Members of the Sons of Union Veterans Henry C. Veatch Camp 30 are joined by Gridley’s American Legion Post 210 to honor and dedicate the grave of Civil War Veteran William Becker. Photo by Yvette Jones

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - The Sons of Union Veterans Henry C. Veatch Camp 30 held a special dedication Saturday at the Gridley-Biggs Cemetery.

The Sons of the Unions Veterans (SUV) descended from the surviving veterans of the Civil War that established the Grand Army of the Republic and later the Sons of Veterans Reserves according to Camp 30’s commander Kyle Jones. Camp 30, which is the largest in the area encompassing most of the north state, was named after Henry C. Veatch, Butte County’s last surviving Civil War veteran.

Jones shares that part of the duties of the group is to maintain monuments and honor the memories of civil war veterans. Camp 30 has a list of civil war veterans buried throughout the area and strives to make sure that each has had a proper service performed in their honor.

SUV Camp 30 became aware that private William Becker, laid to rest in our local cemetery, had not had his grave dedicated and came together with Gridley’s American Legion Post 210 on Saturday, September 30, to do the honors.

Commander Jones presided over a brief presentation with Camp 30’s Owen Stiles giving a brief biography of the Veteran. As standard, three rifles were arranged near the graveside with a knapsack to represent the Army in which private Becker served, a wreath of green which represents the unending camaraderie of the veterans and a white rose to signify purity were stationed near the grave, along with a victor’s crown, or a crown of leaves, because these veterans won the war, and a small American flag planted to represent the country. The playing of taps and a rifle salute was provided by American Legion Post 210.

Of the dedication, Jones said that it was the group’s duty to provide private Becker with the same honors as all other civil war veterans. He added, “It’s a neat thing to be able to connect with the past… Overall we like to get people involved in history and especially when it comes to community history.”

Nathaniel Jones (left) stands by the grave of private William Becker, as SUV Camp 30’s Eric Dahl (right) pays his respect. Photo by Yvette Jones