[StBernard] Chalmette Battlefield and National Cemetery Host Memorial Day, Living History Events

[Westley Annis]

Chalmette Battlefield and National Cemetery Host Memorial Day, Living
History Events

 

Join the Vietnam Veterans of VFW Post 3798, the National Park Service, and
The National WWII Museum in honoring America's fallen service members during
Memorial Day weekend at Chalmette Battlefield and Chalmette National
Cemetery, 8606 West St. Bernard Highway, Chalmette. Both sites are part of
Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. All programs are free
and open to the public. For more information call 504-281-0510 or visit
www.nps.gov/jela <http://www.nps.gov/jela> .

 

Friday, May 24: Volunteers are needed to assist staff and volunteers from
the park and The National WWII Museum to put a flag at each of the national
cemetery's 15,000+ headstones. The project begins at 7:30 a.m. and continues
until the job is done, usually 3-4 hours. The project requires walking and
bending over. Volunteers will be outdoors in possible hot, humid, and buggy
conditions and should be prepared with sunscreen, insect repellent, and
closed-toe shoes. To sign up, call Ron Merrill at 504-281-0511 ext. 32.

 

Saturday, May 25: Remembering the Citizen Soldier: A War of 1812 Militia
Muster with living history volunteers 10:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at Chalmette
Battlefield. Tour the camp of volunteer soldiers from St. Bernard Parish
companies and New Orleans' free men of color battalions.

.         11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. - historic pastimes workshop in the historic
Malus-Beauregard House on the battlefield with period activities including
backgammon, dominoes, and whist (the era's most popular card game).

.         1:00 p.m. - camp cooking demonstration.

.         1:30-2:00 p.m. - militia muster and musket drill.

.         2:00 p.m. - musket firing demonstration.

.         2:45-3:15 p.m. - ranger talk and musket firing demonstration.

 

Sunday, May 26: Memorial Day ceremony presented by the Vietnam Veterans of
VFW Post 3798 at 12:30 p.m. at Chalmette National Cemetery. The public is
invited. The ceremony will include a color guard of living history
volunteers, bagpiper, and remarks from post members. Vietnam War veterans
buried in the cemetery and members of the post interred elsewhere will be
honored with a special salute. 

            

Sunday, May 26: Remembering the Citizen Soldier program continues 10:00
a.m.-3:30 p.m. 

.         2:00 p.m. - militia muster and musket drill, musket firing
demonstration, camp cooking demonstration.

.         2:45-3:15 p.m. - ranger talk and cannon firing by Jean Lafitte's
Baratarians.

 

Tuesday, May 28: Volunteers are needed to pick up flags and repackage them
for storage. The project begins at 7:30 a.m. and continues until the job is
done, usually 3-4 hours. Picking up the flags requires walking and bending
over. Volunteers will be outdoors in possible hot, humid, and buggy
conditions and should be prepared with sunscreen, insect repellent, and
closed-toe shoes. Repackaging the flags requires sitting and rolling the
flags for storage. To sign up, call Ron Merrill at 504-281-0511 ext. 32.


 

The Civil War -era Chalmette National Cemetery is located next to Chalmette
Battlefield, the site of the Battle of New Orleans in 1815. The national
cemetery and battlefield are managed by the National Park Service as one of
six sites of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. The
national cemetery, battlefield, and visitor center are open 9:00 a.m.-4:30
p.m. daily and admission is free. More information is available at
504-281-0510 or at www.nps.gov/jela.

www.nps.gov <http://www.nps.gov> 

 

About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service
employees care for America's 401 national parks and work with communities
across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home
recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov <http://www.nps.gov> .