Gettysburg to honor fallen soldiers, famous speech

08-26-2011

 

Dedication Day, Remembrance Day both on Nov. 19^th this year

 

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania – August 26, 2011

 

Two of Gettysburg’s largest annual events will coincide on Nov. 19, 2011, for a day highlighted by a ceremony in Gettysburg honoring Lincoln’s immortal address, a parade through downtown and an illuminary featuring more than 3,500 candles in the national cemetery.

 

Dedication Day – a time in which Gettysburg honors the Gettysburg Address and President Abraham Lincoln’s visit to Gettysburg – is held annually on Nov. 19. Remembrance Day, a time when thousands of Civil War re-enactors and living historians converge on the historic town to honor the brave men who gave their lives fighting in the nation’s most famous battle, is always held the Saturday closest to Dedication Day. This year, both occur on the same day, making it a popular time to visit Gettysburg and pay tribute to these historic events.

 

“It’s going to be a great time to visit Gettysburg,” said Norris Flowers, President of the Gettysburg Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We’re encouraging visitors to stay the weekend and see the many attractions which help highlight this battle and Lincoln’s famous speech that followed.”

 

The day starts at 9:30 a.m. with a Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Soldiers’ National Monument in the Soldiers’ National Cemetery. The Dedication Day ceremony – featuring keynote speaker and actor Stephan Lang, along with Lincoln presenter Jim Getty – follows at 9:45. The ceremony includes remarks, Civil War-era music and the reciting of the Gettysburg Address.

 

At approximately 11 a.m., immediately following the Dedication Day Ceremony, a Salute to U.S. Colored Troops will follow near the eastern portion of the cemetery. This salute will feature soldiers re-enacting the U.S. Colored Troops, along with presentations by historian Deb McCauslin and Getty.

The Remembrance Day Parade begins at 1:30 p.m., and can be seen from High Street, Baltimore Street, and Steinwehr Avenue. A ceremony will follow in Zeigler’s Grove at the Gettysburg National Military Park. The parade attracts re-enactors from as far away as Europe, said David Demmy, President of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, the organizers of the parade.

 

The day is capped off with a Remembrance Day Illuminary in the Soldiers’ National Cemetery. There, volunteers through the Gettysburg Foundation will place 3,500 candles and flags on the graves of Civil War soldiers. Candles are lit at 5:30 and the event is open until 9 p.m.

 

For more information on Dedication Day or Remembrance Day, call the Gettysburg Convention & Visitors Bureau at (717) 334-6274 or visitwww.gettysburg.travel.

 

The Gettysburg Convention & Visitors Bureau, the official tourism promotion agency, markets Gettysburg – Adams County as a premier travel destination, producing a positive economic impact.

 

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