Former Prisoners of War to Sign Books
Andersonville National
Historic Site, along with the Friends of Andersonville,
Rolling Thunder, and Georgia Southwestern State University
will host a variety of events during September to
commemorate National POW/MIA Recognition Day. The historic
site will host the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall from
September 17-25, 2010 and have extended park hours to 7:00
p.m. each night. In addition, three authors will hold book
signings in the National Prisoner of War Museum.
On Friday, September
17th and Saturday, September 18th former Vietnam prisoner of
war Colonel Ben Purcell, USA (Ret.) will autograph his book
Love and Duty. The book recounts his strenuous years
of captivity, resistance, and escape attempts and chronicles
his willingness to endure and return home to his wife,
Anne. Colonel Purcell was captured in Vietnam in 1968 and
held for five and a half years. Purcell endured grueling
interrogations, hunger, and hours of torture but always kept
the code of conduct. Love and Duty also tells the
story of Anne Purcell and her struggle to raise five
children alone, all the time demanding news of her husband’s
condition from the U.S. government. In her story she tells
how her family and her faith enabled her to endure some of
the toughest times of her life. This is a powerful story of
compassion, courage, and strength.
On Thursday, September
23rd former World War II prisoner of war Dudley Riley will
be at the National Prisoner of War Museum to discuss and
sign his book Farm Boy, Soldier, Daddy from 8:30
a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The book paints a vivid picture of life
in rural western Kentucky. Growing up the youngest of nine
children, Dudley Riley was exposed to the benefit of hard
working parents and a caring, loving extended family. He
learned from an early age a strong work ethic. Dudley
enlisted at the age of 18 when seeing an "Uncle Sam Wants
You" sign. In February 1943 in North Africa, Riley and a
buddy found themselves cut off from the regiment. When
informed that rescue was not possible, the men destroyed all
communication codes, radios, and maps in their possession.
They were captured by the Germans and eventually taken to
the infamous Stalag IIIB. One of the most gripping aspects
of the book is the time spent as a prisoner of war. The
ingenuity of Americans under these extreme conditions is
astounding. There is nothing more traumatic for a soldier
than that loss of his freedom. The endurance and courage
they exhibited against overwhelming odds gives a unique
perspective into the POW character.
On Friday, September
24th and Saturday, September 25th author Bob Bovitch will be
at the museum from 8:30 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. with his books
Words From the Heart and Let Them Never Be
Forgotten. Bovitch joined the Naval Reserves before
graduation in 1965 and chose to go on active duty serving a
WEST PAC tour aboard the USS Bronstein DE 1037 off the coast
of Vietnam. He spent one tour of duty in Vietnam from
October 1966 to October 1967. Today he dedicates his life
to honoring all Vietnam War veterans for their sacrifices
for freedom. Words From the Heart is a collection
of heart-filled poems dedicated to those who were prisoners
of war and those still missing in action. This book is a
tribute to those who fought and died for the values of this
great nation and are remembered with honor in the hearts of
their families and the eyes of all Americans. Let Them
Never Be Forgotten is a commitment to those whose names
now adorn a hard, cold, black wall; sons, brothers, husbands
who are now gone but who lives on in the hearts of loved
ones.
Andersonville National
Historic Site is located eight miles south of Oglethorpe,
Georgia and ten miles north of Americus on Highway 49.
Admission is free. Extended hours are from 8:00 a.m. until
7:00 p.m., September 17-25 to allow visitors the opportunity
to visit the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall. Regular hours
are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. The National Prisoner of
War Museum will be open from 8:30 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
For more information, call
229-924-0343 or visit on the web at www.nps.gov/ande
-
VIETNAM TRAVELING MEMORIAL WALL
HIGHLIGHTS POW/MIA EVENTS AT
- ANDERSONVILLE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE
(ANDERSONVILLE, GA) Andersonville National Historic Site will
host the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall from Friday, September 17,
through Saturday, September 25. Opening ceremonies for the Wall
will be held on National POW/MIA Recognition Day, September 17, 2010
at 10:00 a.m. Weekend ceremonies include a Missing in Action (MIA)
remembrance at 2:00 p.m. on September 17, a Candlelight Ceremony on
the 17th at 8:00 p.m., and a Prisoner of War (POW) Recognition
ceremony at 10:00 a.m. on September 18. Closing ceremonies will be
held Saturday, September 25 at 5:00 p.m. Andersonville National
Historic Site will be open until 8:30 p.m. for the Candlelight
Ceremony. Park grounds will be open from 8:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
during the remainder of the event, September 18-25. POW/MIA
programs are sponsored by the National Park Service, Friends of
Andersonville, Rolling Thunder, and Georgia Southwestern State
University.
