Remembrance Day - Gettysburg

My friend Melanie is completing a masters degree through Norwich University in Vermont via the Internet. Norwich is an old military school, with an interesting history. Several of it's graduates fought in the Civil War. Some of them died at Gettysburg. Each year on the Saturday closest to November 19th, the day of the Gettysburg address and the dedication of the National Cemetery at Gettysburg, the small town of Gettysburg is filled beyond capacity as people gather for the Remembrance Day celebration. Norwich alumni and students participate in the celebration by placing flags on all of the Vermont soldier's graves and to help put out candles for the luminaries later in the evening. Mel got to participate this year and I got to go with her.


Mel after she placed the Vermont State and the United State's Flag on the graves.

One of the coolest aspects of the whole day was the shear number of people dressed in period cloths. The reenactors were out in full force. Even Greg, the alumni in charge of the Norwich part of the day was dressed as Union Lieutenant. Part of the days activities was a long parade of reenactors. It was so awesome to see. Here are few of the Parade pictures we took.



The men in the red pants ( if I remember correctly) are Sharp shooters



Even a few Confederates came out. It was interesting to see the dynamics between the 'North' and the 'South.' I heard several people talk about old grievances between the two and comment on the fact that Remembrance Day was a Union celebration and they were being kind enough to allow the Confederates participate. Very interesting.

The flags in the cemetery
Next year we are going to take more people with us. Everyone ought to experience at least one Rememberance Day in Gettysburg