My first official event in the Blue Wool took place on Sunday, March 28th in the Manchester, NH St. Patty's Parade. Being one of the "fresh fish" I was asked to carry the colors for the 28th MA Irish Brigade. While I was looking forward to firing my musket...I was honored to carry the colors for the regiment.
That being said...it was windy! If you haven't seen (or carried) a Civil war regimental flag...they are big (over 10 feet tall) and in the wind they act like a sail. While I would have liked to let the flag whip in the wind all the way along the route...it was impossible at times and I was forced to take the flag in a bit to prevent it from blowing in the faces on my pards. At one point, my flag whipped onto the head of the other color bearer, grabbed his forage cap...and landed it (thankfully) in my hands...I was able to return it to him while marching and we didn't miss a beat.
All in all, a tremendous day for my first event and an honor to carry the colors for the 28th MA!
Upcoming events include:
April 30-May 2 Neshaminy State Park (Bensalem, PA) with the 28th MA
May 31 Dorchester, MA Memorial Day Parade with the 28th MA
June 4-6 Catawissa, PA Drill/Encampment with the 149th PA
June 11-13 Harvard, MA Drill with the 28th MA
July 2-5 Gettysburg, PA 147th Reenactment with the 149th PA
