“Called To Duty” Movie’s First Screening

By Joe Bordonaro · Originally published May 2016 · p. 8

MANALAPAN TOWNSHIP, N.J.—When most people think of Monmouth Battlefield in New Jersey, they think of the Revolutionary War. The Battle of Monmouth, on June 28, 1778, was a signal victory for the young Continental Army. But the battlefield also was used during the Civil War as a training camp. This little known history is the subject of a new documentary, “Called to Duty”, that received its first screening at the Visitor Center at Monmouth Battlefield on March 26. Produced by Tom Burke and directed by Rich Mendoza, the documentary tells the story of several New Jersey citizens who enlisted in the Union Army in the Summer of 1862. Entirely a volunteer effort, the documentary enlisted the services of the Civil War reenacting community as well as descendants of the one of the soldiers portrayed, Ellison Jamison. A short version can be seen at the Visitor Center. The documentary has been entered in Gary Sinise’s GI Film Festival in Washington, DC.