A pair of Grand Army of the Republic National Encampment badges, commemorating the 82nd National Encampment, held in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1948, and the 83rd and final National Encampment, held in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1949. 

1. The 82nd National Encampment badge is perhaps the rarest of the G.A.R. National Encampment badges, with an estimate of fewer than forty presented exclusively to delegates (Johnson and Floyd, 74). It was not known prior to its commencement that the 82nd would be the second to last National Encampment. Turnout was comparatively low, in part due to the dwindling population of veterans. six of the twenty-eight registered G.A.R. members still living at the time attended, and they voted that the next year's Encampment would be the last. 

Two-piece bronze metal badge with dark yellow silk ribbon. 2 1/8" x 6 1/8". Top bar is a representation of the membership eagle; suspended pendant bears an image of Robert McKee Rownd (1844 - 1949), with the legend: "Commander in Chief / Robert M. Rownd." Ribbon inscribed below: "82nd National Encampment / G.A.R. / Grand Rapids, Mich. / Sept. 26-30 / 1948." 

2. Three-piece bronze metal badge with golden silk ribbon. 2 1/8" x 4 1/8". Top bar is a representation of the membership eagle. Drop includes a small depiction of the Soldier's Memorial in Indianapolis and reads, "First Encampment / Nov. 20 1866 / Indianapolis / Final Encampment / Aug 28 1949". The pendant below features an image of Theodore Augustus Penland (1849 - 1950), accompanied by the legend "Commander in Chief / Theodore A. Penland."

Though the G.A.R. members numbered just sixteen, with only six in attendance (three of whom had not attended the previous year), the knowledge that the 83rd National Encampment was to be the final Encampment drew a larger crowd in 1949 than there had been the year prior. Accordingly, more of these badges were produced. Around 1,500 were distributed to attendees and representatives of various affiliate organizations (Johnson and Floyd, 10).

References:

Kenneth R. Johnson and Jeffrey B. Floyd. Membership and National Encampment Badges of the Grand Army of the Republic 1866-1949. Duluth, Georgia: Orders and Medals Society of America, 1997. 

[Civil War, Union, Confederate] [Ephemera, Medals, Badges] [Veterans, Veterans’ Organizations, Fraternal Organizations] [GAR, Grand Army of the Republic]