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Civil War Interactive Discussion Board > Civil War Talk > General Civil War Talk > Readshaw Takes action on Gettysburg Vandalism |
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Civil War Interactive Discussion Board > Civil War Talk > General Civil War Talk > Readshaw Takes action on Gettysburg Vandalism |
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| Readshaw Takes action on Gettysburg Vandalism | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Fri Feb 17th, 2006 11:58 pm |
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1st Post |
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javal1 Grumpy Geezer 
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For those who don't know Harry Readshaw, he's done more for Civil War preservation than any politician I know. Trust me, he's a politician I trust (and you may never hear me say that again!) Readshaw incensed by Gettysburg Vandalism Will establish fund to repair damaged PA monument HARRISBURG, Feb. 17 – The bugle is calling out for Readshaw’s Raiders to saddle up again; this time to help repair the Pennsylvania monument at Gettysburg that was toppled and heavily damaged in an act of vandalism early Thursday. The Raiders are the volunteers and contributors who assisted state Rep. Harry Readshaw, D-Allegheny in his successful campaign to ensure the funding for repairs and cleaning of the more than 140 Pennsylvania monuments and markers on the hallowed battlefield. Today, Readshaw appealed to his Raiders and other groups and individuals involved in Civil War historic preservation to come to the aid of the three Gettysburg monuments severely vandalized this week and fund their restoration. Sometime on the night of Feb. 15 or the morning of the 16th, vandals pulled the bronze figure of a soldier of the 114th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, known as Collis’ Zouaves, from its granite pedestal near the Sherfy house on Emmitsburg Road at the famed Peach Orchard. The figure is of a bare-headed soldier ramming home a cartridge in his rifle while bravely facing the Confederates. When it fell, the statue heavily damaged an ornate wrought-iron fence that has surrounded the monument since it was dedicated on July 2, 1886. Damage to the bronze figure includes cracking and breaks on its base and the loss of the soldier’s ramrod. The other two vandalized monuments were another bronze statue honoring the 4th New York battery at Devil’s Den. The head of the statue was removed and taken. A portion of a granite sculpture in tribute of the 11 Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry along Emmitsburg Road not far from the fallen 114th PVI monument was also pulled down. Photographs of the damage can be viewed on the Internet at http://www.civilwarinteractive.com. The 114th was formed in August of 1861 by local volunteers recruited by Philadelphia lawyer Charles Henry Tuckey Collis and fought in many major engagements through the end of the war in 1865. The “Zouave” designation was due to their unique uniform, based on those worn by French troops in North Africa. Announces fund and first donation for 11th Pa. monument repair Readshaw said the proceeds the Pennsylvania Gettysburg Monuments Project endowment fund was to receive from the annual Civil War Preservation Ball in the State Capitol Rotunda will instead go into a special Monuments Project fund to help restore the damaged Pennsylvania monument and the wrought-iron fence. The popular ball, sponsored by the Victorian Dance Ensemble, will be held from 7-11 p.m. Saturday, March 25. It is open to persons in appropriate Civil War attire or modern suits and ties for gentlemen and dresses for ladies. Tickets are $35 per person or $60 per couple. Music will be provided by the 28th Pennsylvania Regimental Band. Readshaw said money collected for the 114th Pennsylvania Infantry Monument Fund will be turned over to the Gettysburg National Military Park as restoration work is ready to begin. Donations should be mailed to: 114th Pennsylvania Infantry Monument Fund c/o Rep. Harry Readshaw 122 Irvis Office Building House Box 202020 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020 More information about the monument repair fund and the Preservation Ball can be obtained by calling Readshaw’s Harrisburg Office at 717-783-0411 or by e-mail at Gettysburg@pahouse.net. Readshaw concluded with a challenge to organizations and individuals in New York and Massachusetts to establish similar funds to cover repairs to their damaged monuments. “I hope that’s a forgone conclusion since a lot of people in those two states are probably as ticked off as people here are,” Readshaw added. Harsher penalties for monument vandals? The latest vandalism at Gettysburg has prompted Readshaw to begin researching state law regarding intentional damage to monuments and historic sites to determine if penalties are appropriately harsh. “While nobody was hurt, this was a planned, heinous act,” said Readshaw. “This wasn’t like someone spray-painting initials on a cement wall. Unless they have a serious psychological problem they had to know this was going to shock people across the country. Given the nature of this act, I hope the federal government will use all its resources to find the perpetrators because, if they are willing to do something as repulsive as this, what are they capable of doing next?
