Annual Gettysburg Remembrance Day Parade

Originally published January 2017 · p. 18

Annual Gettysburg Remembrance Day Parade GETTYSBURG, PA.—With the sunshine and 70-degree weather, hundreds of Union & Confederate Soldiers and civilians stepped off down Baltimore Pike and Steinwehr Avenue to honor the soldiers who had paid the ultimate sacrifice in Gettysburg in 1863 along with paying homage to the great President Abraham Lincoln and the Gettysburg Address to the delight of thousands of spectators. With brass, reed, and percussion instruments filling the air with great cacophony, all were in attendance for this huge spectacle, save one. One of the greatest adopted sons of Gettysburg, Mr. George H. Lomas, had passed this year on September 19th. His place of honor stood empty; a wooden chair draped with black cotton and his favorite hat. However, all who had gathered and knew and loved him knew that he was watching from above with that wonderfully boyish smile on his face as Infantry, Cavalry, Artillery and even civilians in mourning marched past with great love, respect and admiration in their hearts. This year, a special banner was carried in his honor, followed by a rider-less horse. For George and his beloved reEnactors, the weather held out this year, plummeting 22 degrees with high winds and sleet ONLY after the parade had concluded. So, thank you, George, for looking over us this year, and for our fair weather and skies.

Holly Ray and the Civilians on horseback. Empty chair Lomas.

In memory of civilians killed during the Battle of Gettysburg.

for A Union band played during the parade.