The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall,
a 3/5 scale model of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.,
stands six feet tall at the center and covers almost 300 feet. The
Wall is a reminder of the great sacrifices made during the Vietnam
War and contains the names of over 58,000 Americans who made the
ultimate sacrifice for their nation. Wall Manager Greg Welsh
explains that the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall was created by the
Vietnam and All Veterans of Brevard (County, Florida) for the
purpose of healing and enables the public who are unable to travel
to D.C the opportunity to visit the Wall.
An important part of POW/MIA events is The
RIDE HOME. Chapters of Rolling Thunder, Inc. have organized The
RIDE HOME for the last five years with the help of Andersonville NHS.
Jim Moyer, 2010 committee chairperson, explained that The RIDE HOME
honors former Prisoners of War and families of Missing in Action by
hosting them for weekend events. This year, POW's & MIA families
representing 33 states will participate in the event. On September
17 and 18, at 8:50 a.m., the public is invited to join Rolling
Thunder and the POW/MIA families for the "Heroes Escort" from the
Wal-Mart parking lot in Americus to Andersonville National Historic
Site.
The kickoff for this year's POW/MIA
remembrances will be at 11:00 a.m. on September 15, 2010 in
the Fine Arts Theater at Georgia
Southwestern State University. Convocation will feature JoAnne
Shirley, Vice Chairman of the National League of Families. Ms.
Shirley's brother, Dr. Bobby M.
Jones, served as a flight surgeon during the Vietnam War. He was
aboard a F4D Phantom when it was shot down in 1972 over South
Vietnam.
Additional events
include the Some Gave All Moving Tribute, an eleven panel display
that lists over 4,000 names of fallen soldiers from Beirut,
Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, and Operation
Enduring Freedom. Also, on September 17, The United States Postal
Service will have a mobile unit at Andersonville NHS to cancel mail
with a special one-day POW/MIA cancellation stamp. Commemorative
POW/MIA envelopes with the cancellation stamp will be available for
purchase.
Brad Bennett, superintendent of
Andersonville National Historic Site, invites and encourages
everyone to visit Andersonville NHS and the Vietnam Traveling
Memorial Wall. "Having the Wall between the National Prisoner of
War Museum and the Civil War prison site brings the story of war and
prisoners of war together" Bennett said. "This solemn tribute,
along with the ceremonies, will long be remembered by all of us who
have the privilege and honor of visiting during this special time."
Volunteers are needed during the nine
days of the event to assist with locating names on the Wall and to
assist with parking. Please contact Andersonville NHS at (229)
924-0343 to donate your time.
September 15 Convocation
featuring keynote speaker Ms. JoAnne Shirley.
11:00 am Georgia Southwestern State University,
Fine Arts Theater.
September 17-25 Some
Gave All Moving Tribute
8:00 am-7:00 pm
September 17-25 The Vietnam Traveling
Memorial Wall
8:00 am-7:00 pm
September 17
Opening Ceremonies, Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall
10:00 am
September 17 Missing in Action Remembrance Ceremony
2:00 pm
September 17
Candlelight Ceremony at Wall
8:00 pm Park entrance gate open until 8:30
p.m.
All day U.S. Postal Service Cancellation
Station
The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall Station cancellation stamp will
be available onsite and commemorative caches available.
September 18
Prisoner of War Recognition Ceremony
10:00 am
September 25 5K
Run to the Wall
8:00 am-noon
September 25
Closing Ceremonies
5:00 pm
Andersonville
National Historic Site is located ten miles south of Montezuma,
Georgia, and ten miles north of Americus, Georgia on Highway 49.
Park grounds, including Andersonville National Cemetery, open at
8:00 a.m. and the National Prisoner of War Museum opens at 8:30 a.m.
Normal park closure, 5:00 p.m., has been extended to 8:30 p.m. on
September 17 and to 7:00 p.m. from September 17-25. For more
information, visit www.nps.gov/ande; www.theridehome.com; or
call 229-924-0343.
