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 5th Michigan Infantry Band at Soldiers and Sailors Park
- 7th Michigan Infantry and 15th Michigan Infantry re-enactors
- 1st 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: 5th 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 7th Michigan Infantry, 15th 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”: 5th 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!)
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