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.

The 3rd Maine's Spring Gala

First of all, thank you to the Third Maine, our kindred Yankees. Not only do they protect (>cough< commandeer >cough<) the Portland Narrow Gauge Railroad (and their strongbox), but they were nice enough to invite the Fifteenth Alabama to their annual Spring Gala in Brunswick, Maine. Well, Deb is our inside connection as she has become a double-agent...oops, did I say that out loud?

Here is a photo of the committee, I am pretty sure these are the ladies who were in charge of pulling the gala together. I am really sorry, but I am only sure of Deb's name (who is in the middle) so I am going to need some help here.

There was dancing and the man who was leading us in the dances (I had no idea what was going on so that was great!) he did a really good job. And oh my goodness! All the ladies had beautiful dresses!!! My goodness! I will post later with my favorites, but they were all so pretty!



So that is my (very) brief update on what is currently going on. Deb has updated the 15th Alabama's website (I do not know where you find the time Deb), so there should be a listing of our upcoming schedule, from what Dave told me (from the meeting last weekend) there are going to be a couple of train robberies! I cannot wait!! More to come soon!

Wow..

....it has been a long time since I have picked up the proverbial blogging pen! Amazing how life can just come at you like a 2x4 that flew off of that over-loaded truck in front of you on the interstate! I guess a little update is in order..



...well, tentatively, the 15th will start it's season at the beginning of May with "Camp Pratt." That glorious camp where apparently it rains every year it is held (that held true for last year, and no Charlene, we still do not have Ghirardelli chocolate).

What is really exciting is that we have rounded up a few new bodies! Deb now has to choose which side of the train she wants to be on; Sara went up to her first meeting already inducted (she made the dress before she even met these people...I raised an eyebrow & told her she should have waited), but she still joined; and it looks like we might get a few more here and there. What is really interesting is that the 15th's civilian base is growing faster than it's military strength. It actually left us looking for a civilian liaison at the last meeting (Mike was eyeing Sara, but it WAS her first meeting so we need to go easy on her, wait until the third). I am now wondering what we can do with this new civilian might. I will be doing some homework on that (between work, regular homework, and my newly minted Historian's duties).

That is another thing, are there any other Company Historians out there who can maybe give me an idea on how to document my company's glorious activities? I mean, any dope can handle a camera (that's why I do it), I was just wondering about registers and the like. I plan on starting a "15th Alabama Family Tree" because once I obtained possession of the 15th's records, I realized as I was going through the photos I kept saying to myself "who is this?" "Where did this guy come from?" and "Wow, where did these people go?" Any tips for the newbie Historian would be great. Historian is really code for "Propaganda Minister," I thought that was what Dave was going to be, Mike. What happened?

So...now what?

I know what you are all thinking...the 15th Alabama's season of fun and excitment is almost over (the Veteran's Day parade in Waterville, ME is technically our last official event), so now what am I going to gab about?

Oh, I have plenty in store for the winter months. Some of my plans involve some research because I am going to try to entice some people I know into the hobby...I'm thinking of maybe baiting them with....marshmallows. Yes, that sounds good. I'll go with that.

Remember, if you see someone you know (or should know) e-mail me with some names if you want and I will gladly post correctly!