U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney will be the guest of honor Friday at the 145th Battle of Chickamauga’s opening ceremony in Walker County.
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“We are honored the vice president has scheduled to attend,” said Ed Hooper, Civil War Courier editor and publisher. “Re-enactors from around the world will be participating in this historic event, which marks the first time a sitting vice president has participated in a national Civil War re-enactment.”
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Rome’s 8th Regiment will perform as a 15-member original horn band for Cheney, delivering a performance of “Hail Columbia,” the nation’s first anthem played during George Washington’s inauguration.
At noon, Cheney will deliver a speech commemorating the service of his great-grandfather and the men who fought in the battle.
“We’ll be right next to him and I’m hoping that I’ll get a chance to welcome
him to our part of the country,” said John Carruth, 8th Regiment band director.
After the speech, the 8th Regiment will continue playing a variety of patriotic songs, military and operatic excerpts. The selections will include music ensembles from 1850 to 1865 such as “Ruffles” and “Flourishes,” songs marking historic turning points for the nation.
“We’re anxious to play as accurate as possible and these aren’t a bunch of good ole’ boys that played trumpet in high school band,” said Carruth. “They’re really good and a lot of them played for the Rome Symphony Orchestra.”
The sounds include cornets, horns, baritone, bass, drum and cymbals, and the group remains authentic to the typical military size band in member size, instrument and costume.
The 145th Battle of Chickamauga is a three-day event, highlighting the historic preservation of the largest Civil War battle and offering unspoiled re-enactments through song, uniforms and speech.
The event hours for Friday are from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at McLemore’s Cove, south of Chickamauga National Battlefield Park.
Single day tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children for a one-day pass. Children 6 and younger will be admitted free. Re-enactments are scheduled for Friday at 4 p.m., Saturday at 1, 3 and 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
For more information, visit www.battleofchickamauga.net or call 1-800-624-0281, ext. 327.
