Remembrance Day
Gettysburg, PA
November 17 - 19, 2017
This year's Remembrance Day was certainly one for the history books. Not only was there yet another threat to our Hobby but we were hit with the worst weather in 15 years. Given what transpired at Cedar Creek the month prior, the authorities took the threat against the parade a lot more seriously and the town was filled law-enforcment on foot and on horseback. Several roads were blocked with trucks causing some traffic jams. Far more inconvenient was the cold, pouring rain that never let up. We managed to have a triple-ceremony on Culp's Hill in the morning at our monument, that of the 65th NY, and adding on another, the 122nd NY, which was part of the same brigade. As for the parade, as much as we were all willing to get blown up for the sake of our Hobby we drew the line at catching pneumonia and so stood down from marching for the first time since 2002 (the last year with heavy rain). We did our best to dry out at the Appalachian Brewing Company on Steinwehr. Nevertheless, many did march and made a clear statement that we were not going to be intimidated.
On Friday afternoon and Sunday morning (both dry), our Private Ottone gave tours of the First Day battlefield and Culp's Hill respectively. And for Friday's dinner, some of us at the historic Herr Ridge Inn, also located on the First Day battlefield. On Saturday evening, we dined at the Cashtown Inn. Hopefully, we won't have to deal with weather like this for another 15 years.
