Army and Navy Union of the United States of America

Regular Army and Navy Union statue erected in 1897 located at the
San Francisco National Cemetery

The Army and Navy Union of the United States of America is the oldest veterans' organization in America. It is a federally chartered corporation.

History

The Army & Navy Union was founded in 1886, federally chartered,[1][2] and was incorporated on March 31, 1988. Its fundamental objective is national security and defense. Its overall purpose is to encourage and preserve fraternal comradeship among those who have rendered service in the United States Armed Forces. The organization has the ideal to continue the high ideals and principles of patriotism, loyalty, justice, and service to the United States. The federally chartered corporation is the oldest veterans' organization in America.[3][4][5][6][7]

Name

This patriotic organization was incorporated in Ohio on March 31,1888, as "The Regular Army Union of the United States of America." On November 11, 1891, they organization' name was amended to "Regular Army and Navy Union of the United States of America;" on October 19, 1899, this name was adopted by the original society.[8]

Army & Navy Union badge

Badge

The original badge of the Army and Navy Union was patented as design No. 21640 on June 21,1892. The distinctive badge has been used since then and worn on public occasions of ceremony by officers and enlisted men and women who are its members.[8][9]

In fact, the United States Congress authorized condemned civil war cannons to be melted down to provide medals to the members.[10]

Qualifications and duties

Even after 100 years after its founding, the Army and Navy Union USA continues to operate. It has Garrisons in Delaware, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, and Ohio. Any person who received an honorable discharge from or is now serving in the armed forces (active or reserve components) of the United States of America is eligible to become a member.[11] There are no prescribed qualifications on time or length of service. The principal duty of the Army and Navy Union members is the upholding, guarding and protecting the integrity of the United States government and its constitution. Another duty of the Union members is to maintain constant vigilance against destructive forces that interfere with the United Sates government in any way. Other duties include helping ex-service men and woman who need help in getting employment, caring for the sick, and needed burial services.[12]

References

  1. ↑ "36 USC Ch. 229: ARMY AND NAVY UNION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA From Title 36—Patriotic and National Observances, Ceremonies and Organizations, Subtitle II—Patriotic and National Organizations Part B—Organizations". Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  2. ↑ The Army and Navy Union of the United States. United States Congressional serial set. June 19, 1906. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Army & Navy Union USA". Retrieved December 14, 2015. The Army & Navy Union USA was organized in 1886 and is the oldest, perpetual membership veterans organization in the United States.
  4. ↑ "Army and Navy Union – Defenses of Washington Garrison No.65". Army and Navy Union. 2015. Retrieved December 14, 2015. Organized in 1886, it is the oldest, perpetual membership veterans organization in the United States.
  5. ↑ "Army And Navy Union Of The United States Of America: Department Of Ohio (Information Provided By: Mental Health And Recovery Services Board Of Allen, Auglaize And Hardin Counties)". Mental / Behavioral Health Service Directory. Huron County Health and Addiction Services. June 4, 2015. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
  6. ↑ Coit, Daniel; Gilman, Harry; Peck, Thurston; Moore, Frank (1907). "Army and Navy union of the United States". The New International Encyclopædia 4. Mead and Company. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
  7. ↑ "Congressionally-Chartered Veterans Service Organizations (By Date of Charter)". Veterans Service Organizations. House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
  8. 1 2 USGovernment 1906, pp. 173–174.
  9. ↑ Beyer December 16 2007, Kevin. "Army & Navy Union Membership badge". Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Congressional Series of United States Public Documents, Volume 6330". January 17, 1913. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Join us". USA&N Home page. Army & Navy Union. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
  12. ↑ "Army and Navy Union of the United States Membership Badge, officer". Medal-Medaille. 2015. Retrieved December 14, 2015.

Sources

External links

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