In mid April it was announced and widely carried in the press that the Congressional Medal of Honor Society had approved the proposal for the twins cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis to host this most prestigious society's annual convention. The several day event will be held there In early October and will feature many meetings and hold some forums allowing public participation. There will also be opportunities to actually approach, talk to and even get photo's with these heroes and come home with many most prized autographs, MOH books and other keepsakes.
Back in the Fall of 2013 I attended the annual convention held at Gettysburg, met, collected about 40 autographs and also had a great opportunity to fly the Canadian flag as I spoke to well over 3 dozen of the attending recipients. If you search the blogs back in late September and October of 2013, you will see my DAILY blogs, (at that time), covering the trip which, I trust will bring me many fond memories for the rest of my life.
As a result of writing close to 400 blogs in this space, over the years I have often received requests for help with family researches, and asking questions about the MOH or the VC, and details about many of the recipients. Many requests have been made of the blog to permit use on the material in books, speeches, temporary displays, documentaries, school projects, news clips and the like.
Most recently I was asked if some of my work on Alonzo Pickle could be used by a group in the State of Minnesota. They will be preparing a permanent record and sharing same with the state, possibly creating a website, and also sharing materials with the Congressional Medal of Honor Society itself. I was honoured and pleased to provide same.
Back in the Fall of 2013 I attended the annual convention held at Gettysburg, met, collected about 40 autographs and also had a great opportunity to fly the Canadian flag as I spoke to well over 3 dozen of the attending recipients. If you search the blogs back in late September and October of 2013, you will see my DAILY blogs, (at that time), covering the trip which, I trust will bring me many fond memories for the rest of my life.
As a result of writing close to 400 blogs in this space, over the years I have often received requests for help with family researches, and asking questions about the MOH or the VC, and details about many of the recipients. Many requests have been made of the blog to permit use on the material in books, speeches, temporary displays, documentaries, school projects, news clips and the like.
Most recently I was asked if some of my work on Alonzo Pickle could be used by a group in the State of Minnesota. They will be preparing a permanent record and sharing same with the state, possibly creating a website, and also sharing materials with the Congressional Medal of Honor Society itself. I was honoured and pleased to provide same.
Alonzo Pickle, shown here, was born in Farnham Quebec, and moved as a youth to the US. He joined the army for Civil War service and fought at many major battles including Gettysburg.
A year later..on his 20th birthday, he would save his wounded officer's life by carrying him off the field to safety. That same officer would later be awarded a MOH but for actions at Gettysburg.
Alonzo would also be so awarded but for actions during the Siege battles of Petersburg. His story appears in earlier blogs at this site.
A year later..on his 20th birthday, he would save his wounded officer's life by carrying him off the field to safety. That same officer would later be awarded a MOH but for actions at Gettysburg.
Alonzo would also be so awarded but for actions during the Siege battles of Petersburg. His story appears in earlier blogs at this site.
This is the State Capital at Saint Paul, and in front in the Mall is the reflective pool, that does not reflect due to its being dry!!!!
Back in February, it was announced that plans are in the works to create a memorial here to honour the State's Medal of Honor recipients.
Back in February, it was announced that plans are in the works to create a memorial here to honour the State's Medal of Honor recipients.
This state plaque holds the names of about 50 medal of Honor recipients, including several of most interest to this blog. I believe this may be mounted on one of the 6 pillars beyond the pool and closer to the Capital building.
Here you see the names, taken from the above image, of Canadians George Morgan, Alonzo Pickle, and James Flanagan, probably from Ireland. Also shown is that of the famous Charles Lindburgh. Not shown and apparently missing from the list is James Allen.
The elder Civil War soldier here is Brig. General George Nelson Morgan, Ontario born, and one of 7 Canadians wearing the US uniform of a General. In past blogs I believe I stated there were 8, in error. His son, George H Morgan, also Ontario born, served after the Civil War and is shown here as a cadet in his earliest days of service. He would rise to the rank of a full Colonel and earn a medal during the Indian uprisings after the CW. An army base in Bosnia Herzegovina was named in his honor.
In a Tennessee battle of 1863, Montreal born James Flanagan and 15 others held off an incredible force of about 125 cavalry and in doing so saved a most valuable wagon train of supplies for the Union forces.
Unfortunately history has yet to reveal a photo of this Medal of Honor recipient. Note the MOH flag beside his marker.
Unfortunately history has yet to reveal a photo of this Medal of Honor recipient. Note the MOH flag beside his marker.
After becoming famous for his 2 day non stop New York to Paris flight in 1927, President Woodrow Wilson presented Charles Lindbergh with a medal from his foundation. In a While House ceremony in March of 1928 the same president placed around his neck the Medal of Honor shown here.
Lindbergh would do his part to bring his story to the world. He would give some 147 speeches, travel over 1200 miles in ticker tape parades and visit 49 states in the months after his famous deed.
Above he is shown at Ottawa with the parliament buildings in the rear. At his side is Prime Minister Mackenzie King who had invited him to come to Canada... and bring his Spirit of St Louis with him... to help with the Canadian celebrations of our July 60th anniversary of Confederation. He spent a few days here and did some air tours of the area including flying in circles around the Peace Tower.
Note he is not wearing the Medal of Honor, as it had not yet been presented.
Above he is shown at Ottawa with the parliament buildings in the rear. At his side is Prime Minister Mackenzie King who had invited him to come to Canada... and bring his Spirit of St Louis with him... to help with the Canadian celebrations of our July 60th anniversary of Confederation. He spent a few days here and did some air tours of the area including flying in circles around the Peace Tower.
Note he is not wearing the Medal of Honor, as it had not yet been presented.
James Allen was probably born in Ireland but at a very early age came to Canada, and by age five he was orphaned and living in Canada, but no information yet on where.
Soon he would be in the US and by the start of the CW he had signed up, became involved in many of the famous battles like others, and would earn his MOH for bravery at South Mountain Maryland by capturing several prisoners and their colours.
Soon he would be in the US and by the start of the CW he had signed up, became involved in many of the famous battles like others, and would earn his MOH for bravery at South Mountain Maryland by capturing several prisoners and their colours.
When his enlistment was up, he reenlisted and was put into a railway regiment. He would be selected with a few others to actually build a touring car, shown here, for President Lincoln. It was too luxurious and so Lincoln apparently refused to use it. (Note the armed guards protecting it.)
When he was assassinated, Allen and the others were told to strip it down and rebuild it as a funeral car and they did.
Each of the above stories have been told at this site in much more detail and can be found by using the search engine in upper right.
This week I hope to free up some time to investigate why Allen's name is not on the above plaque, and will bring further news on this as it develops.
Hopefully his name will be included in any new memorial created at the state capital.
See you next Sunday
cheers
Bart
When he was assassinated, Allen and the others were told to strip it down and rebuild it as a funeral car and they did.
Each of the above stories have been told at this site in much more detail and can be found by using the search engine in upper right.
This week I hope to free up some time to investigate why Allen's name is not on the above plaque, and will bring further news on this as it develops.
Hopefully his name will be included in any new memorial created at the state capital.
See you next Sunday
cheers
Bart
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