A House Reunited

Joined in respect at the cemetery

Our Civil War teaches lessons still, important ones about honor, sacrifice and the price of freedom for all. Teachers and re-enactors created a dynamic civics classroom at San Lorenzo Park on May 12th. The students of Chalone Peaks Middle School entered it with energy and intelligence. They emerged with experiences they’ll remember their entire lives, experiences that will be the seeds of good citizenship. We began our day at King City Cemetery by honoring Civil War veterans buried there. Students read “Shiloh”, a great poem by Herman Melville. President Lincoln offered remarks about the difficult, crucial service the soldiers rendered. A rifle volley and taps ended our ceremony. We then marched on to battles, seminars and the Gettysburg Address.

Dave Park took great photos of the day. Please enjoy his work and the efforts of our students.

On the march

Honoring those who served

Skirmish

They’re here!

Cannon Fire

Pickett’s charge on the 3rd day of Gettysburg

 Meeting the charge

Joined hands at war’s end

The Battle of the Crater, July 30th, 1864

The lieutenant of artillery looked down upon a scene he never imagined and would never forget: hundreds of men in blue torn apart by point-blank cannon fire. He turned to General Mahone. “We’ve held them, sir.”

Mahone continued staring at the slaughter. “It’s a turkey shoot.”

 

Today is the sesquicentennial of the Battle of the Crater. I wrote of the battle in Dawn Drums. I’ve posted that selection, along with a reading comprehension exercise, on my Dawn Drums website http://dawndrums.wordpress.com/blogs/. Please feel free to use it with your students.

Peace Again, May 10th, 2013

After our reenactment of Picket’s Charge at Gettysburg, we celebrate a safe event.  

Lee and Grant confer

Mr. Miller and I try to figure out what happens next!

Battle is joined

Students and teachers recreated the final charge at First Manassas or Bull Run.

President Lincoln attends ceremony

President Lincoln offered remarks at our 2012 ceremony in the King City cemetery.  He urged us to call our soldiers’ service to mind.  

Honoring Civil War Veterans at King City Cemetery

The students and teachers of Chalone Peaks Middle School pause at the King City cemetery during their march to the reenactment at San Lorenzo Park and conduct a brief ceremony honoring the Civil War veterans interred there.