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8th Annual Gettysburg Remembrance Day Trip

The Department of Massachusetts, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and the 11^th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry would like to invite interested Members, family and friends to join us on our annual “Remembrance Day Weekend Trip”, November 15^th through 18^th, 2007. We will be traveling to the hallowed ground of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania to participate in the observance of the 144^th anniversary of President Lincoln’s dedication of the National Cemetery at Gettysburg, and delivery of his most famous speech, “The Gettysburg Address”. This year, our trip will include a side trip to historic Winchester, Virginia.

SCHEDULED ITINERARY:

DEPARTURE TO GETTYSBURG

Thursday, Nov. 15^th, 2007

The trip departs from Riverside Center, 275 Grove Street, in Newton, Massachusetts at 8:00 AM, Thursday, November 15^th, 2007. (Free, secure parking will be available for the weekend.) Passengers will be traveling to Gettysburg aboard 3 15 passenger vans, and are scheduled to arrive in Gettysburg around dinnertime. There will be several stops along the way, with time to stretch your legs and get a bite to eat. While in Gettysburg, we will be lodging at the Quality Inn on Steinwehr Avenue, just outside of the main entrance to the Gettysburg battlefield.

TOUR OF WINCHESTER PLANTATION, MUSEUMS AND BATTLEFIELD

Friday, Nov. 16^th, 2007

We will depart the Quality Inn in Gettysburg at 9:00 AM for Winchester, Virginia, (one of the most fought-for pieces of real estate in the Civil War, changing hands some 70 times from 1861 to 1865). Arriving in Winchester about 10:45 AM, we will spend the remainder of the morning on a private guided tour of the Belle Grove Plantation, which was at the center of the Battle of Cedar Creek. The main house was built in 1797 for Major Isaac Hite and his wife Nelly, sister of future President James Madison. The plantation includes the main house and gardens, original outbuildings, a classic 1918 barn, an overseer's house, and a slave cemetery.

At around Noon, we’ll take a break for lunch at the Golden Corral Steak Buffet, (this lunch being included in the trip price). After lunch, we will meet up with local historian Sandy Jones, our personal Civil War tour guide, who will lead us on the rest of our tour. First, another private tour, - this one a tour of General “Stonewall” Jackson’s Headquarters Museum. Sandy will also take us through the Civil War Court House Museum and guide us on our final tour, the Kernstown Battlefield, (the only battle that “Stonewall” Jackson ever lost!).We will depart Winchester around 5:00 PM, and should arrive back in Gettysburg around 6:30.

REMEMBRANCE DAY ACTIVITIES

Saturday, Nov. 17^th, 2007

PARADE AND CEREMONIES

SUVCW Remembrance Day events will be held all day in Gettysburg. Among the many highlights of activities on Remembrance Day will be a ceremony at the National Cemetery with actor Jim Gettys performing a recitation of the “Gettysburg Address” as President Lincoln, and the Remembrance Day Parade, which winds through the downtown area and finishes on the Gettysburg battlefield.

Later in the evening, the Son of Union Veterans of the Civil War holds their spectacular period dress “National Military Ball” at the General Eisenhower Inn, in Gettysburg, with proceeds going toward the funding of monument restorations at the Gettysburg National Battlefield. This is always the highlight of the trip and a wonderful time for all. Tickets are $15.00 in advance or $20.00 if purchased at the door, (when they are not sold out). 

RETURN TO MASSACHUSETTS

Sunday, Nov. 18^th, 2007

We will be departing Gettysburg for home at 11:00 AM on Sunday morning. We expect to arrive back in Sturbridge at around 6:30 PM, and in Newton at around 7:30 PM. Again, there will be several stops along the way, with time to stretch your legs and get food. 

MAKE YOUR RESERVATION NOW

The cost of the trip will be $235.00 per person, (double occupancy) and includes roundtrip travel to Gettysburg via van, 3 nights lodging at the Quality Inn in Gettysburg, motorcoach use for the tour of Winchester, VA, admission to the Belle Grove Plantation, Jackson’s Headquarters, the Civil War Court House Museum, and Kernstown Battlefield, a 3.5 hour guided tour, and lunch at the Golden Corral Steak Buffet.  

Participants will be responsible for their own meals (except the Golden Corral) and any other trip costs. Reservations are limited to 55 people, so make reservations as soon as possible. Please send a deposit of $50.00 to reserve your place on the trip, by September 24, 2007, with the remaining balance due by October 15, 2007.  

If you wish to order tickets to the SUVCW Military Ball in advance, please include an additional $15.00 for each ticket ordered. 

Mail your check or money order, made payable to Kevin Tucker, to: 

Kevin Tucker, SVC

Dept. of Massachusetts

S.U.V.C.W.

58 Forest Street

Wakefield, MA 01880 

You can email me with questions at: civilwarmemorials@verizon.net, or call me at (617) 595 - 7721.

Yours in Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty,

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Kevin P. Tucker

Senior Vice Commander

Department of Massachusetts

Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War

Last modified: April 23, 2008