Archbishop Listecki to Pull Lanyard in Civil War Ceremony

In a booming recognition of those from Wisconsin who died in America's costliest war, Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki will not only lead an outdoor Mass on Memorial Day – he will personally fire a salute from a Civil War cannon.

Noted author and historian Lance Herdegen will assist Listecki in loading and firing and will be the keynote speaker for the secular portion of the ceremony at Calvary Cemetery, 5503 Blue Mound Rd.

President Abraham Lincoln – portrayed by Nicholas Bur – will also speak, and the First Brigade Band will play songs and hymns from the Civil War era on original musical instruments used during the war. 

Hosted by the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and Auxiliary, the event begins with Memorial Day Mass at 10 a.m. Monday, followed by the patriotic ceremony.

Cushing’s Battery A, named for famed Wisconsin veteran Alonzo Cushing, who died heroically at Gettysburg, will provide the authentic cannon for Listecki and Herdegen's salute. (Listecki, by the way, is a veteran himself, a retired lieutenant colonel of America's armed forces.)

The ceremony will also feature rifle and musket salutes, the playing of "Taps" and decoration of veterans’ graves.

Most presenters will be attired in authentic, regulation Civil War uniforms – with member of the Auxiliary in hoop skirts – making the day an attraction for history buffs and schoolchildren interested in learning about American heritage. 

The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War has sponsored a memorial service in Calvary Cemetery annually since the 1890s, when Memorial Day was known as the Civil War observance of Decoration Day.

The service and ceremony take on special meaning this year as it is the 150th anniversary of what most historians consider the height of the conflict.

Earlier this month marked the sesquicentennial of the bloody defeat of the Union Army of the Potomac at Chancellorsville, VA. But on July 3 and 4 respectively, Union fortunes turned toward final success with decisive victories at Gettysburg, PA, the largest battle ever fought on American soil, and at Vicksburg, MS, which gave back Federal control of the length of the Mississippi River and split the Confederacy in two.

Wisconsin soldiers played crucial roles in both those campaigns. In particular, at Gettysburg, the Iron Brigade including the 2nd, 6th and 7th Wisconsin Regiments of Volunteers, virtually sacrificed itself to hold back wave after wave of Confederate attacks on July 1.

About 91,379 men from Wisconsin, including 353 African-Americans, totaling about 20 percent of Wisconsin's male population, served in over 52 Union regiments during the Civil War. Of those, 10,868 Wisconsin soldiers lost their lives. 

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In case of inclement weather, the Mass and patriotic ceremony will take place inside St. Vincent Pallotti Church (east) at 5502 W. Bluemound Road.

For further information, contact Deacon Dean J. Collins at (262) 782-0535 [home] or at (262) 787-3567 [work] or dcollins@wi.rr.com.