

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 July & 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
January 21, 2026, 7:00 PM
Regular Meeting
Bayport-Blue Point Library
Bayport, NY
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February 18, 2026, 7:00 PM
Regular Meeting
Bayport-Blue Point Library
Bayport, NY
March 18, 2026, 7:00 PM
Regular Meeting
Location TBA
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April 15, 2026, 7:00 PM
Regular Meeting
Location TBA
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May 20, 2026, 7:00 PM
Regular Meeting
Location TBA
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June 17, 2026, 7:00 PM
Regular Meeting
Location TBA
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September 16, 2026, 7:00 PM
Regular Meeting
Location TBA
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October 21, 2026, 7:00 PM
Regular Meeting
Location TBA
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November 18, 2026, 7:00 PM
Regular Meeting
Location TBA
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December 16, 2026, 6:00 PM
HOLIDAY PARTY
Location TBA
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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)


