Each year the National General Staff of the Sons of Veterans Reserve (SVR) selects the most outstanding SVR unit in the country and awards them a unit citation, which entitles the members to wear a special badge on their Civil War uniform and display a special steamer on their unit flag.
This year Company C, 20th Ohio Volunteer Infantry received the award. The local unit is comprised of members from four different Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) camps, including Henry Casey Camp No. 92 which meets in Washington C.H.
The citation presented to the unit notes, “This unit was mustered into SVR service 24 years ago and has participated in over 200 events in 13 different counties in Ohio. They have marched as the Color Guard in Memorial Day parades, and served as the firing squad for Memorial Day ceremonies and have participated in numerous dedication ceremonies and conducted a variety of living history programs for schools and community organizations.”
The national commander of the SVR, Major General Robert E. Grim, a retired Miami Trace High School teacher, presented the award to the unit’s commander 1st Lt. Shane L. Milburn during a meeting of the local unit. Milburn is a U.S. Marine veteran and lives in Greene County.
Milburn was also awarded the SVR Meritorious Service Medal for his outstanding SVR service. Accepting the special streamer for the unit’s flag was local resident Shawn Cox, a charter member of the unit, and a past commander of the Ohio Department SUVCW.
Richard Troup, a retired elementary school principal, from McConnelsville in Morgan County, had the honor of accepting the unit citation certificate since he travels the greatest distance to attend meetings and events held in Fayette County.
