This is the ribbon from the 49th National Convention for the Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic.;The Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic group are a national organization that has supported veterans and their dependents since the America Civil War through education and community service. This ribbon represents the Grand Rapids branch.;After the Civil war in 1866, the Union Veterans organized the first Veteran's organization, the Grand Army of the Republic. As these Veterans grew older, many women's groups formed to aid comrades, widows and orphans. In 1881 an organization called The Loyal Ladies League was established as an auxiliary to the G.A. R. By 1886 these ladies nationalized changing their name to the Ladies of The Grand Army of the republic. (from Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic website).
