Thanks to the U.S. Christian Commission

[Remise]

Not only do they offer the best civilian impression (as a group) that I have ever seen, year after year, they show up at large events, and offer the soldiers food, lemonade (especially appreciated this past weekend!), and other comforts that would have been appropriate for the period. They are a great boon to those of us in uniform, plus I like the fact that the female members are actually doing something useful, rather than (as some, not all!) promenading through the camps and on the battlefield in their finest attire.

Never having been there, it is my hope that there is a civilian counterpart in the Confederate camps.

B.C. Milligan
Company K, First Pennsylvania Reserves

[Julio C. Zangroniz]

It is the McGrane Family, of Maryland, led by veteran reenactors Larry and wife Julie, that lead this U.S. Christian Commission effort.
As far as I know, they have never askee, or received, any donations for the hundreds, perhaps thousands, of dollars they invest in their impression.
I know this for a fact, for I have offered them a donation again and again and again. And each time, they refuse.
They are true, generous Christians.
They live up to the very image they portray.
I myself was a beneficiary of their kindness this past weekend, just as I have been countless times before.
The hobby is a lot better off because of the contributions of people like the McGranes.
May God bless them!
Julio

[Remise]

It is the McGrane Family, of Maryland, led by veteran reenactors Larry and wife Julie, that lead this U.S. Christian Commission effort.
As far as I know, they have never askee, or received, any donations for the hundreds, perhaps thousands, of dollars they invest in their impression.
I know this for a fact, for I have offered them a donation again and again and again. And each time, they refuse.
They are true, generous Christians.
They live up to the very image they portray.
I myself was a beneficiary of their kindness this past weekend, just as I have been countless times before.
The hobby is a lot better off because of the contributions of people like the McGranes.
May God bless them!
Julio

Julio. Thanks for your comments. I think highly of the McGranes, and in fact, when once several years ago I attempted to make a contribution, they refunded it to me, saying the original Christian Commission paid for all their own efforts, and so do they. They also sent me some chocolate chips cookies and a period tract, which I thought was a very nice touch!

B.C. Milligan
Company K, First Penna. Reserves

[Julio C. Zangroniz]

Bruce,
I'm working hard, though perhaps a bit too slowly, due to a heat-addled brain, to place online a collection of photographs from the weekend that will *certainly* include the McGranes and their U.S. Chistian Commission station at First Manassas.
I dare say this display will be the most extensive --and hopefully, the best-- such collection placed online by anyone of this event.
Keep an eye out for it, folks, for this will be a STUNNING set of images. And I am NOT easily impressed myself!
Julio

[Marc]

Larry's Sunday services are also very good. Used to attend at Fort McHenry and other venues the Mcgranes were at.