The organization accepts all females, eight years or older, who can document lineal descent from an honorably discharged soldier or sailor who served in the Union Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Revenue Cutter Service during the Civil War (1861 – 1865), and those who died or were killed while serving in the armed services of the Union between April 12, 1861 and April 9, 1865. The organization maintains a museum and library dedicated to preserving the history of the war at their headquarters at 503 S. Walnut, Springfield, Illinois.

The Daughters of Union Veterans organization’s motto is, “Fraternity, Charity, and Loyalty. Their mission is, “To spread widely the teachings of patriotism, that those who dwell in this broad of ours will so live that, in peace or in war, there shall be no stain on “The Flag Our Fathers Saved”.

The metal marker is a replica of the organization’s insignia, a laurel wreath, surrounding the intertwined letters D U V. The laurel is a traditional symbol of victory and military glory from as far back as the times of the Romans.