Wednesday, May 13, 2009

VMI Cadets ... marching into the past

I thought about the young VMI cadets this morning when it was 38 degrees outside. They were camped somewhere on their 80-mile trek from Lexington north to New Market and, as I shivered in my living room, I knew they were shivering in the outdoors. At least it's not hot today as they hike in their wool uniforms ... at midday it was low 60s at my house and overcast with rain on the horizon.

The cadets spent last night at the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton before continuing on their march today. The reenactment celebrating the 145th anniversary of the original Civil War Battle of New Market will take place Saturday at the New Market Battlefield and, if you have not seen it before, it is well worth the drive. Be there by noon to catch all the action. Take a lawn chair or blanket ... some carry a picnic to enjoy.

I was last there two years ago as the army from the north and the army from the south approached the field ... some on horseback, some walking, some hiding behind fences and in the orchard. The reenactment is almost identical to the original battle. The outcome is always the same ... the northerners are pushed back and the south lives to see another day.

See photos and read about the modern day cadets in the Waynesboro News Virginian.

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