USCC Message

February 27, 2009
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Calling for Modern-Day Delegates!

When the civil war started, the body of Christ was called into action to send the gospel to the battlefields and the original U.S. Christian Commission was formed.

George Stuart, the U.S.C.C. President called for 5,000 volunteers to go to the battlefields and hospitals. Donations of money and supplies poured in! Young and old alike donated jewelry and possessions that could be auctioned off to raise funds. Children saved pennies in order to send a bible, made sewing kits-called "housewives", and wrote letters. Ladies joined together to make shirts, roll bandages and gather jams for the soldiers. Businesses gave up their warehouses to store goods, and gave large sums of money for the efforts.

Today, nearly 3 million people come to Gettysburg annually. Just as George Stuart called for the body of Christ to join together to donate, we are giving the same call today.

Join the USCC today by becoming a supporting delegate. Your financial support is critical to help us reach the millions of visitors to Gettysburg .

John A. Wega
Founder and Executive Director
U.S. Christian Commission, Inc


THE USCC NEEDS YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT!

Seven years ago, the Lord challenged John and Susan Wega to begin research so they could share the amazing story of the USCC. The commitment of this family has now blossomed into a small team of ministries, churches, businesses, and volunteers whose financial support and time help the USCC be a witness to the 3 million annual visitors to Gettysburg!
Since 2004, the USCC has significantly advanced with each year. First, it was creating a museum for these heroes of the faith. Next is was holding weekly log chapel services, then group education tours, and always expanding the spiritual presence of His light in the Gettysburg community!
Our next advancement is yet another milestone: bringing on our Executive Director John Wega as a full-time paid staff member. Until now, he has volunteered his efforts to run this ministry. The ever increasing time commitment of the calling requires the USCC to have a full-time leader 100% focused on the mission - and we need your help!

Your one-time or monthly pledge of $35 will help us meet our budget goals!

CLICK HERE TO DONATE ONLINE NOW!
About the United States Christian Commission

In 2004, we refounded the U.S. Christian Commission to tell the story of faith and courage from the Civil War. We have met thousands of people over the past few years, and most of them appreciated that there was hope and help in the midst of such a terrible time. I look forward to serving you on your next trip to Gettysburg.

Sincerely,John Wega
Executive Director United States Christian Commission

Amazing Video

Happy Lincoln's Birthday and Valentine's Day to all my loyal readers of the Battlefield Journal!

I was sent time Time Magazine video to commemorate not only Abraham Lincoln's Birthday but our brave men and women fighting for freedom overseas.

Take a look!

Follow the link below to view:http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1485842900/bctid11727585001

Abraham Lincoln Lecture

Please register for this event online at www.aei.org/event1777

Abraham Lincoln at Two Hundred
Bradley Lecture by Walter Berns
Monday, February 9, 2009, 5:30 p.m-7:00 p.m.
Wohlstetter Conference Center, Twelfth Floor, AEI1150 Seventeenth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036

Abraham Lincoln was the greatest of our presidents. He saved the Union, which made it possible for him to free the slaves. But he did more than this; without him we probably would have had no reason to celebrate the bicentennial first of the Declaration of Independence and then of the Constitution. It is therefore altogether fitting that we mark the bicentennial of his birth.

Walter Berns is a resident scholar at AEI and a professor emeritus at Georgetown University. Mr. Berns studies political philosophy, constitutional law, and legal issues. He has taught at the University of Toronto, the University of Chicago, Cornell University, and Yale University. His government service includes membership on the National Council on the Humanities, the Council of Scholars in the Library of Congress, the Judicial Fellows Commission, and in 1983 he was the alternate United States representative to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. He has been a Guggenheim, Rockefeller, and Fulbright Fellow. He is the author of many books and articles on American government and politics, including Democracy and the Constitution (AEI Press, 2006) and Making Patriots (University of Chicago Press, 2001).

5:15 p.m. Registration

5:30Introduction: Arthur C. Brooks, AEILecture: Walter Berns, AEI

7:00 Adjournment and Wine and Cheese Reception

____________________________________________________________________________________ I will attend the Bradley Lecture on Monday, February 9.

Name: ___________________________________________________________________________________ Title: _____________________________________________________________________________________ Affiliation: ________________________________________________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip: _____________________________________________________________________________

Telephone: ____________________________________ Fax:_____________________ E-mail:_____________________________
___ Please check if this is a new address.

