Massachusetts groups to march in Obama’s inaugural parade

[Shortround]

FTA

BOSTON — A state military color guard and reenactors of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment have been invited to march in Barack Obama’s presidential inaugural parade.

Members of the groups will march along Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House following Obama’s swearing-in next month.

The 54th represents the all-black regiment from Massachusetts that fought in the Civil War and was memorialized in the movie "Glory." The state’s National Guard color guard was renamed last month in their honor.

In a statement issued today, Obama said the organizations "embody the best of our nation’s history, diversity and commitment to service."

http://news.bostonherald.com/news/politics/view/2008_12_08_Massachusetts_groups_to_march_in_Obama_ s_inaugural_parade/srvc=home&position=recent


OK, I didn't know if this should be in the whine cellar but it's not often a reenactment group is allowed to participate in a Presidental Parade. Best wishes to them. They will get the ultimate thrill in the hobby.

Bill Hensler
Private
Michigan

[plankmaker]

May not be quite as big of a deal, but we were invited to march in several of the Virginia Governor inaugurations in the late 80s and early 90s. Marching in front ot the VMI Cadets was kind of cool.

Mark Campbell
Piney Flats, TN

[sbl]

There was good crowd of Union reenactors in Carter's Inaugural parade. I remember them singing Marching Thru Georgia while passing the reviewing stand!

[Spinster]

Bill,

Its a wonderful honor. Last inauguration, a group from Georgia marched at the invitation of Vice President Cheney and were later received personally at his home.

While I was in town, I could not get parade tickets, and had to watch at a great distance through a chain link fence. Folks took turns at the vantage point, as someone would call out what they could see, and a quick scramble would ensure to let someone else to the front to pull up on the fence and get a look at who they came to see. Sad thing was, there were empty seats in the beachers, and the tickets could not be bought.

I was thrilled to see folks I knew, in uniform, marching down the street--yes, on a day when great coats were necessary, and looked swell!

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

I too am quite glad that at least one element of CW living history got an invite for this. I know the USV had a big vested interest in this, as they had applied and were turned down (for whatever reason, be that numbers of people, security, politics, etc.).

[A.J. Hamler]

It's not just this one Massachusetts group that's been invited. At least one other group -- the USV -- has also been invited, and I understand that many units and/or individuals from the USV are planning to attend. Other groups may have been invited as well, but I only know about the USV as one of the units I belong to, the 1st WV, is part of the USV.

A.J.

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

It's not just this one Massachusetts group that's been invited. At least one other group -- the USV -- has also been invited, and I understand that many units and/or individuals from the USV are planning to attend. Other groups may have been invited as well, but I only know about the USV as one of the units I belong to, the 1st WV, is part of the USV.

A.J.
I received my email today from the USV staff that they had been turned down for the parade.

[Jeffrey Cohen]

I guess they didn't want a full mounted battery of cannon either.
So much for being all inclusive You would think the 54 Mass. was the only unit of the USCT.
A large amount of Freemen from NJ enlisted, but had to join units from NY or PA in order to serve as a certain party in power would not raise any units from NJ.
He who has the best press agent wins
Lets banish this topic to the bottom of the whine cellar.

[A.J. Hamler]

Yes, I got that e-mail, too, although it was after I made my earlier post.

So, I stand corrected. Oh well.

A.J.

[CameronsHighlander]

this is becoming a tradition where Civil War Reenactos march in the Inagural Parade.

the reason no white regiments will be invited to march is because Obama is black (I'm trying not to turn this into a race issue)

[sbl]

Old Tradition...

Civil War Reenactors to Join Inaugural Parade

by Emily Kopp

All Things Considered, January 17, 2005 · A group of Civil War reeenactors from Georgia men will portray the 21st Ohio Regiment in this week's Inauguration parade, after discovering that Vice President **** Cheney's great grandfather was a captain of the regiment.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4456368

http://inlinethumb42.webshots.com/38249/1258483853064761522S500x500Q85.jpg


New Tradition...

Gay Band to March in Inauguration Parade
By Katharine Q. Seelye

For the first time, a gay and lesbian band will be marching in a presidential inauguration.

Barack Obama’s Presidential Inaugural Committee has chosen the Lesbian and Gay Band Association, with members from across the country, to march in the inaugural parade in Washington on Jan. 20.