August 11, 2010
Book Signing July 3-4, 2010 at the National Prisoner
of War Museum
Andersonville National Historic Site and the National Prisoner of
War Museum are proud to host local author James Stallings at a book
signing July 3-4, 2010 at the National Prisoner of War Museum. Mr.
Stallings will discuss and sign his book Georgia's Confederate
Soldiers Who Died as Prisoners of War 1861-1865. The
event will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Stallings served 25 years in the United States Air Force and the Air
Force Reserves and has always maintained an interest in geneology.
His desire to join the Sons of Confederate Veterans led him into
specific research for a Confederate ancestor. Membership into the
SCV was gained through the service of one ancestor but the research
trail also led to another ancestor, William C. Stallings. William
Stallings was held as a prisoner of war at Elmira Prison, located in
New York. Scholars have drawn many parallels between Elmira and
Andersonville and the percentage of deaths at the two camps were
almost equal.
The research into his ancestor at Elmira led Stallings to write
Georgia's Confederate Soldiers Who Died as Prisoners of War
1861-1865. In a recent
interview Mr. Stallings
reflected upon his reason for writing the book:
My visit to Woodlawn
National Cemetery in that city, where the remains of my
great-great-grandfather William C. Stallings are interred, was the
inspiration to begin over six years of research and writing the
manuscript.
As a result I have identified over 3,600 Georgians who died in
United States of America Prison Camps and Hospitals.
The book is divided into two
parts. Part One, The Prisons, is devoted to the history
and conditions of nine major United States prisons where Confederate
soldiers were incarcerated. These chapters also include testimonies
by prisoners as well as official communications between the prison
camp commanders and their superiors regarding the operation of the
prisons. Part Two, The Hospitals, is devoted to states
where the United States had field and general hospitals. Captured,
wounded and sick Confederate soldiers were treated in these
hospitals but would ultimately die before they could be transferred
to a prison facility. The final chapter lists those soldiers who
could not be identified as dying in specific prisons or hospitals
with the conclusion of the book giving official insight into why
some events probably caused unnecessary deaths".
James is currently working on
his second book Georgia's Confederate Soldiers Who Served As
"Galvanized Yankees" 1863-1865. It is near completion.
The National Historic Site is located 8 miles south of Oglethorpe,
GA and 10 miles northeast of Americus, GA, on state highway 49.
There is no entrance fee. The site features the National Prisoner
of War Museum, Andersonville National Cemetery and the site of Camp
Sumter, the historic Civil War prison. Visit us on the web at
www.nps.gov/ande for more information.
-NPS-
change in Memorial day
speaker:
Sergeant Major (retired) patrick henson
TO SPEAK AT ANDERSONVILLE MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCE
The featured
speaker at the annual Memorial Day observance at Andersonville
National Historic Site will be Sergeant Major (retired) Patrick
Henson, a native of McCaysville, Georgia. Sgt Major Henson entered
the United States Army on November 26, 1981. He completed Basic
Combat Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina and Advanced
Individual Training at Fort Huachuca, Arizona as an Aerial
Intelligence Specialist. Sgt Major Henson has served in all
leadership positions from Squad Leader to Battalion Sergeant Major.
He retired from active duty January 1, 2004 as the 1-14th
Attack Helicopter Battalion Sergeant Major. Henson retired with
over 22 years continuous service that featured overseas assignments
and campaigns in Central and South America, Europe, the Middle East,
the Balkans, and Korea. His military and civilian education included
the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy. He has earned Bachelor's
Degrees in History and Secondary Education and a Master's Degree in
history. Sgt Major Henson's awards and decorations include: the
Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal with 4 Oak Leaf
Clusters, and the Air Medal. He is currently serving as a Department
of Army Civilian, heading the military history department for the
Army Warrant Officer Career College, Fort Rucker, Alabama.
Andersonville National Historic Site is located eight miles south of
Oglethorpe, Georgia and ten miles north of Americus, Georgia on
Highway 49. Park grounds open at 8:00 a.m. and the National
Prisoner of War Museum opens at 8:30 a.m. The park closes at 5:00
p.m. For more information visit on the web at www.nps.gov/ande or
call 229-924-0343.
