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BRIGADE MEMBERS CELEBRATE WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY IN 1862 STYLE
February 23, 2002
The large hall of the Affton White-Rodgers Community Center in south St. Louis County was sparsely filled at a late hour by a highly intelligent and appreciative audience, prepared to feast upon the delicious and bountiful pot-luck offerings of about 35 Brigade members. The hall was decorated with great taste--more beautifully than we have seen it on former occasions. One end of the hall was decorated with six snow-white pillars of graceful proportions, around which entwined the national red, white and blue, spangled with golden stars. Spanning the pillars above, were inscribed in gold on a ground of white the well-understood names, "Sigel Carthage", "Lyon Springfield", "Schofield Fredericktown"", "Thomas Somerset", "Foote Ft. Henry", "Grant Ft. Donelson". These characters of light were fitly distributed among the stars and rosettes-the latter streaming luxuriantly with the national colors. Still above, in overarching letters of dazzling light, glowed the peerless name of "Washington", and immediately beneath it the figure "1776". The fine effect was further increased by a grand specimen of the bird of Jove, looking down upon the scene, and bearing aloft the flags and shield of America. Beneath was a fine portrait of the fine Pater Patrę. In the background, strains of popular patriotic music could be heard. Much joy was expressed by the eager participants. A speech of gratitude was proffered by the President, causing the Ladies' hearts to swell with pride.
Turner Ladies Pat Baehr, Lisa Tullock and Yvonne Dierker (seated) organized the pot-luck social in honor of the Founder of our Country. The decorations were patterned after those at an 1862 dinner event.
Company M's Sgt. Dave Hagler and his wife Pat.
Company E's Pvt. Marty Aubuchon and his wife Debbie
This article appeared in the March-April 2002 issue of The Shrapnel. See the original article describing St. Louis' celebration of Washington's Birthday in 1862, including a eleven-mile-long parade and an evening jubilee, reprinted from the Missouri Democrat
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