Virginia Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion

We note the death on Sunday, June 7 of William "Bill" Poole of Missouri, age 101, the last known surviving "Real Son" of a Union soldier of the Civil War.

Bill's father, Charles Poole Sr., was born in Ritchie County, Virginia (now West Virginia) in 1844. Charles enlisted in the 6th West Virginia Infantry in 1861, and suffered the loss of a leg from battle wounds. He married Clara Straw in 1915 and had five children, including Bill in 1925. Clara died age 101 in 1989, still receiving her Union widow's pension.

Bill served in Europe during World War II, receiving a Bronze Star for valor. He returned home to marry, raise nine children, and work in the construction trades.

MEMORIAL DAY 2026: today's ceremony at Cold Harbor National Cemetery, organized by Brady Camp #63, SUVCW.

Companions from The District of Columbia, Virginia and Pennsylvania, along with Dames National President Laurie Moore, enjoyed on Saturday a fascinating "staff ride" on the Fredericksburg battlefield, part of the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County Battlefields National Military Park. Command structure and control, logistics, terrain, and other elements of the Fredericksburg campaign of November and December 1862 were discussed in-depth, led by NPS Ranger Ryan Quint.

The walk finished in Fredericksburg National Cemetery, overlooking the killing ground of Marye's Heights. Participants placed a wreath at the grave of Capt. John Rummstein Kooken, Company "C", 110th Pennsylvania Infantry. Capt. Kooken was wounded there on December 13, 1862 and died the next day.

Thanks for Virginia Commander John S. Moore and D.C. Commander John D. Moore for organizing and leading this event!