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/09/gay-band-to-march-in-inauguration-parade/

http://www.gaybands.org/anywherephotos/photo09.jpg


Hope this doesn't send what is a positive thread to the Whine Cellar. A friend of mine is an officer with one of the 54th Companies. Time and money is keeping him out.

[FranklinGuardsNYSM]

Good to see that group performing what's meant to be a stationary variation of Support Arms while on the march, and poorly, at that...

"Lookie here, I been reenacting for 30 years..."

[Yulie]

this is becoming a tradition where Civil War Reenactos march in the Inagural Parade.

the reason no white regiments will be invited to march is because Obama is black (I'm trying not to turn this into a race issue)

Your comment reeks of ignorance and shows that you are totally clueless of the monumental effort over the past month between the United States Volunteers (USV) AND the various USCTs to participate in the inaugural parade in UNITY under ONE FLAG. In essence, the Presidential Inauguration Committee's declination of the USVs application also affected those USCTs. It's unfortunate that you make this an Us vs Them thing when it was, in fact a We thing. Everyone who participated in this effort – black and white – should be applauded and given a resounding Thank You instead of seeing your unfortunate comment. Additional future efforts to bring these two fractured segments of living history/reenacting together should be supported instead of hindered by comments like that one you posted.

The selection of the 54th Massachusetts Co. A to march in the Inaugural Parade is significant and probably escapes you. With one probable exception still in debate, no USCT regiment has been given the honor to march before a commander in chief during an inauguration. There is now an effort being made to again have the various USCTs across the nation join the 54th Mass Co. A. It will be a monumental task to overcome some obstacles and to get these men marching on the January 20, 2009. Those with insight and foresight should support this effort. I seriously doubt that you will be among those people.

[Spinster]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/administration/inauguration05/blog/popup.html?imagePath=/wp-srv/politics/administration/inauguration05/blog/PHO-1229.jpg

Then there is Alabama's choice for both the 2005 and the 2009 parade.....:rolleyes:


As pretty as the girls are, we really should be sending a big decorated flatbed with room for any of the Tuskeegee Airmen able to make the trip.

[plankmaker]

I see some parallels.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oblTN1ojsAA

I particularly liked the mounted marching band. Just wondering if that was an Army thing.

Mark Campbell
Piney Flats, TN

[Pvt Schnapps]

I think the choice to go with the 54th and not the USV could have a lot to do with logistics in addition to the obvious symbolism. From the USV messages I received, we seem to have pretty much proposed to send the brigade -- infantry, cavalry, and artillery -- bringing a number of them (not the guns and horses I imagine) in by bus. With literally millions of folks expected in town, and a whole lot of applications for the parade, that had to have been an easy call for the organizers.

The 54th, on the other hand, will probably have a comparatively small number of participants, many from the DC area. I think they, like everyone else, have been a little down in numbers recently, so I really hope this helps with recruiting. I served in the ranks with some of them at Olustee four or five years ago and have good memories of that trip. More power to them.

[sbl]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/administration/inauguration05/blog/popup.html?imagePath=/wp-srv/politics/administration/inauguration05/blog/PHO-1229.jpg

Then there is Alabama's choice for both the 2005 and the 2009 parade.....:rolleyes:

The devil in me wants to see a sudden updraft ala Marilyn Monroe.



As pretty as the girls are, we really should be sending a big decorated flatbed with room for any of the Tuskeegee Airmen able to make the trip.

I would stand up and cheer!

[hendrickms24]

I agree a bus load or two of white Union renenactors, pehaps some of them decendants of men who shed some blood or gave their life for a certain cause as proclaimed on September 22, 1862 would be just toooooo many people.



I personally think your trying to making a mountain out of a mole hill but that just me. :|

[sbl]

I see some parallels.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oblTN1ojsAA



There was the media congratulating itself on bringing us the story. This may have been a "Fair and Balanced" account. It was positive and hopeful and reminded the audience that we all support FDR, marginalizing those that didn't.

This was a time when "Rail Road Accuracy" was a standard of quality too. I liked the airplane and speeding truck getting the new to the public so that they could see it as soon as they went to the movies.

I particularly liked the mounted marching band. Just wondering if that was an Army thing.

