Celebrating the military park are, from right, Landman Teller, president of the Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park and Campaign; John Nau III, chairman of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation; Dirk Kempthorne, secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior; Mary Bomar, director of the National Park Service; and Monika Mayr, superintendent of the VNMP.
Last week a dozen new historical tablets were unveiled at the Vicksburg National Military Park by federal dignitaries and county musician Trace Adkins at a ceremony celebrating a $142,000 National Park Grant made possible because a local nonprofit group raised half the total cost.
Adkins kicked off the ceremony by singing the national anthem, which was followed by remarks from keynote speakers Mary Bomar, Director of the National Park Service, and Dirk Kempthorne, Secretary of the U. S. Department of the Interior. Both had high praise for VNMP and its superintendent, Monika Mayr, and congratulated the nonprofit Friends group for raising $71,000 toward replacing the markers and refurbishing monuments and memorials.
"Twenty-thousand men were killed or wounded here. These brave soldier - on both sides of the line - deserve to be honored and deserve to have their stories told. In telling their stories, we are telling the story of our nation, and this project ensure their stories will be told " said Kempthorne.
For Adkins, who traveled to Vicksburg from his home outside Nashville, the ceremony had a personal connection. A native of Springhill, LA, Adkins recalled a bit of his family history, specifically his great-grandfather, Henry T. Morgan, who fought with the 31st Louisiana Volunteer Infantry during the Siege of Vicksburg and was captured along with the garrison when the city surrendered to the Union on July 4, 1863. One of the tablets Adkins help unveil was that honoring the 31st Louisiana Volunteer Infantry.
"This is hallowed ground, and we should never forget the sacrifices made here. Don't take it for granted," Adkins said, directing his comments to students in attendance. "You have the opportunity to come here, but you also have the responsibility to make sure it's always here for kids like you to come visit."
The Vicksburg National Military Park has nearly 1,400 tablets, monuments and historical markers in the park and throughout the city. It features the largest national cemetery for those who fought in the Civil War, and is one of 391 parks managed by the National Park Service.
John Nau III shares a laugh with country music singer Trace Adkins and Mary Bomar.
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