News Detail

2009 Dedication Day Events in Gettysburg

November 19, 2009 began with a fine mist of rain that set a somber mood so fitting for the events at Soldiers' National Cemetery. An estimated crowd of nearly 3,000 enjoyed speeches by Governor Edward G. Rendell and Academy Award winning actor, Richard Dreyfuss, performances by "The President's Own" United States Marine Band, the Gettysburg High School Ceremonial Brass Band, and soloist Wayne Hill.  Also featured was a Naturalization ceremony for 16 citizen candidates presented by the United States Citizenship and Naturalization Services.

Please view the PHOTO GALLERY of the day's events.  All photos courtesy of Paul Kuehnel.

Governor Rendell read a letter from President Barack Obama that said of Lincoln "...Governing a house divided, it was the courage of his convictions that saw us through slavery's dark storm.  Because of the sacrifice of the soldiers resting here, and that of our beloved Lincoln, our Union stands indivisible since the time the Great Emancipator said it was so." You can read the full text of the President's letter here.

Events at Soldiers' National Cemetery were live streamed from the frontpage of the PA ALBC website. Click on VIEW THE ARCHIVE in the lower left-hand column under WEBCAST.

On the evening of November 19, Gettysburg provided a packed house at the Majestic Theater for the world premiere of "For the People" an oratorio composed by Professor John "Buzz" Jones of the Sunderman Conservatory of Music at Gettysburg College in honor of the Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College for the Lincoln Bicentennial.   The oratorio included performances by the Spires Brass Band, The Sunderman Convervatory of Music Woodwind Octet, and the Victorian Dance Ensemble. Featured soloists were Roosevelt Credit, bass-baritone; Jeffrey Fahnestock, tenor; and Kathleen Sasnett, soprano. We were so honored to have actor Stephen Lang provide narration for this spectacular evening. View the video here.

Following the oratorio, Nick Taylor was awarded the 11th Annual Shaara Prize for his book "The Disagreement" and Michael Burlingame delivered the 48th Annual Robert Fortenbaugh Lecture.  His topic was "Abraham Lincoln: New Information, Fresh Perspectives." View the video here.

 

12/04/2009