Mark Campbell
Piney Flats, TN

I've seen Britain Ltd. lead figure sets of mounted bands from the UK, so it's not just our army.

[sbl]

I'm a descendant of a WWI and WWII vet, where's my flatbed truck with ladies in fuffy outfits? :(

[Spinster]

The devil in me wants to see a sudden updraft ala Marilyn Monroe.




I would stand up and cheer!


:p Well, gentleman that you are, you'd get the show you expect--:shock: elaborately ruffled and embroderied pantaloons. Oh, not just tucks and ruffles just below the knee as in CW drawers, but rows of ruffles, ankles to a-hem.

You didn't think we sent these sweet young gals out into the world without proper coverage? And of course, they do travel by bus. The logistics of taking those dresses on airplanes is astounding, as are the baggage charges--with skirts, steel hooping, wire hat frames, parasols, fur lined capes and petticoats, the dress weighs in at over 50 pounds.

[sbl]

Dear Mrs. Lawson,

I meant that I would stand up and cheer for the surviving Tuskegee Airmen!

Those young ladies are somebody's little girls!
The group looks the Azalea Festival hoop-skirt group. We have nothing like that around here except the group that rides with Talley's Tow Truck Service, "Talley's Hookers", in the July Fourth Parade.

[Spinster]

Oh, I knew what you meant Scott--the quote box just provided that opportunity without any interference on my part :D . And yes, those are Mobile's Azala Trail Maids

My understanding is that the Tuskeegee Airmen are getting tickets to the inauguration itself, in the bowl area in front of the Capitol. Given logistics, seeing the inauguration pretty well precludes one from also being in the parade. I am hoping though, that several folks are assigned to gather, transport, escort, and seat those men. Most of that area is Standing Room Only, on cold wet ground.

Last time around, with tight security that will be even tighter this time, from my downtown hotel right by a metro stop, to in place and ready to watch, was 3 hours. And, as instructed, we were in place two hours before hand, standing and waiting in the cold. Once that was over, we hiked from there to the other side of the White House in hopes of glimpsing a portion of the parade, as we did not have tickets. Mostly I saw the back of the feller in front of me, until it came my turn to hoist up on a chain link fence and see those Georgia boys marching by.

I can't imagine a much worse logistical problem than transporting and securing elderly men through a crowd this size, when many are past standing and walking. Having worked with one of the Tuskeegee Airmen, I still stand in awe.

[Regular3]

Bill,

Its a wonderful honor. Last inauguration, a group from Georgia marched at the invitation of Vice President Cheney and were later received personally at his home.

While I was in town, I could not get parade tickets, and had to watch at a great distance through a chain link fence. Folks took turns at the vantage point, as someone would call out what they could see, and a quick scramble would ensure to let someone else to the front to pull up on the fence and get a look at who they came to see. Sad thing was, there were empty seats in the beachers, and the tickets could not be bought.

I was thrilled to see folks I knew, in uniform, marching down the street--yes, on a day when great coats were necessary, and looked swell!That was the 21st Ohio - VP Cheney had an ancestor in that unit. Made me wish I was still a member, as I fell in with them while serving in South Carolina with the 20th Century Army.

The Regulars were invited to march in Reagan's second inaugural in 1985 -- The one that was canceled due to the cold. But I would have missed that one too, since I was already in SC by that time. So I've missed out on every opportunity to participate in one of these, and I'm running out of time. :mrgreen: Oh well, maybe there will be a Grand Review in 2010.

[sbl]

Mobile's Azala Trail Maids...things are getting better..

"What the Mobile Azalea Trail Maids represent for the City of Mobile is true Southern hospitality and charm. These girls represent a time when grace and beauty were vital to everyday life, something we don't see very often in this day in age. These girls are the best and brightest that Mobile has to offer and I hope that this tradition continues for generations to come."


http://www.johnstrange.com/edm310summer07/hinds/valencia1web.jpg

[Jeffrey Cohen]

It was going to be a nightmare traffic and otherwise. My guys wanted to go that meant me towing my cannon, not to mention the horses. Feh!
I wonder if this 54th Mass. will have their civilialns march with them. I know some of the other 54th Mass. units wanted that.
Who cares, let them have their time in the sun, and put this post in the whine cellar where it belongs.
Oh yes, nice comment by that fellow from the 3rd AL Co. D. I can just see Obama's people saying see I told you so.