Please register online at www.aei.org/event1777 or by faxing this form to 202.862.7171.

For more information, please contact Margaret Kroll at margaret.kroll@aei.org.

Explore Lincoln at the new Wills House Museum

Here's some great info about the Wills House Museum---

“After the battle, Gettysburg became a vast hospital and morgue: dead andwounded soldiers outnumbered civilians eleven to one,” - so begins theBattle’s Aftermath exhibit at the David Wills House, opening February 12 indowntown Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, as part of Gettysburg National MilitaryPark.

For the first time ever, the National Park Service has created a museum totell the story of the aftermath of battle, and Lincoln’s visit to the give the Gettysburg Address. “The home of David Wills, a prominent citizen ofthe town, become ground zero in Gettysburg’s recovery effort, with Wills himself fulfilling the roles of the CDC, the Red Cross, and FEMA combined,”says Dr. John A. Latschar, Superintendent of Gettysburg National MilitaryPark.

In honor of Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday on February 12, the David Wills House will celebrate an official ribbon cutting, offering visitors a new look at the little-known story of the aftermath at Gettysburg and Lincoln’s visit to give the Gettysburg Address. Grand Opening events will take place throughout 2009 – Lincoln’s bicentennial year.The museum includes seven galleries filled with displays, original artifacts, and featuring two films: “Battle Ground to Hallowed Ground”which explores Cemetery Hill’s transition from a Union army defensive position to the site of the National cemetery; and “A Brief but Immortal Speech” which investigates the meaning of the Gettysburg Address from November 19, 1863, to today.

Two rooms are restored to their 1863 appearance: Wills' office as he received letters from families looking for loved ones after the battle and began planning for the cemetery and its dedication; and the bedroom where Lincoln stayed and prepared to deliver the Gettysburg Address.

Main Street Gettysburg will operate the museum located at 8 Lincoln Square in downtown Gettysburg, in partnership with the National Park Service. The property is on the National Register of Historic Places and has just had a $ 7.2 million overhaul to rehabilitate its historic features and develop the museum exhibits.

Winter operating hours will be Wednesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. In spring and fall the hours will be Tuesdays through Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. In summer the hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week.

On February 12 admission will be free to all. Regular entrance fees will be $6.50 for Adults; $5.50 for Seniors; $4.00 for Youth (6-18); and Children 5 and under are free. For group tour reservations call toll-free: 866/486-5735.

Main Street Gettysburg is a nonprofit organization dedicated to historic preservation and economic revitalization of Gettysburg for the benefit of its citizens, businesses, and visitors. For information about the benefits of becoming a David Wills House Charter Guardian, contact Main Street Gettysburg at 866-486-5735 or at http://www.davidwillshouse.org/.

Gettysburg National Military Park is a unit of the National Park Service that preserves and protects the resources associated with the Battle of Gettysburg and the Soldiers' National Cemetery, and provides an understanding of the events that occurred there within the context of American History. Information is available at www.nps.gov/gett .

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I can't believe 2009 is almost here! It's such a great day--time to wipe the slate clean and start over! 2008 was a challenging year...I don't doubt that everyone felt that way. But I also feel I have so much to be thankful for--including wonderful readers like you!!!

HAVE A BLESSED AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Hopefully I will see you at the battlefields in 2009!

Kristie

PS--check out this great news below!

Bible Currently Undergoing Restoration for Unveiling During Author’s Bicentennial Year

Richmond, VA-In honor of Edgar Allan Poe's 200th birthday, the Library of Virginia, in partnership with Richmond, VA's Poe Museum, is preparing an exhibition on Poe's life and works. The centerpiece of the exhibition will be the Poe Family Bible, a rarely-seen artifact in the Poe Museum's collections. The exhibition will open July 18, 2009.

The Poe Family Bible includes genealogical information such as birth and death dates of Poe family members and notes on marriages, with the earliest family information entry dating to 1725. The handwritten notes also include a sketch of the Poe family burial plot at Westminster Hall and Burying Ground.

The Bible is currently undergoing restoration at Cat Tail Run Hand Bookbinding in Winchester, VA. EMC Corporation, the world's leading developer and provider of information infrastructure technology and solutions, is funding the restoration and digitization of the Bible through its Information Heritage Initiative, which preserves, protects, and makes cultural treasures globally accessible in digital form. The digital images and the Bible itself will be on display from July through December 2009 at the Library of Virginia.

