COVENTRY – The tenth annual Civil War Commemorative event sponsored by the Coventry Town Museum Association was held over the weekend on Sunday, Sept. 28 on the grounds of the Coventryville Congregational Church.
Every year since 2004, the act of remembrance has served as a plaudit to veterans who have fought in conflicts from Civil War onward.
This year's honored veteran was Private John Shaver.
The event titled “Celebrating And Remembering The Life Of Coventry’s Immigrant Son, Private John Shaver – Stonemason, Family Man, Civil War Infantryman,” the day-long event attracted all generations – American Civil war enthusiasts and history admirers.
Civil War soldiers from in and around Chenango County are memorialized at the annual event, a practice that has served the Coventry Town Museum well since the inception of the event.
German immigrant John Shaver is ancestor to numerous descendants who live among Chenango, Cortland and Broome counties. Shaver and his wife raised two children before fighting for the Union during the Civil War.
Each year the event grows noticeably larger and 2014 was no different. Visitors moseyed the grounds taking in the sights and sounds of a re-enacted encampment presented by the 114th Regiment North South Skirmish Association.
Late September's sweltering temperatures posed no issue for the dedicated volunteers of the re-enactment, who donned customary wool attire and uniforms of the 18th and 19th centuries, typical of those worn by Union soldiers during the Civil War era.
Informative booths offered interactive displays featuring hand-made period clothing. A variety of wedding dresses, aprons and children's clothing were also on display.
History buffs were able to meet with re-enactors such as Abraham Lincoln, Mary Todd Lincoln and General Ulysses S. Grant – as well as the Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War.
The Elmira Soldiers Relief Organization were on hand to discuss the critical activities of Civil Was era soldiers and demonstrate and equipment on display used by 18th century infantrymen.
Wrapping up the day, an honor guard of First Responders, Re-enactors, Veterans, active members of the military and public officials, led by bagpipers traveled by car to the Coventry Union Cemetery, the final resting place of John Shaver.
The gathering, led by Pastor Joyce Besemer of the First Congregational Church of Coventryville, included the playing of taps, a gun salute and the laying of a wreath on Shaver's headstone.
The Coventry Town Museum Association was the recipient of the prestigious Russell J. Perllman Award Of Excellence for the “Most Outstanding Project” proposal for 2013.
Organizers spend upwards of a year planning for the day, and enjoy holding the event each year in an effort to bring families together to pay homage to men who fought for their country.
This yearly event is made possible in part through the generous funding of the New York State Council on the Arts, administered by the Chenango Arts Council of Norwich.