Civil War @ Charleston and the 54th. Massachusetts Co. "I" Civil War Reenactors are pleased to provide this tentative schedule. For updates email Ben Hawley of the 54th. Mass. in Washington, DC. This schedule is subject to change.
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The Salute to the "Colored Troops" parade will travel the exact route of the Grand Army of the Republic held in 1865. Approximately 200,000 soldiers were invited to Washington, DC to participate in the parade. Not one of the soldiers from the "Colored Troops" was invited to participate. This parade will set the records of history straight. This parade will include approximately 2,000 uniformed re-enactors from around the country, military bands, college and high school marching bands.
The service will include prayers that will reflect the life and times of the Civil War Soldiers, with participation from descendants. Music for this ecumenical service will include gospel and spiritual songs as sung by the "Colored Soldiers." This music will capture the valiant honor of these soldiers by defining and structuring the meaning of blackness through melody, rhythm, and style of spirituals and their purposes.
As mandated by Congress, the African-American Civil War Memorial will sponsor a commemoration of the brave African-American men who served in the Civil War. This commemoration is particularly poignant, marking as it does the opening of the first and only African American Civil War Memorial as a tribute to all of the colored soldiers who served in the Civil War. The theme of this observance is "Their Time Has Finally Come." The program will tell the story of the brave young men, who knowing their uncertain fate, chose to fight to protect the Union.
In recognition of the 185,000 Colored Troops, and their white officers who served in the Union Army of the Civil War, and of selected individuals, organizations, and communities; the African-American Civil War Memorial will sponsor a special sunrise tribute at Arlington National Cemetery on Tuesday, September 10, 1996. The Presidential Medal of Honor will be presented to descendants of Frederick Douglass, and descendants from around the nation will be invited to attend.
On Tuesday, September 10, the National Park Service will conduct a public event as part of the ceremonies in honor of the dedication of the African-American Civil War Memorial. The topics will feature a demonstration of the Civil War Soldiers & Sailors System. It will recognize the partnerships and volunteers that contributed to the completion of the CWSS, and finally, there will be discussion of future potential activities to present historical information at Park Service sites.
The Howard University will host a tribute to the sailors and Colored Troops who served in the Civil War. This is a morning event, tentatively scheduled to begin at 8:30 AM, and will be held at the Howard University Campus. The University has formed a Task Force, and the committee is planning for educational panels. The gospel choir will feature a period music concert and the drama department will present a theatrical production to tell the story of the Colored Troops and their role in the Civil War.
The African-American Civil War Memorial will host a concert at the Lincoln Theater to celebrate the legacy of the 185,000 Colored Troops and their white officers, who served in the Civil War. The concert will feature entertainment by national and local artists, the United States Army Band will play Civil War medleys, and Civil War Readings will be disbursed throughout the evening by well known actors/actresses.
Dedication of African-American Civil War Memorial - 11:00 AM
After years of research, planning, construction, and a national search for artifacts, archival documents, and eyewitness testimony, the African-American Civil War Memorial will be formally dedicated at 11:00 AM on Thursday, September 12, 1996. The dedication will underscore the tragic event is commemorating; the importance of democratic values, the national commitment to human rights, and the moral implications of the choices we make as individuals and society. Guest speakers will include CWM Board members as hosts. President Clinton has been invited to attend, Heads of States, and Jessye Norman will be invited to sing "God Bless America." The United States Army will close the program with "Taps."
The "Freedom Ball" will feature an official program, with a keynote speaker of national status. Other local and national dignitaries will also be featured on this very prestigious dais. The evening will be a black-tie event, complete with dinner, a musical production, and live entertainment.
Organizers of the Opening Events are seeking descendants of U.S. Colored Troops. All descendants that can prove that their ancestor(s) served in the Union Army of the Civil War, with copies of official documentation, will be invited to attend the commemorative ceremony as special guests at the Arlington Cemetery event to be held on Tuesday, September 10, 1996. Each family will receive a keepsake scroll engraved with the name of the soldier from their family printed boldly in caligraphy.
If you are a descendant, you and your family are cordially invited to Washington's Arlington National Cemetery and Amphitheater to participate in this historic occasion. Please forward copies of your ancestors military records and/or pension records to:
African-American Civil War Memorial Foundation
Attn: Lyndia Grant (Project Director)
P.O. Box 73517
Washington, DC 20009