Pierce's Presentation

Pierce marching into "battle"
Photo "aged" in Photoshop
Courtesy of The Photographer

Pierce spent the day at the State Capitol.  He was involved in a "Living History" presentation to raise awareness and, hopefully, more funding for historical programs throughout the state.  He has been a history buff since the age of 5.  My husband and father in law are major history buffs as well.  Sadly, I don't know the difference between WWI and WWII.  History was never my strong suit in school.

My father in law was a Civil War "relic hunter" whose interest began when my husband was 5 years old.  He was tilling up new ground for a vegetable garden when he unearthed the remains of a civil war soldier!  While discussing the "find" with state authorities, his interest was piqued upon learning that the State of Virginia is virtually full of undiscovered relics such as bullets, belt buckles, etc.  Using a special type of metal detector, my father in law amassed quite an impressive collection before his death last year.  His will stipulated that all the relics were to be left to Pierce, whose own fascination with the Civil War began when Papa took him into the "relic room" and gave him a few relics as a birthday gift. 

Thus began Pierce's venture into the world of "living history".  At the age of 5, we began attending every single battle, presentation, etc.  At the age of 12, he joined his "regiment" although, due to regimental regulations, he had to wait another 4 years before he could carry a gun into "battle".  He and a few other reenactors spent the day discussing the importance of remembering our state's history and how "living histories" make the topic come alive and, hopefully, more interesting for school children.

Pierce's love of history has translated itself into a college double major of Political Science and History (with a concentration in the Civil War, of course).  To say I am proud of him would be such an understatement.