Visitors from various parts of the country showed up for the flag placement, including the Driscoll family from Boston, Massachusetts. In front are John and Norah Driscoll. In the back, Jane Driscoll is on the left, and Kathryn Driscoll is on the right. They are standing in one of the Unknown sections of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery located on the northeast side of the Soldiers’ National Monument. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 6:25 PM on Wednesday, June 30, 2010.
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 Wednesday 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.
Please remember that anyone who would like to volunteer to help pull the flags up, may do so on Sunday, July 4th at 6:00 PM.
A map of the Soldiers National Cemetery/Gettysburg National Cemetery. This map was scanned facing north at approximately 8:30 PM on Wednesday, June 30, 2010.
Arriving early was Wayne Motts, second from left, and others anxious to put up flags in the Ohio section. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 5:43 PM on Wednesday, June 30, 2010.
Again, even though we have been doing this since 1988, the first dilemma is always which side of the headstone should the flag be placed? In front of the name, or behind the name? Here Wayne has incorrectly placed the flag behind the name, until he was corrected by those around him. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 5:56 PM on Wednesday, June 30, 2010.
Licensed Battlefield Guide Stuart Dempsey placed a flag by his relative killed at the Battle of Gettysburg … This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 5:58 PM on Wednesday, June 30, 2010.
… Sergeant Isaac Willis of the 73rd Ohio. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 5:58 PM on Wednesday, June 30, 2010.
Association of Licensed Battlefield Guide President, Roy Frampton, usually shows up very early to bring the flags. However, tonight it appeared that he wanted to arrive on time. Therefore, the rest of us who showed up early were standing around waiting for President Roy to show up. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 5:52 PM on Wednesday, June 30, 2010.
In the meantime, individuals were placing state flags in a couple of sections. Here, Licensed Battlefield Guide Andie Custer and Licensed Battlefield Guide Dave Donahue place state flags in the Vermont section. This view was taken facing east at approximately 6:00 PM on Wednesday, June 30, 2010.
Andie places the flags here because of her study of the 1st Vermont Cavalry in Farnsworth’s Brigade. This view was taken facing north at approximately 6:03 PM on Wednesday, June 30, 2010.
Licensed Battlefield Guide Jim Connery, his wife Barbara, and his granddaughter, Kaitlyn, are placing flags in the Connecticut section. This view was taken facing east at approximately 5:58 PM on Wednesday, June 30, 2010.
This view was taken facing west at approximately 5:59 PM on Wednesday, June 30, 2010.
ALBG President Roy Frampton arrived with the flags at 5:55 PM and the crowd made their way to his vehicle to retrieve the flags. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 5:55 PM on Wednesday, June 30, 2010.
Licensed Battlefield Guide John Sullivan, in the green shirt, and behind him, his daughter Molly (who has been placing flags in the cemetery since she was three years old), are moving towards the Indiana section. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 6:10 PM on Wednesday, June 30, 2010.
Other visitors who showed up to place flags included Mavis Starner, from Hanover … This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 6:10 PM on Wednesday, June 30, 2010.
… Doc Holiday, standing, and his son, Mark Snyder (placing flags in one of the three Unknown sections), who travel all the way from southern Maryland for the flag placing … This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 6:15 PM on Wednesday, June 30, 2010.
… and Jane and Bruce Jochims, visitors from Minneapolis, who are placing flags in the Minnesota section. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 6:20 PM on Wednesday, June 30, 2010.
Let’s take a look at the result of the evening’s efforts. Here is the Indiana section before … This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 5:40 PM on Wednesday, June 30, 2010.
… And after. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 6:40 PM on Wednesday, June 30, 2010.
The Ohio section before … This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 5:40 PM on Wednesday, June 30, 2010.
… And after. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 6:40 PM on Wednesday, June 30, 2010.
The Pennsylvania section before … This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 5:40 PM on Wednesday, June 30, 2010.
… and after. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 6:40 PM on Wednesday, June 30, 2010.
Again, the Pennsylvania section before … This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 5:40 PM on Wednesday, June 30, 2010.
… and after. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 6:40 PM on Wednesday, June 30, 2010.
The New York section before … This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 5:40 PM on Wednesday, June 30, 2010.
… and after. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 6:40 PM on Wednesday, June 30, 2010.
Thanks to everyone for coming out Wednesday evening (remember you can click on this photo to enlarge it). More than twice as many people showed up for this year’s event than last year’s. If we happened to misspell your name, we’re sorry, and please send us an email by clicking here to reveal our address. Don’t forget the pickup on July 4th at 6 PM! This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 6:30 PM on Wednesday, June 30, 2010.
To see posts by Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guides, click here.