HOMETOWN HISTORY TOURS

Monroe County Civil War Monument Unveiling

Commemorating the fallen from Monroe County

Sunday, May 27, 2012

12 Noon to 4 PM*

Location: Soldiers and Sailors Park / Sawyer House

(*Hometown History Tours walking tour led by Michigan Cavalry Brigade Commander General George Custer follows. See description below)

Activities before and after the dedication ceremony

Mini grave stone display of all Monroe County fallen from War of 1812 to present at Soldiers and Sailors Park

Michigan Civil War authors book signing at the Sawyer House and displays by historical organizations. (Karin Risko, co-author of Hometown History Tours publication Glory, Valor & Sacrifice: Michigan Sites Significant to the Civil War will be there. Book co-author David Ingall is the event master of ceremonies).

•  Home front in Monroe during the war exhibit at the Sawyer House
• Various Camps from the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War
• Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States
• Civil War camp site with drill and musket firing at the Sawyer House
• Artillery firing at Soldiers and Sailors Park
• Performances by the 5^th Michigan Infantry Band at Soldiers and Sailors Park
• 7^th Michigan Infantry and 15^th Michigan Infantry re-enactors
• 1^st Michigan Light Artillery, Battery H, “DeGoylers”

Demonstration Times

• 12-12:30 p.m.    Drill and musket firing  (SH)

• 12:30-1 p.m.    Cannon crew demonstration and firing  (S&S)

• 1-1:30 p.m.    Visits by President Abraham Lincoln and General George A. Custer  (SH)

• 1:30-2 p.m.    Civil War music concert  (S&S)

• 3-3:30 p.m.    Drill and musket firing  (SH)

• 3:30-4 p.m.    Civil War music concert  (S&S)

2 PM – Monroe County Civil War Fallen Memorial Dedication Ceremony (S&S)

Call to attention:  Cannon firing

Opening remarks:   David Ingall, Monument Committee

National Anthem:  5^th Michigan Infantry Band

Pledge of Allegiance:  Steve Alexander as General George A. Custer

Invocation:  William McAfee, Chaplain, Michigan Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War

Welcoming remarks:  Dick Sieb, Monument Committee Chairman

Special Presentation:  Dave Eby, Monument Committee

Remarks and special tribute:  Jack Dempsey, Chairman of the Michigan Sesquicentennial Commission

Monroe County Soldiers in the Civil War:  David Ingall, Monument Committee

Unveiling of monument

Acceptance of memorial and keynote address:  Robert Clark, Mayor of Monroe

Gettysburg Address:  Fred Priebe as President Abraham Lincoln

Benediction:  William McAfee

“Taps” by bugler

Volley salute: VFW Post 1138 Honor Guard accompanied by the 7^th Michigan Infantry, 15^th Michigan Infantry, Battery H, 1st Michigan Light Artillery and Michigan Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War

“Amazing Grace” by bag piper

“Battle Hymn of the Republic”:  5^th Michigan Infantry Band

Closing remarks:  David Ingall

Descendents picture around monument by the Monroe Evening News photographer

4:30 PM – General Custer’s Monroe Walking Tour – Special Civil War Sesquicentennial Tour

To round out this once is a lifetime Civil War Sesquicentennial statue unveiling ceremony that pays tribute to the fallen from Monroe County who sacrificed their lives to preserve the Union, Michigan Cavalry Brigade Commander General George Armstrong Custer will lead a charge throughout town and recount his time spent in historic Monroe.

Click here for walking tour description.

Tour departs from the Hometown History Tours table at the Sawyer House at 4 PM.  Special Civil War Sesquicentennial tour price is $1.50 per person. (Tour price does not include gratuity. While tipping guides is not mandatory, gratuities are always appreciated!)