header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
September 19
1863 - Gen. Edward F. Beale loans money to A.A. Hudson and Oliver P. Robbins to erect toll house in Newhall Pass [story]
toll house


Note: Lincoln was mortally wounded the evening of April 14, 1865. He died the following morning, April 15, at 7:22 a.m.

 

abrahamlincoln[Veterans Administration] – One hundred and fifty years ago, on April 14, 1865, just a few days after Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox, President Abraham Lincoln was in the midst of another grueling day. Since the surrender, much needed to be done to finish the war and bring the nation together again. That morning he met with his cabinet and General Grant to discuss what to do about Confederate President Jefferson Davis and other Southern leaders.

Lincoln later joined his wife for lunch and they rode out to the Navy Yard to see three monitor ships that were damaged in the Fort Fisher engagement. He returned that afternoon to more meetings, had dinner with Illinois Governor Oglesby, and met afterwards with several others on congressional matters before leaving for Ford’s Theatre a little after 8 p.m. He and Mrs. Lincoln, accompanied by Clara Harris and Major Henry R. Rathbone, entered Ford’s Theatre to see the performance Our American Cousin around 8:30 p.m. At about 10:13 p.m. actor John Wilkes Booth shot President Lincoln and fled.

By morning, President Lincoln was dead.

Among the things Abraham Lincoln is most remembered for is the Emancipation Proclamation and freeing enslaved people during the war. His legacy, however, permeates many facets of American life and includes authorizing important new Veterans’ benefits that remain with us today. Disability and survivors’ pensions and other benefits were extended to those Veterans who served in volunteer forces, not just regular forces, for the first time. African-Americans were authorized for enlistment with U.S. forces and consequently became eligible for federal veterans benefits for the first time in history. The first national cemeteries were created and their legacy carries on today through the National Cemetery Administration. The first government-provided prosthetics were authorized. The first federal medical and long-term care facility was established specifically for disabled men who served in the volunteer forces—the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers was authorized. The first Veterans preference in hiring law was enacted.

These new benefits were unprecedented and authorized only for Veterans of the U.S. forces at the time. Although they were not enacted as part of one unified bill, collectively they were the first “G.I. Bill,” of sorts, for those who fought in the Civil War.

Lincoln stained glass window

Today’s Veterans Health Administration traces its roots back to within day of Lincoln’s assassination. The first meeting of incorporators for the new National Home, which was approved by President Lincoln on March 3, 1865, was scheduled for April 18, 1865. Lincoln’s death was a shock to the nation, whether friend or foe. Many of the members of the founding board for the National Home were friends, so the meeting was postponed and action on creating the institution was delayed.

In September 1887, the Grand Army of the Republic and the citizens of St. Louis, Missouri, donated a beautiful stained glass window depicting Lincoln holding a document inscribed with President Andrew Jackson’s words, “The Union must and shall be preserved” to the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. It was placed at the Western Branch of the National Home, located in Leavenworth, Kansas, where it remains today.

In addition to Lincoln greatly expanding federal Veterans benefits as never before, a few words spoken by Lincoln during his second inaugural address on March 4, 1865, uttered just five weeks before his death, were adopted by VA as its motto nearly 100 years later in 1959. That spring, VA Administrator Sumner Whittier had two bronze plaques inscribed with the words “to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan,” taken from the last paragraph of Lincoln’s speech, mounted to the front of the Veterans Administration building in Washington, D.C. During the time, women were not permitted to enlist in the military, although numerous women disguised themselves as men and did serve. Women soldiers were unimaginable in 1865 when Lincoln spoke those words. Today, women serve in wide-ranging capacities in all military branches and comprise nearly 15 percent of America’s enlisted military forces. As a result, Lincoln’s quote is now often paraphrased, to reflect the realities of modern society and the expanding roles of women and VA strives to care for all of those who “have born the battle.”

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

4 Comments

  1. Keith Dill says:

    Bet Obama doesn’t go to the Theatre tonight.

  2. Keith Dill says:

    Bet Obama doesn’t go to the Theatre tonight.

Leave a Comment


SCV NewsBreak
LOCAL NEWS HEADLINES
Thursday, Sep 19, 2024
COC Receives $300,000 NASA Grant to Expand Student Access to STEM Fields
The College of the Canyons Aerospace and Science Team has received a $300,000 grant from NASA’s Mentoring and Opportunities in STEM with Academic Institutions for Community Success program.
Thursday, Sep 19, 2024
Sept. 26: Community Invited to David March Park Expansion Groundbreaking
One of the city of Santa Clarita community’s most cherished parks, David March Park is set to expand, Thursday, Sept. 26, at 10 a.m., 28310 North Via Joyce Drive, Santa Clarita, CA 91350 with a groundbreaking ceremony.
Thursday, Sep 19, 2024
COC Board of Trustees Appoints Carlos Guerrero to Area 5 Seat
The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees appointed Carlos Guerrero to fill the board seat in Area 5, effective immediately, at its special Wednesday, Sept. 18 meeting.
Keep Up With Our Facebook

