Gettysburg Commemoration Speech

17 November 2007

"Today we, the members of First Platoon, gather in this most sacred place to recognize the sacrifice of 22 Americans; 22 of Maryland's sons, who gave their lives on this hallowed ground in 1863.

This is a most important and significant task that we, reenactors who represent a small portion of Maryland's contribution to the machine of war, have undertaken.

Every weekend we strive to recreate the travails and experiences that they had to endure on a daily basis.  Death, disease, the loss of friends and the cherished memories of loved ones back home, whose faces may never be seen again.  The inherent fear that every man experienced during combat, are aspects of these soldier's lives that we can never fully realize or understand.

There is one quality, however, that we do share with them.

Dedication.

They to a cause and we to a memory.

It is in this shared trait that we will find a brotherhood-in-arms that transcends history.  We cannot help but feel inexorably linked to these men.  They have fulfilled their duty, now we must do the same.  Let us keep alive the memory of our fallen comrades.  Let us be diligent in our portrayals of them.  And let us never forget the sacrifices they made to preserve our great Nation.

It is in their honor that we place these banners of freedom and liberty, in the solemn hope that their sacrifices will never be repeated."

Lt. Jacob Martz

Commanding

First Platoon