Saturday, February 12, 2011

HARRISBURG'S TRIBUTE By Cecelia Lyden



A century and a half ago, the more than 180,000 African-American soldiers from 25 states who participated in the Civil War, were excluded from the 1865 Grand Review Military parade in Washington D.C. When they were not asked to join the celebratory parade, Harrisburg's Garnet Equal Rights League organized its own U.S. Colored Troops Grand Review.
This summer the first re-enactment of the parade took place in Harrisburg. My husband and I attended. I found the music, When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again, The Battle Hymm of the Republic and the colors of the flags and uniforms emotional and stirring. I took lots of pictures and began painting this scene. I just finished it today. This is Harrisburg's tribute, but it is also my tribute to those soldiers who participated in the Civil War and to all soldiers who fight for us and die for us.

3 comments:

Dianne Lorden said...

Your painting is a wonderful tribute to soldiers whose contribution deserves all the attention it can get. It adds interest, and perhaps meaning, to see them marching in shadows, too. Very nicely done.

Mary Beth Brath said...

Very well done. This is a wonderful piece.

Deborah Nell said...

Beautiful tribute. Wonderfully done.