Oration: Remembrance Day 2017 at the Woolson Monument in Gettysburg, PA

General Grim, General Shaw, Brothers and Sisters of the Allied Orders, Guest.

Today we stand upon this immortal field of battle, which distinguishes itself from all others in our country’s history by its influence on the outcome of our Civil war and through a speech containing just 272 words.  While we do take time this day to  remember and honor the men who sacrifice all to achieve victory in the hard-fought battle, which occurred in these fields surrounding us, thereby redefining the direction of the war and setting a course to the Union’s ultimate victory at Appomattox and Bennet Place in April of 1865.  We are also bound by the blood of those hero’s and in gratitude for the life of a President, who sought to bring about the fulfilment of the ideals and beliefs of the founding fathers. to assemble in Gettysburg for Remembrance Day to take notice of an event that happened four months after the great battle.  For on November 19^th, 1863 President Lincoln, in only a two-minute speech, redefined the meaning of Thomas Jefferson’s statement that all Men are created equal imbued with rights to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. 

Generations of Americans have been born and passed since the either Lincoln or our Heroes in blue walked this ground.   In that time we have faced many trials and tribulations, which tested our strength and dedication to preserving the values of freedom and equality which were won on the field at Gettysburg  Whenever we have been confronted with these difficult times, we have found our strength in the beliefs found in the Declaration of Independence and in that short speech given by Lincoln.

In November of 1863 Lincoln looked back in history to the words of Jefferson and saw a valuable lesson.  Today we must do the same in order to find the proper direction for our future.   Lincoln set his course to end slavery and make Jefferson’s words ring true.  He believed that to do anything less diminished the sacrifice, which had been made and that failing to achieve that lofty goal would mean the end of the Union.  We owe Lincoln this moment of respect and reflection, on Remembrance Day, for having the vision to see, that if we stress the values of freedom and equality, recognize the worth of all mankind, and fulfill the promise made at the start of our great Republic this nation would indeed be one in which, all men were created equal and the government of the people, for the people, and  by the people shall never fail.

Thank you for these few minutes of your time and this rainy day and may the grace of God continue to bless this great Union and its people

Written and presented by Mark R. Day CinC SUVCW at Remembrance Day 2017, copywrite 2/28/2020 by Mark R. Day, all rights reserved

Eulogy given for PCinC Charles Kuhn at the Pennsylvania Department Annual Encampment in June 2017

This morning, I have been granted the honor of offering a Eulogy for my SUVCW Brother and friend, PCinC Charles E. Kuhn Jr.  While, I was very aware of the health issues, which had plagued Charlie for many years, his indomitable spirit led me to hope for the best.  My last visit with Charlie occurred in October of 2016 while in the area attending a Testimonial Luncheon for John Frantz.  During, that visit, at Charlie’s home, it was clear that Charlie’s condition had worsened.  However true to form Charlie seemed determined to fight on.  Both Barbara and I were shocked by the news of his death in the first week of December and prepared to attend his funeral.


I had known Charlie for just ten years, having first meet him during the 2006 National Encampment in Harrisburg.  However, during those ten years Charlie first became an advisor, then a mentor, and finally a friend.  I believe the best quality Charlie possessed was his ability to make friends.  Charlie loved to be with other people.  He loved to talk, and he was constantly seeking out people to interact with.  Charlie was a man who possessed a big heart.  A heart filled with love for his wife Joanne, his daughter Michelle, and his Grandchildren.  A heart that was also large enough to make room for every one of his Brother and Sisters in the Allied Orders.  Once Charlie had won your friendship, he never forgot you and you could not forget him.


Because of that love for family and friends; Individuals from the local community joined by Charlie’s friends, Brothers and Sisters, who came to Gettysburg from Illinois, Michigan, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and so many other places assembled to say farewell.  In his Eulogy that day PCinC Gene Mortorff said he wished Charlie could have seen how many people there were to honor and remember him.  


Charlie was also a Patriot in every sense of the word.  He believed in his country and he took his responsibility as a citizen seriously.   He was similarly dedicated to the remembrance of our Civil War ancestors.  He poured himself into honoring their memory and invested many hours to projects such as the Remembrance Day Parade and the re-dedication of the Peace Monument on the Gettysburg Battlefield.


Finally, a couple of personal reflections, I would like to say that Charlie and I shared a few moments that I will cherish.  In 2009, I invited Gene Mortorff to attend the first ever Lincoln Birthday Dinner put on by my Camp in Lynchburg, VA  and Charlie accompanied him.  The evening was going well and entertainment, in the form of a period group singing Lincoln’s favorite songs, was nearing its end.  Well the last song that the group chose to play was “Dixie”, a song Lincoln said was his favorite, and of course being in the south and many of our members, guest and wives being descended from both sides of the War; they stood for the song.  Well Charlie looked like a deer caught in a headlight but finally also stood.  For me that was proof that Charlie was open minded and ecumenical.  My second reflection proves another aspect of Charlies humanity.  When my wife was struck with Breast Cancer, Charlie showed real concern for her and kept track of her status.  During his own personal battle with Cancer he sought to comfort and support us.  That is real friendship and real love for your fellow human being.