Mr. Bob Rinehart’s American Civil War Experience camp/group from Harford Community College in Maryland showed up at the Gettysburg National Cemetery to help place flags on the graves. From left to right is Colin Bourn, Drew Davis, Grant Gibson, Alex Recher (kneeling), Daniel Billings, Grace Mottley, Mr. Bob Rinehart, Ellenor Hoover, and Hunter Kothenbeutel. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 6:00 PM on Thursday, June 30, 2011.
In what has been a tradition since 1988, Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guides and some friends, families, and visitors placed over 3500 flags in the Gettysburg National Cemetery Thursday evening. The guides are responsible for placing the flags on the anniversary of the battle and for the Fourth of July. The Boy Scouts place the flags here for Memorial Day. The Friends of the National Parks at Gettysburg place the flags for November 19th, the anniversary of the dedication of the cemetery.
To see photographs from the 2009 flag placement, click here.
To see photographs from the 2010 flag placement, click here.
Please remember that anyone who would like to volunteer to help pull the flags up, may do so on Monday, July 4th at 6:00 PM.
This is a map of Gettysburg’s Soldiers or National Cemetery.
President of the Association of Licensed Battlefield Guides, Roy Frampton arrived at approximately 5:50 Thursday evening with the flags. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 6:00 PM on Thursday, June 30, 2011.
President of the Association of Licensed Battlefield Guides, Roy Frampton, along with his grandson, instructs the first timers how on what side of the headstone to place the flag. Of course, nobody remembers, whether they are a rookie or have been doing it for years. The main thing is to get everyone to put the flag on the same side of the stone as everyone else. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 6:00 PM on Thursday, June 30, 2011.
Roy Frampton explains where he will drop the other flags around the cemetery in convenient locations for the flag placers to reach the other sections. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 6:00 PM on Thursday, June 30, 2011.
Everyone then gathers around Roy’s car to get their bundles of flags. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 6:00 PM on Thursday, June 30, 2011.
Then everyone gets to work. It was an impressive turnout again this year. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 6:00 PM on Thursday, June 30, 2011.
Here’s the group placing flags in the Minnesota section. This view was taken facing north at approximately 6:00 PM on Thursday, June 30, 2011.
Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Wayne Motts brought his circus flags, uh, we mean Ohio State Flags. This view was taken facing west at approximately 6:00 PM on Thursday, June 30, 2011.
Molly Sullivan, daughter of Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide John Sullivan showed up for her fourteenth straight year (ever since she was three). This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 6:00 PM on Thursday, June 30, 2011.
These visitors from Maine, e-mailed us weeks ago to find out when the flag placement was going to occur so that they should be part of the event. From left are Ryan Grogan, Andrea Smith, and Tracy Grogan. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 6:00 PM on Thursday, June 30, 2011.
With plenty of help, the pace was unhurried, and everyone was able to concentrate on the few graves that they were marking. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 6:00 PM on Thursday, June 30, 2011.
Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide, Gar Phillips, was wearing his biker clothes about a week before bike week. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 6:00 PM on Thursday, June 30, 2011.
This group of individuals is working on the New York section. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 6:00 PM on Thursday, June 30, 2011.
After fifteen minutes, in what is believed to be a record time, the final flags were placed in the unknown section near the New York State Monument (out of sight on the left). This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 6:00 PM on Thursday, June 30, 2011.
Each grave was properly marked with a flag. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 6:00 PM on Thursday, June 30, 2011.
Counting the photographers taking the group picture, over 80 people showed up this year. Thank you very much. Your help is greatly appreciated. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 6:00 PM on Thursday, June 30, 2011.
So let’s start the before and after shots. Before at the Unknown Section southwest of the Soldiers National Monument. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 6:00 PM on Thursday, June 30, 2011.
After at the Unknown Section southwest of the Soldiers National Monument. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 6:00 PM on Thursday, June 30, 2011.
Before at the New York Section. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 6:00 PM on Thursday, June 30, 2011.
After at the New York Section. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 6:00 PM on Thursday, June 30, 2011.
Before at the Unknown Section northeast of the Soldiers National Monument. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 6:00 PM on Thursday, June 30, 2011.
After at the Unknown Section northeast of the Soldiers National Monument. Hopefully we’ll see everybody on Monday July 4th at 6:00 PM to help pick up the flags! This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 6:00 PM on Thursday, June 30, 2011.
A brief video from the event. The group photograph at the video’s conclusion is courtesy of Sterling Oddo, of Ithaca, New York.