-
- Sergeant
Major Elmer Tony Stiltner
- FEATURED SPEAKER AT
- ANDERSONVILLE MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCE
Vietnam Veteran and Retired Marine
Corps Sergeant Major Elmer Tony Stiltner will be the featured speaker on
Sunday, May 30, 2010 at the annual Memorial Day Service at Andersonville
National Historic Site.
Memorial Day activities will begin at
1:30 p.m. in Andersonville National Cemetery with instrumental music
performed by the Fort Benning Maneuver Center of Excellence Band. The
program will follow at 2:00 p.m. and will include a Color Guard from Fort
Benning and a Rifle Salute from Robins Air Force Base (Georgia). The
traditional "laying of wreaths" will feature various military, civic, and
patriotic organizations, including the Friends of Andersonville. Wreath
presenters will be escorted by Warrant Officer Candidates from Fort Rucker
Army Base (Alabama). Mr. Edward L. DeMent, past Southeast Region Director of
the American Ex-Prisoners of War (AXPOW) will recognize all veterans in
attendance on behalf of AXPOW National Commander Kenny H. Hanson.
Featured speaker Sergeant Major
Stiltner was born in McCarr, Kentucky, and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps
in 1953. He served three tours of duty in Vietnam and was awarded the
Bronze Star and Purple Heart while serving in Southeast Asia.
Sergeant Major Stiltner had a long and
varied career with the Marines and progressed through the ranks to become a
top grade sergeant where he served in several leadership roles from squad to
division level. During his military career, he assumed the duties of drill
instructor, recruiter and performed duty for the State Department at the
American Embassy in Moscow. By the end of his military service, he had
served in all four divisions of the Marine Corps.
After retiring from the Ninth Marine
Corps District in Kansas City in 1976, having served 23 years with the
Corps, he has worked with the State Department, U.S. Marshall Service and
served as a police officer. Currently he is a blacksmith working in the
Southeast U.S. Equine Trade. He lives with his wife Dolores in Meigs,
Georgia.
In preparation for the ceremony, Boy
Scout and Girl Scout groups and other community volunteers from across the
state of Georgia will place approximately 20,000 flags in Andersonville
National Cemetery the evening of Friday, May 28, beginning at 5:00 PM.
Andersonville National Historic Site is located eight miles south of
Oglethorpe, Georgia and ten miles north of Americus, Georgia on Highway 49.
Park grounds open at 8:00 a.m. and the National Prisoner of War Museum opens
at 8:30 a.m. The park closes at 5:00 p.m. For more information call
229-924-0343 or visit on the web at www.nps.gov/ande
ANDERSONVILLE
COLLECTOR SERIES CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS
They are back! The exclusive
Andersonville Christmas Ornaments. Andersonville National Historic Site is
delighted to announce that a new ornament has been added to our ever growing
series. This year we are offering a very attractive dove ornament complete
with informational card and gift box. The ornament's inspiration came from
the stone dove mysteriously placed on the headstone of Private Tuttle in the
National Cemetery, perhaps during the dedication of the Maine Monument in
1904.
The Dove Ornament is approximately 4
inches long and 2 inches high. It is made of a resin that makes it look
weathered just as the original. Today the dove remains a symbol of peace
and serenity, just as it was 106 years ago when placed upon the headstone at
Andersonville. The dove can be purchased for $23.95 plus tax in the book
store located in the National Prisoner of War Museum. In case you missed
our first two collectable ornaments, we will also have them available. This
includes the ever famous "Pickle" with informational card, retailing for
$7.95. The person who found the Christmas Pickle in the boughs of the tree
would receive an extra gift or would be blessed with good fortune for the
coming year. One of the Pickle legends gives credit to Private John C.
Lower who was captured at Plymouth, North Carolina in April 1864 and taken
to Andersonville. On Christmas Eve, in poor health, he begged the guard for
a pickle before he died. Taking pity on him the guard granted his request,
providing a pickle that gave him the mental and physical strength to live.
Lower returned home and began hiding a pickle on the family Christmas tree,
beginning the "Christmas Pickle" tradition with his own family.
Second in the series, a beautiful tenth
anniversary National Prisoner of War Museum pewter ornament, complete with
card and gift box will be available for $16.95. To promote the release of
our new ornament, we are offering a discount of 15% if you buy two and 20%
if you buy all three collectible ornaments.
