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Antique cast iron GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) grave marker and flag holder — the classic five-pointed star design used to mark the burial sites of Union Civil War veterans, cast with "GAR POST, 108" in relief within the center medallion, highlighted in white paint against the black-painted iron. The star sits atop a long iron ground spike with decorative finials along the shaft and a pair of curved "wing" flanges near the base for stability once driven into the earth — this bracket also served to hold a small flag upright at the gravesite for Memorial Day and other observances.
These markers were placed by local GAR posts (the fraternal organization of Union veterans, active roughly 1866–1956) to identify their members' graves and are genuinely tied to a specific chartered post — Post 108 — which adds a research angle for anyone tracing that post's roster or local Civil War veteran history.
Condition: The piece is structurally solid — the star, shaft, ground spike, and flag-holder wings are all intact with no breaks or repairs visible. It shows an old black repaint with the lettering picked out in white, which is common for markers that have been touched up over the decades for continued cemetery display or collector presentation. Some expected surface wear and light oxidation consistent with age and prior outdoor use.
