Somers Middle School

Yesterday's rain did not dampen our enthusiasm to join the students and faculty of Somers Middle School for their 7th annual American Heritage Living History Day. It did however, force the opening ceremonies to be held it their auditorium.

After the above ceremony, the traditional flag raising and salute to Veterans, took place outside as no electrical equipment was necessary for that. The schools Living History Club members were dressed in their usual "Union" blues and the Fife and Drum Corp led the way. Other living historians from Civil War and Rev War units were on hand, along with a few WWI and WWII. Local Emergency Services, Boy Scouts and politicians accompanied some of the areas military veterans in the ceremony. It ended with the flag being lowered to half staff as Taps played.
The rest of the day was spent in our assigned classrooms where I set up a small Field Hospital display and spoke of battlefield surgery and medicine in the 1860s. George was in another room giving his A/V presentation of "Four Civil War Lives" in which he speaks of his descendants who were involved in the conflict.

It was announced earlier in the day by a local councilman, that this would be the school's last "Living History Day" because of cutbacks and the like. Frankly, I think that it is a shame. You will not find many schools that take this much time to teach students to appreciate our nation's history and to respect the men and women who have sacrificed so much for it, while doing it in such a interesting manner. I do hope that the organizers can work out other funding to continue this wonderful event.
The Society has assured them that we would help in any way that we could.

As George and I no longer lecture in the same classroom, and are included in all of the ceremonies, it is difficult to take any photos (except for selfies :) If I can find any online, I'll add them to this post.

Next event: 5/30 in Brooklyn.