Memorial Day – a day set aside to commemorate the men and women who died while serving their country – too often gets overlooked as simply an opportunity for family gatherings, barbecues, and Frisbee tossing.
Flags flying at half-mast until noon helped serve as a visual reminder across the nation, and this year, another reminder gave pause for passers-by in Roanoke, as a small group of Confederate re-enactors set up camp on the lawn in front of Lotz Funeral home on Franklin Road.
The unusual commemoration came about as Sherry Lucas and Myrna Trussler (both Lotz employees), struck up a conversation with Doug Camper, the force behind the Confederate group, at last year’s Vinton Fall Festival.
For several years, Lotz has conducted two Memorial services—one in November for Veteran’s Day and one in December for all families who have lost a loved one. This year, they decided to add the living history camp … “because honoring veterans really does go back all the way to the Civil War.”
Lucas adds that she felt this would be a great event because “we wanted it to be interactive with people so kids would come and learn more about how they [Civil War soldiers] lived.”
Camper’s group is the 60th Virginia Infantry Company K, which he chose to form because “my ancestor was in Company K out of Botetourt.” It was formed on July 4, 2009 at the Vinton War Memorial. They describe themselves “as a Christian oriented Civil War reenactment unit that has as its goal to help educate the public on the War between the States.”
Onlookers conversing with the re-enactors were educated on everything from where the unit would have been going on this day in 1864 (moving towards Staunton after fighting at Cloyd’s Mountain in Pulaski County) to what kind of clothes soldiers wore, what they ate and what they might have talked about while at camp.
The five hour event began at 10 a.m., and was replete with important tasks such as Roll Call, the Quartermaster handing out rations, a drill, and an address on the background of Memorial Day. The event was concluded when the Infantry broke camp at 3 p.m.
Camper, who characterizes his involvement with Civil War reenactment as “much more than a hobby,” is earnest when he says they “are trying to honor the soldiers and their memories – ALL the soldiers.” He adds, “When people read about the Civil War, they tend to read about Lee for example. We want to remind people about those soldiers not heard about as much, because everybody in this war was important. We want to commemorate the smaller battles as well.”
The men are well-versed down to the minute detail of their company’s experiences. Part of the reenactment also included a roll call of those injured or lost in the Cloyd Mountain battle. During Roll Call, Camper read the names of the one killed, four wounded, and nine taken prisoner.
Organizers were pleased with the feedback; Sherry Lucas said, “We’re so excited about the positive comments we are hearing. People are saying ‘This is so neat; I’m so glad you did this.’”
Camper’s group pointed out that Memorial Day actually traces its roots to the Civil War as it was originally known as “Decoration Day” – “a time set aside to honor the nation’s Civil War dead by decorating their graves.”
Reliving a day in the life of his Civil War ancestor, Camper was resting under his Confederate-issued tent. He nursed his “wounded” left hand and wrist, saying “happened at the Battle at Cloyd’s Mountain, ma’am. Finger’s broke. I’m pretty sure a bullet went right through it. They wanted to take off my hand just ‘cause of a broken finger but I won’t let them do it.”
The 60th Virginia Infantry Co. K can be found on Facebook, or those interested can contact Doug Camper at 540-309-9827 or email [email protected]. The group is actively seeking members.
By Cheryl Hodges [email protected]