All three ornaments will be available
during our Memorial Day Weekend at the book store in the National Prisoner
of War Museum at Andersonville National Historic Site. Purchases can be
made in the book store or by phone. Call Renee Frye, Eastern National Site
Supervisor, at 229-924-0343, extension 204 to place orders.
The National Historic Site is
located 8 miles south of Oglethorpe, GA and 10 miles northeast of Americus,
GA, on state highway 49. There is no entrance fee. The site features the
National Prisoner of War Museum, Andersonville National Cemetery and the
site of Camp Sumter, the historic Civil War prison. Visit us on the web at
www.nps.gov/ande for more information.
AUTHOR JOHN D. LUKACS TO SIGN BOOK ABOUT DARING PRISON BREAK
OF WORLD WAR II
On April 4,
1943, ten Americans and two Filipino prisoners of war, survivors of the
infamous Bataan Death March and the Fall of Corregidor, escaped the Davao
Penal Colony on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao. Held in a
prison plantation where inaction meant certain death, the ten planned their
getaway. With the help of Filipino allies, their plan was a success and
they returned home to the United States. Surviving more than three months
in the jungles of the Philippines the ten were ready to tell their
exceptional story. But with the military having different ideas of how to
liberate their fellow prisoners, they were ordered to keep silent. When
they were allowed to share their story, they gave a remarkable description
of survival. The riveting account of their escape and the resourcefulness
of all men who fought in the Pacific war are well worth reading.
Author John D.
Lukacs is a writer and historian whose work has appeared in such
publications as The New York Times, also USA Today and
ESPN.com. This is his first book. Lukacs does extraordinary work of
capturing the remarkable story of these soldiers. It shows the exceptional
research that he put into this overpowering account. This work can be
compared to that of Ghosts Soldiers and Flags of Our Fathers.
John Lukacs
will be available to discuss and sign his book in the lobby of the National
Prisoner of War Museum at Andersonville National Historic Site on Friday,
May 28th and Saturday, May 29th from 10:00 a.m. until
3 p.m. The park is located on Hwy. 49 ten miles north of Americus and 8
miles south of Oglethorpe and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is
free. For any questions please contact Renee Frye at 229-924-0343 ext.
204.
NATIVE AMERICAN VETERANS
SOCIETY TO HONOR
MICHIGAN SHARPSHOOTERS BURIED AT ANDERSONVILLE
The Anishinabe
Ogitchedaw Veteran and Warrior Society, composed of members of the Chippewa,
Potawatomi, and Odawa Tribes near Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, will conduct a
ceremony at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 15 in the National Cemetery at
Andersonville National Historic Site. The ceremony will honor seven tribal
members who served with Company K, 1st Michigan Sharpshooters
during the Civil War. The soldiers fought at the Battle of the Wilderness,
Battle of Spotsylvania and were captured at Petersburg, Virginia in June of
1864. The traditional ceremony will include drums, songs, prayers and
dancing. Wreaths made by schoolchildren in Mt. Pleasant will be placed at
the graves of the seven fallen warriors: Joseph Gibson, James Hamlin,
Michael Jondrau, William Mixinasaw, Jacko Penaiswonquot, Adam Saw-Be-Come,
and Peter South.
The ceremony
will last approximately one hour. Tribal members will be available for
interviews and photographs after the event. Historian Chris Czopek will
also be on hand to answer questions. Mr. Czopek has researched
Andersonville Prison and Michigan regiments for years and helped organize
the Michigan Monument wreath dedication ceremony at Andersonville during the
late 1990s.
May 6, 2010
ANDERSONVILLE NATIONAL
HISTORIC SITE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
ACCEPTS POSITION IN FLORIDA PARK
(Andersonville, GA) The staff of Andersonville
National Historic Site bids farewell to Lindsey Phillips, a twenty year
veteran of the National Park Service as she heads to St. Augustine, Florida
to serve as Administrative Officer (AO) for the Castillo de San Marcos
National Monument. Lindsey began her federal career at Andersonville NHS in
1989 when she became a Clerk Typist. She became the Administrative Officer
in 1994 and served as Chief of Administration for both Andersonville
National Historic Site and Jimmy Carter National Historic Site. During this
time, Ms. Phillips was instrumental in several major projects at both parks,
including development of the Plains High School, Carter Boyhood Farm, and
the National Prisoner of War Museum. "Lindsey made great contributions to
both Andersonville and Jimmy Carter National Historic Sites as
Administrative Officer" stated former superintendent Fred Boyles. "She is
the consummate National Park Service professional. She has always cared
deeply about protecting the resources while making sure that the needs of
the visitor came first."