[plankmaker]

I'm disappointed that these folks weren't invited.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZFyBOymGEM

Now, there is talent.

Mark Campbell
Piney Flats, TN

[littleforkranger]

http://www.gaybands.org/anywherephotos/photo09.jpg


Wonder what this bunch would look like mounted?

[Pvt Schnapps]

Yep and the fact that people are excluded because of the color of their skin makes it all the more educational. If the white Yanks gave the USCT use of their kit for a day, then get ACORN to fill out all that kit



What, there aren't going to be any white people in the parade? That's news.

By the way, could you try again with that second sentence? At first glance it appears utterly incoherent, but I'm sure you meant to provide a meaningful comment on contemporary race relations that we can all understand and appreciate.

[plankmaker]

Sigh ......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVqyohKCPNA

Mark Campbell
Piney Flats, TN

[sbl]

I hope the Obama children get a good night's sleep...

http://eyeball-series.org/prezsec/pict385.jpg

[sbl]

"Hey Mom! I got another thread locked down!"

[Pvt Schnapps]

If the weather's decent -- which it almost never is, but if -- my wife and I plan to bike down and take some pictures. But I suspect even if we get across Memorial Bridge the crowds will be pretty thick. I'd like to at least get to the Lincoln Memorial. That should make for an interesting AAR.

[Scooby_308]

http://www.gaybands.org/anywherephotos/photo09.jpg


Wonder what this bunch would look like mounted?
That is a mental image I do not need!

[sbl]

......But me Im just a troll.

Well...next election, work for for your candidate, get that candidate elected, and YOU can invite whom ever YOU think most appropriate.

For interested others.....

http://www.acorn.org/fileadmin/Vote/ACORNVoterRegistrationMythsandFacts.pdf

I'd sure like to keep reading and adding to this positive thread about fellow reenactors and Americans.

[MtVernon]

Rowr! Easy, tigress! You seem to be drawing a lot of conclusions from a simple, one-line post! Of all the reenacting units to participate, it's the 54th Mass., and it's in the inauguration our first half-African President. Now let me get this straight: simply connecting these dots makes this guy "ignorant" and "clueless"? Is anyone really supposed to think their participation is a mere coincidence?

He didn't make it an Us vs. Them thing, he's just stating the obvious. There's nothing obviously rancorous or negative about it. Aside from my personal feelings about (gulp) President-elect Obama's politics, it is a pretty cool thing to witness in living color the progress made in this country vis a vis the 54th and the soon-to-be President. Keep yer powder dry!


Your comment reeks of ignorance and shows that you are totally clueless of the monumental effort over the past month between the United States Volunteers (USV) AND the various USCTs to participate in the inaugural parade in UNITY under ONE FLAG. In essence, the Presidential Inauguration Committee's declination of the USVs application also affected those USCTs. It's unfortunate that you make this an Us vs Them thing when it was, in fact a We thing. Everyone who participated in this effort – black and white – should be applauded and given a resounding Thank You instead of seeing your unfortunate comment. Additional future efforts to bring these two fractured segments of living history/reenacting together should be supported instead of hindered by comments like that one you posted.

The selection of the 54th Massachusetts Co. A to march in the Inaugural Parade is significant and probably escapes you. With one probable exception still in debate, no USCT regiment has been given the honor to march before a commander in chief during an inauguration. There is now an effort being made to again have the various USCTs across the nation join the 54th Mass Co. A. It will be a monumental task to overcome some obstacles and to get these men marching on the January 20, 2009. Those with insight and foresight should support this effort. I seriously doubt that you will be among those people.

[hanktrent]

If you love how the "them" (to coin a Jeff Cohen term) started on the road to get from excluded to excluder.....hug a Republican !

I'm trying to translate that into English, and here's what I'm getting:

If you like how African Americans have risen from being excluded by white people to now being able to exclude white people if they wish, you can thank the Republican party for that, because in the 1860s the Republican party worked harder to free the slaves, while the Democrats at that time focussed either on keeping them in their place or on other issues like peace and compromise.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.net

[hanktrent]

it is a pretty cool thing to witness in living color the progress made in this country vis a vis the 54th and the soon-to-be President.

That's my feeling on it.

