Carefully examine every depiction of a Civil War battle scene, and you will find them. In nearly every written account of combat, from small skirmishers to history-changing battles, their valor and sacrifices are prominently recounted and forever remembered. Soldiers, North and South, fought—and often died—for the honor to be one: The Color Bearer.

On the battlefields of the American Civil War, no other symbol matched the influence of “the colors”—the unit, state and national flags—under which the men marched, fought and fell. Often the colors were the only indication of the success or failure of a battlefield movement visible to a soldier. Contemporary letters and official reports tell us that every man in the ranks kept watch on those magnificent banners.

Embracing the Mission
The Civil War Preservation Trust exists to identify and preserve, for all time, the battlefields of our American Civil War. We do this so that all Americans now and in the future, may continue to learn of the sacrifices made to secure democracy and individual freedoms. Unfortunately, these sacred battlefields are rapidly disappearing under the relentless wave of urban sprawl. To stem this tide of destruction, the Civil War Preservation Trust issues an urgent call for volunteers —individuals, corporations and foundations—to join a prominent league of supporters: The Color Bearers.

CWPT Color Bearer Membership Levels
As their 19th-century counterparts were uniquely and appropriately acclaimed for their courage, Civil War Preservation Trust Color Bearers will be honored for the extraordinary commitment they bring to the mission of saving our nation’s most hallowed ground. Each successive level of support enjoys all benefits of the previous levels.

	Regimental Color Bearer	$1000	Join  |  Renew
	You will receive invitations to exclusive historian-led battlefield tours, including a specially selected tour in conjunction with the annual conference. Regimental Color Bearers will also receive special recognition in printed materials at the annual conference, plus preferred seating at the main awards banquet. For individuals, $918 of dues are tax deductible; for couples, $836 of dues are tax deductible.
	Brigade Color Bearer	$2500	Join  |  Renew
	You will receive an invitation to The Grand Review, an annual, intimate dinner gathering to be held at a unique Civil War-related site, with appropriate recognition in the event program. Brigade Color Bearers will also receive the “Civil War Round Up,” a CWPT exclusive electronic newsletter of compelling current reports on Civil War issues (e-mail address required). For individuals, $2,250 of dues are tax deductible; for couples, $2,000 of dues are tax deductible.
	Division Color Bearer	$5000	Join  |  Renew
	Your name will be listed in the Hallowed Ground annual Roll Call of Honor. Division Color Bearers will have all individual annual conference fees waived for yourself and one guest, and will be invited to an exclusive “Author’s Dinner” with a noted Civil War author or historian at the conference. For individuals, $4,275 of dues are tax deductible; for couples, $3,550 of dues are tax deductible.
	Corps Color Bearers	$10000	Join  |  Renew
	You will receive personal genealogical research services to identify your Civil War ancestors. Corps Color Bearers will also receive an invitation to the “Advanced Guard” weekend, an annual event that includes briefings on CWPT operations from Jim Lighthizer and staff as well as a battlefield tour. Further, annual conference fees for yourself and three additional guests will be waived. For individuals, $8,775 of dues are tax deductible; for couples, $7,550 of dues are tax deductible.
	National Color Bearer	$25000	Join  |  Renew
	As befitting gifts at this leadership level, National Color Bearers will be offered the opportunity to have their names placed on perpetual markers at select Civil War battlefields and sites, on an individualized case by case basis. You are offered a personal tour for you and up to four guests at the Civil War battlefield of your choice. Further, National Color Bearers will receive seating with the President at the main banquet of the annual conference, and annual conference fees for four additional guests will be waived. Additionally, National Color Bearers will be presented with a personally inscribed and dated volume of Civil War history or nationally recognized author. Due to the personal nature of this recognition, choice of book and author will be determined on a case by case basis. For individuals, $23,275 of dues are tax deductible; for couples, $21,550 of dues are tax deductible.