Decoration Day Observation
May 29, 2022
12:00 pm
Recreating the Original G.A.R. Decoration Day Service of 1868: The traditional Decoration Day service of the Grand Army Meade Post #1 will be recreated at Historic Laurel Hill Cemetery, 3822 Ridge Ave. Philadelphia on Sunday, May 30, (original date of Decoration Day) 2021 at 12 noon. All are welcome to attend and participate in the ceremony.
Laurel Hill is the site of the first Memorial Day Observance in Philadelphia on this date in 1868.
Special veterans’ markers will be dedicated at the graves of 2 previously unmarked veterans:
- LTC. James Seibert. Commander of the 7th Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry
- Lt. Hugh Craig, Officer of the First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry, PA National Guard, Span-Am War Veteran
- Corporal William Geizer, 109th U.S. Infantry, 28th Division KIA in France in WWI
Speakers, ceremonies, and pageant will highlight this special ceremony. Afterwards the entourage will gather at the grave of General Meade, hero of Gettysburg to perform the traditional service to honor all veterans who fell defending the Nation. Wreath-laying, speeches, music, and honor guards will enhance the ceremony.
Historical groups, veterans, and citizens are urged to participate. Wreaths, military contingents, color guards, music and period civilians are encouraged to participate.
Refreshments served after the ceremony.
Co-sponsored by the General Meade Society of Philadelphia; Friends of Laurel Hill; American Legion Post #405; MOLLUS, Union League; Sons of Union Veterans; Patriotic Order Sons of America. For information, call: 215-228-8200
Laurel Hill Cemetery
3822 Ridge Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
Special Memorial Day Observance
May 30, 2022
1:00 pm
The National Holiday at Christ Church Burial Ground at 5th & Arch St.
The final resting place of five (5) Signers of the Declaration of Independence, including Benjamin Franklin and many military veterans of all eras!
The Benjamin Franklin American Legion Post #405 of the Union League will place a wreath representing the American Legion Post, commemorating the services of all veterans at the grave of Major Charles I. Maceuen, Major, 198th Pennsylvania Volunteers (6th Union League Regiment), KIA at the Battle of Lewis Farm, Va. March 29, 1865 Representing all veterans!
Christ Church Burial Ground
5th and Arch street
Philadelphia, PA
Annual Meade Society Spring Trip
June 11, 2022
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
TAPHOPHILES REJOICE!
The General Meade Society Hosts its Spring Trip
A TOUR OF OLD AND CURIOUS CEMETERIES of PHILADELPHIA:
This trip will be lead by Alex Palma
8:00 AM- 5:00 PM, Saturday, June 11th, 2022.
Free parking at the Cannstatter Restaurant, 9130 Academy Road, Phila., PA 19114
Cost: $55.00 per person – includes tour bus; driver tip; lunch at McGillin’s Olde Ale House; all admissions; and refreshments on board.
For reservations/information contact; Jerry McCormick, Treasurer-
E- Mail: gedwinmc@msn.com, or (215) 848-7753.
Beginning:
Depart: 8 AM
Canstatter Volksfestverein, 9130 Academy Road
Drive by:
8:10 AM
Old Crispin Cemetery, Holme and Pennypack st.
Resting place of Thomas Holme, surveyor of Philadelphia
Stop 1:
Arrive: 8:45 AM, Depart: 9:30 AM
Gloria Dei Burial Ground, 916 S Swanson St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Oldest Church in Pennsylvania and a remnant of the Swedish colonization of the area
Stop 2:
Arrive: 9:45 AM, Depart: 10:30 AM
Society Hill: St. Peter’s Church, Old Pine Presbyterian Church
Multiple 18th Century burial grounds in Society Hill
Stop 3:
Arrive: 10:45 AM, Depart: 11:20 AM
Washington Square, Mikveh Israel Cemetery
Burial ground for yellow fever victims and an important early Jewish burial ground within a few blocks of each other
Stop 4:
Arrive: 11:30 AM, Depart: 12:10 PM
Old City: Christ Church Burial Ground
Resting place of Charles Izard McEuen and Benjamin Franklin
Time allowing: Drive by visits of Arch Street Meeting House, St. George’s Church, Christ Church (the building)
Lunch:
Arrive: 12:30 PM, Depart: 1:30 PM
McGillin’s Olde Ale House, 1310 Drury St
Stop 5:
Arrive: 2 PM, Depart: 2:30 PM
Fair Hill Burial Ground, 2901 Germantown Ave
North Philadelphia graveyard founded in 1703, it is where Abolitionist Robert Purvis is buried
Stop 6:
Arrive: 3 PM, Depart: 3:30 PM
Mt. Sinai Cemetery, 1901 Bridge Street
Small but important 19th century cemetery for Philadelphia’s Jewish Community founded in 1854.