The exhibit is part of Poe Revealed 1809-2009, a cooperative effort among Virginia historical sites, museums, libraries and performing arts organizations to commemorate the life and works of Poe throughout 2009. A schedule of Poe-related events as well as information for educators, students, Poe enthusiasts and visitors is available on the Poe Bicentennial Web site www.Poe200th.com.

Throughout 2009, Richmond, Virginia will host numerous events in honor of the Poe Bicentennial. During his adulthood, Poe spent time in Philadelphia, New York and Baltimore, but it was Richmond, Virginia that Poe considered home; the place where he grew up, married and first gained a national literary reputation.

###
The Edgar Allan Poe Museum in Richmond, Va interprets the life and influence of E.A. Poe for the education and enjoyment of the public. Founded in 1921, the Poe Museum preserves and exhibits artifacts and archival resources related to the life and works of Edgar Poe for a global audience. For more information about the Museum and its programs visit www.poemuseum.org.

The Library of Virginia is the state's oldest institution dedicated to the preservation of Virginia's history, literature, and culture. The Library was created by the General Assembly in 1823. The collections illustrate the rich and varied past of the commonwealth, documenting the lives of Virginians whose deeds are known to all, as well as those of ordinary citizens whose accomplishments are the foundation of our heritage. This rich treasure-house of materials attracts more than 190,000 visitors each year. For more information about the Library of Virginia please visit www.lva.virginia.gov.

Cat Tail Run Hand Bookbinding was established in 1991 by Jill Deiss, who studied bookbinding and restoration first in Northampton, Massachusetts, then at Cornell University's Department of Library Conservation, and in the Smithsonian Institution's Conservation Laboratories. Mrs. Deiss holds a B.S. in Chemistry and received a Master of Library Science degree from Syracuse University where she specialized in the study of archives and rare book collections. The other staff binders include Dee Evetts, Bill Deiss, Susan McCabe, and Amy Jackson with support from Brandi Ferrebee and Charlotte Kirks who serve as bindery elves.

Exciting new show about Abraham Lincoln on PBS!

ENJOY!!! I know I will!
Kristie

West Point Launches Center for Oral History

"Every soldier has a story."

Although countless works of fiction and journalism have examined the soldier’s life in wartime, there has never been an archive of soldiers’ experiences, spanning historic conflicts and other missions, told in the soldiers’ own words.

Now there is. The United States Military Academy at West Point, NY, has established the Center for Oral History, an online research center gathering the personal stories of American service men and women of all ranks – beginning with those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and going back to veterans of Vietnam, Korea, World War II and other campaigns. http://www.westpointcoh.org/

Housed by the History department at West Point, the new Center – which will officially launch in 2009 – is advised by a board that includes documentary filmmaker Ken Burns and 1947 West Point graduate and former Presidential advisor Gen. Brent Scowcroft, among many other eminent historians, journalists, and educators.

Gen. David Petraeus, who recently became head of U.S. Central Command, welcomed the new Center: “Our army has a proud history, one that is chronicled in innumerable books and films. This Center aims to record our army's history in a different way, through the personal oral histories of our soldiers captured by thorough, thoughtful interviews. This is an exciting prospect,” General Petraeus said. The Center was conceived to help educate West Point cadets, through the stories of soldiers who preceded them into conflict; but also to create a trove of personal testimony that will assist the work of scholars and historians; and to help build a bridge of greater understanding and empathy between the military and the civilian population it serves. The Center’s web site will be open to all users.

“Oral history delivers a spontaneity and intimacy that you can’t draw from any other research sources,” said the Center’s director, Todd Brewster, a journalist and co-author of two best-selling books with the late Peter Jennings of ABC News. “In the best West Point tradition, we hope our recorded interviews will speak directly to the soldiers of tomorrow while contributing to the policy dialogue going on right now.” The choice of Brewster, who has served as senior producer at ABC News and has written for Time and Vanity Fair, underscores the Academy’s intention to make its new oral history center a resource for the general public as well as the military community.

Among the early projects undertaken by the COH: an oral history of the Iraqi conflict as well as a look back at the West Point Class of ’67, most of whose graduates were immediately sent to Vietnam. The Center will also interview former U.S. Secretaries of State and Defense whose decisions have been so pivotal to the fate of American soldiers.

The Center’s ambition is captured in its motto: “Every soldier has a story. Here is where the story is told.”

Here is a link to additional material about the Center – including a 12-minute video that includes some early interviews of soldiers featured in the news announcement below: http://www.westpointcoh.org/