member numbers varied with each day's registration, but 114 members, 84 eligible to vote attended the 4th day.

The Convention is an impressive gathering of "friends with a purpose," and it's possible to meet women "from the four corners" and find good moments to share.

Carol and Jae are known to Oklahoma DUVs, and Glenda Golden is a National Member at Large from Enid, OK. Three Oklahoma Daughters at National Convention!

Carol Cox and Jae Jaeger of Elizabeth Bacon Custer Tent #19 were elected to National offices. Carol is the 2007-2008 Patriotic Instructor and continues as Chairperson for the Long Range Planning Committee, and is a member of the GAR Living Memorial Scholarship Committee. She will also participate in the National Officers’ Handbook Committee. Jae is Treasurer, with assigned Chairmanship of the Budget Committee, and is a new member of the Long Range Planning Committee.

Additional Oklahoma Department DUVs who will carry National roles include June Cornwell Stone, serving on the Membership Committee and as VAVS Deputy Representative; and Nancy Chotkey who is a member of the Educational Activities Committee. Both June and Nancy are members of the Sallie Peacheater Tent #18.

Sunday morning, 20 of us dressed in white and created a red, white and blue rose basket to commemorate the Sisters who passed away this last year. Mildred Schwartz Coates, a Sallie Peacheater Tent #18 Daughter, was remembered in this special service.

The Memory Banquet brought history to life with a visit by Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln. In a spontaneous conversation style, the couple relived their years and experiences as they prepared for an evening at the theater in 1865. Afterward, Max and Donna Daniels, who have been Lincoln presenters for nearly 15 years, signed autographs for enthusiastic DUVs – thus the pen in hand, and not a quill!

Pat Mullenix, DUV National President 2006-2007, placed a wreath at the Civil War Ancestor Memorial Stone in the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, located in the southern part of St. Louis. The Julia Dent Grant Tent #16 dedicated the stone June 2nd, 1996 to honor the women who helped Union forces in the Civil War.

DUV Convention members regarded it as a privilege to view the historical grounds of Jefferson Barracks, which opened in 1826 as the Army’s first permanent base west of the Mississippi River. By the 1840’s the base had become the largest military installation in the U.S. During the Civil War, Jefferson Barracks served as a Union training post with a hospital for the sick and wounded.

The Barracks cemetery was established in 1827 with the first burial of the infant daughter of an officer. In 1866 the grounds were dedicated as the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. The old cemetery which holds approximately 20,000 gravesites, including more than 1,000 Confederates, continues as an active cemetery and memorial for contemporary Military Veterans.

The Convention group also witnessed the National President placing a wreath at a granite monument dedicated to the Unknown Dead of 1861-1865, erected in 1940 by the Annie Wittenmyer Tent #3. Annie Wittenmyer lived from 1827 until 1900 and worked to bring food and supplies to wounded Union soldiers. Instrumental in reforming the horrific conditions in hospitals and battle camps, she was well respected by Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant for her philanthropy and heroism.

The ceremonies were important and special moments during the Daughters of Union Veterans 117th National Convention.