Getty2015

Gettysburg Remembrance Day 2015

www.youtube.com/watch?v=KH-OzSq0Ff0

Each year the members of the 69th Pa travel to Gettysburg Pa to participate in a special series
of ceremonies and a town parade. The town of Gettysburg is host that day to “Remembrance
Day” festivities. The Parade began at 1:00 PM and brought thousands of Federal & Confederate
marchers. The 69th Pa begins their day at dawn as they assemble for a ceremony at the
Gettysburg National Cemetery to honor the 21 men of our regiment who died and are buried
there. On July 2nd & 3rd 1863 53 lads of the 69th were killed or mortally wounded in the fighting.
21 remain buried there. The remainder were taken home to be buried in local or family plots. We
place gravestones where needed.   Our morning begins with an 8:00 AM march into the
Pennsylvania section of the cemetery.   Each year a different member of the unit is selected to
carry a bronze medallion that represents one of the 21 soldiers. They will keep, protect and
return with that medallion the following year. A brief biography of each soldier is read and an
Irish flag placed alongside the American flag on each grave. Following the cemetery ceremony we
march to the 69th regimental monument for services where each year a different company is given
honor. This year Company F was honored. In addition the“Hugh Bradley” medal is awarded each
year to an outstanding reenactment soldier in the regiment.    This year's awardee - Matt Franklin