A Very Special G.A.R. Flag Holder

As I get older it takes less to amuse me. Encountering this cast iron Grand Army of the Republic flag holder during Memorial Day rambles did it. It's a rare survival, since not that many of this model were used in Iowa and a good many that were used have been swiped over the years by damned fools who think they're "collectible." They're not (the only way to get one is to steal one), and anyone who tries to sell one is likely to find himself in hot water. This survivor is located at Waynick-Holmes Cemetery in Lucas County.

The grave of nearly every one of the hundreds of Union veterans buried in Lucas County is marked by a G.A.R. flag holder, but the majority of these are rather simple: A single spike topped with the five-pointed G.A.R. star enclosing the circled initials of the organization and the dates, 1861-1865. This was a simplified presentation of the G.A.R. badge approved by the national organization for mass production and adapted by most state organizations, including Iowa's.

This more elaborate flag holder, mounted on a double spike and weathered by a century of exposure to the elements, replicates all the detail the G.A.R. badge.

In the center of the badge is the goddess of liberty, representing loyalty. She is flanked by a soldier and a sailor clasping hands, representing fraternity, and two children under their protection, representing charity. Other symbols, the national flag and an eagle, representing freedom, a bundle of rods representing union, flank the figures. In each point of the star is the insignia of a branch of service -- a bugle for infantry (obscured by the flag receiver), crossed cannons for artillery, crossed muskets for marines, crossed sabers for cavalry and an anchor for the navy. Over the central groups are the words "Grand Army of the Republic" and under, "1861 -- Veterans -- 1866," commemorating the commencement and close of the Civil War and also the date of organization of the order.