Friday, November 20, 2009

7th Annual Remembrance Illumination at Gettysburg

The Gettysburg Foundation will present the 7th annual Remembrance Illumination this Saturday, Nov. 21, from 5:30 – 9:30 p.m. in the Soldiers’ National Cemetery. Sponsored by the Gettysburg Foundation, this popular event drew an estimated 2,500 visitors last year.

At Soliders’ National Cemetery, more than 3,500 luminary candles will be lit on the graves of Civil War soldiers, “Taps” will be played every half hour and the names of the Civil War soldiers buried in the Cemetery will be continuously read during the event. Representatives of the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) Honor Guard will participate in the Remembrance Illumination.

At 5:30 p.m., Capt. Patrick Shea of the USS Gettysburg, homeported in Mayport, Fla., will light five candles—one for each branch of our armed forces. Capt. Shea will be welcomed by Rear Adm. Richard A. Buchanan (US Navy, ret.), Gettysburg Foundation president. Shea will be lighting candles in the Pennsylvania section of the Cemetery. (Buchanan is a retired rear admiral in the Navy.)

The event is free and open to the public.

WHO: Gettysburg Foundation

WHAT: 7th Annual Remembrance Illumination

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 21, 5:30-9:30 p.m.
NOTE: PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: 5:30 p.m.: USS Gettysburg Captain Patrick Shea will light candles in the Pennsylvania section of the Cemetery and will be welcomed by Gettysburg Foundation President Richard A. Buchanan.

WHERE: Soldiers’ National Cemetery, Gettysburg

INCLEMENT WEATHER STATEMENT: Please note that the Remembrance Illumination is scheduled to take place on Saturday, Nov. 21 UNLESS torrential rain or high winds occur. In the event of inclement weather, cancellation announcements will be posted on the Web site www.gettysburgfoundation.org under “Latest News.” There is no rain date for the event.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Carol Reardon Gives Tour for Longstreet Society

One of the tours given during the recent Longstreet Society conference in Gettysburg was about Pickett's Charge. Dr. Reardon is an expert on the subject after writing a book about Pickett's Charge a few years back. Despite the gloomy weather, the attendees were excited about crossing the field that Pickett and his men did back in 1863. The tour was enlightening to say the least!

Dr. Reardon's soldiers coming over the swale--almost to the copse of trees!

More conference photos coming soon!
Battlefield Journal

Monday, November 16, 2009

Longstreet Society Battlefield Project


12 or so members of the esteemed Longstreet Society met in Gettysburg this past weekend for their annual conference! As part of the event, they work on a battlefield initative. This year, they painted the benches at the Ampitheater by the Longstreet Memorial. The Park Rangers gave them a goal of one coat within two hours. As there are 40 or so benches, it was a JOB! But they rose to the task and completed all of them within the allotted time!

Peter Bridson from Liverpool in foreground with Basil Larkin (another UK member) in the background

Society President Richard Pilcher (in red jacket) with Treasurer Joe Whitaker, talking with Park Ranger Angel DeJesus.

Stay tuned for more blog posts from this great event in honor of Old Pete!
Battlefield Journal