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Rep. Lesch honors memory of Minnesotans who fought at Gettysburg

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

 

Rep. John Lesch

 

NEWS RELEASE

Minnesota House of Representatives

District 66B 651-296-4224 – rep.john.lesch@house.mn

537 State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:  Susie Merthan-651-296-2955

July 2, 2013

 

Rep. Lesch honors memory of Minnesotans who fought at Gettysburg

Rep. John Lesch in Cannon Falls to commemorate 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg

ST. PAUL, MN – Today, Representative John Lesch (DFL – St Paul) is in Cannon Falls to honor Minnesotans who fought in the Battle of Gettysburg. Just last week, Governor Dayton signed a proclamation commemorating the 150th anniversary of the battle. The proclamation, which designatesTuesday, July 2, 2013, as “Minnesota Courage at Gettysburg, Recognition Day,” commends the courage of 262 Minnesotans who fought at Gettysburg, and honors the memory of the 215 members of the First Minnesota Regiment who gave their lives on the battlefield.

“I am proud to honor the brave soldiers that fought for the freedom of all Minnesota and United States citizens,” said Rep. Lesch, a Platoon Leader in the Minnesota National Guard, “It is important for us to remember these pivotal moments in our nation’s history and to recognize the impact that they still have on our life today.” Lesch serves as an officer with 2-135 Infantry Battalion, the Minnesota unit which traces its direct lineage to the 1st Minnesota Regiment.

With only 47 survivors, the First Minnesota Regiment suffered more casualties than any other Union regiment at Gettysburg, and the largest single casualty rate of any regiment during the entire Civil War. Today, the regiment’s 82 percent casualty rate remains the largest loss by any surviving military unit in U.S. history during a single day’s engagement.

On July 2, 2013, and July 3, 2013, a delegation from Minnesota will honor the memory of Minnesotans involved in the Battle of Gettysburg by laying a wreath at the Minnesota memorial on the grounds of Gettysburg Military Park in Pennsylvania. Members of the delegation, and members of the Governor’s Civil War Commemoration Task Force, were on-hand today at the state Capitol for an official send-off ceremony with Governor Dayton.

THE PROCLAMATION signed by Governor Dayton and Secretary of State Mark Ritchie is available here:

http://mn.gov/governor/images/Minnesota_Courage_at_Gettysburg_Recognition_Day_2013.pdf

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