Lindsey will begin her new assignment in late May
at the oldest masonry and only extant 17th century fort in North
America. Castillo de San Marcos gains a knowledgeable, efficient employee
who will be a valuable asset to park operations. She will be missed by
Andersonville staff but they wish her all the best in her new assignment and
new challenges.
May 5, 2010
Storyteller Brings Civil War to Life for Junior Ranger Day
Andersonville National Historic Site will present a professional storyteller
on Saturday and Sunday, April 24 and 25 to help the Civil War come alive for
Junior Ranger Day. Susan Fowler, an accomplished storyteller from Indiana,
will regale the youngsters with an uplifting story about two teen-age Civil
War soldiers. The two boys, one white and one African-American, form a
strong friendship during the War Between the States.
Storytelling
will take place behind the National Prisoner of War Museum. Storyteller
Susan Fowler will be on hand to greet children on Saturday from 11 am until
5 pm and on Sunday from 1 pm to 5 pm. The schedule for storytelling this
weekend is scheduled as follows:
- Saturday, April
24 Sunday,
April 25
- 11:30 am
1:30 pm
- 1:30 pm
3:30 pm
- 3:00 pm
"Junior
Ranger Day is the highlight of National Park Week," commented Brad Bennett,
superintendent of Andersonville National Historic Site. "It is an
opportunity to share the parks with the next generation of park owners and
caretakers-our children and grandchildren."
April 17
-
25 is National Park Week, and national parks around the country will be
offering special programs to encourage the public to enjoy the great
outdoors. There are no entrance fees at any national parks during National
Park Week.
Saturday,
April 24 is Junior Ranger Day, and parks throughout America will be offering
special activities for children. At Andersonville, in addition to the
storytelling program, a Junior Ranger activity book is available to help
children learn more about the historic site. Youngsters who complete the
activity book will be awarded an Andersonville Junior Ranger badge.
Andersonville
National Historic Site is located 8 miles south of Oglethorpe, GA and 10
miles northeast of Americus, GA, on state highway 49. The site features the
National Prisoner of War Museum, Andersonville National Cemetery and the
site of Camp Sumter, the historic Civil War prison. For more information,
visit us on the web at www.nps.gov/ande
LIVING HISTORY
EVENT CANCELLED --
BOOK SIGNING
HIGHLIGHTS ROLE OF
UNITED STATES COLORED TROOPS
"Andersonville
Revisited," the living history reenactment scheduled for March 13-14 at
Andersonville National Historic Site, has been cancelled. However, a
scheduled book signing event will continue as planned.
Andersonville National
Historic Site, in partnership with Eastern National, will be hosting author
Bob O'Connor on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, March 12, 13, and 14th
from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm. Mr. O'Connor will autograph copies of his
book, U.S. Colored Troops at Andersonville Prison, at the National
Prisoner of War Museum. The book is a tribute to the soldiers who suffered
the hardships of prison life in one of the most notorious Civil War
prisons. The book includes a brief history of United States Colored Troops
(USCT) dating back to the Revolutionary War and a look at the establishment
of the Bureau of Colored Troops in 1863 by the War Department. The book
also examines the differences in the pay scale for colored troops versus
white troops, details of military actions that the troops were involved in,
and a list of USCT graves at Andersonville National Cemetery.
Although the living
history activities scheduled for March 13 and 14 have been cancelled, Mr.
O'Connor looks forward to greeting visitors at the National Prisoner of War
Museum and discussing his book. His book gives us a look into the long
history of African Americans soldiers in American history and the important
role they played. Copies of U.S. Colored Troops at Andersonville Prison
will be available for purchase during the event.
Eastern National is a 501(c)3 non-profit
cooperating association, operating in more than 150 national parks,
including Andersonville National Historic Site. Proceeds from the Eastern
National sales outlet at the National Prisoner of War Museum are donated to
the National Park Service to support educational and interpretive programs.
Andersonville National
Historic Site is located on Highway 49, ten miles north of Americus, Georgia
and eight miles south of Oglethorpe. Park grounds are open from 8:00 am
until 5:00 pm. The National Prisoner of War Museum opens at 8:30 am.
