....Now We Are Engaged in This Great Civil War.....

Traditionally, the fifth graders at the local elementary reenact the Civil War with waterballoons on the last day of school. The kids look forward to it every year. Even the younger kids look forward to the final event in elementary school. Parents stake out their lawn chairs and the younger grades come to watch.

The participant's names are drawn out of a hat. This is what determines what side of the "battlefield" they will fight from. AJ was devastated that he was placed on the Union side. He really wanted to be a Confederate soldier. I pointed out to him that the North won the war and freed the slaves. He pointed out that he is a Texan and his ancestors (on Aaron's side) fought for the South. After I talked to his teacher and she wouldn't let him switch sides, he resigned himself to be a Confederate spy.

There is a story behind the hats. A few years ago, the teachers called on moms to sew the hats together. As with most sewing projects, it turned out to be more of a project than anticipated. There were about 10 moms that brought their sewing machines to school every day and we set up a little sweat shop in the teacher's lounge. It took about a week and a half. It was actually fun and I got to know some women that I otherwise wouldn't have met. I can't take much credit because I'm not much of a sewer (I think that came out wrong.) Anyway, the teachers protect those hats year after year. I think they know those of us who sewed the hats would start a civil war if anything happened to them.

The kids are placed in companies and march out together. The narrator is a local historian who dressed the part.

AJ didn't tell me he had a speaking part. He wanted to surprise me.

The kids lined up, loaded their cannons (T-shirts), and then all heck broke loose.

This is AJ's close friend Josh. His facial expression sums it all up.

During the reenactment of Pickett's Charge, the Confederate fighters had to lay down after being hit and pretend to be dead. Well, the North just kept throwing those water balloons. It looks like "General Pickett" wasn't sure what to think. At that point I wonder if AJ was happy to be a Union soldier after all.

One of the most poignant moments of the reenactment was when a group of kids recited the Gettyburg Address while others simulated the gravestones marking that hallowed ground.

After the battles were finished, the kids acted as scavangers, picking up broken balloon pieces. Scavanging actually took place after Civil War battles.

I have to admit when the bugler played "Taps" at the end of the program, I got a bit teary eyed as I thought of all the men and women who gave their lives for this country so I can enjoy the many freedoms that I have.

On this Memorial day, I simply and humbly say, thank you.