On Saturday, June 19, 2010, Fort Fisher State Historic Site will link our Civil War history with our current military neighbors in the event “Support Our Troops: Making Connections, 1865 to 2010.” During the American Civil War, Wilmington residents supported the Confederate garrison at Fort Fisher, much as members of the public today show their support for our modern military. This event will emphasize the ways in which the public supported Fort Fisher’s garrison in 1865 and help visitors find ways to support our men and women fighting overseas.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. visitors can step back in time as the grounds of Fort Fisher are transformed into a period encampment, complete with period music, and infantry and artillery demonstrations throughout the day. Family-friendly hands-on activities will be available on the grounds. Costumed tours will be offered at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Highlighting our period programming, costumed staff and volunteers will fire artillery, including our 32 pounder rifled and banded cannon, at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. Author Tom C. McKenney will present a talk on his work, Jack Hinson’s One-Man War: A Civil War Sniper at 12 p.m.
Throughout the hours of the program we hope visitors will find ways to show their support for our modern military. Donations will be accepted throughout the day for the non-profit organization Step Up for Soldiers. We encourage visitors to bring donations for our men and women fighting overseas. Specifically we are looking for hard candies, dried fruit, powdered drink mixes, lotions, lip balm, sun screens, and baby wipes. All donations will be given to Step Up For Soldiers, who will arrange for their overseas shipping. More information on this important local organization is available at www.stepupforsoldiers.org or stepup4soldiers@aol.com. Visitors will also have the opportunity to write letters and cards to our armed forces. We will provide the materials, you provide the message, and we will mail your card or letter to the 82nd Airborne’s Parachute Infantry Regiment 2-508th.