Memorial Day Parade

May 25, 2009



Once again we have the privilege to march in the Memorial Day parades for New Gloucester and Gray, Maine. On one hand, Memorial Day is a wonderful celebration where the public is able to salute our troops (both retired and active) properly, yet, on the other hand it is a mournful event to remember those who have fallen, both on and off the battle fields.




We then went to the Stranger's Grave in Gray. I am sure you have heard of it if you have read the past two Memorial Day blogs, but just as a refresher: A family in Gray had the money to bring their fallen son back from fighting in the south where he was killed. When the casket came, it was a young man in confederate grey. While the family was devastated, they still decided that the young man should still have a proper burial. Eventually the body of the correct young man was returned to Gray, however, the unknown Confederate remains in the cemetery and each Memorial Day we remember this young man who found himself wrapped up in a bloody war that cost him his life.

As always, remember Memorial Day is just one day, but a day that should span the other 364 of a year. Never forget the retired, the active, the young, the old, the fallen, or the past, they protect our ideals and to them, it is more then just a job.

Next: Norlands.

Camp Pratt

May 1-3, 2009



For the first time, in a long time, it did not rain all weekend. Despite the wind of death and the freezing weather at night, it was actually pretty nice.

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You learn the value of wearing a hat at night when it gets down into the 20s.

Unfortunately me and Dave did not get there until midnight for reasons I will not go in to detail about... Our employers do not quite understand our hobbies, and we should make a habit of packing the Friday morning before we leave.


One exciting new note, Kate has turned to soldier! She did pretty well, too! From what I understand she has been biding her time until she turned 16 so she could carry a rifle on the field. Very clever, Kate, very clever. It is nice when she is a civilian, however, it looks better when we have more soldiers in our ranks.



It was pretty much a weekend of learning and practicing. Everyone got out in the air and refreshed themselves with the re-enactor spirit!



And I realized that I have to go through mine and Dave's things to see why we have so much stuff... I do not know where half of it came from. When you rummage through the box and pull out something that causes you to ask yourself "What the heck is this doing here?" that is when you need to re-organize.

Another note, I have added a new level to my farby-ness; I bought a cot. And I am going to tell you right now, I cannot believe I wasted two seasons on an air mattress! I simply cannot go back. Besides, it keeps me off the ground from biting bugs in the middle of the night. It also makes it easier to store things.

Next event, Memorial Day Parade & Strangers Grave.

Memorial Day Parade

May 26, 2008

For the 15th Alabama, honoring the veterans and sacrifice comes twice in one day. We actually participate in two parades, New Gloucester and Gray, ME.

New Gloucester, Maine
From left to right; Charlene (Charly that day), Mike, Chris, Tom, Ben, Dave.

Our ladies, from left to right; Sandy (as the widow), Kate and Sara.

And here is our Memorial Day salute.

Now, on to...
Gray, Maine.


Now what we really find interesting in Gray, ME is, there is a Confederate soldier buried there. A family up there had the money to send for the body of their fallen son in order to give him a burial in Gray. Well, the casket arrived, but it was the body of an unknown Confederate soldier. The mother was horrified (what mother would not be?) but she decided that she would give this young man a proper burial in the hopes that some mother in the South would do the same for her son.

In the end, the correct body was located and the son of Gray was returned to his family. However, the unknown Confederate remained and a few years later, a group of ladies erected a proper headstone for the boy because after all, it was not a war of good verses evil, it was, a war of brother fighting brother.

In any conflict or war, we must always remember the living, the wounded and the fallen because every one of those men and women who go out to fight or support the soldiers deserve so much more appreciation than we give most of the time. When I was younger, I thought of Memorial Day as a day to remember the fallen, but as I grew older, I realized that the ones who never returned home because they died, were not the only ones that stayed behind. Every single person who has seen war, will carry that through the rest of their lives. They all gave up a little piece of themselves, whether tangible or not, to protect us, to maintain our ideals. And that happens all over the world. So, do not forget the the deceased, but also remember the ones who came home, they are just as important, and the 15th Alabama as a company and individually is honored that we are able to participate in these parades. To all of those warriors, past, present, future, in person or in spirit...thank you.

Thank you so much for my freedom.

~

A Nation Divided, Waterford, CT

May 16-18, 2008


This was my first overnight event of the season (by the way, I am finished with school completely! No more homework, no more books, no more teacher's dirty looks...or something like that). Me and Dave felt the real crunch of gas prices when we left Massachusetts and Connecticut prices were over $4. Luckily, the truck held out until we made it back to Massachusetts where gas was about $.20 less. Well, it was dark...and raining...and we did not know where our tent was because it rained at Camp Pratt last month & Dave left it with Mike to dry out. I went around in the dark calling out names, when someone from the 1st Maryland told me where people were. Then I found Tom! And Meadow! And Sandy! Unfortunately, they were wondering where Mike and Robbie were. This looks like the only event that me and Dave are going to see the 1st Maryland at (sorry guys) because the next oppertunity would be at Gettysburg. While I would love to go, I just cannot bring myself to wear the Civil war clothes in that heat. I am looking forward to some photos from our other members which I may use to update my blog.

Now to some photos of this event!

Here is a cute photo of Tom & Sandy. Apparently, Mike makes some very good ribs that everyone loves (I brought the wet naps). Well, everyone except for the vegetarian...

Aside from the blue uniforms, you know which side of the war these guys are on. I love how this photo clashes with the next...

BWAHAHAHAHAHA!! The Confederates take the town!! It was funny because the captain said to everyone "No burning, no looting...wait >laughter<...no burning. Dismissed." So this was how the Confederates sacked the town of Unity, by milling about carelessly...

This was a pretty big place, nice field to run around on.

We actually had two small cannons (I think they were howitzers, but correct me if I am wrong) which were a big hit with the crowd.

This was a small enjoyment on the Confederate part, we actually outnumbered the Union. Not by many bodies I heard, but still, we are usually, grossly outnumbered.

Well, that is a fairly simple synopsis of that event. It was nice because it was quiet and right next to the beach. I was not about to go swimming, but I did go walking around out there with Dave and the beach was pretty nice.