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
The College of the Canyons Aerospace and Science Team has received a $300,000 grant from NASA’s Mentoring and Opportunities in STEM with Academic Institutions for Community Success program.
COC Receives $300,000 NASA Grant to Expand Student Access to STEM Fields
Bring along a furry friend to the Santa Clarita Child & Family Center's Purple Walk Domestic Violence Awareness 5K on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 8-11 a.m. at the Center’s main facility 21545 Centre Pointe Parkway, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.
Oct. 5: 5K Purple Walk Dogs Against Domestic Violence
Written and directed by Braddon Mendelson, produced by Heather Mendelson, and co-produced by Olive Branch Theatricals and Noisivision Studios, "Provenance" will take stage at the The MAIN, 24266 Main Street, Santa Clarita, CA 91321, Friday through Sunday, Sept. 27-29.
Sept. 27-29: Braddon Mendelson to Present ‘Provenance’ at The MAIN
The Master's women's volleyball team opened Great Southwest Athletic Conference play on the road in Prescott, Ariz. on Wednesday, Sept. 18, defeating the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Eagles in straight sets 28-26, 25-22, 25-18.
TMU Women’s Volleyball Opens Conference Play with Road Win
College of the Canyons freshman Sahya Kitabatake shot a two-under-par round of 70 to tie for medalist honors while helping the Cougars place fourth at the Western State Conference tournament at Sterling Hills Golf Club in Camarillo on Monday, Sept. 16.
Kitabatake Medals, Canyons Women Take Fourth at Sterling Hills Golf Club
One of the city of Santa Clarita community’s most cherished parks, David March Park is set to expand, Thursday, Sept. 26, at 10 a.m., 28310 North Via Joyce Drive, Santa Clarita, CA 91350 with a groundbreaking ceremony.
Sept. 26: Community Invited to David March Park Expansion Groundbreaking
SRD Straightening Reigns, a therapeutic organization offering equine assisted psychotherapy, has been awarded $278,870 from the California State budget to improve mental health services.
California Awards $278,870 in Funding to SRD Straightening Reins
The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees appointed Carlos Guerrero to fill the board seat in Area 5, effective immediately, at its special Wednesday, Sept. 18 meeting.
COC Board of Trustees Appoints Carlos Guerrero to Area 5 Seat
California Institute of the Arts alums Alyssa Dressman Lehner and Clara Plestis captured Emmy Awards at the 76th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards.
Two Calartians Win 2024 Creative Arts Emmy Awards
Valencia High School's Choir will hold a fall concert, "Broadway, Movies & Media" at 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. and Friday, Sept. 27, 7 p.m. at the Saugus High School Theatre, 21900 Centurion Way, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.
Sept. 26-27: Valencia High Choir Presents Fall Concert ‘Broadway, Movies & Media’
As my wife, Virginia, and I stroll through our magnificent city, we admire the beautiful paseos and the expansive open spaces, but what really catches our eye, is the diverse works of art at every turn.
Bill Miranda | Santa Clarita Arts, a Journey Through Creativity
The California Department of Public Health is encouraging all Californians to get vaccinated this season to protect themselves and loved ones from respiratory viruses.
CDPH: Stay Up to Date on Vaccines
The Friends of Santa Clarita Public Library in collaboration with Santa Clarita Valley Libraries will have a silent Book Auction beginning at 9 a.m. Monday, Sept. 30, through 10 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 7.
Sept. 30: Public Libraries to Host Silent Book Auctions
1863 - Gen. Edward F. Beale loans money to A.A. Hudson and Oliver P. Robbins to erect toll house in Newhall Pass [story]
toll house
The Counties of Los Angeles and San Bernardino today announced the opening of multiple joint Local Assistance Centers to assist residents impacted by the Bridge and Line Fires.
Joint Assistance Centers Open for Residents Impacted by Bridge, Line Fires
Valencia Gynecology Associates, owned by longtime Santa Clarita Valley OB-GYN physician Don Nishiguchi, MD, has joined the Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital network. 
Valencia Gynecology Assoc. Joins Henry Mayo Network
JCI Santa Clarita is proud to announce the upcoming Veteran’s Resource Fair, scheduled to take place on Sept. 21 at William S. Hart Park. 
Sept. 21: JCI Invites All Veterans to Upcoming Resource Fair
A "friendies" field tournament  is being  hosted by the Saugus Instrumental Music program, with support from Valencia High, later this month. 
Sept. 21: All Valley Showcase Comes to Valencia High
Public, member-supported 88.5 FM The SoCal Sound, Southern California’s leading Triple-A (adult album alternative) format radio station has announced the lineup for its inaugural “Year-End Bash” taking place on Saturday, Dec. 7.
Dec. 7: CSUN Owned 88.5-FM The SoCal Sound Announces “Year End Bash” Lineup featuring Ben Gibbard
The Master's University cross-country teams continued their successful 2024 campaigns with strong finishes at the BIOLA Invitational on Friday, Sept. 13 at Craig Regional Park in Fullerton, Calif.
TMU Women Win, Men Place Second at XC Invitational
Sheriff’s Department Announces New Law Enforcement Gang Policy
LASD Announces New Policy on Law Enforcement Gangs
The biology department at California State University, Northridge has stayed committed to promoting STEM research carried out by K-12 students and teachers in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
CSUN Student Research Journal Celebrates 28 Years of Inspiring Scientific Imagination
Did you know the SCVEDC has an interactive, online tool that provides themed virtual tours of the amazing features the community has to offer? 
SCVEDC Offers Virtual Business Tours of the Santa Clarita Valley
California Institute of the Arts alum and visionary filmmaker Tim Burton (Film/Video 1979) was honored with the 2,788th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
CalArts Alum Tim Burton Receives Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
SCVNews.com