Welcome to the Civil War Roundtable of Gettysburg. "The most important Roundtable,
in the most important small town,
at the most important battlefield,
in the most important country in the world."
—Joe Mieczkowski, past president
      
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July 27, 2017
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
INTO THE VORTEX OF THE CONFLICT
The 12th New Hampshire Infantry
at Gettysburg
John Hoptak
Late on the afternoon of July 2, 1863, the 12th New Hampshire Infantry of General Daniel Sickles’ Third Corps, Army of the Potomac, suffered nearly fifty percent casualties in a desperate and deadly struggle along the Emmitsburg Road.
Follow in the footsteps of this hard-fighting regiment, assume the identity of one of its soldiers, and learn his fate while discovering the largely unheralded and untold story of the 12th New Hampshire’s service and sacrifice at Gettysburg.
We will meet at the Pennsylvania Memorial at 6:oo PM. This program will be a car caravan, so that we won’t be walking the two-plus miles.
PLEASE NOTE: in case of inclement weather the program will take place on August 3rd.
John Hoptak, a native of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, is a lifelong student of the American Civil War. He is the author of several books, including The Battle of South Mountain (The History Press, 2011), Confrontation at Gettysburg (The History Press, 2012), Antietam: September 17, 1862 (Western Maryland Interpretive Association, 2011), and First in Defense of the Union: The Civil War History of the First Defenders (Auhorhouse, 2004). John has also authored numerous articles for Civil War Times, America’s Civil War, Pennsylvania Heritage and other periodicals. An Interpretive Park Ranger with the National Park Service, John worked for eight seasons at Antietam and, since 2012, at the Gettysburg National Military Park.
Our meetings are the Fourth Thursday of each month.
From September to May, we meet at the GAR Building, 53 East Middle Street. Light refreshments and conversation starting at 6:30 pm, the program starting at 7.
Whenever severe weather is predicted, program information can be found on the roundtable website and Facebook page after 3 PM or you can call Lynn at 717-398-2072.
You can now use your credit card or PayPal to securely pay for your Membership Dues. Please see the Membership page for the link.
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Your Membership |
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OFFICERS |
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Lynn Heller .............................................President Kendra Debaney.....................................Vice President Eleanor Cingire Bilz...........................Recording Secretary Linda Seamon...............................Membership Secretary David Diner...................................................Treasurer Roger Heller .......................................Program Director Linda Joswick .............................................Webmaster Dave Joswick......................................Newsletter Editor |
717.398.2072 717.334.6375 717.420.2183 717.359.7339 717.420.5730 717.398.2072 717.253.5477 717.877.3975 |
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BOARD MEMBERS |
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Ellie Cingire Bilz, David Diner, Fred Hawthorne, Lynn Heller, Roger Heller, Hilda Koontz, Dale Molina, Larry Plymire, Ron Rock, Linda Seamon, Kendra Debany (past president) |
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Next Board Meeting:Board Meetings are open to all members. Meetings begin at 6:30 pm at Perkins Restaurant in Gettysburg. If you would like to eat before the meeting, please arrive by 6:00 pm. Board meetings are the second Thursday of January, March, May, July, September, and November. |
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COMMITTEES |
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Plaque Committee: Book Award Committee: Field Trip Committee: If you are interested in more information, or joining, one the committees, please contact any Officer or Board Member. |
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EVENT INFORMATION |
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Gettysburg CWRT New Meeting Time in SeptemberBeginning with our September meeting…a new starting time: Doors open at 6:30 PM for refreshments; meeting Finfrock is Doucette Achievement Award winnerBarbara Finfrock’s 24 years of tireless labor have had a significant impact on making the Gettysburg National Military Park what it is today. For all her accomplishments, the Gettysburg Civil War Round Table would like to thank her by selecting Barbara as this year’s Cal Doucette Achievement Award winner. The Cal Doucette Achievement Award, was created in memory of a CWRT Board member who felt that recognition should be given to honor people who do something special for the Park and for the study of Civil War history. Barbara has been doing something special for years, and although we will be presenting her with a plaque at our September 22 meeting, in reality (with apologies to General Sickles), the whole Battlefield is Barbara’s monument. Please try to attend. Read more...
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Hello Friends!
July is always such a special time for us Gettysburg enthusiasts! We remember the soldiers, the battle, the civilians, the aftermath, all year long. But every year during these three days in July the titanic events of 1863 that were to change the lives of so many thousands, become crystalized in our minds and hearts. I continue to thank goodness for my good fortune in belonging to our wonderful roundtable, where we find joy in our friendships and share a love of learning. I am honored to serve as President again for another term.
There was a time that I didn’t even know what a roundtable was! There was a time that I had never been to Gettysburg! But Ken Burns, Civil War Journal, and Bruce Catton began to creep into my life. The sparks began to grow, and suddenly, I was hooked!
I began to visit Gettysburg every chance I got, from my New Jersey home. I didn’t know anyone except the manager of the Budget Host Motel! My co workers would say…“you’re going there again?” They didn’t get it. I was delighted to find the Gettysburg Civil War Roundtable, when Chuck Teague was President. The welcoming nature of everyone drew me back whenever I could get there, and I began to make some friends!
Gradually I found groups to tour the battlefield with, and I was in heaven! On one of these bus tours I happened to sit next to a very nice fellow named Roger Heller. We got along just fine and, by 2008, we were married!…and still getting along just fine!
So, my friends, enjoy the summer on the battlefield, especially the remaining two “on the field” RT programs in July and August! And continue to celebrate our lucky stars for having this roundtable!
Best...
- Lynn |
SPEAKERS |
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August 24
September 28
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News Briefs
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