CONNECT WITH SoGAR
Welcome to our website! We’re glad you chose to visit us.
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The Society of the Grand Army of the Republic (SoGAR) is a historical, educational, and patriotic organization and a 501(c)3 charity founded in 2017. Our society is dedicated to advancing a modern understanding of the Civil War. Membership is open to all who are interested in this period of American history.
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SoGAR actively works to identify local Civil War Veterans, honoring and restoring their graves. We research their military units’ histories and explore how the Civil War impacted our communities. Our purposes are detailed on this web page.
SoGAR is responsible for the restoration of the GAR Monument in Patchogue, as well as the placement of historic roadside markers for Civil War General Regis deTrobriand in Sayville and for General Nathaniel McLean in Bellport. We obtain new government headstones for forgotten Civil War veterans and honor them with dedication ceremonies. We also hold an annual Juneteenth Day ceremony in Patchogue. Please see our links below to learn more about our efforts.
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Excepting August, our meetings are held at 7:00 PM on the third Wednesday of the month. Email us to request a meeting invitation! Please join our mailing list (see box above) to receive other communications. We hope to see you soon!
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PS -- Visit our LinkTree to view our links easily using your smartphone.
CURRENT
OFFICERS
​Thomas Badamo
Director General
Paul Brinkman
Vice Director General
Aniella Badamo
Secretary General
Joseph Vermaelen
Chief of Staff & Treasurer General
George Munkenbeck
Chaplain General
Bruce Weidenburner
Adjutant General
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Kathleen Vermaelen
Signal Corps General
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Daniel Prunty
Graves Registration General
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Scott McKendrick
Aide de Camp
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UPCOMING
EVENTS
May 21, 2025, 7:00 PM
Regular Meeting
Bayport-Blue Point Library
Blue Point, NY
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May 24, 2025
Farmers Market Booth
Islip Grange, Sayville, NY
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June 7, 2025
Living History Day
Islip Grange, Sayville, NY
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June 19, 2025, 10:00 AM
Citizen Soldier Monument Patchogue, NY
June 19, 2025, 1:00 PM
Juneteenth Grave Dedication
Oakwood Cemetery, Bay Shore, NY
June 21, 2025, 11:00 AM
GAR Star Dedication
Bethel Cemetery, Stony Brook, NY
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July 5, 2025
Farmers Market Booth
Islip Grange, Sayville, NY
July 16, 2025, 7:00 PM
Regular Meeting
Location TBA
September 13-14
Civil War Weekend
Islip Grange, Sayville, NY
September 17, 2025, 7:00 PM
Regular Meeting
Location TBA
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September 20-21, 2025
Brookhaven Country Fair Booth
Longwood Estate, Brookhaven, NY
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October 15, 2025, 7:00 PM
Regular Meeting
Location TBA
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November 14-15, 2025
REMEMBRANCE WEEKEND
Gettysburg, PA
FROM THE
NEWS
JUNE 16, 2024
A Juneteenth history lesson, remembrance at Civil War soldier's grave site in Riverhead (Newsday)
JUNE 17, 2023
3 headstones unveiled for military veterans in Hauppauge (Newsday)
JUNE 15, 2023
Dedication of headstone for Alfred Griffin, former enslaved man who was never recognized (CBS2 News)
NOVEMBER 18, 2022
Islip Marker Honors Regis deTrobriand (Newsday)