Welcome to the 4th Military District, Sons of Veterans Reserve (SVR). The SVR is a voluntary, ceremonial, uniformed organization, whose purpose it is to assist our parent order, the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, in fostering the memory of the Grand Army of the Republic and all Union soldiers. We do this through Civil War-related memorials, ceremonies, parades, demonstrations and living history programs.

Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska and Missouri belong to the SVR's 4th Military District. Colorado, Wyoming, North and South Dakota are temporarily assigned to the 4th. The SVR welcomes both re-enactors and non-reenactors. It is an organization devoted to preserving a living link with the Union soldiers of the Civil War through a variety of programs and activities.

The 4th Military District was organized in 1963, shortly after the Battle of Gettysburg Centennial. the task of organizing the district was assigned to its new commander, LtC. Ernst Von Frankenberg of West Bend, Wisconsin. He founded the 2nd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Association, insuring that every member was also an SVR member. He recruited Co. C, 34th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment (Rock River Rifles); Co. D, 12th Infantry Regiment, Illinois Volunteers; Co. C, 5th U.S. Cavalry; and Battery I, 1st Missouri Light Artillery.

The 4th Military District Headquarters Company was organized in May 1977 for those SVR members not assigned to existing units. In 1980, Cushing's Battery was added to the district's units.

In 1997, Maj. Jack Grothe of St. Louis succeeded Col. Von Frankenberg as Commander of the 4th Military District. Maj. Grothe had served as commander of Co. C, 34th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment.

Today, the 4th Military District is comprised of:

• 4th Military District Headquarters Company
• Co. C, 34th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment
• Co. A, 3rd Battery Iowa Light Artillery
• Co. B, 10th Iowa Volunteer Infantry
• Co. B, 20th Iowa Volunteer Infantry
• Co. A, 37th Iowa Volunteer Infantry
• Co. M, 1st Missouri Light Artillery
• Co. A, 2nd Missouri Infantry
• Co. C, 5th Missouri Cavalry
• Co. E, 47th Missouri Volunteer Infantry
• Nebraska Rangers
• Co. B, 28th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry
• Cushing's Battery (Battery A, 4th U.S. LA)
• Mulligan's Battery (Battery L, 1st Illinois LA)