Date: Sun, 27 Dec 2009 13:12:39 -0500 Subject: General Meade's Birthday Celebration at LHC, this Thursday 12-31-09, at Noon From: [email protected] TO: MEADE SOCIETY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS, The General George Meade Society of Philadelphia cordially invites you to: GENERAL MEADE’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION & NEW YEAR'S TOAST Thursday, December 31 at Noon ***Please arrive early so as not to disrupt the assembly and procession. Admission is free, and all are invited! Following the services a light lunch and refreshments will be served by the Kearney Commissary, a donation is kindly requested 3822 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia For information, please call 215-228-8200, email [email protected], or visit www.thelaurelhillcemetery.org The annual General Meade Birthday Celebration will mark the 194th anniversary of the birth of General George G. Meade, commander of the Union Army at the Battle of Gettysburg. A parade of Civil War re-enactors, civilians in period attire, special dignitaries, heritage groups and participants will advance to Meade’s final resting place and memorialize his services to his nation. A volley of musket fire and a champagne toast will cap off the program at graveside, and will be followed by a reception in the Cemetery Gatehouse. A tour of historic Laurel Hill will be offered following the festivities (weather permitting). This year marks the 19th anniversary of the Meade Birthday Celebration The General Meade Society's mission is to promote and preserve the memory of Union Major General George Gordon Meade, commander of the Army of the Potomac and architect of the Union victory at Gettysburg. The society currently boasts hundreds of members throughout the country, all of whom share a common interest in General Meade's multifaceted life and career. Activities include: administering the Meade school scholarship, tours of Meade-related sites in Philadelphia, living history presentations, historical symposiums, supporting battlefield preservation, conducting graveside services honoring war heroes and the adoption of the Meade Monument and HQ site in Gettysburg, PA. Learn more about our organization by visiting: http://www.generalmeadesociety.org