Admission is free. For more information on Mr. O'Connor's Book Signing
event, please contact Eastern National bookstore manager Renee Frye at
229-924-0343 x 204. For general information on Andersonville National
Historic Site, please visit our website at
www.nps.gov/ande
BOOK SIGNING FEATURES CIVIL WAR STORY OF
PRIVATE HIRAM TERMAN
On Saturday, February 20, 2010 Dr. Max Terman will be at Andersonville
National Historic Site to discuss his writings and sign his book Hiram's
Honor from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will take place in the National
Prisoner of War Museum.
Hiram's Honor is a riveting first person account of the incredible
journey as the author traces the steps of his ancestor Private Hiram Terman
through a mind-numbing, brutal reality of the experience of a common Civil
War soldier. Private Terman served in the 82nd Ohio Volunteer
Infantry from 1861 to January 1865. The survivor of six major battles, he
was captured on the first day at Gettysburg and served as a prisoner of war
for more than 17 months at various prisons, from Belle Isle to Andersonville
Prison (Camp Sumter) to Savannah. Weaving together the facts and events of
a soldier's experience, the overwhelming sense of uncertainty that plagued
the prisoners of war, this author has created a "real life" personal
understanding of those who served and were captured.
The book includes wide range of characters to show the shady part of life in
the prison; a life where protection from fellow prisoners who preyed upon
the weakest and the most recent captives meant unending vigilance. In the
end the incredible support and friendship they had for each other conquered
adversity. This was truly "Hell on Earth" but determination, hope and
faith brought them through.
The author, Dr. Max Terman should be applauded for his exceptional
perception. A professor emeritus at Tabor College in Kansas he has
succeeded in bringing together a historical fiction as accurate as
possible. Ten years of research has paid off in a book that can be called a
dedication to his ancestor who took part in the greatest tragedy in American
history. Dr. Terman is the author of three other books and numerous
articles.
Andersonville
National Historic Site is located ten miles
south of Oglethorpe and 10 miles north of Americus on Hwy. 49.
Admission is free. Park grounds are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please
call 229-924-0343 or visit on the web at
www.nps.gov/ande for information.
A CEMETERY TOUR WITH CLARA BARTON,
ANGEL OF ANDERSONVILLE
Andersonville National Historic Site is pleased to invite
the public for a Cemetery Tour with Clara Barton on Saturday, November 21,
2009 at 2:00 PM at Andersonville National Cemetery. The program will be
presented by Mary Ann Jung who for many years has given first person
presentations of Clara Barton.
Clara Barton is known for her work as a nurse during the
Civil War, becoming the first female to work for the Federal Government, and
enduring a nine year struggle to get America to join the International Red
Cross. However, her work at Andersonville Prison or Camp Sumter as it was
officially known, is even more intriguing. Barton was adamant that Union
soldiers who lost their lives during the war would be duly honored by having
appropriately marked graves. Along with former Andersonville prisoner of war Dorence Atwater, Clara Barton journeyed to Andersonville during the summer
of 1864 to begin the task of marking the final resting place of almost
13,000 Union soldiers.
This program is made possible by the Friends of
Andersonville and the Andersonville Trust. The Andersonville Trust supports
projects for the education and enhancement of Andersonville National
Historic Site. There is no charge for this event and is open to the public.
Andersonville National Historic Site is located on Highway 49, ten miles
north of Americus, Georgia.
From Arlington to Andersonville: Wreaths Across America
Wreaths Across America was founded in 1992 as an
extension of the Arlington Wreath Project, and is a non-profit
organization with the mission to Remember, Honor and Teach. The Arlington
Wreath Project was started by Morrill Worcester (Worcester Wreath) with
an initial donation of 5,000 Christmas wreaths being laid at gravesites at
Arlington National Cemetery. The Wreaths Across America program was
relatively obscure until 2005 when a photo of the gravesites adorned with
wreaths and covered in snow circulated on the Internet thereby receiving
national attention. Thousands of people from all over the nation forwarded
requests asking to emulate the Arlington project at their nearby National or
State cemeteries. Mr. Worcester was unable to donate thousands of wreaths to
each site, but conceived the idea of sending seven wreaths (one for each
branch of military as well as POW/MIA) to the designated locations. In 2006,
with the help of the Civil Air Patrol as well as other civic organizations,
over 150 locations simultaneously held wreath laying ceremonies. By the
following year, over 60,000 volunteers participated in laying 100,000
wreaths on veteran's graves while promoting the core mission of Wreaths
Across America of Remembering, Honoring and Teaching.