Stop 7:
Arrive: 4:00 PM, Depart 4:30 PM
Pennypack Baptist Church, 8732 Krewstown Rd
Extremely old congregation and burial ground founded in 1688
Ending 5:30 PM
Arrive: Canstatter Volksfest Verein, 9130 Academy Road
Cannstatter Restaurant
9130 Academy Road
Philadelphia, pa
Octavius V. Catto Honor Ceremony
October 1, 2022
11:00 am
Anniversary of the Assassination of Major Catto
Honor ceremony; wreath laying; military salute at the Catto Monument at the South Front of City Hall at 11:00am
Honoring the great African-American equal rights and military leader.
Wreath-Laying ceremony. All military units, period civilians, veterans and heritage groups are encouraged to participate. Colors, wreaths and music encouraged.
Following the City Hall Ceremony: PA National Guard Award Luncheon & Medal Ceremony to follow at 12:30pm in the Union League for the ‘Major Catto Medal’ Award Ceremony.
Contact: Breanna Pleiss at the Union League to reserve lunch:
PleisB@unionleague.org
Information: Dr. Andy Waskie
awaski01@gmail.com
The Armed Services Council Presents The Major OV Catto Awards Ceremony & Luncheon
Saturday, October 1, 2022 at 12:30pm
The Major Octavius V. Catto Honor Ceremony will begin at 11am, with lunch to follow. We will meet at the OV Catto Monument at the S.W. corner of City Hall at 11:00am for the wreath laying and honor volleys and taps.
Honoring the great black equal rights and military leader with a wreath-laying ceremony. All military units, period civilians, veterans and heritage groups are encouraged to participate. Colors, wreaths and music encouraged. Then come back to the League for a delicious lunch starting at 12:30pm. The Major Catto Medal of the Pennsylvania National Guard will be awarded after the Luncheon to deserving PA Guardsmen.
There will be a signature/cash bar available. Price: $40 inclusive
Philadelphia City Hall
1 S. Penn Square
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Meade Society Annual Fall Excursion
October 8, 2022 - October 10, 2022
All Day
The Meade Society Annual Fall Excursion postponed due to the pandemic is on!
When: Saturday – Monday, October 8 – 10, 2022
The cost for this trip is TBD. Cost will be per person, double occupancy (singles need to pay an additional $100.00 to cover the room charge)
Here’s what will be included in your trip package price:
Deluxe motorcoach with our new carrier, Perkiomen Tours;
Driver tip; Hotel for two nights with full breakfast;
Saturday night pizza party from LEDO’S PIZZA;
Guided tour of sites in Fairfax VA on Saturday;
Snacks & beverages on board the bus;
Sunday lunch at Mission BBQ near the Army museum;
Guided tour of the new U.S. Army Museum at Fort Belvoir VA;
Sunday dinner at a local restaurant;
Monday wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery.
Saturday lunch in Old Town Alexandria and Monday lunch in Washington D.C. are on your own, and as usual there will be a cash bar for Sunday dinner.
Please send Jerry McCormick a $50.00 deposit right away to hold your seat(s).
Contact Jerry McCormick (215) 848-7753 or gedwinmc@msn.com for reservations and information.
Let him know if you have any questions.
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US Marine Corps Observance
November 10, 2022
11:00 am
US Marine Corps Birthday Observance at the grave of General Jacob Zeilin, 7th Commandant of the Marine Corps. A special ‘Veterans’ Day tour of heroes ‘killed in action’ and buried at Laurel Hill Cemetery will follow.
Call 215.228.8200 for details.
Co-sponsored by: The Legion Post 405; MOLLUS;
General Meade Society
Dr. Andy Waskie awaski01@gmail.com or 215-423-3930
Laurel Hill Cemetery
3822 Ridge Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
Remembrance Day in Gettysburg
November 19, 2022
10:30 am
General Meade & his Generals and the veterans of the Battle of Gettysburg Honor/Dedication Ceremonies during the Remembrance Day Observance.
Honoring all commanders and veterans of the Battle. Meet at the General Meade Equestrian Monument at 10:30am
Contact Jerry McCormick at (215) 848-7753 or gedwinmc@msn.com for info.
Gettysburg National Military Park
1195 Baltimore Pike
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Annual General Meade Birthday Celebration
December 31, 2022
12:00 pm
The Annual General Meade Birthday Celebration will mark the 207th annual anniversary of the birth of General George G. Meade, heroic commander of the victorious Union army at the Battle of Gettysburg.
The General Meade Society of Philadelphia will celebrate his birthday at Historic Laurel Hill Cemetery, 3822 Ridge Ave. at noon.
A champagne toast and reception will follow the program. For directions, call: 215-228-8200 Laurel Hill Cemetery.
Laurel Hill Cemetery
3822 Ridge Avenue
Philadelphia, PA