The Department in Action

Sons of Union Veterans – Departments of Colorado and Wyoming

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2025 Activities

From The Banner Summer Edition 2025

Department of Colorado-Wyoming participated in two events that happened at Fort Laramie August 7 – August 10.
Fort Laramie during the Summer and Fall of 1865.

Yeager Held Camp 1 Montana, right William Neu Camp 3 Wyoming

Company K, 3rd U.S Volunteer Infantry (Galvanized Yankees, former Confederate POWs) surrendered to Union forces in December 1864 and were held by the United States as deserters, but were saved from prosecution by being enlisted in the 5th and 6th U.S. Volunteers. These Volunteers were marched from Fort Leavenworth Kansas to Fort Laramie along with Company H, 15th Cavalry

The Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868 remains a significant historical document that illustrates the complexities of U.S.- Native American relations and the struggles over land rights that continue to this day. William T. Sherman was present to facilitate the signing. A group of soldiers participating this weekend marched over to where the First Fort was built. This is sacred land by the Native Americans whose ancestors participated in the signing.

This was also a recruiting effort while interacting with the general public.

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A visit to Ft. Laramie

Commander William Neu visited Fort Laramie, Wyoming, over the 4th of July weekend where he met Brother Jaeger Held, a member of Montana’s Compliment-Chapman Camp 2, who works for the National Park Service where his assignment is temporarily working at the Fort for the summer. This visit was also a recruiting effort for the Department and the SUVCW.

A GAR marker, placed in 2024, marks the graves of three unknown Civil War soldiers buried in the vicinity north of Fort’s hospital.

Commander Neu and Brother Jeager Held are on the porch of the Old Bedlam, which was built in 1849, making it the oldest standing military building in Wyoming.

Pictures from the June 21, 2025 Department Encampment

The new officers being sworn in and they will serve until the 2026 Department Encampment. Left to Right: Lee Adkins, Senior Vice Commander, Ken Jacobson, Assistant Webmaster and Recruiting Officer, Ross Gorman, PhD, Department Council, William Neu, Department Commander, Jim Baker, Department Organizer, GAR Records Officer, David Doryland, Council, Walter Weart, Signal Corp. Officer and Newsletter Editor. A group photo of the attendees: (1st Row): Left to Right: Lee Adkins, Bill Neu, Ken Jacobsen. 2^nd row: (Left to Right): Ray Klein, Tom Harper, Ross Gorman, Carl Clink, Dave Doryland, Walter Weart, Jim Barker, James Carroll. Ronald Piccirilli, William Parker, Monroe McBride, and Brian Pierson, PCinC.

Awards

Commander Neu, Jr. congratulates Brother Jim Baker. Commander Neu, Jr. congratulates Brother Ken Jacobson. Commander Neu, Jr. congratulates Brother
Monroe McBride Commander Neu, Jr. congratulates Brother Walter Weart.

Certificates of Commendation were awarded to Ken Jacobsen and Monroe McBride for their work in connection with the Rootstech project. Department Commander's Appreciation Awards were presented to Monroe McBride for work as Chaplain & GAR Highway Officer; Walter Weart for work on Department’s website and Jim Barker for his work as Department Secretary and Treasurer.

Activates



On May 13 2025, William Neu Jr., Department Commander, Department of Colorado-Wyoming, awarded Cadet PFC Tiffany Guevarahe the SUVCW JROTC medal during Awards Night at Natrona High School in Casper Wyoming. Cadet PFC Guevara was chosen for this award as a Freshman with high academic achievement.	On May 18, 2025, Camp Commander Tom Harper, Col Henry B Carrington Camp 3, part of Department of Colorado & Wyoming, attended a presentation about the Bozeman Trail at the newly opened Fort Phil Kearny Interpretative Center As part of the presentation, a picture showing Col Henry B Carrington, which may have been taken at the dedication of the Fetterman Massacre Monument which occurred in the 1907-1910 timeframe. Col Carrington is the gentleman just to the left of the flag pole, acknowledging the crowd by waving his hat.

2024 Department Encampment Photos

2024 Camp Officers being installed. Left to right: Ken Jacobsen, Walter Weart,
Gene Cheney, James Barker, William Neu Jr. and Lee Adkins II.
Brian Pierson on right reviews duties with incoming Department Commander
William Neu Jr. as (left) Tom Harper Camp 3 observes.

Newsletters and articles

From the Spring 2024 SUVCW Banner From the Winter 2024 SUVCW Banner

To see a larger copy click here To see a larger copy click here

From the Summer SUVCW Banner

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Rick Gilbert (Left) the event organizer and (Right) Department Commandeer Bill Leu, Jr at Scottsbluff NE.

On November 11^th 2024, Department Commander Bill Neu, Jr. participated in the Veterans Day Parade in Scottsbluff Nebraska. Rick Gilbert organized this event by asking motorcyclists to participate in this event. Other Parade participants included local schools, Daughters of the American Revolution, Nebraska Veterans Home, and Disabled American Veterans. Approximately 40 participant riders on motorcycles, Trike motorcycles, and ATVs were in the parade.

Department Awards

U. S. Grant Cup Award (Greatest Number of New Members)

- 1969 - 1970

- 1971 - 1972

- 1978 - 1979

- 2018 - 2019

Marshall Hope Award (Best Department Newsletter)

- 2013-2014

Joseph S. Rippey Award (Most Outstanding New Camp)

2018-2019 Awarded to Thomas D. Osbourne Camp 43


2024 Camp Officers being installed. Left to right: Ken Jacobsen, Walter Weart, Gene Cheney, James Barker, William Neu Jr. and Lee Adkins II.	Brian Pierson on right reviews duties with incoming Department Commander William Neu Jr. as (left) Tom Harper Camp 3 observes.