The high point of the day was when the entire fifth grade was called outside to observe soldiers on the battlefield and the firing of the cannon.
Five Middletown residents were among the 11 re-enactors who helped make history come to life for the students: Herb and Sidney Pfaff and Joe Rich who specialized in cavalry, and father and son team Roger and Justin Mays, who specialized in demonstrating camp life as a soldier. The re-enactors portray members of the 5th Ohio Light Artillery and the 24th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Jim Crabtree of Springboro portrayed Lincoln.
Fifth-grade teacher Leslie Nettling said working with the re-enactors each year is a thrill and an honor.
“I consider them ‘education heroes’ because of their willingness to educate through their energy and passion for the history of the time period,” Nettling said. “We meet with them each spring to plan for the day, and to make sure the event will remain safe we all work closely with the city fire and police.
Parents also get in on the act by providing food “rations” from the time period: jerky, johnnycake, corn pones, spoon bread and apple cake. “Kids get a full ‘taste’ of the Civil War time period as they eat lunch picnic-style on the grounds of the school, while they listen to Civil War music,” said Nettling. “It is a great day for all of us and this year’s event was the best ever!”
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2551 or mrossiter@coxohio.com.
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