by Don Husler
To celebrate re-enactment events that happened 150 years ago gives one an experience that many of you may never have pressed near to your heart. That is what makes these events so special. We will never again be able to celebrate a Sesquicentennial. All of the 150th anniversary events have been special, but this one, though it didn’t portray a battle was still nonetheless exceptional in all regards…
Remembrance Day in the small junction town of Gettysburg on November 23, 2013 fit the billing as just that; nothing short of wonderful to the soul of this veteran living-historian. I’ll explain that later. The 69th Pennsylvania Irish Volunteers always meets the evening about at Garyowens, just one and a half block from the traffic circle. Here we meet for an evening of food, fun and drinks. This year we retired much earlier from the fun time than usual. Whether it was because we felt the seriousness of what we were about to do or not, all was quiet early. ..
Reveille and sunrise for us on Saturday was silent and early. I personally had breakfast and was on the road by 7:15am. First stop was to check out my friends from Cooper’s Battery “B” position near the Gate Keeper House at the cemetery. Here at 9:30am they were going to dedicate a new cap stone for one of their field markers. I didn’t see it then but greeted the lads and returned later that afternoon…
At 8:30am the men and ladies of the 69th Irish met to march into the Gettysburg National Cemetery where we celebrated the sacrifice of the 27 men who are still buried far from their home of Philadelphia and their native land of Ireland. This year for the first time ever we had our command staff General Daryl Markijohn from Ohio and Colonel Young from Florida were standing and observing what we do to honor our boys who gave their last full measure of devotion. Not one man spoke, except those who were assigned parts of the ceremony. Each year we have a medallion with the name of each of the 27 men “Here Still” as we call it. That man’s name is read into the air and the holder of that medallion for the last year steps forward and another man from the ranks is assigned to carry that medallion for the next year. It’s a very meaningful responsibility that we take on each year. Because when you accept the medallion you accept orders to return the next to pass on the tradition. Nothing short of a family emergency or your own death rescinds that order, unless arrangements are pre-ordained. This is a very solemn thing that we do. I know of no other unit who goes this extra mile. This is mostly why my heart and soul have become one with these lads…
From the cemetery we march over to the “Highwater Mark” “The Angle” “The Copse of Trees.” Here at the spot 150 years ago July 1-2-3 1863 the Irish held their line. The 69th became completely surrounded by the Confederate troops led by General Armistead. In a fierce fire fight, which quickly became hand to hand mortal combat the 69th remained steadfast. Company “F” would be taken prisoner and taken behind enemy lines. The Irish would loss nearly half of their 286 men in killed, wounded or missing. If you visit our position on the battlefield you will see a chain that connects all of our ten companies. It is symbolic of them never giving up their position. At this site we again pay our respect to those who died and now including all the men who fought to preserve this union of states. We also present one of our members the “Hugh Bradley Award.” This award goes to the man who for the last year best exemplifies the spirit of the 69th. This year’s recipient is First Sergeant Ryan Kopich. Congratulations Ryan. We’ve watched Ryan grow from a strapping young lad into a dedicated and strong young man, eager to serve and be at the beckoning call of his officers and the men who serve under them. He truly has taken on the spirit of the man Bradley, who died on July 3rd.
The Grand Review Parade follows this all at 1:00pm. Here thousands line the parade route and thousands march in honor of the men and units they portray. This day both Blue and Gray march the streets of Gettysburg to the cheers of many who have come long distances to stand in the cold, windy weather. Nothing has deterred them from their duty as well. Not all but some salute the flags as they pass by. Some throw flowers into our path. The entire event is one of remembrance of those who have gone on before us. President Lincoln said it this way. “The world will little note what we do here, but it should never forget what they did here.” This is our purpose. This is our duty. Never, ever forget what they did here. Many of us as long as we have breath will take this duty seriously…
As for me, I still plan to attend as many Remembrance Days as God will allow me. The ceremonies will endure and I’ll be there in remembrance of those men. The 150th anniversary parade this year was my last. Next year I’ll do the ceremonies but watch the parade. Probably in a few years I’ll get the chance to take my grandson to watch and see what the meaning of duty and honor among a band of brothers means to his Pap…
Usually after the parade is completed, I’ll drive and find a ceremony that some other unit is performing and I’ll stop and just watch quietly. I also pay my respects the men of the 148th position by walking from flank to flank markers, usually by myself quietly reflecting on their sacrifice. This is good and respectful.
