"Wheatfield Tribute"

  It hardly seems like it’s been almost two months since our annual visit to Gettysburg…A very busy schedule[civil war, holiday preperations, work] hasn’t allowed much time for writing, but I’ll try and catch up again……

The trip to Gettysburg started with an early departure from Kittanning, arriving in Gettysburg around mid-morning…since Sue and I had a little time before other members were to arrive, we decided to go to the Wheatfield to place a flag on the 62nd monument, and to check the ground conditions prior to Saturday’s ceremony…it wouldn’t be long until we would realize that we were “guided” there for a reason…as we arrived at the monument, I noticed one other gentleman in the Wheatfield…as I was placing the flag, he drew closer, as if wanting to see “who places these flags”…”I’m going to put a flag there myself”, he said, and in an instant I knew that he too was a descendant of a 62nd volunteer…”Tom”, Sue and I all sensed that our meeting was special, and I invited him to attend the ceremony and other events on Saturday…having several ancestors in Company H[St. Clair Guards], he said “I’ll be here”, and we parted ways, knowing we would be seeing each other again…

As the day went on, other members arrived, including “new recruits” Joe and Cindy

"Lightner Farmhouse B&B"

McShane…with the grounds at the Lightner Farmhouse B&B being extremely soft due to recent rain and snow, we elected to preserve our encampment site by staying off of it, and we enjoyed the comforts of the farmhouse for the weekend…As always, Dennis and Eileen treated us like family[I may give up tenting in November!]…

"Lightner Farm breakfast room"

Saturday, 19 November, 2011…one hundred and forty-eight years have passed since President Abraham Lincoln came to Gettysburg to help dedicate the Soldiers’ National Cemetery…

As the sun rose on a cold, frosty November morning, friends, families, and members of the 62nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, gathered around the monument to pay solemn tribute to the men of the Regiment…once again, a large contingent from the Confederation of Union Generals[ Generals, staff, and lovely ladies] showed their support for our unit, with General JNO Buford[Mike Smith] and General Rufus Ingalls[Pat Fairbairn] both delivering very moving tributes to the sacrifices offered by the 62nd Regiment, not only at Gettysburg, but throughout their three years’ service in the Army of the Potomac…

"...we must never forget..."

Following the Wheatfield ceremony, we all traveled to the Soldiers National Monument, for a tribute to the U.S.Regulars, the “regular Army”  Veterans…General G.G. Meade[Andy Waskie, Meade Society], and General George Thomas[Bill Vossler, COUG] both gave accounts of the Regulars’ history, with many representatives being introduced…the 62nd served as Honor Guard, along with the 98th PA…

Just a short walk up Cemetery Ridge, we gathered around the large equestrian memorial to General George Gordon Meade, hosted by the Meade Society…speeches by General Meade[Andy Waskie], and General John F. Reynolds[Mike Riley,COUG] graced this ceremony, with our unit bearing the Colors of Meade’s former Corps, the Union Fifth Corps…

"Our lovely ladies..."

"62nd PVI"

Following a brief lunch break, it was time to “form up” for the Remembrance Day Parade, sponsered by the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War[SUVCW], to which many 62nd members also belong…The SUVCW led the parade, with the 62nd PVI, as Honor Guard for COUG, following right in line, as the endless line of troops marched thru the streets of historic Gettysburg…this never fails to provide the “in the moment” feelings, as if for just a brief moment we become our ancestors…the streets were crowded with on-lookers, and the weather was beautiful…a grand day…

"...is marching on..."

"His Truth..."

Finally, after another short time to relax, the 62nd PVI, along with some friends from the 66th Ohio Regiment, gathered at the Soldiers National Cemetery for the most solemn duty of the day–Guard detail for the Illumination of the Cemetery…I know that I have stated this before, but it is in the performance of this duty that one REALLY feels the connection to the fallen heroes at Gettysburg…many times as a living historian things happen and all hints of the modern world seem to fade away, but if you take seriously the opportunity to stand guard over the illuminated graves, you easily “become” a soldier assigned the most sullen duty…and as you listen to the names of the thousands of

"Ghostly image-guard detail"

dead, as they are read by other volunteers, you know that each name represents someone who gave his life, to preserve our Union, and see the abolition of slavery through…may God Bless them all…what an appropriate way to end a long, meaningful day, knowing that you are standing at the site where President Lincoln gave his timeless address…

Sunday, 20 November 2011…following a delicious breakfast, we said our goodbyes at the Lightner Farm, and headed to the battlefield for some quiet walking time and discussion of the battle…we then gathered in town for a meal together before returning home…always hard to leave Gettysburg…already looking forward to our return………

PHOTO CREDITS: Joe McShane

"Joe and Cindy"

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