White men have had a long successful run in this country, so I think we can afford to let somebody else have a bit of glory (no pun intended) for a change.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.net

[sbl]

One thing I've noticed is that we are encouraged to appreciate diversity, but not actually notice or point it out. I've gotten in trouble for that before myself. I'd rather the discussion go on. I remember the episode of South Park where Stan tried to tell his black friend he understood about how hurtful the "N word" is. By the end of the show Stan realized that he Understood that he couldn't understand it.


Say.....How about those lovely Mobile Azalea Maids? They have been greeting returning troops and naval vessels.

[sbl]

Well, if I could hug an 1860s member of the GOP, sure! Let the discussion go on....

(The rest is self-censored) ;)

[plankmaker]

Hugging any politician is a slippery matter.

I'm reminded of an old joke.

How do you tell if a person is a good politician?

If they don't leave a sheen when they walk across water.

Mark Campbell
Piney Flats, TN

[indguard]

I don't get it. Like a Martin Sheen? Charlie?

[RichLather]

I've read that the 6th Ohio Cavalry is invited to march in the parade, so that kinda blows a lot of the puffed-up-toad indignance about exclusion due to skin color out of the water, by my reckoning.

[plankmaker]

Ummmm... by my reckoning, the event in question is being held in 2009.

Mark Campbell
Piney Flats, TN

[plankmaker]

These guys didn't get accepted either:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMpuG1D6ths

I'm outraged, simply outraged.

Mark Campbell
Piney Flats, TN

[sbl]

I'm looking into this story locally. It appears that the marchers are a ceremolial color guard attached to the Massachusetts National Guard and not the local Company A of the 54th. More to follow......

[plankmaker]

The state color gurad has just recently taken the designation of 54th Mass. as I read it.

Mark Campbell
Pine Flats, TN

Massachusetts groups to march in Obama’s inaugural parade

By Associated Press | Monday, December 8, 2008 | http://www.bostonherald.com | Local Politics
BOSTON — A state military color guard and reenactors of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment have been invited to march in Barack Obama’s presidential inaugural parade.

Members of the groups will march along Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House following Obama’s swearing-in next month.

The 54th represents the all-black regiment from Massachusetts that fought in the Civil War and was memorialized in the movie "Glory." The state’s National Guard color guard was renamed last month in their honor.

In a statement issued today, Obama said the organizations "embody the best of our nation’s history, diversity and commitment to service."

Nearly 1,400 groups applied to march in the nation’s 56th inaugural parade.

[sbl]

These guys didn't get accepted either:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMpuG1D6ths

I'm outraged, simply outraged.

Mark Campbell
Piney Flats, TN

I gotta laff! It's a unit of "evil" fictional soldiers! Folks love them. They even have "hot" female members and groupies. Where is the Sheriff of Nottingham's troops? How about Sergeant Garcia's Presidio Lancers?
The kicker is that the 501st probably has stricter uniform regs than most reenactor units. You have to follow George Lucas' vision (and copyrighted material) and not your own of interpretation of history.

[sbl]

That's what I get. My buddy, who has participated as a white officer E-mailed me that Co A, the reenactors, has applied. Lt. Benny White, pictured in one of the articles, in a fine gentlemen whom I've met.

[plankmaker]

Heard these folks were in:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoKgDrvSdh0

Corps of Cadets as well:

http://www.vmi.edu/NewsCenter.aspx?id=32497

Mark Campbell
Piney Flats, TN

[sbl]

BAND F*GS!!!

Just kidding. It isn't a parade w/o VMI and bagpipes. A friend from my hometown, Rockport, graduated from VMI and he's a fine man. My son and daughter liked Ghost Cadet

I saw the VMI guys at Yorktown in 1981. Considering they're from a school that fought against the United States, (The Citadel too) everyone is honored by VMI being in the parade.

[plankmaker]

Someone will find a conspiracy in their inclusion.

I remember them marching behind us in the Gov. Gilmore inauguration in Richmond (I think 1998). We were behind a group of WWII reenactors with a Jeep that was obviously running rich. The fumes were something else. The fife and drums from Williamsburg were a couple of units ahead of us.

Mark Campbell
Piney Flats, TN

[tompritchett]

This thread has been locked down for having modern political sentiment brought into it. It has also had the major source of those comments now removed.