REGIMENTAL COLORS - HISTORICAL RESEARCH (1)

Historical Research 1 2 3 4 5 Original US flag	I have always considered History as a living thing. There are people, if asked, who would place it in the category of the dead and buried. "Can't change it so why deal with it" is the common response. That could not be further from the truth. History can come alive with amazing focus and drama if you want it to. I have been a Civil War re-enactor and student of military history for many years and have been blessed by knowing some excellent historians who have given me insight and opportunity to experience history as a "living thing." To them I am forever grateful. --To view a full scale battle flag take the wind inspires in me the very emotions it did in the hearts of volunteers 145 years ago. --To stand on the field of Gettysburg, on the 125th anniversary of the battle, in the ranks of a full scale recreation of the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment and, as part of the color guard of that regiment, be assigned the duty to carry the National Colors in the recreation of their famous charge is an experience I will never forget.
--The feelings of holding in my hands and transferring to new storage the very flag my great great Grandfather fought under with the 4th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry can not be put into words. --To pull the lanyard of a 13 inch sea coast mortar "Dictator style" and fire a 240 pound explosive shell a distance of over 2 miles with a thundering roar still gives me shivers. --To teach a 5th grader Civil War history and see the excited glow "turn on" in his or her eyes is priceless. On May 4th, 2005, I had the opportunity to travel to Camp Ripley, Minnesota to view the transfer of a large portion of the MInnesota Civil War Battle Flag collection from old storage to new storage. The new case into which the flags were to be transferred was a magnificent case with acid free shelving. I was there to photograph the flags for my own research purposes. The crew of 6 men present, including myself, were all volunteers and we were there simply because that is where we belonged, more than any place on earth, at that moment. Caring hands must do this work. My job turned out to be more than just a photo opportunity and a chance to document. I, physically, helped transfer many of the flags by hand and it was a day to remember. The following photo's and observations were taken during that amazing day.

Historical Research 1 2 3 4 5