Author's collection
Post card
About This Image
The Grand Army of the Republic (G. A. R.) was a national organization founded in 1866 to honor the service of Union veterans of the Civil War. Because its membership, which peaked at roughly 500,000 in 1890, was limited to veterans, the organization entered a period of decline as its membership began to die off. Nonetheless, G.A.R. parades (such as the Boone parade shown above) and other G.A.R. events persisted until well into the 20th-century. The G. A. R. was officially dissolved in 1956 upon the death of Albert Woolson - its last surviving member - at the age of 109.
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