The corporal here. Every year since I started reenacting I have participated in the Mishawaka, Indiana Memorial Day ceremonies and parade. My home unit has been participating for many more years than that. As the date is fast approaching I thought I would share some pictures and explain briefly the ceremony. The ceremony begins at 8 AM at Battell Park in Mishawaka.
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Cannon placed to fire over the rivet |
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Ceremony begins with cannon salute |
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All soldiers present fall in for ceremonies. USA or CSA troops are all together for this. |
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Dignitaries including the Mishawaka mayor, the head of the local VFW, chaplains, high school students and Boy Scouts speak. |
Among the speeches given are the reciting of General Logan's orders establishing Memorial Day after the Civil War, the poem of the Unknown Soldier, and the Gettysburg Address.
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Ladies auxiliary laying wreath at base of soldiers monument. |
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VFW Rifle team |
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21 Gun Salute |
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Taps is played |
After taps is played, the primary ceremony is concluded. We then rig for travel and head to our starting position for the parade.
These next pictures I will not individually caption. We March through the parade, firing up to approximately 20 rounds, perhaps more. Reloading is done on the march. Parade length I do not know.