150TH ANNIVERSARY
The Grand Review
Washington D.C.
May 17, 2015
On 17 May 2015, we completed the last of the American Civil War Sesquicentennial Events... the 150th Anniversary of the Grand Review of the Armies. The last reenactment of the Grand Review was for the 125th Anniversary in 1990 so we made every effort to make this once in a lifetime moment in Living History. We chose as our camp the Courtyard Marriott in Tysons Corner, Virginia and caravaned over to the parking lot of RFK Stadium early Sunday morning. The DC Police inspected and tagged our weapons and then we formed up with our battalion, the U.S. Volunteers. Ironically, today's U.S. Colored Troops (USCT) organized this affair whereas 150 years ago black soldiers were barred from marching in the original Grand Review. They kicked off the marching column promptly at noon after we were shuttled to the National Mall for our march north on 3rd Street and then turning left onto Pennsylvania Avenue. The parade continued almost to the old Willard Hotel where the Grandstand was filled with period dressed spectators including Frederick Douglas. Estimates are that over 1,500 reenactors marched this warm, muggy, and gray day. The 67th NY, First Long Island alone sent 18 men. For this occasion, we retired our original Regimental flag that had served us well since our inception in the 1990's. Before and after the parade, the men of the 67th NY with their families made full use of this historic opportunity to explore Washington City thanks to the new Silver Line of the DC Metro that ran past our hotel. Maybe some of our youngest members may march again for the 175th or 200th.
Special thanks to Aniella Badamo, Joni Bilardello, and Elizabeth Luchsinger for taking such great photos and videos for us
