For those of you that will miss meeting Museum representatives, reenactors and officials of the SCV and SUVCW at opening weekend of Gods and Generals at select St. Louis area theaters. My last presentation will be at the 2 pm Sunday showing at St. Charles 18 Wehrenberg Theatre on HWY 94 (First Capital Drive): Here is a copy of my speech in front of the big screen, in case you don't get to attend: Flanked by reenactor color bearers I approach the audience with: Greetings from the Missouri Civil War Museum! My name is Scott Williams, I am the webmaster for the organization. Like many of you I have many ancestors and kin that fought on the side for the Confederacy and for the Union. Unfortunately my oratory skills are not that of Gen. Robert E. Lee so our executive director has prepared some words for me: Dear Friends: On behalf of The Missouri Civil War Museum non-profit organization, The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, The Sons of Confederate Veterans, The 11th Mississippi Re-enactors, The 6th Wisconsin Re-enactors, and Wehrenberg Theatres, I welcome you to the opening weekend of the long awaited motion picture of "Gods and Generals." You have just viewed the first half of this remarkable film that was produced to give you a brief and realistic glimpse of America's greatest tragedy. This brief look back at The American Civil War doesn't place good versus evil, or friend versus foe. It places Americans versus Americans, and shows the pain, suffering, and sacrifices they all endured in the name of their families, their States, their Country, and for many their God. These historical figures are not at all our enemies, they are not even strangers to us, to most of us they are in fact our forefathers. We in the 21st Century have a hard time imagining what these brave men had to endure through the four deadliest years of American History. By the time it would conclude, over 630,000 of them would perish. Many ask, what could have made these Americans take up arms against each other and in many instances against their own friends and family. What possibly could have divided our country to the extent that these men would sacrifice their own lives and jeopardize the existence of our young nation. The events surrounding the American Civil War can never be explained in a simple motion picture, or a few textbooks. To properly understand it, one must seek out other resources such as museum exhibits, interpretive displays, archival materials, and of course visit the actual historical sites that were involved. Here in the St. Louis area, one may find one or two of the above, however, there is no facility that currently exists in the St. Louis area that combines all four elements in one single place. Nor is there a facility that is entirely dedicated and devoted only to the study of Missouri and the Civil War. Many who live in St. Louis don't even realize the important part our area played in the war. Many of us were never taught that Missouri had the 3rd most battles and engagements than any other state. Many don't realize that only one other state lost more men per capita in the war than Missouri. Furthermore, St. Louis provided more troops to the Confederacy and to the Union than any other city, west of the Mississippi, and more than most cities, east of the Mississippi. Among other things, the first general died here, the second major battle of the war was fought here, and at Jefferson Barracks and at Benton Barracks, tens of thousands of troops trained and prepared for war here. 16,000 of them both Blue & Gray now lay at rest at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. The St. Louis area is indeed very rich in Civil War history, however it has been for the most part obscured, forgotten, and hidden from our view. I am proud to announce to you today, that The Missouri Civil War Museum is going to change that fact by establishing its permanent home at Historic Jefferson Barracks that is located in south St. Louis County. As we sit here today, dozens of committed volunteers are participating in a promotional blitz spanning four nearby counties in an attempt to draw more support and awareness to our project. Our nationwide fundraising campaign is now underway and as an area resident do your part by helping it become a reality. Please take the time to read our Museum brochure, visit our website, and please think seriously about contributing to a facility that will be built from a grassroots campaign in our own hometown. At this time, we do not receive any government funding like others do, our primary source of funding at this time must come from people like you who care. This special place will be dedicated in the honor of all of our Civil War ancestors that came before us, but then again it will also be created for our children who will finally have an opportunity to learn about the important part their ancestors played here in Missouri. Thank you very much for your attention and please help this worthy cause if you can. Response from the theatre audience: overwhelming applause:-) participating theatres and remaining Sunday Feb 23 shows: Arnold: Sunday 11 and 4 PM Ronnies 6: 2PM Kenrick: 2PM Des Peres: 2PM Mid Rivers 2PM O'Fallon: 2PM St. Charles 18: 2 PM Please stop by and say hello Scott K. Williams, The Missouri Civil War Museum http://www.missouricivilwarmuseum.org/