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| You have chosen to ignore JDBano. click Here to view this post |
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| Posted: Sat Feb 18th, 2006 02:19 am |
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3rd Post |
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javal1 Grumpy Geezer
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Great idea JDBano (and welcome). To facilitate this, we just posted a list of contact information for the park, law enforcement, media outlets, and politicians. It can be found here.
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| Posted: Sat Feb 18th, 2006 04:29 am |
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4th Post |
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susansweet2 Member
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JD I hope you don't mind I copied your letter and sent it to my congressman. He is a big supporter of Civil War . one of his advisors is a reenactor . I also posted a copy of your letter to members of the orange country California Civil War Round table and encourage them to write something similar to their congressmen. I cannot believe how angry I am about this happening. I hope they catch the punks soon. Hope it was okay to use your letter, it is outstanding. Susan
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| Posted: Tue Feb 21st, 2006 09:07 pm |
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5th Post |
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javal1 Grumpy Geezer
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Readshaw resolution to seek increase in park vandalism penalty HARRISBURG, Feb. 21 – State Rep. Harry Readshaw, D-Allegheny, today said he is preparing to introduce a resolution that would request the U.S. Congress to increase the minimum penalty for flagrantly vandalizing monuments, buildings and other assets on National Military Park property. Readshaw’s resolution follows last week's vandalism that severely damaged three Gettysburg Battlefield monuments erected more than a century ago to memorialize the courage and sacrifice of Union troops from three states during the 1863 battle that marked the turning point of the Civil War. The ravaged monuments include a bronze statue of a soldier of the 114th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry that was toppled from its base. Another bronze statue honoring the 4th New York Battery at Devil’s Den was pulled from its pedestal and dragged more than 100 feet. The head of the statue broke off and was taken. In addition, part of a granite sculpture in tribute of the 11th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry along Emmitsburg Road not far from the fallen 114th PVI monument was also pulled down. Photographs of the damage can be viewed on the Internet at http://www.civilwarinteractive.com. The monuments were all located within the park, so federal laws would apply in prosecuting suspects. Readshaw believes that minimum penalties should be enacted to adequately address destruction of the magnitude inflicted on Gettysburg last week. “These acts showed sickening disregard for public property, for the brave Americans that they memorialized, and for the impact that such an attack on a site held in such high regard for what it means to the heritage and spirit of our nation, especially during a time when American forces are involved in fighting overseas,” Readshaw said. “If a person is willing to do something as dark as this, what are they capable of doing next?" Readshaw said that the penalties should be increased for gross destruction of National Military Park property, especially by establishing minimum penalties that would ensure a perpetrator doesn’t get off with little more than a slap on the wrist. If Congress chooses to toughen the penalties for the future, the new law would not pertain to last week's destruction. Since 1997, Readshaw has been engaged in two campaigns to preserve the more than 140 Pennsylvania monuments and markers at Gettysburg. Readshaw first became involved in efforts to ensure that current repair and maintenance needs were funded. Readshaw is now championing a drive to create a trust fund for each of the monuments to pay for future regular maintenance needs. But last week’s vandalism has put the trust fund drive on hold as Readshaw has set up a fund drive to repair all three of the vandalized monuments, and has committed the proceeds from an upcoming ball in the Capitol Rotunda to the fund. The annual Civil War Preservation Ball, sponsored by the Victorian Dance Ensemble, will be held from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, March 25. It is open to people in appropriate Civil War attire or modern suits and ties for gentlemen and dresses for ladies. Tickets are $35 per person or $60 per couple. Music will be provided by the 28th Pennsylvania Regimental Band. Readshaw also appealed to private citizens and businesses to donate to get the monuments expeditiously repaired and back in place. Money collected for the Gettysburg Monuments Repair Fund will be turned over to the Gettysburg National Military Park as restoration work is ready to begin. The special fund will be established within the existing Pennsylvania Gettysburg Monuments Project. Donations should be mailed to: Gettysburg Monuments Repair Fund c/o Rep. Harry Readshaw 122 Irvis Office Building House Box 202020 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020 Readshaw initially was going to direct the fund drive only to the repair of the Pennsylvania monument, but then realized that all the monuments in the park are equally important in relaying the story of the epic struggle in Adams County that set the course for America’s future. More information about the monument repair fund and the Preservation Ball can be obtained by calling Readshaw’s Harrisburg Office at 717-783-0411, or by e-mail at Gettysburg@pahouse.net.
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