Threat fueled sense of patriotism

On the weekend of Oct. 14-15, several thousand Civil War re-enactors gathered at Cedar Creek Battlefield in Virginia to remember and honor those that fought and died there. A week before the event a letter was sent to the organizers to cancel the event. Near the end of the first day’s activities, even with heightened security an explosive device was found in a sutler’s tent. The necessary evacuations, additional searches, infusion of additional professional people and general confusion lead to the next day’s cancellation of events. The re-enactors did not let the would-be terrorist’s threats future disrupt the planned battle re-enactment. The event went on even without the public’s attendance. At the conclusion of the battle the northern and the southern lines met and embraced each other. The chant of “USA, USA” from those thousands of voices could be heard from about a half-mile away. The pride for our country and our history could not have been any higher than at that moment.

This story was originally published October 23, 2017 at 9:25 PM with the headline "Threat fueled sense of patriotism."