Photo By Ted Nichols | Attendees at a wreath-laying ceremony commemorating the 150th anniversary of the event...... read more read more
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FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa.- Pennsylvania National Guard members, state legislators, county officials and other distinguished guests participated in a wreath-laying ceremony here today to honor a Lebanon County Civil War hero.
The event was held at the Marquette Lake monument as way to remember Sgt. Charles Marquette, a Medal of Honor recipient.
April 2 marked the 150th anniversary of the siege of Petersburg, where Marquette impaled himself while placing the nation’s colors on the enemy’s breastworks (chest-high barriers which protected Soldiers from enemy fire). This act earned him a recommendation for and receipt of the Medal of Honor.
Marquette had strong ties to the Lebanon area. “Marquette was a member of Lebanon’s 93d Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment. He worked in Lebanon as a tailor and was educated in Palmyra,” said Sgt. Damian Smith, command historian. “In 1939, the man-made lake was constructed as a training site for lifeboat and landing craft drills. At that time post leadership opted to remember the local hero by naming the training site Marquette Lake.”
More than 600,000 Americans died in the Civil War, more than all the other wars in our nation’s history combined. During the war, more than 360,000 Pennsylvanians served in 215 infantry regiments, dozens of emergency militia regiments, 22 cavalry regiments and several dozen of light artillery.
State Rep. Russ Diamond and Lebanon County commissioners William Ames, Robert Phillips and Jo Ellen Litz attended the ceremony. Proclamations recognizing Marquette were presented on behalf of the Pennsylvania Senate, Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Lebanon County to Lt. Col. Robert F. Hepner, garrison commander of Fort Indiantown Gap, during the ceremony.
All the proclamations paid tribute to the Soldier for his sacrifice. The Pennsylvania House of Representatives proclamation stated in part, “The House of Representatives for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania pays tribute to the late Sergeant Charles Marquette for enduring countless hardships, making untold sacrifices and placing himself in harm’s way to defend and protect the cause of freedom.”
The installation also plans to continue to preserve his memory. “Sgt. Charles Marquette’s actions will never be forgotten, and we at Fort Indiantown Gap will continue to honor his service,” Hepner said.
| Date Taken: | 04.02.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 04.02.2015 16:22 |
| Story ID: | 159000 |
| Location: | FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, PA, US |
| Web Views: | 648 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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