[StBernard] Event is warmup for War of 1812 celebration at Chalmette Battlefield

[Westley Annis]

Event is warmup for War of 1812 celebration at Chalmette Battlefield

Published: Thursday, December 08, 2011, 8:30 AM     Updated: Thursday,
December 08, 2011, 9:12 AM

 By Kim Gritter 

Although they were born nearly 200 years after the men and women they will
portray this weekend, students from Chalmette and John McDonogh high schools
will help visitors to the Chalmette Battlefield travel back in time with a
sneak preview of January's Battle of New Orleans anniversary celebration.

Dressed as 1815-era soldiers and civilians, Junior Reserve Officer Training
Corps cadets from Chalmette High and John McDonogh in New Orleans will help
depict what life was like during the War of 1812 at the Jean Lafitte
National Park and Preserve's Yuletide Celebration on Saturday and Sunday at
Chalmette Battlefield, 8606 W. St. Bernard Highway, Chalmette.


>From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., cadets will participate in drills, fire muskets and

cook over open campfires as participants of the national park's "Recognizing
Our Roots" partnership with local schools.

According to Park Ranger Patricia Corral, 30 JROTC cadets joined the
curriculum-based living history program this fall to learn about the Battle
of New Orleans, a pivotal event in world history.

Corral said cadets have taken field trips, learned to handle muskets in 1815
military style and listened to lectures to prepare them for their roles as
members of New Orleans' free men of color battalions, volunteer Tennessee
militiamen or camp followers during the Battle of New Orleans anniversary,
set for Jan. 6 and 7.

The JROTC living history project began more than 10 years ago as a
partnership between Orleans Parish Public Schools and Jean Lafitte National
Park.

In 2001, Corral said the park and the program received a "Keeper of the
Light" award from the Southeast Regional Office of the National Park
Service; the award recognized the JROTC program as the first of its kind in
the United States.

"Improving upon the original idea, 'Recognizing Our Roots' was the result of
a 2010 National Park Service Youth Partnership Program grant and is designed
to bring history to life for both the students and the community, an
especially important goal in south Louisiana, where the ancestors of
students may have participated in the Battle of New Orleans," Corral said.
"On a recent field trip to the location where British troops landed during
their invasion of Louisiana in 1814, a McDonogh cadet remarked, 'This is
much better than sitting in a classroom. It's a great way to learn history!'
"

The Chalmette Battlefield is one of six sites of Jean Lafitte National
Historical Park and Preserve. The battlefield, adjoining Chalmette National
Cemetery and visitor center are open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Admission to the battlefield and to the program this weekend is free and
open to the public. For more information, call 504.281.0510.

 Kim Gritter can be reached at kgritter at timespicayune.com or 504.826.3792.