(Riverton, WY) In celebration of Memorial Day, the Riverton Museum Children’s Exploration Series presents “Son of Union Veterans of The Civil War, A Family Story” this Saturday, May 25, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Karl Falken will combine the stories of two of his ancestors who served in the Civil War…one in the infantry and the other in the cavalry…with an introduction to how, in the aftermath of the Civil War, the Grand Army of the Republic organized for the benefit and betterment of veterans and their families.
Falken’s great-grandfather was one of the first to be in the National Guard; his family has fought in nearly every major war up to World War II. He will be dressed in a Civil War-style uniform and representing both the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War and the Sons of the American Revolution in his presentation.
“I have twelve (documented) ancestors who fought in the Patriot cause,” Falken said. “Not all of them actually fought; some of them signed what’s called the Oath of Allegiance, which was the equivalent of serving in combat because if you were caught by Royalists, you could be hanged. So they put their life on the line. So my ancestors braved British bullets and bayonets to give us a Republic, a Constitution, and a Supreme Court, all of whom have lent themselves very strongly to the prosperity and freedom we enjoy today.”
The Grand Army of the Republic became the most powerful political organization of the 19th century and drove many necessary reforms that are often taken for granted today. As time wore on, and the original veterans passed away, they passed the torch to their descendants, the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. Today, the SUVCW continues to keep their memory alive, maintain graves and monuments, and educate the public on the deeds of their ancestors.
“Memorial Day is to honor our sacred dead,” Falken continued. “Not just those who died in combat, but those who served and have passed because they can no longer speak for themselves. So we want to keep their memories green, as it were, to speak for them and to show our honor for them, and to help the coming generations remember what these people did and inspire them to carry the torch for them and continue what they started in the same spirit.”
Falken will also be showing and demonstrating Civil War equipment and feature a demonstration of a Civil War firearm (weather pending).
This event is free and open to the public.
The Riverton Museum is located at 700 East Park Avenue and is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Children’s Exploration Series is sponsored by Bailey Pit Stop/Tire & Auto Care and provides children with hands-on learning experiences that focus on cultural history and our natural environment. For more information about the museum’s events and activities, visit their Facebook page or the Fremont County Museum System website.