After this we settle in for a fun awards banquet. This year our Captain Scott Eller recognized all the men over 60 years of age. He thanked us for our tireless devotion to the dedication to serve the 69th PA Irish Volunteers. We were 1/3 of the men present…
There are 18 months of the war left to celebrate the 150th anniversary events. I plan to do as many of these as possible. Then I’ll start a new chapter and become a civilian living historian…
To celebrate re-enactment events that happened 150 years ago gives one an experience that many of you may never have pressed near to your heart. That is what makes these events so special. We will never again be able to celebrate a Sesquicentennial. All of the 150th anniversary events have been special, but this one, though it didn’t portray a battle was still nonetheless exceptional in all regards…
Remembrance Day in the small junction town of Gettysburg on November 23, 2013 fit the billing as just that; nothing short of wonderful to the soul of this veteran living-historian. I’ll explain that later. The 69th Pennsylvania Irish Volunteers always meets the evening about at Garyowens, just one and a half block from the traffic circle. Here we meet for an evening of food, fun and drinks. This year we retired much earlier from the fun time than usual. Whether it was because we felt the seriousness of what we were about to do or not, all was quiet early. ..
Reveille and sunrise for us on Saturday was silent and early. I personally had breakfast and was on the road by 7:15am. First stop was to check out my friends from Cooper’s Battery “B” position near the Gate Keeper House at the cemetery. Here at 9:30am they were going to dedicate a new cap stone for one of their field markers. I didn’t see it then but greeted the lads and returned later that afternoon…
At 8:30am the men and ladies of the 69th Irish met to march into the Gettysburg National Cemetery where we celebrated the sacrifice of the 27 men who are still buried far from their home of Philadelphia and their native land of Ireland. This year for the first time ever we had our command staff General Daryl Markijohn from Ohio and Colonel Young from Florida were standing and observing what we do to honor our boys who gave their last full measure of devotion. Not one man spoke, except those who were assigned parts of the ceremony. Each year we have a medallion with the name of each of the 27 men “Here Still” as we call it. That man’s name is read into the air and the holder of that medallion for the last year steps forward and another man from the ranks is assigned to carry that medallion for the next year. It’s a very meaningful responsibility that we take on each year. Because when you accept the medallion you accept orders to return the next to pass on the tradition. Nothing short of a family emergency or your own death rescinds that order, unless arrangements are pre-ordained. This is a very solemn thing that we do. I know of no other unit who goes this extra mile. This is mostly why my heart and soul have become one with these lads…
From the cemetery we march over to the “Highwater Mark” “The Angle” “The Copse of Trees.” Here at the spot 150 years ago July 1-2-3 1863 the Irish held their line. The 69th became completely surrounded by the Confederate troops led by General Armistead. In a fierce fire fight, which quickly became hand to hand mortal combat the 69th remained steadfast. Company “F” would be taken prisoner and taken behind enemy lines. The Irish would loss nearly half of their 286 men in killed, wounded or missing. If you visit our position on the battlefield you will see a chain that connects all of our ten companies. It is symbolic of them never giving up their position. At this site we again pay our respect to those who died and now including all the men who fought to preserve this union of states. We also present one of our members the “Hugh Bradley Award.” This award goes to the man who for the last year best exemplifies the spirit of the 69th. This year’s recipient is First Sergeant Ryan Kopich. Congratulations Ryan. We’ve watched Ryan grow from a strapping young lad into a dedicated and strong young man, eager to serve and be at the beckoning call of his officers and the men who serve under them. He truly has taken on the spirit of the man Bradley, who died on July 3rd.
The Grand Review Parade follows this all at 1:00pm. Here thousands line the parade route and thousands march in honor of the men and units they portray. This day both Blue and Gray march the streets of Gettysburg to the cheers of many who have come long distances to stand in the cold, windy weather. Nothing has deterred them from their duty as well. Not all but some salute the flags as they pass by. Some throw flowers into our path. The entire event is one of remembrance of those who have gone on before us. President Lincoln said it this way. “The world will little note what we do here, but it should never forget what they did here.” This is our purpose. This is our duty. Never, ever forget what they did here. Many of us as long as we have breath will take this duty seriously…
As for me, I still plan to attend as many Remembrance Days as God will allow me. The ceremonies will endure and I’ll be there in remembrance of those men. The 150th anniversary parade this year was my last. Next year I’ll do the ceremonies but watch the parade. Probably in a few years I’ll get the chance to take my grandson to watch and see what the meaning of duty and honor among a band of brothers means to his Pap…
Usually after the parade is completed, I’ll drive and find a ceremony that some other unit is performing and I’ll stop and just watch quietly. I also pay my respects the men of the 148th position by walking from flank to flank markers, usually by myself quietly reflecting on their sacrifice. This is good and respectful.
After this we settle in for a fun awards banquet. This year our Captain Scott Eller recognized all the men over 60 years of age. He thanked us for our tireless devotion to the dedication to serve the 69th PA Irish Volunteers. We were 1/3 of the men present…
There are 18 months of the war left to celebrate the 150th anniversary events. I plan to do as many of these as possible. Then I’ll start a new chapter and become a civilian living historian…
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