Army and Navy Union of the United States of America

File:Regular Army & Navy Union statue front.jpg

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, 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.

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.

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.

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

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. 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.

External links

• Forum of "Army & Navy Union Membership badge" with associated ribbons

• USGovernment 1906, pp. 173–174.