Marion monument to be re-dedicated
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The anniversary of a significant event in the history of Marion passed recently. For 100 years the Civil War Monument in the Marion Cemetery has been the focal point of the cemetery and a familiar sight to the people of Marion. The soldier at the top of the monument looks out over the village that so many men of Marion left to march off to war to preserve the Union.

After the war, the surviving veterans formed the Grand Army of the Republic as a patriotic and social organization. Since the Grand Army was open only to veterans of the Civil War they realized that if their work was to be carried on there needed to be a group to take over when they were gone.

In 1881 the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War was formed. There were also four women's organizations: The Auxiliary to the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, The Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War, the Women's Relief Corps, and the Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic.

Collectively, these organizations are knows as the Allied Orders of the Grand Army of the Republic.

One of the charges passed down to the Allied Orders was to ensure that the monuments to and graves of Civil War Veterans are properly cared for and honored. To this end the Allied Orders will be conducting a Monument Rededication in honor of the 100th Anniversary of the monument.

A re-dedication ceremony will take place on Sunday, September 26, at noon, in the cemetery.

Pictures and newspaper accounts indicate that there was a large crowd assembled to witness the dedication in 1904. Everyone hopes that the re-dedication will also be well attended.

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