Monthly Meeting
September 27, 2011
7:30 pm

Monthly Meeting
October 25, 2011
7:30 pm

Monthly Meeting
November 29, 2011
7:30 pm

Monthly Meeting
January 31, 2012
7:30 pm

Monthly Meeting
February 28, 2012
7:30 pm

Monthly Meeting
March 27, 2012
7:30 pm

Monthly Meeting
April 24, 2012
7:30 pm

Monthly Meeting
May 29, 2012
7:30 pm

Monthly Meeting
June 26, 2012
7:30 pm

Newsletter

OCTOBER 2011

THE OTHER GUY
Former Senator Edward Everett agreed to give the formal address for the dedication of the Gettysburg National Cemetery but he informed the committee that he could not be ready by their proposed date of October 18, 1863. He was asked if November 19th would be acceptable and he agreed. Who was this man who could dictate the date of such an important event? Edward Everett was a former Representative, Senator, governor of Massachusetts, minister to England, and Secretary of State in the Fillmore administration. He had also ran against Abraham Lincoln in 1860 on the Constitutional Union Party ticket with John Bell. and received over 13% of the vote. He was considered one of the best orators of his time. One of his causes was the preservation of George Washington’s home at Mount Vernon. In 1855 he undertook a speaking tour that raised over $70,000.00 for this project. That was $70,000.00 in 1850’s currency! Mr. Everett was obviously a very influential man in national politics. Unfortunately, we remember him only as the man who spoke for two hours before Lincoln’s more famous Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863. That type of ”moment in history” makes me want to learn a little more about some of the people, who through a twist of fate, are simply footnotes in our history!

I KNOW I WAS IMPRESSED!
What can I say about our speaker for September??? He seemed to be very knowledgeable and appeared to give a very interesting talk on one of my favorite topics – naval history. Oh…oops…wait, was that me who was the speaker? Seriously, I want to thank everyone for their kind words and comments about my talk on Franklin Buchanan, commander of the CSS Virginia (Merrimack).

A DIFFERENT FACE ON THE CONFLICT
We have a real treat for the October meeting. Mr. Geoff Blair, President of 102nd USCT, Company B reenactors will join us for the evening. He will explain the role of the 102nd Colored Troops in the fight to preserve the Union. Mr. Blair is a graduate of Michigan State University with a master’s degree in American History from LaCrosse University. He works in law enforcement in the Lansing area. The 102nd was originally the First Michigan Colored Regiment until it was mustered into Federal service. The 102nd USCT/Black History Group was founded in 1986. They participate in reenactments, parades, ceremonies and give presentation to groups in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. Join us Tuesday, October 25th for an enjoyable and enlightening evening.

MONEY MATTERS ….AND THE MONEY MATTERED
At this month’s meeting, I will have copies of the financial statement available for 2010-2011. If you cannot attend and would like a copy, contact me and I will mail you one. Also please remember, if you have not paid your dues for this year, please see the treasurer….that would be Smiley. I also received an update on the monument project down in Richmond, Kentucky to which we had contributed funds. The State of Michigan has almost completed the review of the wording on the monument and a stone company has been selected to start the work once they have the approval. We are hoping that by mid 2012,(in time to commemorate the anniversary of the battle) we will be ready to deliver the stone to the Richmond Museum. These small victories come from your generosity – thank you.

JOIN US TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25TH AT 7:30PM AT ROCHESTER COLLEGE – 800 W. AVON RD, ROCHESTER HILLS

Bill