To the Editor:
I would like to add something to a letter by Ellen Latane Tabb, “Unnecessary Expense” [Gazette Packet, April 7].
In her letter she said: For 50 years Fort ward has presented frequent programs about the Union side, but there has not been equal city backed effort for the Confederate side although Alexandrians were Confederate leaning despite occupation ....
I was a member of two 17th Virginia reenacting groups for eight years. First with Company "A" Alexandria Rifleman and later Company "D" Fairfax Rifles.
Both units participated in events held at Fort Ward. Those events included Christmas in Camp, Civil War camp events and a Celebration of the Birthday of Robert E. Lee.
The events were living histories that portrayed the lives of Civil War soldiers. Children and adults all gained a great knowledge of how those soldiers trained and lived.
Sometimes we would have children take the oath of enlistment, pay them in printed Confederate money, give them carved out wooden rifles and teach them how to drill.
It did not matter that we wore uniforms of gray. Those children had a history lesson that they do not get in school.
The staff at Fort Ward was always happy when we agreed to participate in events and were even given top billing in flyers promoting them.
Re-enactors promote history not hate. Our history should be told and remembered for what it is, history good or bad.
Everett W. Squires
Alexandria