The Wreaths Across America organization has also
reached out to thousands of children with their message of Remember,
Honor and Teach while emphasizing the importance of honoring each
and every fallen serviceman. In 2008 the United States Congress authorized
the second Saturday in December as the official day of commemoration.
Wreaths Across America would be unsuccessful without the valuable
assistance of the volunteers, many active organizations, and the generosity
of the trucking industry.
If you, your family, organization or business is
interested in sponsoring a 20" Frasier Fir wreath with a red velveteen bow,
please contact your local florist to make these arrangements.
Andersonville National Cemetery will host the annual ceremony on December
12, 2009 at 11:00 AM. All wreaths must be delivered to the site on December
11, 2009 by 12:00 Noon.
If you or your organization would like to volunteer to
assist with the laying of these wreaths, please contact Volunteer
Coordinator Lindsey Phillips, Andersonville National Historic Site at (229)
924-0343 no later than December 1, 2009. For more information on
Andersonville National Historic Site, please visit our website at www.nps.gov/ande
Lieutenant colonel robert sweet
FEATURED
SPEAKER AT
ANDERSONVILLE
MEMORIAL
DAY OBSERVANCE
Lieutenant Colonel Robert J. Sweet,
deputy commander of the 23rd Fighter Group and former POW, will
be the featured speaker on Sunday, May 24 at the annual Memorial Day
observance at Andersonville National Historic Site.
Memorial Day activities will begin at
1:30 p.m. with instrumental music performed by the Albany Marine Band. The
program will follow at 2:00 p.m. and will include a Color Guard and a Rifle
Salute from Robins Air Force Base (Warner Robins, GA). The traditional
"laying of wreaths" will feature various military and other organizations.
Wreath presenters will be escorted by members of the Macon County High
School Navy JROTC. National Commander Jim Clark of the American
Ex-Prisoners of War will recognize all veterans in attendance.
Scout groups from across the state,
along with Junior Army ROTC from Macon and Dooley Counties will place
approximately 18,600 flags throughout Andersonville National Cemetery on
Saturday morning, May 23 beginning at 9:00 AM.
Robert J.
Sweet is the deputy commander of the 23rd Fighter Group, Moody AFB,
Georgia. In the absence of the group commander, he directs the flying
operations of the largest A-10C operations fighter group consisting of two
combat-ready fighter squadrons (the 74th and 75th Fighter Squadron), and an
operations support squadron (the 23rd Operations Support Squadron).
Lieutenant Colonel
Sweet was born in Chester, Pennsylvania, on 15
July 1966. He attended Parkersburg South High school in Parkersburg, West
Virginia, graduating in 1984. He then attended the United States Air Force
Academy from 1984 to 1988 and graduated with a B.S. in Electrical
Engineering. He completed Squadron Officer School in 1994 and Air Command
and Staff College in 2001. He earned a Master's Degree from Air Command and
Staff College and a Master's Degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
University in 2002.
In 1991, while engaged with the 353rd
Tactical Fighter Squadron in Operation Desert Storm, Lieutenant Colonel
Sweet was shot down and became a Prisoner of War of the Iraqi's. He
distinguished himself by resisting his captors during his confinement and
was liberated.
Lieutenant Colonel
Sweet's assignments include but are not
limited to: Operations Officer, 49th Fighter
Training Squadron; Commander, 435th Fighter Training Squadron; Deputy
Commander, 479th Flying Training Group and Deputy Commander, 23rd Fighter
Group. He is a senior command pilot with more than 3,000 flying hours in
the A-10, OA-10, AT-38 and T-38C.
Lieutenant Colonel Sweet's personal
decorations include the Purple Heart, Defense
Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with three
Oak Leaf Clusters, Aerial Achievement Medal with six Oak Leaf Clusters,
Air Force Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement
Medal, POW Medal.
Andersonville National Historic Site is located ten miles north of Americus,
Georgia on Highway 49. Park grounds open at 8:00 a.m., the National
Prisoner of War Museum opens at 8:30 a.m. The park closes at 5:00 p.m. For
more information call 229-924-0343.