Once again the General Meade Society of Philadelphia hosted a successful birthday commemoration of General George Gordon Meade at Philadelphia’s Laurel Hill Cemetery on December 31. It would have been Meade’s 198th birthday (and also his wedding anniversary). Living historians, VIPs and others braved the cold to gather at the cemetery gatehouse and proceeded to the general’s gravesite for a short ceremony and a champagne toast. Here are a few photos.
Outside the gatehouse of Laurel Hill Cemetery. George Meade and his family, as well as scores of other notable people, are buried on the grounds here.
Living historians represent members of the United States Colored Troops.
Beck’s Band prepares to lead the procession to the gravesite. Not easy temperatures for playing brass instruments!
The ceremony included the laying of several wreaths at the gravesite.
Prof. Andy Waskie, the founder and president of the General Meade Society of Philadelphia, leads the ceremony at the gravesite.
Tom Huntington, author of Searching for George Gordon Meade: The Forgotten Victor of Gettysburg (and this blog) makes a few appropriate remarks.
Searching for GEORGE GORDON MEADE 